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		<title>Top Five Spiritual Travel Destinations</title>
		<link>http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/12/10/top-five-spiritual-travel-destinations/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/12/10/top-five-spiritual-travel-destinations/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Dec 2010 04:00:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>cynthia</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bolivia]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thetravelword.com/?p=11179</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Spiritual travel runs the gamut of transcendental experiences, from traditional religious pilgrimages to yoga retreats and shamanic healing. The global religious travel market generates almost $20 billion per year and is growing fast, however, religious belief is not a prerequisite. An interest in the culture and history of the world's most mystical places is reason enough to visit our top five picks of spiritual travel destinations.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With the runaway success of <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>, Elizabeth Gilbert&#8217;s chronicle of spiritual healing, spiritual travel has grown ever-more popular with everyone looking to nourish their souls and not just darken their tans on holiday. Spiritual travel runs the gamut of transcendental experiences, from traditional religious pilgrimages to yoga retreats and shamanic healing. The global religious travel market generates almost $20 billion per year and is growing fast, however, religious belief is not a prerequisite. An interest in the culture and history of the world&#8217;s most mystical places is reason enough to visit our top five picks of spiritual travel destinations listed below.</p>
<div id="attachment_11182" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiwanaku_Statue_Der_Moench.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11182" title="Tianaku Temple, Bolivia" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/bolivia-tiwanaku-fraile-450x337.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Like the monolithic &#39;el Fraile&#39; (the Monk) in the Kalasaya Temple in Tiwanaku, some of the statues at Tiwanaku, Bolivia, have withstood the test of time. Other stones used to build the main structures have been looted over the years, but the impressive site is still of great spiritual, historical and cultural significance. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Fulsen</p></div>
<h3>Tiwanaku, Bolivia</h3>
<p>The city of <a title="whl.travel portal: La Paz destination guide" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiwanaku" target="_blank">Tiwanaku</a> (alternative spelling Tiahuanaco) is located at 4,000 metres above sea level in the mountains near the southern shore of <a title="whl.travel portal: Bolivia homepage" href="http://www.tourism-in-bolivia.com/" target="_blank">Bolivia</a>’s famous <a title="whl.travel portal: Bolivia guide to Lake Titicaca" href="http://www.tourism-in-bolivia.com/bolivia-guide#1189" target="_blank">Lake Titicaca</a>.The area was home to a pre-Incan society that survived from 1600 BC to 1200 AD; it is considered the cradle of Andean civilisation. The Incas that later colonised the region apparently believed that the ancient Tiwanaku was built by the god Viracocha, who rose from the depths of the lake and created the first humans. Hailed as the Stonehenge of the Americas, the monumental remains of this great culture have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and include several temples, a pyramid, symbolic gates, monoliths and mysterious face carvings.</p>
<p>On June 21st each year, around 5000 people congregate in Tiwanaku to celebrate the summer solstice at the Aymara Indians’ New Year, called Machaj Mara. Popular with followers of New Age religions from around the world, the highlight of the festival is sunrise, when the rays of the sun shine through the temple entrance on the eastern side of the complex. Then it’s time to party. Locals in colourful ceremonial clothing and visitors celebrate together by drinking <em>singani</em> (Bolivian grape brandy similar to <a title="The Travel Word article on local drinks" href="http://www.thetravelword.com/local-food-drinks/" target="_blank">pisco</a>), chewing coca leaves, sacrificing llamas and dancing until dawn.</p>
<div id="attachment_11183" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/srilanka-ulpotha.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11183" title="Ulpotha in Sri Lanka" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/srilanka-ulpotha-450x337.jpg" alt="Ulpotha in Sri Lanka" width="450" height="337" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The stunning natural setting of Ulpotha is one of its great attractions. The eight-acre site by a small lake at the base of the Galgiriwiya mountains is considered sacred land, associated with Lord Kataragama, an incarnation of the son of Shiva. The area&#39;s seven hills feature in ancient spiritual lore.</p></div>
<h3>Ulpotha, Sri Lanka</h3>
