Are you ready to explore Albania?

Want some time away from the maddening noise and pollution of city life? Wouldn’t a walk on a sandy beach, skiing in snow pecked mountains and taking or evening stroll through streets lined with outdoor cafes help rejuvenate your senses?

If you are desperate to indulge in such pleasures then you could consider taking a trip to Albania. Albania offers much more than a beach and mountain vacation experience. It presents to its visitors an opportunity to explore many archaeological parks, sites, fortresses, castles and some eminent locations of historical importance.

Here are few things that you would like to know about this country before making a choice:

Climate:

Albania enjoys a moderate Mediterranean climate. During winter the temperature is in the range of 8-10 degree Celsius. Summer could be as hot as 40 degree Celsius.

The ideal seasons to enjoy the Albanian beauty are spring and fall. The colorful displays of flora during these seasons would add a touch of splendor to your vacation. The spring with long evenings is the best season to take advantage of sidewalk cafes and terraces which the country is famous for. In September and October the country would still be warm enough to take a dip in the southern coast.

Commuting within the country and Money Matters:

You could travel between the main cities using the reasonably priced bus services. Another viable option is hiring a taxi. Dajiti Express Cable car ride in Dajiti mountain is a must have 15 minutes ride that would take you to Tirana. The bank of Tirana is the best option to withdraw funds as you can access your Visa cards. Not all small towns in Albania have currency exchange outlets. Also you should keep in mind that Albanian hotels and restaurants do not accept Travelers’ Cheques.

Food, Dining & Nightlife:

Albanian food is surely a treat to your palate, if you enjoy ottoman and Italian food. The country is filled with restaurants to suit different budgets although the choice in smaller towns is less.

Albanian vineyards make premium quality wines from native grapes like Kallmet and Sesh, the former being red and latter white&red. Do not forget to taste Raki, a spirit drink made of grapes that is Albania’s national drink. Apart from this Albania is famous for its espressos and cappuccinos.

Tirana has a sizzling night life with pubs and clubs open till very late. Although this feature is rare in smaller towns. If you enjoy high standard classical music in the form of ballets, operas and concerts, then Tirana hosts them throughout the year.

Top 5 Places to Visit:

• Ancient city o Apollonia
• Bridge at Mesi
• Medieval Forest of Albanian Alps
• Drisht Castle
• Ancient Port of Durres.

How to get there?

1. Easiest means to get to Albania is through air. Albanian airlines are well connected to all European cities. Mother Teresa Airport is 26 km away from the capital city and there are regular buses to the city centre.

2. Taking ferries provided by Adriatic lines from main ports such as Italy, Bari, Ancona and Corfu to Durres and Vlora is another option.

3. There are also bus services from Istanbul, Athens and Sofia. What are you waiting for? Get ready to explore the pure beauty that remains untouched by globalization.

Basic Aspects Of The Swinger Parties

Nowadays, various clubs and individual arrange swinger parties, so join the group and realize your sexual pleasures.
The swinger parties are a great way to meet swinger couples and indulge into various sexual activities. It is a very popular way to explore your sexuality to the hilt. Generally, these lifestyle parties are arranged by swinger clubs and groups, who wish to spend a highly erotic evening or a day with their swinger friends. Some people also organize a home swinger party for a certain group of friends.

However, there’s slight difference between a swinger party being organized by a club and one planned at the home. The club swinger parties are attended by club members only. These members have official passes or invitations to join the party. Moreover, the clubs can organize swinger activities inside the premises or outside the premises. The club provides you with a large number of options, since you can meet several swinger couples and choose the one that can understand your swinger desires.
However, a swinger home party has limited gathering. These parties are conducted by people who wish to indulge into private and confidential sexual pleasures. Moreover, the party will consist of people with similar interest and desires. You can also call your online swinger friends to your home party and enjoy various activities like homosexuality, polygamy, wife swapping, exhibitionism etc.

