Travel One

Popular Movies and Television Shows Set in Miami

2012-01-16T09:36:00.000-08:00

Miami's tropical weather, beautiful locations and vibrant culture have made the area an extremely popular setting for many movies and television shows. Miami itself is one one of the largest film production and distribution centres, not just in the USA, but the entire world. Some truly memorable scenes from many classic productions have been shot in and around Miami, so it's likely for visitors to spot a familiar location when travelling through the area. When thinking of famous Miami-based movies one tends to spring to mind - the Brian De Palma classic, Scarface. The movie was shot almost entirely in Miami and features a number of hotels and buildings that remain instantly recognisable to fans of the film. The De Palma and Pacino love affair with Miami continued in 1993, when they reunited to shoot Carlito's Way, a movie which has gone on to achieve cult status. Some other world-renowned movies that have been shot in Miami include The Bodyguard, Donnie Brasco, Blow, True Lies, Any Given Sunday, Casino Royale, Ali and Bad Boys & Bad Boys II, to name but a few. Many popular television shows have also been shot in Miami over the years; including Dexter, Charlie's Angels and Burn Notice. Arguably the TV series most synonymous with the Magic City is Miami Vice. This popular crime drama ran from 1986-1990 and set the tone for many shows that followed. As a filming location, Miami also has big international appeal. Due to the high Hispanic population, numerous Spanish-speaking shows are created in Miami every year. In fact, 55% of Miami citizens list Spanish as their first language. One of the first Bollywood movies to be produced entirely outside of India, Dostana (translated as ‘friendship') was filmed in Miami in 2008. Incidentally the movie went on to become one of the highest grossing Bollywood movies of that year. Miami has also been an influence for a number of high profile video game developers. Perhaps the best example being Rockstar Games' GTA Vice City, which is set in a city heavily based on 1980s Miami. The game is widely considered the best of the extremely successful GTA franchise and was the best selling Playstation 2 game of all time. There are a number of open-top bus tours which circulate Miami, offering tourists a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of some iconic movie landmarks, from stunning beaches to classic Miami hotels. Some typical sights may include the Sun Life Stadium, the home of NFL team Miami Dolphins that was featured in the movie Ace Ventura; or even the cemetery where Michael's Jackson revolutionary Thriller video was shot. With so much to offer, it's easy to see why Miami is such a popular destination for film makers and fans alike.

fear of flying | noguera ibiza

Dead Sea in Danger!

2011-12-01T20:26:00.000-08:00

The Dead Sea, the saltiest body of water on earth and a glistening natural treasure, is shrinking dramatically due to human decisions to siphon off its waters.

Just 40 years ago its stretched 80 kilometres in length.Located at the lowest point on earth, almost 400 metres below sea level in the scorching Jordan valley, the Dead Sea is 50 kilometres long.
The Ein Gedi Spa, set in a magical spot at the foot of high cliffs which stretch from the Dead Sea up to the Judaean Desert, was on the edge of the sea just 15 years ago.

It's now a long haul to the Dead Sea from this spa

Now visitors to the Spa have to take a small train down to the sea, as the shoreline is several hundred metres away.
British explorers in 1917 made a mark on the stone which originally lay at the water's edge.
That marker is now more than 15 metres up a cliff and a road runs between the cliff and the new shoreline.
Water shortage
One of the main reasons for the sea's shrinkage is the diversion of water.
Ninety percent of the waters that flow from the Jordan River, which traditionally supplies the Dead Sea, is diverted for drinking and agriculture in Israel and Jordan.

Waters of the River Jordan have been diverted

The region is suffering its worst water shortage in 60 years.
Most Israeli agricultural produce is exported. Environmentalists argue that, if the water was not diverted and the Dead Sea was left to flourish, tourism would grow, making up revenues lost from agriculture.
Industrial activities also contribute to the Dead Sea's problems. Massive evaporation pools vaporise the water in order to extract minerals, which are used for industrial activities and for making beauty products. The evaporation pools account for a quarter of the Dead Sea's shrinkage.
Healing properties
Currently, hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the Dead Sea every year to float on its waters - so salty that even a well-built man can float unaided, reading a newspaper comfortably while lying on his back.

