Barnsley is South Yorkshire town with a population of just over 70,000
people. Despite a reputation as a run-down area, Barnsley’s town centre
is home to an impressive array of boutiques and quality restaurants.
The shopping facilities are unusually good for a town of this size, and
the large town centre market is busy and popular and has been standing
since the thirteenth-century. The town centre is said to have more bars
and pubs per square mile than almost any other region in the UK, so it
goes without saying that Barnsley has plenty to offer in terms of
nightlife!

Barnsley might not be first choice for a relaxing break in the
countryside, but historical parkland and ancient villages surround the
town, and there is a wealth of historical monuments and buildings, some
dating back to the twelfth-century.

The town interchange is relatively small, but Barnsley is well
connected by transport links and there are major redevelopments planned
for the interchange later this year.

History

Barnsley’s history is documented back to 1249, when a Royal Charter was
granted to allow a weekly market to be held in the area. Over the next
five hundred years, Barnsley developed into a manufacturing centre,
producing vast quantities of linen and glass, and attracting thousands
of visitors. The area’s economic importance declined with the collapse
of the mining industry – an important employer in the area – in the mid
80s. Since then, Barnsley has begun rebranding itself as a sporting and
leisure town, and funding has flooded in to aid this development.

Important and exciting historical monuments and buildings are plentiful
in Barnsley; and these include the pinnacle tower of St Mary’s church
and the Monk Bretton Priory, both built in the twelfth-century and free
to visit. Cannon Hall was once an eighteenth-century family home but
has now been converted into a museum and gallery, exploring local
history up to the Victorian period. The Elsecar Heritage Centre is
housed within a former ironworks and colliery workshop, and comprises
exhibitions of historical artefacts and craft works.

Art Galleries

There is only one permanent art gallery in Barnsley, and that is The Cooper Gallery on Church Street, opposite the town hall. The gallery features exhibitions of
paintings, drawings and watercolours dating from the seventeenth- to
the twentieth-century. The gallery is frequently home to temporary
exhibitions of art and craft works by local and national artists.
Admission to the gallery is free.

The Cannon Hall Museum has a small, permanent display of historical art
works, including paintings and crafts.

For other temporary exhibitions around Barnsley, J+K Wood is a framing
shop with a small space dedicated to exhibiting works of art, and the
Barnsley College of Creative Arts host an annual Celebration of
Excellence, showcasing the work of its students.

Theatres

The Barnsley Lamproom Theatre complex is located in an old Methodist
Chapel on Westgate, and comprises three theatre groups: the Lamproom
Theatre Company, the Lamproom Musical Theatre Company, and the youth
theatre. The Lamproom showcases a range of large-scale productions,
including amateur performances, musical theatre, one-man shows and the
ever-popular Christmas pantomime.

Barnsley is also home to a number of independent theatre companies,
specialising in non-mainstream drama and performance. These include
Mark Mark Productions, with slapstick comedies and magic tricks, The
Faceless Co and The Theatre.

Restaurants

Barnsley town centre has much to offer for eating-out. Alongside a
large selection of takeaways and fast food restaurants, Barnsley boasts
a number of the contemporary restaurants and live music venues that are
springing up around the country and combining the dining experience
with a more lively night out.

The Citrus Rooms is one example. This complex comprises a bar, cafe and
music venue, with an extensive menu and in-house chef. The Lucorum is
another popular choice, comprising a café, bar, Mediterranean
restaurant, beauty salon and hairdressers.

Barnsley is an idea destination for fans of Chinese cuisine. China Moon
and New Jade Palace are popular Chinese restaurants and takeaways, and
the China Court Restaurant serves high quality Chinese food, with warm
service and a stylish ambience.

Pubs/Bars

Local legend has it that Barnsley is home to more pubs per square mile than
almost any other region in the UK. Whether this is literally the case or not, there
are certainly more than 120 bars in the town centre, catering to a wide
range of tastes and wallets.

