A Holiday Guide to Koroni

Messinia

Messinia lays on the southern part of mainland Greece, now divided from the mainland by the Corinth Canal. The peninsula hosts some of the most important and impressive ancient sites in Greece. It has a warm winter, it's not too hot in summer and boasts some of the best and cleanest beaches in the whole of Greece. Even in the height of the summer holiday season there are no more than a handful of people to be seen on them.

The mountain landscape of the Messinian Mani is simple stunning and is dominated by Taygetos, one of the largest mountain ranges in the Peloponnese. Whereas the Messinian peninsular has rolling hills and fertile valleys considered to be the market garden and wine centre of Greece.

It is an ideal place to relax and go for walks. Wander off the beaten track into the old hill towns and discover the true beauty of the region. A world apart from the islands, the beautiful and sparsely populated the Peloponnese is a bastion of disappearing Greek village life. The rural villages in this area are beautifully authentic, traditional and spread out. The local villagers are friendly and welcoming, often plying new tourists with gifts of wine and oranges.

The city of Kalamata with all its facilities nestles at the head of the Messini Bay in between the two peninsulas, thus making it an ideal location for a dream holiday.

Koroni

The road coils like a gigantic serpent slowly amidst lush green fields to arrive at Koroni. Its medieval atmosphere is embossed in its old mansions, its churches and its fortress. Its surrounded by still, sheer water, sandy beaches and opposite the little island of Venetiko with its delightful beach. From its hilltop site the Venetian citadel crowns the town. A proper eagle's nest, with thick walls and colossal gates, it cuts a powerful and glorious figure. Below the fortress in a small palm grove is a little building housing Koroni's collection of historical and archaeological artefacts. The outstanding beauty of the area is unimpeded and uninterrupted, therefore, provides continuous surprises.

Fortress of Koroni

The fortress occupies the headland to the east of the modern town and is built on the ruins of the ancient Messenian town of Asine. It was constructed in the 6th or 7th century A.D., and was used all through the Byzantine period. Koroni was captured by the Venetians in 1206 and was used as a supplying centre. In 1500 the fortress was occupied by the Turk Bayazit Pasha and remained under Turkish control until 1686 when it was recaptured by the Venetians. In 1715, when the Venetians left the Peloponnese, the fortress was again dominated by the Turks who kept it until 1828, when it was liberated by the French general Maison.

For many years, the Archaeological Service has been carrying out restoration work on many of the fortresses buildings.

The most important monuments of the site are:

- The Byzantine Castle.
In the 13th century it was fortified by the Venetians who were responsible for the construction of towers and machicolations.

- Byzantine church of Aghia Sophia (Holy Wisdom).
Three-aisled basilica with colonnades. A second church was built over the prothesis, also dedicated to Aghia Sophia and was reconstructed at the beginning of the century.

- Church of St. Charalambos.
A spacious, single-aisled, wooden-roofed church built at the beginning of the second Venetian occupation. It was originally dedicated to St. Rocco.

- Church of Panaghia Eleistria.
A spacious, single-aisled, wooden-roofed church, dating back to the end of the 19th or the beginning of the 20th century.

Petalidi

Petalidi protrudes out from the head of a little bay. The sandy or pebbly beaches around the town are shallow and sheltered from the wind and are lined with banana trees. The beautiful main square is surrounded by souvenir shops, café tarvernas, and restaurants.

Top 5 Destinations For UK Holidays

Going on holiday is one of the best experiences in life, taking the opportunity to leave work for a couple of weeks and experience a new culture and of course get some sunshine. However with the growing trend for holidaying at home more and more people are realising that there is a plethora of different destinations in our own backyard that are perfect for a short and longer breaks. Here are five of the top destinations for UK holidays.

For those that have never visited the capital London should be seen as a must see destination for UK holidays. London is a marvellous mix of cultures and is a bustling, exciting place to spend time. As well as the city itself there are a host of sites that should form an element in anyone's itinerary. For example, the Houses of Parliament are worth visiting, even if it is just for the photos, equally however the Tower of London offers a unique insight into some of the more gory episodes in the royal family's history. It does not stop there however, with sights such as St Paul's Cathedral, the theatres of the West End and Hampton Court there is always something to do in this fascinating city.