The mineral-rich mud is believed to be therapeutic

The water contains a high level of sulphur, and the thick black mud that is found at the sea's edge contains healing qualities that are said to be effective in the treatment of skin diseases.
Tourists smother themselves in the black mud, blissfully unaware of the Dead Sea's troubles.
It can still be saved - but time is running out.

"We are approaching a time when the ecological habitat which the unique fauna and flora rely on will vanish and that's why its a critical moment to save the Dead Sea", said Gidon Bromberg of Friends of the Earth Middle East.

By Jerusalem Correspondent Hilary Andersson

AdventureTravelTips.com

Gastronomic tours in Spain

2011-10-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

Spanish gastronomy is among the best in the world and eating well in Spain is truely a pleasure. With its Mediterranean influence and fine variety of ingredients, Spanish food is one of the healthiest you´ll ever try. One of the regions most noted for its cuisine and exceptional restaurants is the Basque Country and surrounding areas.

This tour, intended for small groups of 6 to 10 people, combines the very best attractions and sights of this Northern province with a complete introduction to its splendid gastronomy.

The tour will be accompanied by an experienced guide but it can be modified and taken independently if you wish. We can also make restaurant reservations at those establishments providing the best examples of traditional and new-style cuisine.

Day ONE

Arrive in San Sebastian and enjoy a city tour. Highlights include the magnificent in situ wall paintings by Jose Maria Sert housed in the 16th century convent of San Telmo; now converted into a museum, the outdoor market and the charming fishing port area. Your tour becomes a movable feast as you are drawn into the world of Basque cuisine through the fantastic miniature dishes known as pinchos. As you wind your way through the pedestrian streets and open squares, raise a glass to the history and culture of this fascinating nation. Accommodation of your choice in the San Sebastian.

Day TWO

Frank Gehry’s titanium masterpiece awaits in Bilbao. After a panoramic overview of the city you will be escorted through the Guggenheim museum by an expert guide who will offer commentary on the building as well as the temporary exhibitions.
Lunch in the very contemporary Gaminiz whose award-winning chef Aitor Elizegi is considered one of the most exciting on today’s culinary scene. Accommodation of your choice in the San Sebastian.

Day THREE

A day in the country. The French village of St. Jean Pie de Port still preserves its medieval ramparts, pink stone houses and narrow cobbled streets. An important stop on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela where medieval pilgrims to set in supplies and gather their strength before crossing the Pyrenees on foot. After visiting the village you will cross the Pyrennes. The Camino, as it is known, officially begins at the mysterious spiritual center of Roncesvalles on the Spanish side of the mountain range. This is where pilgrims pick up their passports and prepare themselves for the long journey to Galicia and the remains of St. James. Roncesvalles was also the site of Charlemagne’s great defeat, which inspired the legendary Song of Roland. From here you may walk a section of the Camino itself through shady woods and open fields to the town of Burguete where Ernest Hemingway sent his hero Jake Barnes to fish for trout in The Sun Also Rises (Fiesta). Navarran style trout accompanied by the fine local wine make a perfect lunch at Hemingway’s favorite haunt. Accommodation of your choice in the San Sebastian.

Day FOUR

Rolling green hills planted with grapevines drop suddenly to the rocky coast. The painter Ignacio Zuloaga chose Zumaia for his summer studio. Part of his remarkable art collection is here as well; works by Goya, Rodin and Zuberan among the artist’s own pieces. You will be given a private tour of the collection as well as the tiny chapel that formed part of the coastal way to Santiago. The nearby Laia Craft Museum contains traditional handicrafts as well as contemporary arts.

