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Finland is wooing the Indian tourist like never before and this year it is hoping that 70,000 of them will visit their country, even as the European nation has also plans to sell several breathtaking destinations to the Bollywood.

“In 2006, we had 40,000 Indians visiting our country, last year the figure touched 50,000 and this year, we are hoping 70,000 will pay a visit by the year end,” Finnish Tourist Board Marketing Manager, Papori Bharti said to the reporters here on Sunday.

She said that Visit Finland is the nodal agency for promotion of Destination Finland, which currently is conducting a five city promotion with presentations on the latest updates on the destination. The cities being covered under this are Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Delhi, she said, adding Finnair, the flag carrier, was also offering attractive discounts on tickets to the tourists.

Bharti said that noted Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt was also planning to shoot a film in Finland shortly.

“Recently, we conducted a seminar in which filmmakers from different parts from Europe and some from India took part. We have set up Lapland Film Commission, the nodal agency which will facilitate those willing to shoot in Finland,” she said.

With winter round the corner in Finland, “we are aggressively promoting our must-see destination Lapland, renowned the world over for its tranquility, pristine natural environment, water falls and adventure options like snowmobiles, reeinder sledges, husky safaris.

Lapland is situated on the Arctic Circle,” informed Katja Etelainen, Marketing and Communications Manager of Rovaniemi (Finnish city) Tourism.

Katja said that Lapland is also the best place to witness the spectacular natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights, a great marvel of the nature in which an array of colours can be seen across the sky mainly consisting of red, green, blue and violet.

Tibet has announced attractive bonuses for travel agents to woo foreign tourists and revive local tourism, which was badly hurt by the worst anti-China riots by pro-Dalai Lama Tibetans in March this year.

Travel agencies will get bonuses for taking more tour groups to Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, the local government announced.

Gyangkar, chief of the Lhasa City Tourism Bureau, said on Tuesday that the city government has set aside one million Yuan (about USD 142,857) in hopes of reviving the tourism market, which was devastated after the March 14 Lhasa riot.

Under the plan, which is valid from August 15 to December 30, a travel agency can get 50,000 yuan for organising a charter flight with at least 100 foreign tourists. An agency can get the same incentive for a 600-person train tour of the picturesque Himalayan region.

The same reward will be paid to agencies that bring in 1,000-2,000 foreign tourists this year. Foreign tourist arrivals of more than 2,000 this year will yield a double reward for an agency.

Lhasa, known as the “City of Sunshine”, has long been considered one of the purest places on Earth. Tibet has more than 300 scenic sites, many of which are in or around Lhasa.

But tourism to the region plummeted after the March unrest, in which 19 people died and many schools, hospitals, homes and shops were damaged by arson. The region was off-limits to tourists for some time. Domestic tourists began to return in late April, but overseas ones didn’t do so until June 25.

Tibet had 370,000 tourist arrivals in July, which was more than the first-half total of 340,000 but well below the year-earlier figure of 607,668. Tourism had emerged as a major livelihood of Tibetans in recent years, especially in Lhasa after China introduced train services to the remote region.

For travelers who really want to strip off in the sun, online travel site TripAdvisor has come up with a list of the top 10 resorts where clothing is optional. “For travelers, a great vacation is all about escaping. For most that means escaping the confines of their homes, for others, it is best achieved by escaping the confines of their clothes,” said TripAdvisor spokeswoman Michele Perry.

Reuters had not endorsed this list which was compiled according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors.

1. Au Naturel Club, Riviera Maya, Mexico.

This Kantenah Bay Riviera Maya resort makes a clothing-optional vacation a truly luxurious experience. According to one TripAdvisor traveler: “Everyone is just there to relax and enjoy the sun and to unwind. I cannot think of a better place to do all of those things.”

2. Garden of Eden Resort, Isla Solarte, Panama

Tucked away on Panama’s Caribbean coast, this pristine island has a laid-back atmosphere. According to a TripAdvisor traveler: “Good food and good company in enchanting surroundings. One can spend a day totally relaxing or exploring the waters and islands nearby.”