Moreover, you should be properly dressed at the swinger parties. Most of the swinger parties have a certain theme to add fun to the event. However, if there’s no theme, then you can dress according to the occasion and mesmerize other swinger couples. You should wear something trendy so that you can catch attention of other swingers. If you are a woman then you can wear sexy attire, while men can go for a classy look.

Hence, if you are a swinging couple then plans an erotic evening at the swinger parties and get ready for lots of adult fun.

Away Resorts Unveiled in Mae-rim, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, Thailand – September 2008 – Astudo Hotel & Resort Management’s portfolio has been expanding rapidly across Thailand over the last few years. After successfully launching several resort properties under its X2 Resorts, Away Resorts and Le Bayburi brands, Astudo has the honor to proudly present their latest development Away Mae-Rim – Chiang Mai, scheduled to open in November 2008.

Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located some 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping River, which is a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River.

In recent years Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city. It has many attractions for the thousands of foreign visitors who come each year. Chiang Mai’s historic importance is derived from its important strategic location on an ancient trade route. Long before the modern influx of foreign visitors, the city served as an important centre for handcrafted goods, umbrellas, jewelry (particularly silver) and woodcarving.

The resort, set on 25 Rai (40,000 square meters), is ideally located in the tranquil Mae-Rim valley. This superb property provides the finest relaxation, a spa and excellent food and beverages. Understated rooms in huge sub-tropical surroundings offer lovely views over the surrounding mountains and a sense of calmness. A perfect place to relax and rejuvenate or to explore the well known Mae-Rim Valley.

The resort offers a combination of 50 rooms, comprising of:
– 2 Duplex Villas of 60 sqm.
– 1 Villa of 45 sqm.
– 13 Mini Suites of 45 sqm.
– 21 Pool Villas of 35 sqm.
– 5 Clubhouse Rooms of 30 sqm.
– 8 Budget Rooms of 20 sqm.

The standard room facilities offer individually controlled air conditioning, a mini bar, a personal safe and hairdryer, tea & coffee making facilities, DVD & CD player and satellite TV. The facilities of the resort include a restaurant offering a wide variety of Seafood, Thai and International cuisine, a spa, a swimming pool, a bar, a lounge and library.

Away resorts are the epitome of peaceful hideaways. All resorts offer guests every opportunity to truly slow down and enjoy their holiday but at the same time provide an interesting and unique array of activities and tours to provide a perfect balance for your holiday. A key hallmark of Away Resorts is their relaxed casual atmosphere, blended with high levels of individual service.

About Astudo Hotel & Resort Management
Astudo Hotel & Resort Management (www.astudo.com) is an international hotel management group based in Thailand. It manages 3 brands, with several properties in a growing portfolio and a fourth brand soon to be released.

X2 Resorts (www.X2resorts.com), Thailand’s first designer hotel chain, first launched in Kui Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan – December 2007 and followed by Samui, Suratthani – June 2008. Future X2 resorts anticipated to open in mid 2010 are X2 Koh Tan and X2 Koh Kood.
Away Resorts (www.awayresorts.com), Tropical Polynesian favour resorts, first launched in Koh Kood, Trat – October 2007 and followed by Chumphon in September 2008, Mae-Rim, Chiang Mai, Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Samui in late 2009.

Le Bayburi (www.lebayburi.com), Luxury private residences, first launched in Pranburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan – July 2007 and followed by Koh Samui, Suratthani – scheduled to open in mid 2009.

Bandipur Tour- Get Wild!

Park Tour. Visited by tourists from all over the world, this Park occupies a prized place on the tourist map of India. It is well known for its high density of tiger population and a variety of other wildlife species. Considering its importance UNESCO is thinking to bestow the title of World Heritage Site on this Park. The main attractions of the park are the Royal Bengal tiger and Indian elephants.

The Park is located in the enchanting state of Karnataka. Rich in bio-diversity, the park offers a great opportunity to tourists to treat their eyes with the sights of enchanting drama of nature in the wild. The Park is fed by the beautiful rivers Kabini, Moyar and Nagur. The view of the rivers flowing through the park is a sight to behold. The vegetation of the Park encompasses wonderful species of flowers, fruits, timber trees and shrubs.