In Getaria we will visit a wineceller to taste Txakolí, the tart white wine made in this region. In addition to being the home of the fashion designer, Cristobal Balenciaga and his foundation, Getaria is famous for its fish. The day’s fresh catch comes straight off the wharf and is grilled outdoors over open coals. After lunch you will have some free time to wander through the port or learn the age-old technique of anchovy curing.
Accommodation of your choice in the San Sebastian.

Day FIVE

Dramatic mountain scenery on the road to Pamplona gives way to the wide plains of Navarra and the Rioja wine region. A brief tour of Hemingway’s Pamplona, where the running of the bulls is celebrated every July, before lunch at your leisure. Afternoon arrival gives you time to settle into your hotel in Laguardia, capital of Rioja Alavesa, designed to make your stay wonderfully relaxing. Explore the town before dinner at the hotel. Accommodation in Laguardia.

Day SIX

This morning visit a wine cellar where you will be lead through the different steps necessary to produce a fine Rioja wine. Tasting is a must to fully appreciate the process!
Santo Domingo de la Calzada was the site of a curious medieval miracle. A pilgrim on his way to Santiago was wrongly accused of theft and hanged. When his parents returned from the long journey they were amazed to find their son still alive on the pillory on the edge of town. There appeal to the magistrate to cut him down was mocked “Your son is about as alive as the chicken on my plate”. At which point his dinner stood up and crowed! We will visit its church that to this day pays homage to the legend by keeping a live hen and a rooster in the transept!

The end of our journey is Ezcaray, home of the crown prince of contemporary cuisine in Spain. Francis Paniego creates culinary wonders that marry perfectly with the traditional cooking of his mother Dona Marisa. The two kitchens working side by side will produce a memorable meal for you. Upon returning to Laguardia you may wish to watch the sunset from the magical vantage point of a prehistoric monument located just outside of the village. Accommodation in Laguardia.

Day SEVEN

A drive through the vineyards takes us to Vitoria, the charming capital of the Basque Country. After a morning tour of the city you are at your leisure until tonight’s gala farewell dinner held at one of Vitoria’s monuments, El Portalon, a 15th century carriage house impeccably restored and turned into a beautiful restaurant. Accommodation of your choice in Vitoria.

Day EIGHT

Transfer to airport.

Accommodation

If you like the look of the above Suggested Tour we will gladly prepare a quote for you. The itinerary is not rigid and can be modified to suit your needs.

source: totallyspain.com

Full Day Beatles tour at Liverpool

2011-10-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

The Fantastic All Day Beatles Tours

If you are a serious Beatles fan, and want to experience the best possible day in a life, then you need to spend the whole day in Liverpool.

They take you to all the famous sites on our 4-Hour Beatles Tour:

They will take you to the homes, schools and famous places around the Beatles' Liverpool.

This tour will take in nearly 60 important places around the Beatles' Liverpool.

Highlights:

Mendips, Forthlin Road, Strawberry Field, Penny Lane, St. Peters Woolton, The Art College and the Liverpool Institute, The Casbah (you can visit inside the Casbah for only £15, but it must be pre-booked - ask for details), The Cavern, Arnold Grove, Dovedale School, plus we'll take you to many places that were important in the formation of the lives of the Beatles. This forms the basis of all our tours.

Please note that you can only see inside Mendips and Forthlin Road by going on the National Trust tour. We can ensure, if you want to go on that tour too, that we get you to the pick-up point in time.

They will arrange for you to go to The Casbah, Mendips and Forthlin Road (when open between March and October) and show you as many places as you want.

You can design your own tour

Warranty: will have the most amazing day of your life!

Egypt Tour Packages

2011-10-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

Have you dreamed about finally touring Egypt? With the exciting sights and wonders that this country has to offer, it’s easy to see why you’re dreaming of a vacation to Egypt. The great news is that many great tours are available for you to enjoy, whether you’re interested in the religious significance of the area, the history, scuba diving, or even seeing archeological treasures.

You can create a vacation that is personalized to you when you visit the area, allowing you to have the perfect experience while traveling Egypt. If you’re not familiar with the tour options available to you, here is a closer look at some of the Egypt tours that you may want to consider.