There are stylish and up-market venues, such as The Citrus Rooms
complex comprising a bar, cafe and live music venue, as well as popular
workingmen’s clubs, such as The Farm Road Social Club, that are
building new followings amongst a younger generation raised on bar
franchises and chain pubs. Tempo is a pre-club bar, open until 4am on
Saturdays and presenting house music DJs, and the Arches is rock pub.
There are a dozen real ale pubs in the town recommended by the local
branch of CAMRA.

Nightclubs

Barnsley’s vast selection of pubs and bars generate a vibrant nightlife
in the town, but there are only three dedicated nightclubs in Barnsley.

Club Hedonism has a large, out-of-town following and presents R’n'b,
chart, club classics and rock music four nights a week. Drinks are
cheap and the club is located above the Chicago Rock Café.

Heaven and Hell has branches in other towns and cities around the UK,
and presents a variety of electro house, hardstyle, hard trance, funky
and electro techno in its large, town centre venue.

Livingstones Club opens three nights each week and presents party
anthems, hip-hop and r’n'b in its two rooms.

Other venues playing host to club nights include The Citrus Rooms, with
alternative, indie and rock, and The Lucorum, recently voted Best Club
Night in the North by Galaxy 105.

Shopping

Barnsley town centre market is ideal for bargain-hunters. The Market
Hall comprises more than three hundred stalls and opens five days a
week. There are also Meat and Fish Markets, Antiques and Collectors
Markets and a car boot sale.

Major redevelopments of the shopping facilities are planned, but
currently, the main shopping streets in Barnsley town centre are Queen
Street, Cheapside, May Day Green and the Arcade. The Arcade is the
place to find designer boutiques and independent retailers.

The Alhambra shopping centre is based a short drive from the town
centre and houses around thirty stores, including most of the major
retailers. The Alhambra is open seven days a week.

Sports

As a result of a governmental objective to encourage sports and
athletics, Barnsley (and many other regions) are now home to a wealth
of sporting facilities.

There are numerous leisure centres in Barnsley. The Barnsley Metrodome
is a huge leisure complex, comprising four swimming pools, squash
courts, bowls facilities, a gym, dance studio and health suite.
Athersley Leisure Centre offers gymnastics and athletics facilities, as
well as football coaching on astro-turf pitches. The Dorothy Hyman
Stadium boasts state of the art athletics facilities and coaching.
Other leisure centres include Hoyland Leisure Centre, Royston Leisure
Centre and Penistone Leisure Centre.

There are a number of golf courses to be found in the rolling
countryside that surrounds Barnsley. Wombwell Hillies is one example of
a nine-hole course, open to the public.

Home to some of Victoria’s most rugged national and state parks, the Grampians region is a veritable playground for visitors with adventurous tastes. The dramatic landscape lends itself particularly well to being viewed from the sky, so hot air ballooning and scenic flights of the area are particularly popular. Rockclimbing and abseiling are also popular sports here, and Grampians National Park and Mount Arapiles are the two most popular rockclimbing spots in Australia. Good weather and a multitude of challenging peaks bring visitors from all over the world, eager to test their skills on Australia’s most formidable cliffs.

The mountains can also be enjoyed by keeping your feet on the ground – with walking, cycling, mountain biking, and horse-back riding. Try joining a downhill mountain biking tour, or explore the countryside on horseback, getting up close and personal with the many kangaroos and other wildlife that call the area home. The parks are an excellent place to enjoy either a casual stroll or a challenging hike, and have something to offer to visitors of all interests and fitness levels.

A great spot to stay while in the area is Halls Gap, a tourist centre within easy reach of all the major attractions of the region. Those who wish to enjoy the area without tasting the more adventurous side of life can enjoy scenic drives, country-style shopping, local wineries, and explore local Aboriginal culture in the town’s galleries. Horsham is another excellent place to stay, being close to Mount Arapiles. In addition to the beautiful mountain views, this area is home to amazing sunsets over the Wimmera plains and the Little Desert National Park. All of this combined with the area’s top golf course, excellent fishing locations, and a bustling economic centre with wonderful shopping, accommodations, and dining, make Horsham an excellent place to stop and enjoy the grandeur of the Grampians.