3. Living Waters Spa, Desert Hot Springs, California

Between the hot mineral water pools and the luxurious accommodations, Living Waters Spa is the perfect place for total au naturel relaxation in the California sunshine. As one TripAdvisor traveler said: “If you enjoy a clothing-optional environment where you can just completely let go and relax, this place is perfect.”

4. Terra Cotta Inn, Palm Springs, California

Once a celebrity retreat site, the Terra Cotta Inn is now a relaxation destination where all visitors are welcome to feel comfortable and pampered. One TripAdvisor traveler called it: “A place where you can feel totally comfortable shedding your stress, worries, and cares right along with your clothes.”

5. Caliente Caribe Resort and Spa, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Stay clothed on the lush Caribbean grounds if you wish, but undress for a comfortable experience that is naturally delightful. As one TripAdvisor traveler commented: “Watching the stars and moon from the beachside hot tub was one of our most memorable moments.”

6. Sorobon Beach Resort, Bonaire

Visitors love the tranquility of this Bonaire haven, with its shallow barrier-protected bay that makes swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling a delight. According to one TripAdvisor traveler: “The total concept of being nude 24/7 was very relaxing. The island is very beautiful and we will be back to this resort next year.”

7. Cabanas Copal, Tulum, Mexico

Relax in a seaside Caribbean cabana with candlelit evenings in this eco-friendly tropical retreat making this in-the-buff destination more appealing. One TripAdvisor traveler said: “Waking up in paradise inside a beautiful cabana surrounded by the jungle, and looking at the turquoise color of the sea, is priceless!”

8. Club Orient Resort, St. Maarten

Pristine white beaches and uninhabited nearby islands often leave guests feeling uninhibited at Club Orient in St. Martin. As one TripAdvisor traveler put it: “Staying at Club Orient is as close to heaven as you can get without dying! Nudity feels so natural that even first timers have no problem shedding their clothes.”

9. Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa, Negril, Jamaica

Whether you dress up for a romantic meal, or really “dress down” at the clothing-optional beach, this couples destination combines high luxury and natural beauty. According to one TripAdvisor traveler: “The beach is beautiful, crystal clear water that is so warm and calm, and they provide floats so you can float all day in paradise.”

10. Punta Serena, Tenacatita, Mexico

Featuring hot tubs overlooking the water, beautiful beaches and a lively bar and pool, this au naturel resort is a Mexican gem. According to a TripAdvisor traveler: “Overall, it was the most relaxing and romantic week we have ever spent at a resort.”

Im really shy but im really looking forward to meeting other teens on a cruise im going on in a week or so, any ideas or tips?

I just got back from a Carnival Cruise and I am a teen. The teen clubs are a great way to meet other teens. There is Circle C for ages 12-14 and Club O2 for 15-17. My cousin was in one and I was in the other, so we didn’t do much with the groups because we didn’t like being separated, we were shy too, haha. But once you meet the kids you’re fine, really. It was a lot of fun. I don’t know what cruise line you are going on, but I’m sure what ever it is, it will have teen clubs. Have fun! Hope I was helpful!

Oh, and they sent pamflets to our room about the clubs. I recomend that you go to the meet and greet it talks about.

hey…im flying from ord - pek …on United Airlines Economy..Boeing 747-400 there and a Boeing 777 on the way back….how good (or bad) are UA economy (not economy plus), what should i expect? any tips, hints, secrets, suggestions? what do i bring, how can i make my trp as awesome as possible (meaning the flight)

Join the frequent flier program for UA unless you already belong to the program for a partner airline. A r/t between the USA and China will generate a lot of miles. Check the FF program to see if you can collect miles from the hotel you will be staying at, etc.

Check www.seatguru.com for info and suggestions on where to sit. You will need the exact aircraft model (ex. 747-400 or 777 ER). Call UA and request a seat as soon as possible.

I usually try to get a window seat and use extra blankets and pillows to make a “bed” to lean against. At least try to avoid being in the middle.

Pack a complete change of clothes and basic toiletries in your carryon bag. Check www.tsa.gov for security restrictions. Wash up about an hour before arrival and consider changing clothes - you will feel lots better.

Tag all bags inside and out with your name as it appears on your ticket, a good phone number (one that someone will answer), and your e-mail address (not your home address).