Basic Egypt tour packages

If you’re dreaming of touring Egypt, you’ll find that many great basic Egypt tour packages are available. Going on organized tours allows you to enjoy the best this destination has to offer, while having experienced guides along with you to ensure you have the best possible time.

If you want to see the popular sights in Egypt, sightseeing tours are available to allow you to see some of the most incredible sights. Egypt guided tours are available as well, which allow you to view the country the way the locals do.

Maybe you’ve dreamed of getting the chance to tour Egypt but you have a tight budget. That’s not a problem either, since many Egypt budget tours are available to ensure you can find a tour that fits your budget. Egypt day tours and escorted tours are offered in basic tour packages as well.

Exciting city tours

Egypt happens to be home to many incredible cities and you may want to spend some time in various cities when you decide to go touring Egypt.

Enjoy a nice tour of Cairo that allows you to see all the best sights on the modern side of the country. You can tour Old Cairo as well, enjoying the history behind this city.

Alexandria is another popular city that has much to offer tourists, including a lot of history and a majestic lighthouse. Some of the other cities that you can tour while in Egypt include Aswan,Luxor, and Giza (in Cairo). Visit one of these cities or take the time to visit all of them by going on exciting tours that will allow you to make the most of your travels.

Specialty Egypt tours

The specialty tours in Egypt allow you to see more than the average traveler will see. When touring Egypt, you want to make the most of the experience and these specialty tours will allow you to do so.

For bird watching enthusiasts, special birding tours are available, offering special bird species that are seen in the Nile regions. Safari tours are available for those who enjoy seeing wildlife and exotic flora and fauna. Desert tours are also available, since most of the country is covered by the Sahara desert.

If you have always wanted to enjoy the Nile, consider going on a Nile cruise holiday on the Nile River, enjoying the wild sights and the luxury offered by a cruise liner. Adventure tours, railway tours, and even spiritual tours can be enjoyed while you tour the country.

Customize your tour of Egypt

As you can see, so many different options are available if you plan on touring Egypt. The great thing is that you can enjoy customizing your vacation so you do everything you’ve dreamed of while you are in the country. You can have the time of your life while you’re in Egypt, doing everything you want to do.

Simply start booking your trip as soon as possible so your touring package can be customized with the tours you want to enjoy while you are visiting.

Egypt tour packages

12 Day Egypt and Jordan Tour

History, Biblical truths, and ancient worship all mingle together during the 12 Days: Egypt and Jordan Tour, offering much to ponder and enjoy. Explore Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Taba, Wadi Rum, Petra, and enjoy touring Amman, the capital of Jordan.

12 Day Nile River Cruise Holiday

The Nile River Cruise Holiday is ideal for anyone who wishes to experience the romanticism of Egypt by water. This 12 day journey includes the best of both Egypt and Jordan. Tour Cairo, Luxor-Aswan Nile Cruise, Amman, Umm Qais, Dead Sea, Petra.

12 Day Egypt Luxury Tour

With the Egypt Luxury Tour guests experience twelve days of fascinating history, gorgeous scenery and world-class treatment. Expect the best of touring Egypt and the Red Sea. Experience Cairo, Aswan-Luxor Nile Cruise, and Hurghada at the Red Sea.

Sleeping on Salt? Visit Bolivia

2011-09-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

Sleeping On Salt: Bolivia's Salt Hotel

Our room at the Salt Hotel

On the third night of our Lipez-Uyuni tour we arrived at our salt hotel, an inn made primarily of salt on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni. The hotel was basic with walls of salt, beds made of blocks of salt, tables of salt and chairs of salt. When no one was looking, the kids and I licked the walls to verify that they were indeed made of salt.

The lodge, the Atulcha, had basic rooms with shared bathrooms and salt tables lined up in the communal area for the set course dinner that all guests would share.

Outside, it was cold with stong winds blowing off the Salar -- a flat cold area 19 times the size of the Bonneville Salt Flats in the U.S. state of Utah -- such that we had to turn our back to the Salar and look at the run down small village that is supported by tourists staying at the salt lodge.