Your holidays are booked, your bags are packed and you think you have everything you need—money, passport, tickets, and clothing for every occasion. What more could you possibly require?

For almost 41% of Canadians who do not always travel with it, the answer is emergency medical travel insurance. Whether simply forgotten or deemed unnecessary, the fact is that travel health insurance should be a must-have before you leave the country.

When you are away from home even the most minor injuries or illnesses can become a major expense. So while an accident or illness can happen anywhere at anytime, emergency medical travel insurance helps to protect you from the unexpected costs that can come with a visit to a doctor or hospital outside of your home country.

Consider for example the following estimates: A stay in a US hospital typically costs about $2,500 Canadian per day. Even more shocking is that if your condition is serious and you require intensive care, it is not uncommon that you would end up paying about $10,000 per day.

If you’re not worried about the costs, because you believe your province’s health insurance plan will cover it, make sure you look into your province’s coverage first. You may be surprised to learn that if your province’s health coverage does extend outside of Canada it will likely be limited.

For example, if you are an Ontario resident travelling outside of Canada you will be covered for emergency care from a physician but only for as much as that service would have cost in Ontario. And, if you need to stay in a hospital to receive emergency services you are covered up to $400 per day for intensive, complex care. If it is less intensive, the maximum is $200.

Why risk it, when emergency medical travel insurance is so inexpensive?
There’s a good chance you’ve spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your trip. For a few extra dollars, you can protect yourself by ensuring you get the attention you need, when you need it while not having to worry about how your emergency treatment will get paid.

The following travel health insurance quotes can be found easily online and show how little emergency medical travel insurance actually costs:

• For travellers aged 16 to 40 years, emergency medical travel insurance is available for as little as $15 for a 2 week trip—or for as little as $26 for an annual travel health insurance policy that covers you for every 2 week trip you take in a year.
• For travellers aged 41 to 55 years, emergency medical travel insurance is available for as little as $15 for a 2 week trip—or for as little as $27 for an annual travel health insurance policy that covers you for every 2 week trip you take in a year.
• For travellers aged 56 to 59 years, emergency medical travel insurance is available for as little as $21 for a 2 week trip—or for as little as $28 for an annual travel health insurance policy that covers you for every 2 week trip you take in a year.

Quotes are for single and annual trip emergency medical insurance for a resident of Ontario travelling overseas or to the US.

Without emergency medical travel insurance, an illness or injury could not only ruin your vacation but would likely have financial consequences for years to come. Why risk it when emergency travel health insurance costs so little and can save you so much? Not to mention the peace of mind it will give you knowing you’re covered.

Don’t leave home without travel health insurance. Compare emergency medical travel insurance quotes online today and get the coverage you need for your travels. It is a travel tip that could save you thousands of dollars.

Located in the heart of the scenic Cotswolds, Cheltenham is a city
famous for many things – its horseracing and award-winning gardens
being just two of them. Then, of course, you have the Regency
architecture of the city centre and the lively shopping district,
elements that come together to bring vivacity and life to this
Gloucestershire city. Further, the city also proves to be a fine base
from which to explore the surrounding Cotswolds, home of gently rolling
hills and quaint, charming villages.

Places of interest

When you come to Cheltenham, you will soon discover that the draw of
the city lies in its appearance, for it has long been considered to be
one of Britain’s prettiest towns. Accordingly, many of Cheltenham’s
places to visit are ones that focus on scenic displays and historic
buildings. Some of the most popular tourist destinations are:

Things to do

During your stay in Cheltenham, you’ll discover a pleasing variety of
attractions to visit and things to do, whether you’re a family or
couple, or just visiting alone. Throughout the year, the city is
buzzing with activity, playing host to many festivals and events, such
as the Literature Festival. Just a few things to see and do include:

Food & Drink

Cheltenham is home to many different types of restaurant, with the
focus on quality. Of course, if you’re after something fast and easy,
you’ll find plenty of different cafés and takeaways serving up
what you’re looking for, but Cheltenham particularly prides itself on
being the home of many stylish eateries. Here are some of the best you
can sample:

Hotels Accommodations

There are literally hundreds of places to stay during your visit to
Cheltenham, whether you’re looking for a hotel, guesthouse, bed and
breakfast or self-catering establishment. Alternatively, other types of
accommodation include camping and caravan sites and hostels. Many of
the hotels offer special offers and it’s always advisable to search
around to find the best deals. Elizabethan manors and country mansions
serve as the setting for some of the top hotels in the district.
Kings Arms Hotel
Cheltenham Park Hotel
George Cheltenham Ltd
Beaumont House
Macdonald Queen’s Hotel
Cotswold Grange
Hotel
Hotel On The Park
North Hall Hotel
The Prestbury
House Hotel Oaks Restaurant
Clarence Court Hotel
The Quality Hotel Cheltenham
Cleeve Hill Hotel
Thistle Cheltenham
The CheltenhamTownhouse Hotel
Lords of the Manor
Rising Sun Hotel
White Hart Inn
De La Bere Hotel
Oaklands Bed and Breakfast
Entertainment

The night life in Cheltenham is completely entertaining with a host of
nightclubs and exciting pubs and bars. You’ll find Cheltenham to be a
welcoming and friendly city where you’ll always feel safe. If you’re
looking for a nightclub, Subtone and Enigma are two of the most
popular, with attractive line-ups of events going on all the time;
alternatively, if you’re a fan of Hollywood then you’ll discover that
the Odeon cinema shows all the latest blockbusters as well as popular
British films.

Cheltenham is sometimes called a city within a park, and when you
visit, you’ll see why. The architecture of the city itself is beautiful
enough, with Regency-period buildings (over two thousand of them
listed!) and attractive designs, but the picturesque parks are what
make Cheltenham really special. There are lots of tree-lined avenues,
plenty of floral displays and many more examples of nature in bloom
that give Cheltenham a truly attractive appearance. Combine this with
the wealth of activities and places to see, and it’s hard to deny that
Cheltenham is one city you really must visit.

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In Africa today, the fight for growth of the rhino population is an everyday activity.
After being declared an endangered species, Kenya has put up big efforts financially to see to it that their habitats have been safe guarded.

The history of the rhino can be traced back to 45 million years ago.
The Baluchitherium, an ancestor of the Indian rhino, was the largest land mammal that ever lived. It was 18 feet high and 36 feet long. It lived over 20 million years ago.
Fortunately, the rhino is on its way back, thanks to the efforts of well wishers and volunteers.

THE PROBLEM
The problem of the rhino has been its beauty, the horn. It is made of keratin, a substance found in human hair and nails. Powdered Rhino horn has been used extensively in traditional medicine in Asia and to make ornamental dagger handles in the Yemen. The demand is so great that traders are prepared to pay poachers vast sums to kill rhinos for their horns.
Because of these, Rhinos have faced wholesale slaughter. To stop these abuse governments and bodies such as Save the Rhino teamed up together to halt the abusive. Thanks to them, the overall decline of the rhino has been halted, and populations in Africa are beginning to stabilize.

A CLOSER LOOK…..
The rhino belongs to the family Rhinoceroteridae. They are 5 species placed in 4 genera.
Three of these species are found in south-central Asia and the other two live in Africa south
of the Sahara. Rhinos inhabit savannahs, shrubby regions and dense forests.
The African species live in more open areas than do the Asian species.
Their habitat has to generally have access to water. They usually drink everyday.
Their horns are dermal growths originally composed of compressed keratin. Usually they have 1-2 horns. Both hind and forefeet have 3 digits with a small hoof. They are known to have poor eye sight but strong hearing and smell. The tough and wrinkled skin has very few scattered hairs. The tail ends with stiff bristles.