<p>The traditional working eco-village of <a title="Ulpotha homepage" href="http://www.ulpotha.com" target="_blank">Ulpotha</a> is hidden in an exquisite, secluded, wooded dell at the foot of the Galgiriyawa mountains, about a two-hour drive northwest of <a title="whl.travel portal: Sri Lanka guide to Kandi" href="http://www.srilankahotel-link.com/srilanka-guide#2941" target="_blank">Kandy</a> in <a title="whl.travel portal: Sri Lanka homepage" href="http://www.srilankahotel-link.com/" target="_blank">Sri Lanka</a>. The village has been a pilgrimage site for thousands of years and is now a yoga, spa and Ayurveda retreat open to guests for part of the year.</p>
<p>Ulpotha has been nominated for numerous awards over the years and regularly makes it onto lists of the world’s best spas compiled by glossy magazines, television shows and travel websites. Guests can avail themselves of Ayurveda therapies and yoga classes led by practiced experts, although taking part in these activities is by no means compulsory; anyone preferring to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and delectable vegan cuisine can do just that.</p>
<p>The retreat is run as a non-profit and all proceeds from paying guests go to support the locals who manage the attached self-sustaining organic farm and staff the facility when it is open. Other on-site ventures include a biodiverse organic farm, reforestation of village and surrounding land and a free Ayurvedic clinic open year round to villagers (it treats over 100 patients a week).</p>
<div id="attachment_11184" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maria_Podbro_152.JPG"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11184" title="Site of the Medjugorje Apparition" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/bih-medjugorje-apparition-450x337.jpg" alt="Site of the Medjugorje Apparition" width="450" height="337" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The statue of Mary, erected in 2001 in Medjugorje, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, to mark the 20th anniversary the vision of the Virgin Mary, is located on Apparition Hill, where the event was first witnessed by six Croation children on June 24, 1981. Thousands of pilgrims climb the hill every year, chanting the rosary as they go. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Beemwej</p></div>
<h3>Medjugorje, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina</h3>
<p>Launched onto the spiritual travel map in the summer of 1981 when six children saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary, the small town of <a title="whl.travel portal: Medjugorje homepage" href="http://www.travel-medjugorje.com/" target="_blank">Medjugorje</a>, <a title="whl.travel portal: Bosnia homepage" href="http://www.tourism-in-bosnia.com/" target="_blank">Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina</a>, nestled in the hills close to Mostar and the border with <a title="whl.travel portal: Croatia homepage" href="http://www.tours-croatia.com/" target="_blank">Croatia</a>, has become a premier pilgrimage site for Catholics. Once a community of only 400 inhabitants, mostly farmers, the village now caters to visitors from around the world.</p>
<p>Millions have visited the hallowed spot on the mountainside, now called <a title="whl.travel portal: Medjugorje guide to Appartition Hill" href="http://www.travel-medjugorje.com/medjugorje-guide#7076" target="_blank">Apparition Hill</a>, keen to worship at the site of the vision. The local church, <a title="Whl.travel portal: Medjugorje guide to St. James" href="http://www.travel-medjugorje.com/medjugorje-guide#7090" target="_blank">St James&#8217;s</a>, offers Mass in more than 10 languages, including Croatian, Italian, Spanish and English, in addition to a daily prayer service in the evening and there are plenty of <a title="whl.travel: Medjugorje 8 day pilgrimage tour" href="http://www.travel-medjugorje.com/8_days_pilgrimage_in_Medjugorje" target="_blank">tours</a> and <a title="whl.travel portal: Medjugorje accommodation" href="http://www.travel-medjugorje.com/medjugorje-accommodation" target="_blank">accommodation</a> for the faithful.</p>
<p>Medjugorje literally translates as &#8216;area between two mountains,&#8217; and the location is simply stunning, so even for the non-religious, there is plenty of distraction. The surrounding area is densely forested and boasts picturesque waterfalls, vineyards (the local wine is not to be missed) and plenty of sleepy villages. One word of advice: accommodation often books up quickly, so it is advisable to check ahead with the <a title="whl.travel portal: Medjugorje local connection" href="http://www.travel-medjugorje.com/aboutus" target="_blank">whl.travel local connection</a> to avoid disappointment.</p>
<div id="attachment_11185" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TUNISIE_KAIROUAN_01.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11185" title="Kairouan in Tunisia" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/tunisia-kairouan-450x299.jpg" alt="Kairouan in Tunisia" width="450" height="299" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The Great Mosque of Kairouan, also known as the Mosque of Uqba, was built by the Arab general Uqba ibn Nafi from 670 AD. It covers an area of 9,000 square metres and is considered the oldest place of worship in the western Islamic world, as well as a model for all later mosques in the Maghreb. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Patrick Giraud</p></div>
