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Rio de Janeiro, an exciting but densely populated city; Brasilia world heritage site; beautiful natural landscapes; and did we mention, the Amazon? Brazil is the fifth largest country occupying almost half the South American continent and bordering every country on it except Chile and Ecuador!

Even if you’re not into nature, don’t miss the Amazon. This mind-blowing area is home to an estimated 15,000 species of creatures. There are still hundreds of unclassified mammals in the forest. There are 1,800 species of butterflies and more than 200 species of mosquitoes and not to forget, piranha! Next stop? Bustling Rio de Janeiro. This cicade maravilhosa (marvellous city) thrives on dance, drink, beach, sport and sun. So you can’t help but party here!

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Traveller’s diarrhoea is the worst thing that can happen to you on holiday. Heed these three key principles and you’ll most likely avoid a tummy catastrophe: Boil it, cook it or leave it! Only eat food that’s well-cooked and is still hot while served. Avoid uncooked food, such as shellfish and salads. Fruits and veggies that can be peeled are usually safe! Drink only purified water that’s been boiled or disinfected with chlorine. You can’t go wrong with bottled water in sealed containers and fizzy drinks sans ice are also safe. Oh, and wash your hands frequently!

Many think a holiday romance is wonderful, but before you engage in this so-called guilt-free love fest, consider these consequences:
• If you get involved with someone in the same tour group and things go sour, what’s left of the vacation could be downright awkward! You might end up trying to avoid your former squeeze all time and having a miserable time.

• Tempted to pick up an exotic stranger at your fave holiday spot? Well, it might be the last time you visit “your” spot. Why? Simply because you might have to give the destination up for good if you break up with him just to avoid running into him!

• Granted, there are some holiday flings that work out, but more often than not, both parties will find themselves with huge phone bills and sleepless nights spent on writing mushy emails to each other. So, think twice before you’re frivolous with your heart.

The Spa, Casa del Mar, Langkawi.
This beachfront resort in Pantai Cenanq, Lanqkawi, is home to The Spa which offers private treatment rooms, outdoor spa gazebos, an outdoor Jacuzzi, steam bath, a foot reflexology area, and a sea-facing mini-gym. You’ll be rejuvenated under the expert hands of their Balinese spa therapists using a blend of Asian-Western treatments with body wraps, facials, scrubs and massages. Call 04-955 2388.

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Scared of getting on a plane? You’re not alone. Aerophobia, commonly known as the fear of flying, affects almost 20 percent of all travelers -despite statistics showing that driving a car is actually more dangerous. Here are ways to counter your fear:

Don’t be shy about asking to speak to the flight pilot before you take your seat. Have a few questions prepared beforehand.

Being inside a machine you know nothing about that’s being operated by a total stranger, may cause overwhelming feelings of powerlessness. Take the passivity out of the experience by doing some research. For instance, if some of the noises during take-off and landing frightens you, find out what they are. Contact an airline for info on workshops to counter the fear of flying.

Practice relaxation techniques such as breathing deeply and visualizing yourself overcoming a problem that may occur, such as turbulence. Check out books and videos that walk you through visualization and relaxation techniques.

If your fear seems unmanageable, speak to a counselor.

St Basil’s Cathedral, probably the world’s most recognisable symbol of Moscow. It was built by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century to commemorate his victory against the Tartar Mongols.

Start at the The Red Square, which is also home to the St Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, a former royal palace and now the official residence of the President of Russia and Lenin’s Mausoleum. Nearby is the Armoury Chamber, a treasure-trove of ancient state regalia, gold and silverware by Russian craftsmen and ceremonial weapons and arms. Make time to drop by the beautiful GUM department store with its steel and glass roof to browse the gorgeous designer boutiques. To learn a thing or two about Russian culture, head over to Gorky Park, officially known as the Park of Culture. Your next stop should be Pushkin Fine Arts Museum, famous for its impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. In the evenings, watch trained felines perform astounding acrobatic feats at the Kuklachev Cats Theatre, or catch a show at the 226-year old Bolshoi Theatre. Also, walk down The Arbat, where you can find gorgeous ware from street artists and craftsman.