BREEDING…
Female rhinos give birth every 2 years to a single calf, which is active soon after birth.
The calf remains with the mother until the next offspring is born.
Gestation is 420-570 days. Sexual maturity is reached at 7-10 years for bulls and 4-6 years for cows.They a life span of up to 50 years.

Note that the African rhinos are more aggressive than Asian species.
They use their horns to attack and toss their enemies.
This can be especially dangerous and can kill attackers instantly.
African white rhinos have a preference of feeding low to the open grounds whereas the black rhino usually browse on leaves and have a tendency to stay hidden.
They have been noted to be more active in the evening, through the night and in early morning, spending their days resting in heavy cover.
Rhinos sleep in both standing and laying positions and love to wallow in muddy pools and sandy riverbeds. They penetrate dense thickets by shear force, often leaving behind a trail that other animals later use. Rhinos run with a cumbersome motion, reaching top speed at a canter. They can, however, attain speeds of up to 45 km per hour for short distances.Basically the black rhino is more solitary and territorial except for the mother-child unit.
Groups of adult cows or bachelor bulls are sometimes formed, however, and during the mating season pairs of rhinos may stay together for up to 4 months.
Rhinos mark their territories with urine and by dropping their dung in well-defined piles that can reach up to 1 m in height. They often furrow the areas around these piles with their horns and make the piles even more conspicuous.
The black rhino has a wide vocal range and can possibly communicate like an elephant,
through frequencies below the range of human hearing. Breathing is an important part of communication.
Unlike the white rhino-calf, the black rhino calf normally runs behind its mother.

CURRENT STATUS..
There were an estimated 20,000 black rhino in Kenya in the 1970s.
By 1982 the population was reduced to fewer than 400. Since then, their number has
increased and now stands at over 450. The number in fenced areas has risen at an average
rate of four percent each year when the conditions are good.
Since 1984 the Kenyan government has pursued an active program devoted to the
recovery of Kenya’s black rhino, with efforts centering on the development of specially
protected or fenced sanctuaries on government and private land, such as Lewa.

Rhino populations under custodianship both on private land (Solio Ranch) and in some
State-run areas (such as Nairobi National Park) have provided set up for new populations
(including reintroducing animals into an electrified-fence sanctuary inside the KWS-run Tsavo West and Meru National Parks). The private sector thus plays an important part in the conservation of rhino in Kenya and currently supplies many of the animals being used to restock state parks.

Kenya is currently the stronghold of the Eastern African subspecies Diceros bicornis michaeli,
a home to about 88 % of the population in 1995. Like South Africa and Namibia, Kenya is doing translocation to set up new populations while aiming to ensure that donor populations
remain productive. The public plight of the black rhino has attracted support from many different areas. Today, scientists are formulating a method of «fingerprinting» rhino horn based on the nutrient content of each specific rhino conservation area. This will enable them to pinpoint the area a rhino came from, its family group, and even its preferred diet. It is also an important step toward eradicating poaching, as scientists will be able to determine where a rhino was when it was killed.
For more facts about Kenya wildlife visit http://www.natural-track.com

THOUSANDS of Scots emigrate every year, citing better jobs, more favourable weather and large ex-pat communities as their motives for the move.

But finance comes into it too.

As young families struggle to keep their heads above water with rising interest rates, taxes, property prices and cost of living, the lure of sunnier climes has never been stronger.

Some 32,000 people left Scotland in 2005 to join the 5.5 million Brits that now live overseas. Since 2000, 163,000 Scots have started a new life elsewhere.

Across the UK as a whole, a total of 200,000 emigrated last year, mainly to Australia, Spain and France.

Australia is welcoming these new residents with open arms – moving down under has never been easier.

On 1 September new rules came into effect that mean an extra five points will be awarded for passing a standard English language test under Australia’s points-based immigration system.

Jason Hemmings, a director at Albannach FM, an independent financial advice (IFA) firm, said the biggest lure of foreign shores was a better quality of life at a lower cost.