<h3>Kairouan, Tunisia</h3>
<p>Situated in northern <a title="whl.travel portal: Tunisia homepage" href="http://www.tour-tunisia.com/" target="_blank">Tunisia</a>, the thousand-year-old city of <a title="whl.travel portal: Hammamet destination guide" href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/hammamet-guide#6255" target="_blank">Kairouan</a> is often regarded as the fourth holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. As the oldest Muslim place of worship in Africa, the Great Mosque of Kairouan (first built in 670 AD) has been an important place of pilgrimage for centuries for Muslims, especially those not able to make the long <a title="Wikipedia article: Hajj" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj" target="_blank">Hajj</a>; it is said that seven trips to Kairouan are equal to one trip to Mecca.</p>
<p>The name Kairouan actually means &#8216;caravan,&#8217; which is a reference to the city&#8217;s beginnings as a stopping place for the desert-trade caravans on the lucrative trans-Sahara trade route. It was turned into an Islamic religious centre in 694 and only Muslims were allowed to enter its walls until relatively recently. As a result it was seen as an outpost of Islam and seat of Muslim scholarship, protecting the faith against the surrounding Jewish and Christian communities.</p>
<p>Although non-Muslims are not allowed inside the mosque, the doors are kept open to allow visitors to see inside and <a title="whl.travel portal: tours to Kairoanan" href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/Kairouan" target="_blank">tours to the holy city</a> can be arranged through the <a title="whl.travel portal: Hammamet local connetion" href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/aboutus" target="_blank">whl.travel local connection</a> in <a title="The Travel Word article on Hammemet as a new local connection" href="http://www.thetravelword.com/2009/10/16/classic-travel-adventures-in-the-tunisian-saint-tropez-hammamet-joins-the-whl-travel-network/" target="_blank">Hammamet</a>, an hour&#8217;s drive away.</p>
<div id="attachment_11186" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ahu_Tongariki.jpg)org/wiki/File:TUNISIE_KAIROUAN_01.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11186" title="Tongariki on Easter Island, Chile" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/chile-easterisland-tongariki-450x298.jpg" alt="Tongariki on Easter Island, Chile" width="450" height="298" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Ahu Tongariki is the largest ahu (stone platform) on Easter Island. Its moai were toppled during the island&#39;s civil wars and in the 20th century the ahu was swept inland by a tsunami. It has since been restored with 15 moai, including an 86-tonne monolith that was the heaviest ever erected on the island. All the moai here face sunset during the summer solstice. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Rivi</p></div>
<h3>Easter Island, Chile</h3>
<p>Considered to be the world&#8217;s most remote inhabited island, <a title="whl.travel portal: Chile guide to Easter Island" href="http://www.tourism-in-chile.com/chile-guide#1029" target="_blank">Easter Island</a> (otherwise known as Rapa Nui) in the southeast Pacific may have become a part of <a title="whl.travel portal: Chile homepage" href="http://www.tourism-in-chile.com/" target="_blank">Chile</a> in the late 1800s, but it is very much Polynesian at heart. This World Heritage Site is famed for the hundreds of towering volcanic stone statues, known as <em>moai</em>, dotted around the island and positioned on massive stone platforms called <em>ahu</em>.</p>
<p>Easter Island is also one of the most mystical places on earth, as so much of its history is shrouded in mystery: why and how were the <em>moai</em> built (they can weigh up to 75 tonnes and measure up to 10 metres in length) and what decimated the civilisation that built them? Locals believe the monoliths represent deceased ancestors. Because of this visitors can look, but, out of respect, mustn&#8217;t touch. Some experts suggest that Easter Island is an important point on a grid of sacred sites spanning the globe and it may have originally been settled purely because of the significance of its location. As with everything else concerning the island&#8217;s origins, though, nothing has yet been proven!</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Top Five Picks for Off-Season Hotspots</title>
		<link>http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/09/01/top-5-picks-for-off-season-hotspots/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/09/01/top-5-picks-for-off-season-hotspots/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:00:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>laurel</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thetravelword.com/?p=9202</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[School is back in session and summer is sadly coming to an end in the northern hemisphere. Luckily many holiday deals are commencing. To help you make a decision about where to go to satisfy any unfulfilled travel cravings, the WHL Group presents here five of its favourite off-season autumn holiday destinations in Antigua &#038; Barbuda, China, Colombia, Lithuania and Tunisia.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">School is back in session and summer is sadly coming to an end in the northern hemisphere. Luckily many holiday deals are commencing. To help you make a decision about where to go to satisfy any unfulfilled travel cravings, the WHL Group presents here five of its favourite off-season autumn holiday destinations north of the equator.</p>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: left;">