Take some things to do and/or read. Portable game and music devices are great but won’t last for a long flight. Take a book or books you have started or are by an author you know. It’s annoying to start a book on the plane and then discover it isn’t a good read.

Verify the departure time for your flight the evening before to make sure it hasn’t changed. You can do that by calling UA or by checking via their website.

Get to the airport 2 full hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Make sure you have your passport and other documents with you before leaving home.

Try to sleep on the flight, even if it isn’t very good sleep. An eye-mask and ear-plugs may help (sold at luggage shops or the luggage departments of large stores).

If you want to take something to help you sleep try it first. Many meds leave you groggy long after you need to be awake. I just use aspirin.

Get up every few hours, stretch, and walk around.

The air in the cabin will be very dry. Drink lots of water or juice and avoid too many drinks with caffeine (including colas) or alcohol as they increase the dehydration.

The time change may be a problem. At your destination try very hard to stay awake until local bedtime and eat meals at local times to speed up the adjustment. If you must take a nap then sleep no more than 3 hours.

That plane that had 2 engine failures and missed the runway and landed and the grass and the wheels snapped off and went trough the wings.

Yerh, well did they ever find out what happened?

The last thing I read was that all systems checked out okay and they had no idea why they lost power.
It will probably take another 2 or 3 crashes to find out what the (computer) error is - seems to be the way nowadays.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/21/…

If you are looking for the best Tuna Fishing on the east coast, Massachusetts has just what you are looking for. There are fishing charters that run from the third week of June through mid October from ports all along the Massachusetts’ coast. In fact, the Cape Ann, Gloucester area is known the world over for the massive schools of giant blue fin tuna that migrate there. The Japanese prize this tuna, known as “Boston Blue fin tuna” as the finest sushi tuna found anywhere.

Before you leave for your tuna fishing charter you will want to be sure you have the necessary equipment. Some things you might want to consider bringing include, sun tan lotion, a hat with a brim, warm clothes for the evenings depending on the season, and possibly rain gear. Additionally you may appreciate having a pair of rubber boots, and a camera for capturing memories. If you think you might get hungry during the tuna fishing mass trip you should pack extra food for lunch and snacks. There may be a microwave onboard so that you can reheat items that you bring. If you have trouble dealing with motion sickness, start taking Dramamine the evening prior to departure

If you are a US citizen, you do not need a visa, but you must have a valid US passport for a stay up to 90 days.

Be sure your passport does not expire just before, during or soon after your trip.

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not if you’re a US citizen going there as a tourist for less than 90 days. if you’re going there to work or go to school or staying longer then that, then you will need a visa. it can take up to 6 months to get the visa, so make sure to plan ahead.

Summer is still several months away, but you can take advantage of travel packages being offered today and save yourself some real money. Everyone loves to travel and take vacations. That is just a normal part of being human. However, most people are not too keen on spending thousands of dollars to take a vacation. These are the same people who are unaware that discount travel exists and that they really can see the world on a limited budget.

There are plenty of escorted tours you can choose from that are offered at discounted rates if you simply know when to shop. All you need to do is figure out where you want to vacation and when the low season is at that particular location. You will find that traveling to anywhere during the “low season” is often times more enjoyable not only because it is more affordable but also because it is less crowded! It is hard to enjoy the best beaches, take the best tours, and dine in the most popular restaurants if there are thousands of others trying to do the same. So, start planning your summer vacation today and find places where you can save money and still have fun.

Are you planning a vacation in Utah? If so there are many places you will surely want to visit. Of course, you will need to stop in Salt Lake City to see all the sights and enjoy the great shopping and amazing restaurants. However, if you are looking for some outdoor adventure, too, then you will want to visit the Flaming Gorge. You can visit the Flaming Gorge Lodge and book reservations online to ensure you have a place to stay when you arrive. This is the best Green River hotel and you will be able to relax and enjoy the surrounding area and activities. There are so many things to see and do in the Flaming Gorge area of Utah that you will probably want to stick around for a while. There are certainly outdoor activities that you will not be able to enjoy in the Salt Lake City area so be sure to take advantage of everything you can here. Remember that the season will affect what outdoor adventures you can enjoy, but you will find there are a lot of fun things for you to see and do in this area of Utah.