“In Scotland, in most cases, both parents have to work and therefore need childcare. The growing cost of living is undermining what people want to achieve out of life. When the cost of living is less, it gives people choice about whether or not both parents work and where the children go to school.”

Chris J Mackie, a financial planner with Acumen, agreed, saying: “The buoyant UK housing market, coupled with the low European Interest rates and cheap cost of living, has resulted in a large migration of Brits overseas. This seems to be an especially appealing option around retirement time when, with many pensions not producing sufficient income to maintain the required standard of living, people look for ways to free up capital from property. I’m sure the British summers also have something to do with it.”

According to research by Selftrade, more than one in five young people said they would leave the UK if the government decided to abolish the state pension.

And there is now constant pressure on the younger generation to prepare for their old age. But more than a quarter of British adults fail to make any provision for retirement and nearly a third of women admitted to not making any pension plans in a recent survey by Alliance Trust.

Hyman Wolanski, head of pensions at Alliance Trust, said: “It is worrying to see that many in the prime of their working lives are most uncomfortable about their retirement prospects. It is clear that serious action needs to be taken to tackle the problem to break this trend.”

In addition, young people are being priced out of the housing market. It has become increasingly difficult for first-time buyers to get a foothold on the property ladder. The average house price in Edinburgh is £288,000, according to new research from Halifax. Compare this to Melbourne, where it is possible to buy a three-bedroom detached house with parkland views for £130,000.

There are also tax advantages to moving overseas. For example, if someone with a buy-to-let portfolio lives abroad for more than five years they will not have to pay the usual 40 per cent Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when they sell up.

But consider your options before you book the flights, as Mackie says: “Care must be taken when owning property abroad and specialist advice sought. It is often assumed that property owned abroad is not subject to the British tax regime but for most, this is not the case. For example, most will still be classed as ultimately being UK citizens and taxes like inheritance tax will often apply to worldwide assets including overseas property and other assets.

“Taking professional advice can help to minimise the impact of these taxes.”

Should I stay or should I go? The case for and against

FIVE reasons to stay:

• The NHS. Free healthcare is a something we take for granted in the UK. However much you moan about it, you would miss it.

• Free bank accounts. At present, bank accounts are gratis, as are authorised transactions. That is not the case in many countries.

• Culture. We often forget how rich the UK is, with fantastic galleries, theatres and museums. The world’s biggest ball of elastic bands in Oz doesn’t quite match up.

• Marmite, baked beans, good tea, Irn-Bru and potato scones. Even if you can get them imported, it just isn’t the same.

• Sick leave, paid holidays, maternity/paternity leave. In places like the US, that is a mere pipe dream.

Five reasons to go

• Rainy summers, rainy winters, rainy everything. Workpermit.com received an unprecedented number of inquiries about moving abroad this summer, and a better climate is one of the top reasons people give when emigrating.

• No space. Many emigrants said they left the UK because they wanted more land, bigger homes and a less cramped way of life.

• TV licence fees. Small annoyances like paying for channels you don’t watch and funding such channels to produce inane TV series is one of the pet peeves of those who dream of living abroad.

• Congestion charges. It cost £8 a day to drive in central London – more than £1,000 pounds a year just to drive to work has a real sting in the tail for those in the capital. And such charges could easily spread to Scottish cities.

• Waiting lists. The NHS may be a reason to stay, but the waiting lists are not.

‘PLANNING TO STAY IN AUSTRALIA PERMANENTLY’

CHRIS and Sandra Ansell, both 39, emigrated from Edinburgh to Perth in Australia in May with their two boys Ewan, six, and Owen, two.

Both worked in Edinburgh full-time. Sandra was an IT trainer and Chris a contract manager in engineering.

They decided to move to the sun for a slower pace and better quality of life – and because the cost of property and living in general was significantly less in Australia. Chris works as an engineer in Perth while Sandra is not working, “taking her time to get used to the climate”.

Their children quickly settled into the way of life and now see Australia as their home.