<dl id="attachment_9210" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 458px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Valley-Church-Beach-Antigua-Barbudas.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-9210 " title="Valley Church Beach, Antigua &amp; Barbudas" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Valley-Church-Beach-Antigua-Barbudas.jpg" alt="Valley Church Beach on Antigua" width="448" height="336" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean from the serene Valley Church Beach, Antigua</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Antigua &amp; Barbuda</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">Head to the islands in the heart of the Caribbean. While most travellers from the northern hemisphere prefer to travel to the Caribbean between November and February, the perennially perfect beach conditions and weather ensure <a href="http://www.antigua-island-hotels.com/" target="_blank">Antigua and Barbuda</a> a place on our list of autumn holiday locales. Antigua alone has 365 white, sandy beaches, but going to the beach is just scratching the surface of <a href="http://www.antigua-island-hotels.com/destination_guide" target="_blank">things to see and do</a> on the islands. Activities range from sailing and diving at one of Barbuda’s 200 ship wrecks to visiting <a href="http://www.antigua-island-hotels.com/destination_guide#_361712911" target="_blank">Barbuda’s Frigate Bird Sanctuary</a>. Antigua and Barbuda have rich music, culture, song and dance, and centuries of traditions. If this isn’t enticing enough, <a href="http://www.antigua-island-hotels.com/accommodation" target="_blank">hotel</a> rates are significantly lower at this time of year.</p>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: left;">
<dl id="attachment_9213" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 458px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/cartagena.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-9213 " title="cartagena" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/cartagena.jpg" alt="Women in traditional dress in Cartagena, Colombia" width="448" height="284" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Traditional dancers wear colourful dresses along the Caribbean Sea in Cartagena, Colombia. Photo by Mona Hura</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Cartagena, Colombia</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">Once a favourite looting ground for Caribbean pirates, <a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/05/31/cartagena-colombia-brings-caribbean-colour-to-the-whl-travel-network/" target="_blank">Cartagena</a> is Colombia’s most popular holiday spot. Located on the country’s Caribbean coast, it is a spirited city with colourful buildings and lively residents. Founded in 1533, the city comprises the <a href="http://www.cartagena-hotel.travel/destination_guide#_1026877624" target="_blank">Ciudad Amurallada</a>, or old walled city, and the modern <a href="http://www.cartagena-hotel.travel/destination_guide#_1026877955" target="_blank">Bocagrande</a>. Beautiful Spanish architecture can be seen in the walled city, a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site, especially the <a href="http://www.cartagena-hotel.travel/destination_guide#_1026879622" target="_blank">Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas</a> fortress that was built in the 17th century and the colonial houses. Cartagena’s cultural heritage isn’t its only draw. The <a href="http://www.cartagena-hotel.travel/destination_guide#_1026881192" target="_blank">beaches of Cartagena</a>, gorgeous scenery and delicious cuisine make it a spectacular choice for a holiday. High season begins in December, so travel here in autumn before the prices go up and ahead of Cartagena becoming South America’s most popular destination!</p>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: left;">
<dl id="attachment_9218" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 458px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lijiang.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-9218 " title="lijiang" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lijiang.jpg" alt="A Yi ethnic minority celebration in Lijiang, China" width="448" height="305" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Members of the Yi ethnic minority celebrate after a wedding ceremony in the mountains outside of Lijiang, China</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Lijiang, China</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">Rich cultural and historical traditions along with the kindness of the local residents have made <a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/2009/11/09/the-graceful-waterways-of-lijiang-are-whl-travels-fourth-destination-in-china/" target="_blank">Lijiang</a> a popular destination for Chinese and foreign tourists alike. Its <a