Wishing You a Happy, Safe Holiday and Festive Season
TravelTipsPlus.com would like to take the time to wish everyone, the world over, a very happy and safe holiday season. We understand there are differing celebrations depending where you are in the world and where your cultural background lie. Your location can also vary the length of holiday season you experience.
We are particulary thinking of our friends in Europe and on the east coast of America that have been hit by harsh winter conditions during the past week and making it almost impossible for them to get to their travel destinations.
Photo by Joanna Young
Here in Australia we are about to celebrate our festive season and summer holidays. The school children will enjoy a good 5-6 week break and many families take the opportunity to have a summer holiday. Many flock to the popular beaches or large river systems that offer swimming, relaxing and many water activities.
Photo by Squirmelia
So, images of Christmas trees covered in snow and foggy windows donned with decorations are quite foreign here in Australia. No matter where you are this Holiday Season of 2009, enjoy it with your families, stay safe and all the best for a healthy, prosperous 2010.
Please leave a comment telling of your where abouts and what your Holiday Season plans are.
Colombia probably has more inspiring highlights than Ipiales but this town found close to the border with Ecuador certainly has a prize not to be missed if arriving from Ecuador.
The magnificent, neo-gothic cathedral of Santuario de Las Lajas is located 7km from the town centre and was built early to mid last century. It was built in a deep river gorge and incorporates a bridge spanning the river, making it quite a spectacular travel destination.
Each year Las Lajas attracts pilgrims from all over Colombia and from abroad. Thanksgiving plaques and mementos are left along the pathway to the fairy-tale like cathedral.
Lancaster County located in Pennsylvania, is the heart and soul of the Amish people. These people originated from Switzerland and Germany during the early 18th century and settled in Pennsylvania. Today they continue to speak their original language referred to as Pennsylvania Dutch.
They farm their fertile farming lands but not using any modern day equipment, in fact their beliefs are to keep their way of life as simple as possible and for this they are known as the “Plain People”. They wear plain, dark clothes, have no electricity or telephones in their homes, and use horse-drawn buggies and horse-drawn power for their farming.
This simple way of life encourages the people to pass on learnt crafts to each generation. The Amish people are well known for their fine quilts and quality furniture.
Lonely Planet Guide Book – Philadelphia & the Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Goa is a small state located on the west coast of India, in fact it is the smallest state in terms of area. Panaji is the capital. Goa was a Portuguese colony from the time the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century until 1961, when the liberation of Goa took place.
Goa has been attracting national and international visitors for a long time. It is easily accessible and is often referred to as “India lite”, an easy-to-encounter version of India, than many of the larger Indian states and cities.
Goa offers lovely, relaxing beaches, historic architecture, sixteenth century churches, convents, monuments, temples and simply an array of exotic (but peaceful) sounds, smells and experiences.
The Traveler IQ challenge ranks geographic knowledge of cities such as: Punta Cana, Willemstad or Columbia by comparing results against 5,473,834 other travelers.
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