Wales Tourism and Visit Planning

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Trip Reviews Great South American Journey - Quito To Caracas

My trip was fantastic, more than I could have hoped for, the standard of accomodation was much higher than i expected. My tour leader was great she became our friend. The high points were: staying in the rainforest in Ecuador, hiking to Macchu Pichu, flying over the Nazca lines, visiting the Ballestas Islands, sand buggying boarding staying on Lake Titicaca, the dance in traditional ... [more]. holiday wales

Samantha Howes United Kingdom View this trip: JEV

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CULTURE

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Scottish culture is a thriving beast, with a depth of hearty tradition and a solid footing on the world stage of literature and performing arts. Scotland has made its presence felt through its amazing festivals, actors and writers; Irvine Welsh has made a heavy impact on the international literary scene and the prestigious Edinburgh Festival is a hotspot on international arts calendars. camping holiday wales

Pre 20th Century History

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Scotland was first populated by hunter-gatherers who arrived from England, Ireland and Europe around 6000 years ago. They brought the Neolithic Age with them, introducing agriculture, stockbreeding, trade, an organised society and a thriving culture. The remains of elaborate passage tombs, stone monuments and domestic architecture, such as those found on the Orkneys, reveal that this was indeed a vigorous civilisation. Later arrivals included Europe s Beaker people, who introduced bronze and weapons, while the Celts brought iron. The Romans were unable to subdue the region s fierce inhabitants, their failure symbolised by the construction of Hadrian s Wall. Christianity arrived in the guise of St Ninian, who established a religious centre in 397. Later, St Columba founded a centre on Iona in 563, still a place of pilgrimage and retreat today. accommodation holiday wales

Around the 7th century, Scotland s population comprised a constantly warring mix of matrilineal Picts and Gaelic-speaking Scots in the north, Norse invaders in the island territories, and Britons and Anglo-Saxons in the Lowlands. By the 9th century, the Scots had gained ascendancy over the Picts, whose only visible legacy today is the scattering of symbol stones found in many parts of eastern Scotland. In the south, Anglo-Norman feudalism was slowly introduced, and by the early 13th century an English commentator, Walter of Coventry, could remark that the Scottish court was French in race and manner of life, in speech and in culture. Despite some bloody reactions, the Lowlanders tribal-based society melded well with feudalism, creating enormously powerful family-based clans. holiday last minute wales

The Highlanders, however, were another matter entirely. In 1297 William Wallace s forces thrashed the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, but after a few more skirmishes Wallace was betrayed and finally executed by the English in London in 1305. He s still remembered as the epitome of patriotism and a great hero of the resistance movement. catering holiday self wales

Robert the Bruce threw a punch for Scottish independence next, when, a year after Wallace came to his very sticky end, he murdered a rival and had himself crowned King of Scotland. In the same year, he faced off the English, but they defeated his forces at Methven and Dalry. He had to wait until 1314, when at the Battle of Bannockburn he finally defeated the English. This was a turning point in Scotland s fight for independence. A distinct barrier developed between Highlander and Lowlander, marked symbolically by the Highland Boundary Fault, running between Fort William and Inverness. Highlanders were regarded as Gaelic-speaking pillagers by the Lowlanders, who spoke Lallans and led a less rigorous and more urban existence. holiday wales walking

In the 16th century, Scottish royal lineage was blurred by opposing matrilineal and patrilineal lines of descent and the jockeying of English and French interests. Fierce resistance to the English and persistent monarchic squabbles led to a virtual civil war, and very few monarchs managed to die a natural death. The 17th century was also coloured by civil war, spurred by the thorny issue of the religious Reformation. Despite all the anti-English sentiment, the Act of Union of 1707 saw the Scots persuaded - by means both fair and foul - to disband parliament, in exchange for preservation of the Scottish church and legal system. family holiday wales