Jason Hemmings of Albannach FM was the Ansells’ independent financial adviser while in Edinburgh and still keeps in touch with the family.

He said: “After Chris and Sandra had their second child they were under more financial pressure. Lots of things are more expensive here than in Australia, including property.

“They also had a hectic way of life and both of them had to work full time.”

Hemmings added: “Chris is doing really well in his job and Sandra is having a good time acclimatising. They are planning to stay in Australia permanently.”

In the longer term, a move overseas can make sense for families like the Ansells.

One benefit is that if people are actually domiciled abroad they will not be subject to UK inheritance tax, which is currently 40 per cent on estates valued at more than £300,000.

So, that place in the sun could save you and your family money as well as improve your lifestyle.

Of course, you might end up missing those rainy days.

- Laura Harding, scotsman.com

Visa for Australia and Australia Visa Application made easy! Australian Working Visa made possible to easily have one! Visit Australia Immigration at http://www.nationalvisas.com.au

Washington D.C. may seem like a city geared more towards adults. Most of the attractions are, after all, museums, government buildings, and memorials. For kids on vacation, Washington D.C. may seem more like a school field trip than a vacation. But there are actually plenty of interesting and entertaining options for kids in Washington D.C.

First up, Ford’s Theater, the Lincoln Museum, and The House Where Lincoln Died. Restored to look as it did on the night of Abraham Lincoln’s murder, the Ford Theater is open to the public most always, except for when matinees or rehearsals are in progress. Visitors can trace the steps of John Wilkes Booth around the theater. There are also free 15 minute talks throughout the day on the history of the theater and the story of the assassination. In the basement of the theater is the Lincoln Museum. Here, tourists can see exhibits including the Derringer pistol used by Booth, as well as his diary entries with his plans for the assassination. After the President was shot, he was carried to a house nearby, which is also now open to the public. The house is also called the Petersen house, as it then belonged to a person named William Petersen, and it is decorated with period pieces that allow visitors to see it as it was at the time.

Another option is the International Spy Museum. This 68,000-square-foot museum covers every spy topic, from the history of spies to giving out tips and tricks of the trade. Videos are played that show how spies are made up for disguise, as well as stories from ex-spies. Exhibits show off trick equipment, like a pistol disguised as a lipstick tube. They also show artifacts from all over the world, tell about famous spy-masters over time, and teach visitors about codes and code-breaking. The International Spy Museum is not your typical “look, but don’t touch” kind of museum. Several hands-on activities include crawling through the ductwork in the ceiling, and through a recreated tunnel of the one beneath Berlin, Germany during the Cold War. Both kids and adults will learn things they never thought could ever be true, but yet they can rest assured that they are. The museums executive director was with the CIA for 36 years and assures everyone that every fact in the museum is accurate. At the end of the day, the museum also offers a Spy City Café and a gift shop.

Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are two of the biggest stars at the next attraction. These two giant pandas live at the National Zoological Park in Washington D.C. For youngsters with an appreciation for the outdoors, and for animals, this is an excellent place to visit. Visitors are encouraged to tackle the zoo on their own and at their own pace. The trails are easy to follow and it’s hard to get lost. Or, visitors can also take part in the free 90-minute highlights tour. The tour includes a well educated guide who can show guests how to look for the animals, as well as when and where the best times to see them are. The zoo is regarded as one of the best in the country in the care, breeding, and exhibition of its animals. The animals live in large, open enclosures very similar to their natural habitats. The zoo has over 5 hundred species, including zebras, camels, cheetahs, elephants, kangaroos, and many other normal zoo animals.

Taking kids to a city geared towards adults can be difficult, but with these and other kid-friendly activities, youngsters will hopefully have a wonderful time in Washington D.C.