If the hustle and bustle of London does not appeal to your idea of a holiday it is worth trying the Highlands of Scotland. The Highlands include acres of untouched heath land and moorland and offer the visitor miles of quiet walks and jaw dropping, beautiful scenery. Also, for those with a penchant for history, the Highlands contain a number of castles that provide an idea of the country's military and political history.

The South West of England also offers the tourist much. UK holidays in this region can mean anything from exploring the historic city of Oxford to touring the chocolate box houses and rolling hills of the Cotswolds. With sites of international significance such as Stonehenge a tour of this part of the UK can be a rewarding experience.

The coastline of Cornwall and Devon should also be on any list of destinations for UK holidays. This region has some of the best beaches anywhere in the country and offers the visitor a plethora of secluded coves and towns where surfing and fish and chips go hand in hand.

Finally the hills and mountains of North Wales should also be included in the list purely for their sheer imposing beauty. This UK region boasts stunning vistas and is perfect for activity holidays. Whether it is hiking, kayaking or mountain biking the North of Wales is the perfect destination if your way of relaxing is to get active.

Exciting and Popular India Tour Packages

India is home to fascinating tourism destinations and numerous tourist attractions. It is a vast country in Asia and has emerged as a globally famous tourist destination. It appeals tourists and vacationers from all over the world and provide them a wonderful opportunity to explore exotic tourist destinations with lots of attractions. In order to make India travel and tours convenient, there are several tour packages available in the market today to choose from. You can choose a right package according to your needs and preferences and make your trip to this beautiful country memorable - an experience of lifetime.

Some popular tour packages for India travel and tourism are following.

Golden Triangle Tour - The golden triangle is one of the most sought after and preferred travel circuits in India. It covers three historical and remarkable cities of northern India. They are Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Delhi is home to monuments like Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Old Fort, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, etc. Agar is home to world famous love monument, the Taj Mahal - one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Agra Fort, Itmad-Ud-Daullah Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Darwaza, etc are other attractions of Agra tourism. Jaipur, the Pink City of India, is the state capital of Rajasthan. City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Amber Fort, etc are attractions of Jaipur city tours and travels.

Desert Triangle Tour - Desert triangle is one of the most famous tour packages for Rajasthan tourism. It covers three desert city of Rajasthan. They are Jodhpur (Blue City), Jaisalmer (Golden City) and Bikaner (Camel City). Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace & Jaswant Thada Memorial in Jodhpur; Golden Fort, Jain Temples, Sand Dunes & Merchant Havelis in Jaisalmer; Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Sand Dunes, Camel Breeding Farm, etc are highlights of desert triangle tour. On this exciting tour package, tourists have also opportunity to enjoy exciting camel safari for desert expedition or sand dunes viewing.

India Adventure Tours - Adventure tours in India are also popular among tourists and adventure enthusiasts. Himalayan foothills are popular sites for adventure and sport activities India. Travelers can enjoy adventure sports like mountaineering, trekking, hiking, paragliding, hot-air ballooning, fishing, winter sports and water sports.

India Wildlife Tours - Wildlife tourism in India attracts a large number of tourists and wildlife lovers for package tours to India. Ranthambhore, Sariska, Keoladeo, Corbett, Sasan Gir, Dachigram, Periyar, Pench, Panna, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, etc are renowned wildlife destinations in India.

India Cultural Tours - Cultural tours are among top and best selling India tour packages. On this fabulous tour options, travellers have a wonderful opportunity to explore Indian cultural wonders such as heritage monuments, forts & monuments, historical sties, fairs & festivals, etc.

Golden Triangle Tour With Enchanting Wildlife Destinations

Golden is an apt adjective for an enchanting tour of Golden Triangle Tour as it offers amazing and famous tourist attractions of India. From offering an experience of a colorful culture of Rajasthan to the world famous monuments of Agra and the perfect blend of modern and traditional, Delhi, this tour beckons you for an experience of a lifetime. This tour takes tourists to the three fascinating cities of India which in themselves are a big hit with tourists: Delhi, Jaipur and Agra.