Famous attempts were made to replace the Hanoverian kings of England with Catholic Stuarts, although the Jacobite cause lacked support outside of the Highlands due to the Lowland suspicion of Catholicism. James Edward Stuart, known as the Old Pretender and son of the exiled English king James VII, made several attempts to regain the throne, but fled to France in 1719. In 1745, his son, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Young Pretender, landed in Scotland to claim the crown for his father. His disastrous defeat in 1746 at Culloden caused the government to ban private armies, the wearing of kilts and the playing of the pipes. Coinciding with the inexorable changes wrought by the Industrial Revolution, the bans caused the disappearance of a whole way of life and the quelling of the Highlanders. holiday riding wales

In the south, the Industrial Revolution brought flourishing towns and expanding populations, the creation of industries such as cotton and shipbuilding, and booming trade. The spread of urban life coincided with an intellectual flowering, the Scottish Enlightenment, as people fed the energy they d previously spent on religious issues into their leisure and money-making activities. Literature in particular blossomed. Life for the privileged became increasingly bourgeois, while the poor got poorer, suffering typhoid epidemics and other side-effects of their overcrowded tenement life. Cities grew even bigger following one of the bleakest events in the north s already grim history: the Highland Clearances that began in the late 1700s and continued for more than a century. Overpopulation, the potato famine and the collapse of the kelp industry caused landlords to force or trick people from the land. Waves of Scots emigrated to North America, New Zealand and Australia, taking with them their reputation for thrift and hard work. The few who remained on the land were pushed onto tiny plots called crofts. adventure holiday wales

Modern History

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Industrial prosperity lasted through WWI, but the world depression of the 1930s struck a mortal blow. Aberdeen was the only city to show marked prosperity in the 20th century, thanks to North Sea oil and gas discoveries in the 1970s. Continuing economic hardship, rampant unemployment, the depopulation of rural areas and lower standards of health and housing than those experienced in England have all led to a loss of confidence. However, dreams of seceding from the Union with England are stronger than they ve been for many years. holiday park south wales

Strongly Labour, Scotland smarted through the 1980s and 90s under Britain s Conservative-led government, which showed scant regard for Scotland s desire for self-rule. The decisive Labour victory in the 1997 general election resulted in the loss of all Conservative seats in Scotland and the birth of a Scottish Parliament, which first convened in 1999. cottage holiday wales

Recent History

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A new parliament building was constructed at Holyrood in Edinburgh, and opened in November 2003. The Scottish National Party recently won power in Scotland s third election and want full independence from England. They are making plans for a referendum on the issue which will also give voters an option of more devolved powers from London (such as control over North Sea oil and gas revenues). holiday in wales

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DPAE081116: Absolute Egypt Nov. 16 2008

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Hi from Glasgow, Scotland

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ACTA080914: Tibet Adventure - September 14, 2008

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Trip Reviews Bolivia Crossing (Buenos Aires To Lima)

Walter was SUPERB. He was perfect at the difficult balance between seeming like your dad, or ignoring you completely. Knew all the best things to see, do, restaurants, etc., but didn t remove from the trip the sense of adventure and independence. 5 stars! Miriam was very competent and a lot of fun. camping holiday wales

Libya adopted a high international profile based on Pan-Arabism, its virulent condemnation of western imperialism , its support of liberation movements around the world and its military adventurism in Chad. What angered Western countries most was Qaddafi s alleged support of international terrorist organisations. These activities isolated Libya from the international community. The most violent reaction to Libya s politics came from the USA, culminating in the air strike of April 1986 that killed dozens of people, including Qaddafi s adopted baby daughter. accommodation holiday wales

Libya s isolation deepened following the 1988 bombing of a Pan-Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed 259 people on board and 11 on the ground. Libya was accused of planting the bomb, and two Libyans were named as suspects. The US and Britain demanded the suspects be turned over for trial, Libya refused, and the resulting standoff caused the US to force the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Libya. holiday last minute wales

Recent History

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After the lifting of sanctions in 1999, Qaddafi began transforming Libya s terrorist state image. He began styling himself as an African peacebroker , turning his back on his Arab neighbours to take a leading role in paving the way for a future Africa-wide federation similar to the European Union. Qaddafi s control of Libya remained absolute, despite occasional outbreaks of civil disobedience and several rumoured military coup attempts. In 2003, Libya accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and agreed to pay compensation to the families of victims. That same year it repudiated weapons of mass destruction, and the following year was visited by then British prime minister Tony Blair. Tourists also began returning to the country. catering holiday self wales