A nature adventure travel will provide you the best of entertainment and excitement. However, you need to choose the destination carefully. The destination should suit your specific taste, budget and requirements. This will make your nature adventure trip enjoyable and memorable. Here is a list of some of the top nature adventure tour destinations in the world. Study these carefully and plan your adventure tour accordingly.

a) Madagascar:
When it comes to wildlife, this place comes in the top list. It is a prize-winning destination to all those who want to experience the best of nature adventure travel tour. You would be able to see different kinds of frogs, lemur and chameleon.
b) Great Barrier Reef:
This place witnesses around 1.8 million visitors each year. The place is referred to as world heritage site which is the largest structure on earth built by living organisms and desenes its place within the top ten rankings of adventure sites in this world.
c) Polar Bear Trek:
Polar Bear Trek is considered to be a great predator. You would be pleased to see this amazing animal within its natural habitat. There are very few of then left these days due to the global warming threat and constant change in the climate. This is the biggest bear available in this world.
d) Tiger safari:
You can enjoy tiger safari via sitting on the back of an elephant in one of the India’s National Park. The experience is awesome.
e) Whale watching:
This would prove to be a great experience for you. You would be able to communicate with the animal via good whistles and squeaks.
f) Wildebeest Migration:
You should definitely try this one if you want to experience the true taste of an adventure travel. This is considered to be the biggest mass migrations across the globe. You would be able to see predators such as the hyena, lion, crocodile and cheetah feasting while the migration takes place through their territory.
g) Swim with wild Dolphins:
Dolphins are beautiful creatures. Having an opportunity to swim with them is real adventure. People who had an experience in this kind of an event; usually like to come back to the place to experience the thrill once more. Dolphins enjoy human company and you would love the company of this wonderful animal.

All the natural adventure options mentioned above will provide you the best of enjoyment and thrill.

“Just Like Magic”

When the dolphin came close, a feeling swept over my whole body. The feeling made my body tingle from the top of my head to the very tip of my toes. It was a kind of feeling that made me feel safe and calm, but on the other hand, it made me feel joyful and excited at the same time. With the body so slick and the face so full of respect and gentleness, I could hardly keep myself from leaping out and hugging it to death. With the disgusting green moss and the tiny sea scum creeping through my toes, all I could think about was the beautiful scene ahead. But when I was lifted through the salty air, by these wonderful creatures, I then realized the real beauty of the dolphins. The gracefulness, the passion, and true kindness of dolphins made me realize that not just them, but all of the inhabitants in this great world, are all combined in one heart, in one house, where each and every one of us need to take care of each other, no matter the size, or strength, or abilities. We need to help not just because people tell us to, but also because their lives and hopes may lie in our own hands. This one trip out of nowhere made me recognize the way the species live and die in this tragic but miraculous world. I truly recommend you participate in the Dolphin Discovery, where you will find out truly what an adventure is. The only other thing I can say is it feels “just like magic”.

Kerala forests are rich with a variety of medicinal plants that usually find its way to several ayurvedic medicines. From down south Agastyarkoodam to northern Nilamboor, there are different forests, which provide a rich supply of Kerala medicinal plants.

The careful use of medicinal plants in Kerala for different ailments comes in tune with the general tradition of south Asia, where you can see about 90% of the total population depending on herbal remedies. The relative absence of side-effects also makes medicinal plants in Kerala forests a special attraction.

Medicinal plants in India counts to more than 2500. More than 1500 species of medicinal plants can be found in Western Ghats. The other belt in India with high concentration of medicinal plants is the heights of Himalayas. Medicinal plants are extremely sensitive to climate. The tropical medicinal plants you find in Kerala cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Same is the case of almost all medicinal plants you find elsewhere in South Asia. They are all confined to specific locations.

Kerala has different schemes to protect the medicinal plants and also to cultivate such plants on a large scale to sustain the supply. Today organic farming is the most sought out way of medicinal plant cultivation as the plants produced through such methods possess all the natural qualities of the plants.

Organic farming of medicinal plants in Kerala can be a relatively new thing. It is because of the rich availability of medicinal plants as forest produce. But now a concerted move is on to protect the natural supply of medicinal plants and to deliver to the global demands of medicinal plants from Kerala forests.