Some of the attractive inhabitants of the Park are Barking deer, Leopard, Tiger, Wild Dhole, boar, Four-horned Antelope, Hyena and Chevrotain. The Park is also a home to some threatened species such as Crocodiles, Python, Elephant, Tiger and Sloth Bear.

And if the sight of a bird make your heart flutter, then the Park has a lot to overwhelm you. An array of beautiful birds are spotted here like Malabar Trogon, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Plain Flowerpecker, Brown Hawk Owl, Red-headed Vulture and Woolly-necked Stork.

Some interesting species of reptiles are also found here: Rat Snake, Water Snake, Common Cobra, Python, Frog, Tree frog, Toad  Marsh Crocodile, Lizard, Adder, Viper, etc. The most propitious time to visit Bandipur National Park is from April to October. Enjoy jeep safari or elephant safari to explore the park.

Borneo – Sun Sea and Orangutans

When my wife and I were deciding where to go on our honeymoon, we knew one thing, we wanted to go to Penang in Malaysia, to celebrate with relatives out there, but we knew we wanted to then move on to somewhere else after that, the only thing was where?

The Caribbean or Africa was a no go as the price to fly half way around the world and then back round again would have been monumental. Also the weather was a bit of a problem too. We tied the knot in early September, which ruled out the Maldives, Tahiti and Bali due to monsoon and rainy seasons.

We had been to Thailand the year before so decided we wanted to try somewhere else. We eventually chose to stay in Malaysia, but more precisely, Sabah in Borneo.

Well known for beautiful beaches and tiny islands great for diving, Sabah is also well known for orangutans, and has a world famous orangutan rehabilitation reserve at Sepilok, a short flight from our hotel at Kota Kinabalu.

However, we discovered that the hotel we chose had a nature reserve within the hotel grounds that was affiliated with Sepilok, and took in baby orphaned Orangutans, preparing them for their next stage at Sepilok before eventually being released back into the wild.

The Shangri-La Rasa Ria resort is situated on Pantai Dalit Beach, a beautiful stretch of beach that is sheltered and exclusive to the resort. The hotel was fantastic, and deciding to treat ourselves to a stay in the Ocean Wing, the exclusive wing with its own private pool, breakfast and luxury rooms with sea views and giant soak tub on the balcony, was well worth the extra money.

The hotel had a great choice of restaurants, and deciding to go half-board was a good option. Half-board entitles you to breakfast and dinner at the Coffee Terrace restaurant, or 100RM (about 17 quid) per person towards a meal in one of the other restaurants. This allowance pretty much covered the full cost of a meal in the other restaurants, except for the gourmet Coast restaurant which really is fijne dining at its best.

The culinary highlights for us were dinner at Naan and Tepi Laut ‘Makan Street’.

Naan was, funnily enough, and Indian restaurant and this award winning restaurant served some of the best Indian food I have ever had, food which went perfectly with the Malaysian local brew, Tiger Beer!

Tepi Laut ‘Makan Street’ was a typical Malaysian style food court, offering all the tastes that make Malaysian cuisine so special, with dishes from China, India,  Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Each station offered something different, and the vegetable station featured baskets of uncooked Chinese vegetables and sauces where people could put what they wanted on a plate with the sauces of their choice. The chef would then quickly stir fry these while you wait.

Our favourite was the kangkong belacan, what is basically ung choi fried in garlic and sambal (a fiery hot shrimp paste) with some red chillies – very hot but very tasty.

The real highlight for us was the orangutans. Each day, guests can make a donation to the reserve and trek a short way into the jungle to a pair of viewing platforms to watch the baby orangutans feed. The experience is quite simply amazing.

They are extremely cute and very agile. Some shy, others mischievous it is fantastic to watch their playful antics. We went twice to see them, the first time I filled my camera’s memory card of around 500 photos well before the hour came to an end and was frantically having to delete bad shots in order to take more.