In 2006 the US government quietly removed Libya from its list of states sponsoring terrorism. It seemed the metamorphosis was complete. For the first time in decades, Libyans are optimistic, convinced that the future is theirs. holiday wales walking

Recent posts from the Watering Hole forum: East Africa Loop Adventure -Suggestions family holiday wales

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Marlon Brando anyone

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GREEK SAILING ADVENTURE IN SEPTEMBER

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Trip Reviews Inca Heartland

The trip was amazing!!! Lula, our tour leader, was professional, enthusiastic, and had a great sense of humour. She was our teacher, kept us on schedule, and was our nurse when we felt unwell. It was fortunate for our group to also have a group leader trainee along for her first trip, Paula Quiros. Paula was an asset to our group and a real pleasure to spend time with. She will ... [more]. holiday park south wales

Denise Schlachter Canada View this trip: PXML

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ANRT 080928: High Road to Tibet

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Saving Photos

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EV10P070901 Galapagos Sept 1

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Sasha Lodge Galapagos trip

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Visit one of our stores and attend an upcoming event. Toronto- Aug 14 @ 7:30 pm - Just Japan. Calgary- Aug 14 @ 7:00 pm - Peru Panorama with Tessa III- Back by Popular Demand! holiday in wales

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- Aug 21 @ 7:00 pm - GAP Adventures Travel Documentary Screening: India. Melbourne- Aug 14 @ 6:00 pm - Amazing China. Vancouver- Aug 14 @ 7:00 pm - Movie Night - The Motorcyle Diaries. holiday wales

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CULTURE

. Pre 20th Century History camping holiday wales

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The Malagasy people are a mixture of Asians and Africans, and have been on Madagascar for 1500 to 2000 years, although stone artefacts indicate an older culture possibly existed there. Most of the immigrants were Malay-Polynesians, who crossed the Indian Ocean from Indonesia and South-East Asia, but people came from eastern Africa as well. African slaves, Arab, Indian and Portuguese traders, European pirates and French colonists all mixed with the population to eventually create the 18 official tribes or clans inhabiting the island today. The first Malagasy brought the food crops that they d grown in South-East Asia with them, and the agricultural regions with their endless rice paddies today look as if they belong in Asia rather than Africa. accommodation holiday wales

Marco Polo reported Madagascar s existence in the narrative of his travels, and it was also known to Arab cartographers. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive, in a fleet under the command of Diego Dias in 1500. In the centuries that followed, the Portuguese, Dutch and British all failed to establish permanent bases on the island, but from the 17th century, bands of outlaws succeeded where their governments had failed. Pirates contributed booty, buried treasure, and genes to the island s population, especially around le Sainte Marie. At one stage when they were just saying no to piracy in the Caribbean, more than 1000 English, French, Portuguese, Dutch, American and other pirates were based on Madagascar s east coast. They used it as a convenient base to attack ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope. holiday last minute wales

Increasing trade in arms and slaves with Europeans brought about the rise of Malagasy kingdoms, and small, rival states eventually emerged. By the late 18th century, the Merina clan had begun to dominate. The British signed a treaty in 1820 recognising Madagascar as an independent state under Merina rule, and British influence remained strong well into the 20th century. But by 1883, the British had gone cold and France had become the recognised and sole European power in Madagascar (in exchange for French recognition of British sovereignty in Zanzibar). catering holiday self wales

The French invaded in 1895, surprising Merina defences and setting up a colonial administration. They sent Queen Ranavalona III into exile in Algeria in 1897, effectively abolishing the monarchy, and attempted to suppress all British influence and crush the Malagasy language, declaring French the official language. Although the French abolished slavery in name on the island, in practice they introduced a repressive tax regime that amounted to forced labour. Land was expropriated by foreign settlers and companies, primarily for use as coffee plantations. holiday wales walking