href="http://www.lijiang-travel.com/destination_guide#_609429122" target="_blank">Old Town</a> was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and the city’s unique architecture stems from its location at the confluence of Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Lijiang is surrounded by dramatic landscapes and snow-capped mountains where <a href="http://www.lijiang-travel.com/Culture_Tour">hiking</a> and <a href="http://www.lijiang-travel.com/biking_tour_in_Lashi_Lake" target="_blank">cycling</a> are popular outdoor activities. The majority of the city’s inhabitants are ethnic minorities, particularly the Naxi, Yi and Bai, and there are many ways to <a href="http://www.lijiang-travel.com/tours" target="_blank">experience the local, traditional way of life</a>, particularly on a <a href="http://www.lijiang-travel.com/three_days_trip_to_Wenhai_and_Lashi_hai" target="_blank">homestay trek</a>. Autumn brings drier weather, cheaper <a href="http://www.lijiang-travel.com/accommodation" target="_blank">hotel</a> rates and fewer tourists to Lijiang. Don’t forget your hiking boots!</p>
<div class="mceTemp mceIEcenter" style="text-align: left;">
<dl id="attachment_9220" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 458px;">
<dt class="wp-caption-dt"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Vilnius.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-9220 " title="Vilnius" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Vilnius.jpg" alt="The Užupis District of Vilnius, Lithuania" width="448" height="299" /></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-dd">Situated on a hill, the Užupis District has spectacular views of the Vilnius Old Town. Seen here (from left to right) in late autumn are the Church of the Holy Mother of God, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel and Church Museum.</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Vilnius, Lithuania</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">The bizarre bust of Frank Zappa isn’t the only reason we love <a href="http://www.vilnius-hotels.travel" target="_blank">Vilnius</a>. Crowned the European Capital of Culture in 2009, this picture-perfect city has one of the largest World Heritage-listed old towns in the world; ; in spite of invasions, it has beautifully preserved Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance structures. Wandering through Vilnius’ labyrinthine streets and spending time in the living museum that is the city’s <a href="http://www.vilnius-hotels.travel/destination_guide#_481135315" target="_blank">Old Town</a> transports you back to medieval <a href="http://www.lithuaniahotel-link.com/" target="_blank">Lithuania</a>. Vilnius residents are no strangers to occupation, and because of it delight in independence, cultural events and festivals. Even the capital has its eccentricities, like the self-proclaimed independent city called the <a href="http://www.vilnius-hotels.travel/The_Republic_of_Uzupis_Vilnius" target="_blank">Republic of Užupis</a>. If you’re more interested in history, travel a short distance to the medieval island castle of <a href="http://www.vilnius-hotels.travel/destination_guide#_481146133" target="_blank">Trakai</a>. Fewer tourists travel to Lithuania in autumn as the weather is turning colder, but we think it’s the perfect time to experience Vilnius without the crowds.</p>
<div id="attachment_9223" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 410px"><a rel="attachment wp-att-9223" href="http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/09/01/top-5-picks-for-off-season-hotspots/hammamet/"><img class="size-full wp-image-9223" title="Hammamet" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Hammamet.jpg" alt="The turquoise waters of the Gulf of Hammamet, Tunisia" width="400" height="300" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The Gulf of Hammamet, Tunisia, as seen from the whitewashed buildings in the ancient medina</p></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Hammamet, Tunisia</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">Stunning whitewashed buildings aren’t only found in <a href="http://www.greecehotel-link.com/" target="_blank">Greece</a>. Though it’s billed as North Africa’s premier beach destination and is better known as the &#8216;Tunisian St. Tropez,&#8217; <a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/2009/10/16/classic-travel-adventures-in-the-tunisian-saint-tropez-hammamet-joins-the-whl-travel-network/" target="_blank">Hammamet</a> is a seaside destination with much more to offer those in search of R and R. The city itself is surrounded by the ancient fortification of the Hammamet Kasbah and the narrow back alleys that reach toward the old medina are full of bright, whitewashed buildings with blue trim and intricate architectural designs. Hammamet and the surrounding region of <a href="http://www.tour-tunisia.com/" target="_blank">Tunisia</a> have a glorious history and ancient Roman baths famous for healing mineral waters are located within the city’s medina, while the <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/destination_guide#_1015379540" target="_blank">Roman ruins of Pupput</a> are only three kilometres away. The cooler autumn climate and Hammamet’s proximity to the capital, Tunis, make trips to <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/The_road_to_carthage" target="_blank">Tunis and Carthage</a> as easy as those to other Roman ruins, like <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/Roman_explorer" target="_blank">Thuburbu Majus and Dougga</a>. The combination of past and present, the Mediterranean climate and off-season deals pin Hammamet as our pick in Africa.</p>