Laced with glorious history Delhi is a city where you can see the perfect amalgamation of history and modernity. From famous historic monuments to a variety of modern day attractions, all are available in this capital city of India. Jaipur is a princely city whose landscape is dominated by palaces, forts, monuments and gardens. It is also famous for its wonderful handicrafts. A tour to Jaipur will transport you back in time to the era of raja-maharajas. Agra, the world famous destination offers one of the seven wonders of the world, Taj Mahal. Tajmahal Is the most fascinating tourist attraction of India which is favored by every tourist coming from various parts of the globe.

You can also combine the Golden Triangle Tour with enchanting wildlife destinations such as Ranthambore National Park and Corbett National Park, which are located near the destinations covered under the tour.

Ranthambore National Park:

It is one of the most famous Tiger Reserve of India where tourists come in search of tigers. Famous for its tigers, this Park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district near Jaipur, Rajasthan. It is a home to a variety of wildlife species including 320 species of birds. The other attractions of the Park are the Ranthambore Fort, Jogi Mahal and the second largest banyan tree in India. The most propitious time to visit it is from October to February.

Corbett National Park:

Corbett National Park is the picturesque and famous wildlife destination of India which attracts many a tourist from far and wide throughout the year. It is well known for its rich variety of wildlife, especially tigers. Located in the state of Uttaranchal, this Park is also a Tiger Reserve of India. It is also the oldest wildlife destination of the country. From tigers to leopards and crocodiles, there is so much to see in this Park. The best time to visit the Park is from November to June.

5 romantic ideas for your holiday or honeymoon in New Zealand

Creating memories to share is part of building a lasting relationship. By visiting enchanting destinations and choosing some romantic activities, you will have some wonderful times to look back on.

New Zealand is the perfect romantic destination, with a wealth of beautiful scenic spots to visit. The stunning scenery, created by magnificent mountains, lakes, rivers, glorious bush, harbours, beaches, thermal activity and volcanic remains, offer a diverse countryside for you to explore together. In turn, they create many opportunities for you to experience and share a wide range of exciting activities.

Walking and Tramping

There are hundreds of tracks for short walks or longer tramps or hikes through the very beautiful New Zealand native bush, featuring magnificent native trees, ferns and shrubs, beautiful babbling streams, and waterfalls. The birdsong and bush is as romantic as it can get. Enjoy a picnic along the way, or stay overnight in one of the many huts.

New Zealand Beaches

New Zealand beaches come in all varieties for you to choose from. But if it is romance you are looking for ............... there is a plethora of idyllic sandy bays just perfect for a romantic picnic, or hideaway stay. Choose your spot, and enjoy seclusion and the sheer beauty of a beach by the sea or one of the many glorious lakes. Many beaches will be just perfect for kayaking, walks, swimming, fishing, and watching the sun set............. a glass of wine in hand.

New Zealand Wineries

If you share a love of wine and good food, the many wineries offer many romantic experiences Somehow the rows of vines stretching into the distance, backed by hills, sea or even city views, create a sense of romance.

- Try a bike ride tour around the vineyards in Napier
- Or a mini bus day tour in Otago - you'll go to Gibbstown Valley where you will do wine tasting in a cave, and another based in an old historic church. You can find special accommodation in that truly romantic destination - Queenstown.
- Hire a car on Waiheke Island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, and visit the many wonderful vineyards. Several have restaurants overlooking the vines, with expansive sea views. A few even have accommodation.
- Enjoy a degustation meal with matching wines for a truly romantic dining experience. Vin Alto in Clevedon (Auckland), or Goldwater Estate on Waiheke offer wonderful degustation menus in gorgeous surrounds.
- Some wine regions, including Marlborough and Martinborough will first country in the region in which your feet stay comfortable in the vineyards and taste wines and dishes to your liking.

Camping in New Zealand

New Zealand is a perfect destination for travel or camper trailer. Rent a camper comfortable for two people, and wake up in another spectacular view every morning. Create a route, stay in the DOC (Department of Conservation areas)some magnificent beach resort at very reasonable prices. Go off season .................. campsites and you almost you.

Create a host for romantic memories.