The Izmailovo Gamma-Delta Hotel, only six train stops from the Red Square, offers clean and comfy rooms at about $20 for a twin-sharing room. Have dinner at the Courvoisier, where mains start at $3.

Backpacking is an exciting way to see the world! Use these tips to ensure you’re ready for the adventure:

Checkfirst: Make sure you’re fit enough to walk long distances with a heavy knapsack on your back. For example, people with high or low blood pressure are at risk of passing out from increased physical exertion. A check-up should reveal whether you’ve anything to fret about.

Get fit: To lug around a heavy load, you’ll need strong leg, lower and upper back, and abdominal muscles. Include exercises that work these muscles into your routine. You don’t want to be “crippled” by aching muscles while on holiday.

Pack right: Bring only necessities and opt for the smaller versions, like travel-size toiletries and a small torchlight. Zip-lock bags are great alternatives to plastic cases.

Bag it: To prevent injury, lift your backpack onto your bended knee first, then slip your arm through one shoulder harness, turn and slip the other one onto your shoulder. Or have someone hold the pack up for you before pulling the shoulder straps over your shoulders.

Energise: Rest and eat well to conserve energy. You’ll be more susceptible to injury if you’re tired.

Tasmania is a nature-lover’s dream spot, with amazing sights and a grand historical background. The island is separated from mainland Australia by the 240km stretch of the Bass Straits. Besides the capital Hobart, other main towns include Launceston, Burnie and Devonport.

The mind-blowing Cradle Mountain which is surrounded by a breathtaking rainforest, alpine heathlands, buttongrass and icy cold streams cascading down the mountainside. Next, no one leaves the island without venturing into the historical Port Arthur. Between 1830 and 1877, this beautiful bay was used as a prison and the guided tours will give you an eerie insight into what life was like for the convicts, soldiers and civilians during that period. It’s not just mundane history though because Port Arthur is most famous for its ghoulish tales! If you’re brave enough, take the Night Tour, where a guide will take you through certain sights and stop to tell you hair-raising tales about the spot! There are a lot of sightings that have been documented so it’s not for the faint-hearted. In fact, there are certain spots on the Isle of Dead where cameras just refuse to work! Finally, take a dip in the crystal-clear Wine Glass Bay, touted as having one of the world’s best beaches.

Food and board: Feast on rock lobster, salmon ana oysters. This place boasts of its “world class” wines as well. Accommodation-wise there are a lot of affordable B&Bs available.

How to get there:Fly to Melbourne and then either take a connecting flight with Virgin Blue or an overnight cruise on the Spirit of Tasmania.

London Vacation: No Need To Drive A Car In London
By Gareth Owen

When planning your London Vacation one thing is for sure; there is no need to rent a car and drive it in London! The reasons for this are many but apart from the fact London has possibly the best public transport of any major city in the world, the cost of a rental car will be insignificant if you either get clamped, get a ticket or fail to pay your congestion charge. The initial fines on these are enough but if you fail to pay you will be getting some nasty letters from your car rental company when you get home. Read the rest of this entry »

Here are my criteria:
- Close to metro Line 1 to make for an easy commuter to La Defense
- Walking distance to bistro type restaurants and perhaps a place to have a glass of wine or two on my own
- Safe for a woman walking alone in the evening.

Answer:
We recommend the Hotel Regence Etoile, a nice 3 star hotel on ave Carnot in the 17th if you want something more reasonable range (you may not if your business will pay quite a bit–I would stay in a more expensive place if I weren’t paying for it). But that is really only about a block from the Arc de Triomphe and thus the Etoile metro stop.

Its charge are very reasonable for that neighborhood and I think it is more pleasant (being really away from the direction most tourists go on the Champs-Elysees and those businesss/hotels) and there are neighborhood restaurants in that part of the 17th. It’s a very nice neighborhood, of course, but I stayed there as a single woman and dined in the area and enjoyed it. It will also be a fairly short ride to La Defense from that end.