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		<title>Hanging with the Literati and Glitterati of the Literary and Film Festival Circuit</title>
		<link>http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/07/24/hanging-with-the-literati-and-glitterati-of-the-literary-and-film-festival-circuit/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/07/24/hanging-with-the-literati-and-glitterati-of-the-literary-and-film-festival-circuit/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:00:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[festivals & events]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Galle]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Zanzibar International Film Festival]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thetravelword.com/?p=7241</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[These are golden times for cinephiles and bibliophiles. Bookworms and movie buffs can now check out the latest cinematic and literary offerings in the most unexpected corners of the globe. And if you imagine literary festivals as gatherings of fusty old intellectuals spouting arcane references to James Joyce, think again! They are fast outshining movie festivals as the places to be seen if you're hip, happening and brainy to boot.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>These are golden times for cinephiles and bibliophiles. Bookworms and movie buffs can now check out the latest cinematic and literary offerings in the most unexpected corners of the globe. And if you imagine literary festivals as gatherings of fusty old intellectuals spouting arcane references to James Joyce, think again! They are fast outshining movie festivals as the places to be seen if you&#8217;re hip, happening and brainy to boot!</p>
<div id="attachment_7271" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/beirut-pigeonrocks.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7271" title="Rawcheh Rocks - in English, Pigeon Rocks - is a top tourist site in Beirut" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/beirut-pigeonrocks-450x337.jpg" alt="Rawcheh Rocks - in English, Pigeon Rocks - is a top tourist site in Beirut" width="450" height="337" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Rawcheh Rocks - in English, Pigeon Rocks - is a top tourist site in Beirut. The restaurants and coffee shops along the Rawcheh coastline are a great place for a night out and a popular spot with both locals and visitors.</p></div>
<h3>Hay Fever</h3>
<p>The <a href="http://www.hayfestival.com/portal/index.aspx?skinid=1&amp;localesetting=en-GB" target="_blank">Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts</a> has been championing literary talent across the globe since 1988, with several celebrated events in <a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/05/31/cartagena-colombia-brings-caribbean-colour-to-the-whl-travel-network/" target="_blank">Cartagena</a> (<a href="http://www.tourism-in-colombia.com" target="_blank">Colombia</a>), <a href="http://www.maldiveshotels.mv" target="_blank">Maldives</a>, Kerala (<a href="http://www.indiahotel-link.com" target="_blank">India</a>) and Europe. Recent years have seen it dipping its toes in more exotic waters, with new Lit Fests in Beirut (<a href="http://www.lebanon.travel" target="_blank">Lebanon</a>) and <a href="http://www.kenyahotel-link.com" target="_blank">Kenya</a>. <a href="http://www.hayfestival.com/beirut39/index.aspx" target="_blank">Beirut 39</a>, in April, was a collaborative effort between the Hay Festival and UNESCO to name Beirut the <a href="http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=36829&amp;URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&amp;URL_SECTION=201.html" target="_blank">World Book Capital City</a> in 2009 to showcase the 39 best Arab writers under the age of 39 and provide a forum for young, new talent to discuss its take on modern Arab literature.</p>
<p>Its second event, the three-day <a href="http://storymojaafrica.co.ke/main/" target="_blank">Storymoja Hay Festival</a> scheduled for October in <a href="http://www.nairobihotel-link.com" target="_blank">Nairobi</a>, is the other new kid on the literary block. Begun by five passionate writers keen to bring East African literature onto the world stage and promote a strong culture of reading, literacy and social cohesion in their native <a href="http://www.kenyahotel-link.com" target="_blank">Kenya</a>, the organisers see the event as a catalyst in the &#8216;reading revolution.&#8217; Although set up to identify and develop local writers, the festival does not limit itself to homegrown talent; noted international guest speakers have included the Indian poet and novelist Vikram Seth and the acclaimed British writer Hanif Kureishi.</p>