While driving across the country, you can enjoy a variety of wonderful experiences to share. These experiences are very special memories and carry you through ordinary days. In New Zealand, could

- Swimming with dolphins - Auckland, Bay of Islands, or Akaroa Milfordand probably all sounds are day tour
- Whale Watching - Kaikoura is the most popular, but there are several other locations including Auckland
- Kayaking along a river - Paihia in the Bay of Islands, and has rented kayaks to explore many beautiful bays, while kayaking in many places as you travel around
- Bush Amble tracks many beautiful songs by Bush, will be, how come you to travel. Check with local tourism centers,recommended for walks.
- Picnic in the beautiful gardens - or try lunch at the stone cottage on the outskirts of Christchurch Botanical Garden, or the restaurant in the domain in Auckland, to the best of both
- Ski by day and pampered in a cottage in the night - Queenstown, Wanaka, Mt Ruapehu all destinations are good.
- Take a boat trip on one of the many lakes, rivers or sounds - Milford Sound, unquestionably valid, Lake Taupo, or enjoy a meal on the steamer on the lakeRotorua
- Ride a gondola up a mountain, and relax in a restaurant you can enjoy the atmosphere of the mountain ............. Queenstown, Christchurch and Rotorua are all ideal places for a romantic dinner a few mountain
- Make a private spa pool-Polynesian Poolsin Rotorua, Taupo, Springs orHanmer are three proposals.

These are just some of the wonderfully romantic activities you can enjoy all your vacation or honeymoon in New Zealand.

Hungerford - a historic city in Berkshire

Hungerford is a historic town in the English county of Berkshire. Although this is an area of outstanding natural beauty as it is only a few miles from the M4 motorway and surrounded has a direct rail link to London named. E 'for these reasons in the past twenty years, live a very popular place.

The name derives from the Saxon words Hungerford, hanging wooden Ford derivative. There is no mention of the composition ofDomesday Book of 1086, but there is a record from a century later.

For nearly eight hundred years Hungerford a major city market was granted refugee status. Today there are many outlets for small and medium-sized retail businesses and the population and the surrounding villages to serve their personal needs. Within the city are many excellent restaurants and hotels for most budgets.

The inhabitants of the town are grateful it is surrounded by common groundopen to all. Here you can enjoy a relaxing picnic or go on fauna and flora. In general, the climate is dry in Berkshire, with long hot summers and cold winters.

How was such a historic city, home to Hungerford, a number of important cultural events. There are art festivals, carnivals, and outdoor summer shows, which are appreciated by people of all ages. Hungerford is the only city in the United Kingdom, which still celebrates the old custom of Hocktide. Thisbelieves that this comes from King Alfred's victory over the Danish armed forces.

Outside London, many other urban centers are at your fingertips. Bristol is 68 miles west, and Newbury and Marlborough by botg cities are easy ten minute drive.

Hungerford - A Historic Town in Berkshire

Hungerford is an historic and small town situated in the English county of Berkshire. Though it is surrounded by an area designated as having Outstanding Natural Beauty it is still only a few miles from the M4 motorway and has a direct rail link to London. It is for these reasons that over the last twenty years it has become a very popular place to live.

The name Hungerford is derived from the Saxon words that mean Hanging Ford Wood. There is no mention of the settlement in the Doomsday book of 1086 but there is a record from a century later.

For nearly eight hundred years Hungerford has been recognised as having an important market town status. Today you can find many small and mid sized retail and commercial outlets that serve the population and outlying villages with their personal needs. Within the town are many excellent eating places and accommodation to suit most budgets.

The residents of the town are grateful that it is surrounded by common land open to all. Here you can enjoy a relaxed picnic or walk amongst the fauna and flora. Typically the climate in Berkshire is dry with long warm summers and cold winters.

As befitting it status as a historic town, Hungerford hosts a number of important cultural events. There are arts festivals, carnivals, and outdoor performances in the summer that are enjoyed by people of all ages. Hungerford is the only town or city in the UK that still celebrates the ancient custom of Hocktide. It is believed that this derives from King Alfred's victory over Danish forces.

Apart from London many other urban centres are within close reach. Bristol is sixty eight miles to the west, and Newbury and Marlborough are botg within an easy ten minute drive of the town.