Modern History

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During WWII Britain invaded, ostensibly to prevent Japan from using Madagascar as an Indian Ocean base. The British handed it back to de Gaulle s free French in 1943. Post-war, Madagascar underwent a nationalist backlash; many Malagasy had been trained to French standards and were no longer willing to be second class citizens in their own country. The 1947 revolt was crushed at the cost of many thousands of Malagasy lives, but the rot had set in. family holiday wales

Several indigenous political parties were born in the 1950s, and when de Gaulle returned to power in France in 1958, the Malagasy voted to become an autonomous republic within the French community of overseas nations. Madagascar underwent a peaceful transition to independence in 1960, although the colons, as the French settlers were called, still pulled the strings. Philibert Tsiranana refused to establish a dialogue with any communist nations. He ferociously repressed a revolt in the country s south in 1972, which was the beginning of his undoing. He resigned soon after and handed power to his army commander, General Gabriel Ramantsoa. holiday riding wales

The economy began a slow nose dive almost straight after independence. When it withdrew from the Communaut Financier Africaine (CFA), the nosedive gathered pace as the French farming community departed wholesale, taking capital, skills and technology with them. A quick shuffle of army general presidents - one of whom was assassinated after only a week in office - couldn t stem the haemorrhaging economy. A new group of officers led by Admiral Didier Ratsiraka had a shot at the top job, nationalising banks and other major businesses without compensation. adventure holiday wales

register and become a member of our online community. If you're already a member, login and enjoy our online community. Trip Overview Physical Demands Rating Culture Shock Rating Included Highlights Shwedagon Pagoda (Yangon), Golden Rock, Mandalay combo entry ticket (most sites in Mandalay), Amarapura, Saigaing, Mingun, Bagan Archaeological Zone, Mt Popa, Pindaya Caves, Half day boat tour of Inle Lake Group Size . Max 15, Avg 10 Group Leader Tour Leader, local guides. Accommodation Hotel (13 nts). Transport Aircon bus, local bus, truck, boat, flight. Meals Included 11 Breakfasts. Meal Budget Allow USD175 for meals not included. For additional expenses, see trip details. Notes The decision to travel to Burma, or Myanmar is one that should not be taken lightly. Some would argue that traveling to a nation that has suffered from human rights abuses imposed by the ruling military junta would be a sign of approval of the government's actions by the international community. However, others argue that a travel boycott may not be the best means of affecting change within the country. G.A.P Adventures has made the decision to operate tours in Burma out of a belief that travellers should have an opportunity to experience this country first hand, meet its people and potentially return home as ambassadors for positive change. Burma Adventure 14 days ex Yangon Trip Code: ABBA Trip Style Original Yangon, Kyaiktiyo Golden Rock, Bago, Mandalay, Pindaya Caves, Bagan, Kalaw, Inle Lake There are few countries in the world with the allure of Burma (Myanmar). Through years of isolation, it has managed to retain many of its cultural traditions and historical heritage. A visit to Burma is in many ways similar to a journey back in time, to an Asia from a bygone age. Day 1 Arrive Yangon Arrive in Yangon at any time. Day 2 Kyaiktiyo (1B) Visit the home of the Golden Rock a sacred boulder covered in gold and balanced atop a cliff. Day 3 Bago (1B) This provincial capital is filled with open-air markets selling handicrafts and goods made by local cooperatives. Day 4 Flight to Mandalay (1B) Visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon before catching an afternoon flight to Mandalay. Day 5-6 Mandalay (2B) Wander the ancient history of the old capital of Mandalay, where the last king of Burma held court. Day 7-9 Bagan (3B) Explore what was once a great and populous capital, and what is still one of Asia's most awesome and mystical spectacles. Gaze out over the many pagodas which dot the horizon. Day 10- Kalaw (B) Drive through the scenic Shan State to the former British Hill Station of Kalaw. Day 11-12 Inle Lake (2B) Drink in the tranquility of this serene body of water and its floating gardens. Tribal villages, monasteries and stupas line the shores of a lake surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. Day 13 Yangon (1B) Take a trip to Scott's Market, where you will find a wonderful array of Burmese handicrafts - wood carvings, textiles, lacquerware, silver and brassware, masks and puppets, and musical instruments. G.A.P Adventures top adventure tour operator - G.A.P Adventures . July 6, 2007 G.A.P Adventures is pleased to announce that it has been voted as a top adventure tour operator by Canadian agents. Over 4, 000 travel agents participated in this year's Baxter Travel Media 2007 Agents' Choice Awards. The survey is one of the largest polls of travel agents in Canada and G.A.P Adventures ranked the highest among all adventure travel operators listed in the tour operator category. "G.A.P Adventures greatly values its partnership with agents and we re delighted in the confidence they have placed in us, says Brad Ford, Business Development Manager. Our worldwide sales teams provide dynamic product, brand, and destination support programs to empower the travel agent in their efforts to sell the best adventures on the market. Agent focused programs include: *A superior product offering and trusted brand *Excellent sales support staff *SHERPA booking engine, the adventure industry s most complete online booking engine where agents can create new bookings and options, make amendments, download trip documents and order new brochures. *Centralized partner-specific training *Preferred partner sales support projects and promotions. Trip Reviews Cuba Colonial Cuba Colonial was an excellent way to see more of the real Cuba--6 different cities in which to live and eat (and dance) with the locals. Our tour leader had so much knowledge about life in Cuba that I learned more than I ever thought I would and the trip has left me wanting for more. Karen Lee Van Burkleo Canada View this trip: CCC . HEALTH