Dinner that night was quinoa soup, roast llama and potatoes. We shared our meal with a retired Geman man who was riding his bike around the Salar, stopping at various salt hotels (I believe that there are 7 or 8 of them). After dinner we took hot showers before all the lights went out at 8:00 pm. Nestled into our fairly comfortable beds atop salt blocks, I read my book with my miner's headlamp then drifted off to sleep.

The dining area

SOURCE: http://alpaca-suitcase.blogspot.com/2011/06/bolivian-salt-hotel.html

Best museums from Paris

2011-09-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

The Louvre Museum - The best art museum in the world is right here in Paris. Popular even before The DaVinci Code, Musee du Louvre has much, much more to offer visitors besides the Mona Lisa. The lower ground floor is famous for its top examples of Egyptian, Greek and Roman Antiquities. The ground floor, with one of the best collections of 16th - 19th century Italian sculptures in the world, also features sculptures from 5th - 18th century France. A museum visitor will find Winged Victory on the stairs to the first floor, and it is this floor which has the Mona Lisa (follow the large, slow-moving crowd) and many other top examples of Italian paintings from the 13th to the 17th century. Art from the Middle Ages and the Restoration also abound. The second floor of the Louvre Museum features German, Flemish and Dutch paintings and drawings, as well as prints, paintings and drawings from 14th-17th century France. Any one of the floors of the Louvre Museum would be a world-class museum on its own. When seen together, it's almost difficult to get one's mind around the sheer quantity of these amazing ancient, Medieval and Classical art collections.

The Orsay Museum - Chronologically starting roughly when the art of the Louvre ends, Musee du Orsay provides the link between the Louvre and the Pompidou. The Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Periods (mid-19th century to early 20th century) are featured in full splendor at the Orsay Museum; set up to be accessible, yet commanding respect from museum visitors, the Orsay is many Paris travelers' favorite big museum. The ground floor features the earliest art in the Orsay. Sculptures flank the center aisle here, with Pre-Impressionism works by Degas, Delacroix, Manet, Monet and more among the paintings, drawings and decorative arts on this floor. The middle level has the famous Seine, Rodin, and Lille Terraces, along with paintings and sculptures by Denis, Galle, Klimt, Munch, and other famous artists. The upper level of the Orsay Museum is where the Impressionism and Post-Impressionism art really shines. More Degas, along with Cezanne, Gauguin, Manet, Matisse, Monet, Pissaro, Renoir, Seurat, Van Gogh and Whistler are here, each work of art astonishing in its accessibility. It's exciting to be amid all these top examples of famous art, and it's completely acceptable to photograph many of these works, providing the museum guest turns of the camera flash.

The Pompidou Center - Centre Pompidou is clearly a home for modern art; it's hard to miss the brightly colored tubes and pipes making up the exterior architecture while walking in its relatively staid Paris neighborhood. The Musee National d'Art Moderne, or Museum of Modern Art, is at the Pompidou, along with a public library and performance spaces. No vacation in Paris is complete, for a modern art buff anyway, without a visit to the Pompidou. The Dada and Surrealism movements are well represented at the Pompidou. Warhol, Jackson Pollack, Rothko, Kandinsky, Miro and Picasso are all featured prominently here, along with Marcel Duchamps and his "ready-made" works of art.

The Louvre and Orsay museums have beautiful architecture, whereas the design of the Pompidou is, inarguably, very interesting. All three of these best museums are attractions in and of themselves; complete a luxury vacation in Paris with visits to these top museums, and the great collections contained within.

The famous Inca Road

2011-09-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

The Inca road system (called Capaq Ñan or Gran Ruta Inca) was an essential part of the success of the Inca Empire. Including an estimated 40,000 kilometers in its extent, the Inca road was built for use in all kinds of climate, and intended to move people and goods--and armies when needed--across the length and breadth of the empire.