<div id="attachment_7272" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 277px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/srilanka-stilts.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7272" title="Along the coastal route between Galle and Hambantota, stilt fishermen are a common sight" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/srilanka-stilts.jpg" alt="Along the coastal route between Galle and Hambantota, stilt fishermen are a common sight" width="267" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Along the coastal route between Galle and Hambantota, stilt fishermen are a common sight. The best time to catch them at work is at dusk. (Photo courtesy of Flickr/Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau)</p></div>
<h3>Galle-ic Charm</h3>
<p>In late January of each year, south of the <a href="http://www.srilankahotel-link.com" target="_blank">Sri Lankan</a> capital city of <a href="http://www.colombo-travel.com" target="_blank">Colombo</a>, the town of <a href="http://www.srilanka-resorts.com/destination_guide#_185387109" target="_blank">Galle</a> is transformed into a literary mecca. Established in 2006 to boost much-needed tourism to the tsunami-riven area, the four-day <a href="http://www.galleliteraryfestival.com" target="_blank">Galle Literary Festival</a> has really proven itself a darling of the book-lovers&#8217; circuit. Attracting visitors by the thousands to a raft of literary superstars, the event garners rave reviews for its energetic mix of cultural diversions, great food, beautiful surroundings, and, of course, eminent guests. One of last year&#8217;s speakers, the famed historian Anthony Beevor, was impressed enough to declare &#8220;I have attended literary festivals on five different continents and Galle is simply the best.&#8221; High praise, indeed!</p>
<h3>Scary Movie</h3>
<p>A teenager&#8217;s dream, the <a href="http://festivali.arsenals.lv/fff/en" target="_blank">Riga International Fantasy Film Festival</a> in the <a href="http://www.riga-hotels.lv" target="_blank">capital city</a> of the Baltic nation of <a href="http://www.latvia-hotels-travel.com" target="_blank">Latvia</a> features the latest movies from the sci-fi, thriller and horror genres. Given life by popular demand, the biennial event takes place from late April to early May and showcases both full-length features and, more recently, short films as well. Filmmakers lucky enough to win Best Film can look forward to taking home the coveted Golden Tooth award, with the Silver Tooth on offer as the Special Jury Prize!</p>
<h3>Turkish Delight</h3>
<p>Currently in its 13th year, the <a href="http://www.1001belgesel.net/en/" target="_blank">International 1001 Documentary Film Festival</a> takes place in <a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/2009/09/06/istanbul-turkey-a-city-beyond-compare/" target="_blank">Istanbul</a>, <a href="http://www.tourism-in-turkey.com" target="_blank">Turkey</a>, at the end of October. The event showcases work from all over the world and places great emphasis on fostering open dialogue between filmmakers and audiences from different cultural backgrounds. Humanitarian values and cultural understanding are at the heart of this festival, and films must demonstrate an underlying message supporting this to feature in the event.</p>
<h3>Essays and Canapés</h3>
<p>Set in the Glamour Bar and the Crystal Room of the world-renowned celeb hang out, <a href="http://www.shanghaihotel-link.cn/restaurants" target="_blank">M on the Bund</a>, the Shanghai International Literary Festival is a decidedly sophisticated and classy affair. Think intellectual debate and cerebral musings meets elegant cheese and wine soirée – a unique <a href="http://www.shanghaihotel-link.cn" target="_blank">Shanghai</a> shakeup. Going strong since 2002, this meeting of literary minds takes place over three weekends in March and has attracted distinguished talents such as Amy Tan, Gore Vidal, Arundhati Roy and Louis de Bernières.</p>
<h3>Poetry and Prose in the Pink City</h3>
<p>Considered the grande dame on the Asian scene, the <a href="http://jaipurliteraturefestival.org" target="_blank">DSC Jaipur Literature Festival</a> in <a href="http://www.indiahotel-link.com" target="_blank">India</a> already has a head start on the big-name front by way of its founder-directors: the esteemed writers William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale. The <a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/2009/11/16/jaipur-in-rajashtan-is-whl-travels-eighth-city-in-india/" target="_blank">Jaipur</a> event brings together a glittering cast of both national and international literary characters. Popular crowd pleasers have so far included Kiran Desai, Orhan Pamuk, Salman Rushdie and Donna Tartt. Not content to limit itself to a celebration of the written word, the festival also features film, music and theatre. Anyone interested should make sure to be in town from the 21st to 25th of January.</p>
<div id="attachment_7274" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 285px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/zanzibar-tshila.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7274 " title="Tshila is a world-fusion musician from Uganda" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/zanzibar-tshila.jpg" alt="Tshila is a world-fusion musician from Uganda" width="275" height="400" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Tshila is a world-fusion musician from Uganda who began her career as a member of the pioneering Ugandan hip-hop group, Bataka Squad. Here she is pictured embarking on her solo career performing on stage at the Zanzibar International Film Festival in 2006. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Ugqueen)</p></div>