Dangers and Annoyances

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Germany is a very safe country to live and travel in, with crime rates that are low by international standards. Most crimes occur in big, densely populated cities, with Berlin leading the pack, followed by Hamburg, Cologne, Munich and Frankfurt. Theft and other crimes against travellers are rare, although keeping an eye out for pickpockets in crowded places is always wise. Train stations tend to be magnets for the destitute and drug-dependent who might harass you or make you feel otherwise uncomfortable, especially at night. City parks should also be avoided after dark. Encounters with groups of intoxicated soccer fans, especially those whose team has just lost, can lead to unprovoked confrontations. Skinheads, called Glatzen (literally 'baldies'), are another potential source of conflict as they too tend to have sudden violent outbursts, especially against people they perceive as 'foreign-looking'. These individuals have also been known to infiltrate otherwise peaceful political demonstrations and to provoke fights simply for their own amusement. Because of their erratic and unpredictable behaviour, keeping your distance from such hooligans is a smart move. If you do find yourself in a threatening situation, try not to provoke these people; get away from the scene as fast as possible and notify the police. EVENTS. Just about everything that can close will close on a religious holiday, so it's important to know when they fall. Iran's religious holidays follow the Muslim lunar calendar, so the dates according to the Western calendar vary each year. Major events include Ramazan, the month of dawn to dusk fasting; Eid- Fetr, the one day festival of feasting that marks the end of Ramazan; Ghadir- Khom, which commemorates the day that the Prophet Mohammed appointed Imam Ali his successor; and the birthday of Mohammed. National holidays follow the Persian solar calendar, but still usually fall on the same day each year according to the Western calendar. The big bangers include the lustily titled Magnificent Victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran on 11 February, which is the anniversary of Khomeini's coming to power in 1979; the enthusiastically celebrated No Ruz or Iranian New Year (21 to 24 March); and the tear-jerking Heart-Rending Departure of the Great Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran on 4 June, which commemorates the death of Khomeini in 1989. Cairns Travel Guide . Latest Travel Advisories Tibet Advisory Adventure Tours Affected in Tibet Trip Reviews Kayak Panama This was my first time with GAP and I could not have been more pleased. Our leader, Bernabe, made contact the very first day, organizing a trip to the local mall for supplies for the week. Then, all of the leaders made this secluded island getaway better than I ever thought it would be. Kayaking from island to island, snorkeling with brilliant fish and falling asleep to crashing ... [more] Magen Panfil United States View this trip: PKP . Recent posts from the Watering Hole forum: Cape and Dunes - Original or overland

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DCHM080802: Highlights of Morocco - August 2

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Southern Cross departing Lima 26th September trip...

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Trip Insurance

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