Two main roads made up the Inca Road system, one along the coastline of South America between Tumbes (Peru) and Talca (Chile), and one through the Andes highlands between Quito (Ecuador) and Mendoza (Argentina). Many other shorter routes led to different Inca provincial centers. One of the shorter segments called the Inca Trail leads to the residential palace of Pachacuti called Machu Picchu, and hundreds of thousands of hikers climb its switchbacks each year.

Inca Road Construction

Since wheeled vehicles were unknown to the Inca, the surfaces of the Inca Road were intended for foot traffic, accompanied by llamas as pack animals. Some of the roadways were paved with stone cobbles, but many others were natural dirt pathways between 1-4 meters in width.

To traverse the mountainous regions the Inca built long stairways and switchbacks; for lowland roads through marshes and wetlands they built causeways; crossing rivers and streams required bridges and culverts; and roads between desert oases were marked by low walls or cairns.

Architectural innovations along the trail included drainages through gutters and culverts, and in many places low walls delimited the road. In some places tunnels and retaining walls were built to allow safe navigation.

Lodging Along the Inca Road

Historically, people could walk along the road at the rate of about 20-22 kilometers a day. Placed along the road about about every 20-22 km were tampu, small building clusters or villages which provided lodging, food, and supplies for local business.

A postal system was an essential part of the Inca Road, with relay runners called chasqui stationed along the road at 1.4 km intervals. Information was taken along the road either verbally or stored in quipu. In special circumstances, exotic goods could be carried by the chasqui: it was reported that Sapa Inca at Cusco could dine on 2 day old fish from the coast, a travel rate of 240 km a day.

source: about.com

Like Whales? Whale watching in Argentina

2011-08-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

Whale watching season in Argentine Patagonia extends from May to December. The best chances of success are during September and October. You cannot miss this wonderful show that is renewed and happens every year.

Come to Puerto Madryn, get aboard and be moved to tears sharing the deep blue sea with these giants.

An excursion of sea fauna watching

The watching is done from Pirámides Port. There are six companies authorized in the Province for this. They take the necessary care not to produce environmental impact and not to alter the whales’ behavior.

The trip starts going along the coast in both directions and then getting one or two miles into the sea, to get in touch with the whales.

The first stop is generally at La Lobería (sea lion colony), which is perpendicular to Puerto Pirámides and has got 2000 specimens.

The sailing along the coast lets also watch many cormorant colonies. They build their nests against the cliff and there they breed and raise their babies. You can also see other specimens of the coast bird fauna.

Then the ship gets far from the coast, the engine is stopped and for a moment there is plain silence interrupted only by the sounds of penguins, seagulls, gulls and cormorants. It’s the moment of waiting… somebody watches a group of birds at the distance.

The ship gets closer and suddenly, when the whole group is attentive, something silver and white jumps next to the ship, and the strong sound of a body splashing the sea is heard.

It’s all excitement then. Everybody shouts, speaks in different languages, the children cries blend… And to complete this feast some dolphins always show up to jump and play in complete freedom.

source: http://www.patagonia-argentina.com

Free Museums in Philadelphia USA

2011-08-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

Free Museums

Free museums in Philadelphia cover all sorts of subjects, giving visitors a chance to expand their understanding of art, culture, science — even firemen! Budget travelers in particular can appreciate these free museums, which are fun, interesting and always educational. But no matter who you are or what your interest, you can take advantage of these great Philadelphia museums...all without paying.

Delaware Art Museum - FREE SUNDAYS
Founded in 1912, the Delaware Art Museum is best known for its large collection of British Pre-Raphaelite arte, works by Wilmington-native Howard Pyle and fellow American illustrators, and urban landscapes by John Sloan and his circle. Visitors can also enjoy the outdoor Copeland Sculpture Garden and a number of exhibitions throughout the year. Sponsored by AstraZeneca, the museum is open free to the public on Sundays!

Fireman's Hall Museum
A fun place to learn the history of firefighting and safety tips. In this restored 1902 firehouse, find apparatuses as well as traditional and interactive exhibits. (Donations accepted.)

Mario Lanza Institute and Museum
This tribute to actor/tenor Mario Lanza showcases the place where he received his first musical education. (Donations accepted.)

National Museum of American Jewish History
Steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the National Museum of American Jewish History will be the only museum dedicated to chronicling the American Jewish experience. New Site: Independence Mall East, 55 North 5th Street. OPENS FALL 2010.

Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame & Rose Levis Museum
Founded in 1997 to celebrate the contributions of local Jewish pioneers and heroes in the sports world.

Polish American Cultural Center Museum
The museum features Polish history, culture, paintings and "Great Men and Women of Poland," a pictorial display of Poland during World War II.

Rodin Museum
This museum houses the largest collection of Rodin sculptures and drawings outside of Paris.

Wagner Free Institute of Science
Founded in 1855, this National Historic Landmark houses fossils, minerals, shells, skeletons and mounted animals. This museum and educational institution has survived nearly unchanged since the 19th century.

source: philadelphiausa.travel

Tourism in Canada

2011-07-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

Quick Facts about Canada and Visitors Information

Canada (from an Iroquoian word, kanata, meaning "village" or "settlement") is the second largest country on earth at 9,984,670 sq. km. (after Russia).

Canada is one of the world's highly developed countries with a diversified economy that is reliant upon its abundant natural resources and upon trade - particularly with the United States, with which Canada has had a long and complex relationship.

Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while still retaining ties to the British crown. Canada was originally formed as a federal dominion of four provinces, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the lower sections of current day Ontario and Quebec.

Canada's borders extend from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean and borders the entire length of the northern United States (8,893 km), as well as Alaska (2,477 km) in the far north west. Canada's vastness stretches over six time zones.

Canada has ten provinces and three far north territories and is governed by a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. We are bilingual and multicultural country, with both English and French as official languages both at the federal level and in the province of New Brunswick.

Canada's population as of 2009 was 33,487,208 people with approximately 90% of the population concentrated within 160 km of the US border.

Passports are required in Canada.

Foreign Visitors to Canada

Visitors to Canada including US citizens or US permanent residents must carry a valid passport. Citizens from the Countries other than the US, Kingdom, France, Germany, Mexico, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia may also require a visa to enter Canada. A visa is a additional travel document which gives someone permission to travel into a specific country and stay there for a set period of time, a cost is attached to obtaining aCanadian Visa and can be processed in many foreign countries.

If you are traveling with children, you must carry identification, such as a birth certificate, proof of citizenship or student visa for each child under 18 years old.

Canadian dollar currencies.

Canadian Currency

Legal tender in Canada are dollars similar to the US, Australia and New Zealand. Canada uses a one dollar (loonie) and two-dollar (toonie) coin, Paper money comes in $5 bills (blue), $10 bills (purple), $20 bills (green), $50 bills (red) and $100 bills (brown).

Additional coins under 1 dollar come in 1 cent (penny), 5 cent (nickel), 10 cent (dime) and 25 cent (quarter) coins.

Most businesses accept US dollars and coins, American Express, MasterCard and Visa. ATM (Interac) machines are widely available.

What not to Bring

Handguns and weapons, such as mace and pepper spray, are prohibited from entering Canada.

Non-Canadian citizens may bring a non-restricted firearm such as a hunting rifle or shotgun if it is being used for in-season hunting, competition purposes, in-transit movement or as protection against wildlife in remote areas of Canada.

In addition, many agricultural items are restricted or prohibited entry to Canada. Many fruits, vegetables, honey, eggs, meats, dairy products and plants from other countries cannot be brought into Canada.

Canadian law requires that you declare all agricultural products you bring into Canada to customs officers when you arrive, whether it is by land, water or air. Permission is required to import plants to Canada, with the exception of houseplants from the United States. Despite rumours to the contrary, Cannabis for personal use is still illegal in Canada.

source: canada tourism travel