<h3>Out of Africa</h3>
<p>Billed as &#8216;so much more than a film festival,&#8217; <a href="http://www.ziff.or.tz" target="_blank">Zanzibar International Film Festival</a> (ZIFF) has the honour of being the largest film, music and arts festival in East Africa. Movies are shown in various locations right across the island of Zanzibar and audiences can expect the full spectrum of celluloid entertainment from local shorts to world premieres, all in keeping with a changing yearly theme. Part festival, part carnival, the event is famed for its wild parties, live music and DJs nights, which continue throughout the entire two weeks and culminate in an awards night celebrating the best picks. Never forgetting its roots, ZIFF is all about promoting local talent in film and music and offers cultural tours, exhibitions and workshops in the local community.</p>
<h3>Freedom of Expression</h3>
<p>The largest and most prestigious event of its kind in <a href="http://www.mexico-hotels-tours.com" target="_blank">Mexico</a>, the 10-day <a href="http://www.expresionencorto.com" target="_blank">Expresión en Corto International Film Festival</a>, in the last week of July, has been going strong since 1997. Over 80,000 people swoop on the cities of San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato Capital to enjoy 10 days of screenings featuring over 400 films. Fun quirks of the fest include the projection of horror movies in the municipal graveyards <em>(panteónes)</em> and showings of gay, lesbian, erotic and underground films in the subterranean streets of Guanajuato Capital. In addition to conventional movie theatres, other venues include the Jardín Principal (main square) of San Miguel de Allende and the classical open-air staircase of the University of Guanajuato. The event attracts some pretty big names; past attendees include Oliver Stone, Gaspar Noé, Tim Burton and Spike Lee. Best of all, as a state-sponsored non-profit cultural event, admission is absolutely free!</p>
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		<title>Top Five Movies Filmed on Location</title>
		<link>http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/07/23/top-five-movies-filmed-on-location/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thetravelword.com/2010/07/23/top-five-movies-filmed-on-location/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:00:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>editor</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Brazil]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thetravelword.com/?p=7237</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[To a cinephile, nothing compares to seeing a great movie in a darkened theatre, the perfect blank slate from which to be transported to unfamiliar and far-off lands with vivid scenery and amazing cultures. WHL Group here presents five of its favourite movies, shot in a variety of locations around the world.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>To a cinephile, nothing compares to seeing a great movie in a darkened theatre, the perfect blank slate from which to be transported to unfamiliar and far-off lands with vivid scenery and amazing cultures. WHL Group here presents five of its favourite movies, shot in a variety of locations around the world.</p>
<div id="attachment_7263" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/beijing-palacemuseum.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7263" title="Situated in the center of Beijing, the Palace Museum is also known as the Forbidden City and is China's largest museum" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/beijing-palacemuseum-450x337.jpg" alt="Situated in the center of Beijing, the Palace Museum is also known as the Forbidden City and is China's largest museum" width="450" height="337" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Situated in the center of Beijing, the Palace Museum is also known as the Forbidden City and is China&#39;s largest museum. The imperial palace was home to a succession of 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties.</p></div>
<h3>The Last Emperor &#8211; Beijing, China</h3>
<p>A winner of seven Academy Awards, <em>The Last Emperor</em> is considered one of Bernardo Bertolucci’s best films. With the scenic setting of imperial <a href="http://www.chinahotel-link.com" target="_blank">China</a>, the film was the first western production ever granted permission to shoot within the confines of the <a href="http://www.beijinghotel-link.cn/destination_guide#_564295238" target="_blank">Forbidden City</a> of <a href="http://www.beijinghotel-link.cn" target="_blank">Beijing</a>. At nearly three hours in duration, the biography elegantly maps out the life of Pu Yi (1903-1967), the final Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, displaying scenes from his life that reflect the history of early 20th century China. Filmed throughout Beijing and parts of Manchuria, <em>The Last Emperor</em> was exquisitely shot by cinematographer, Vittorio Storaro, and cost a whopping US$25 million – hardly small change for 1987.</p>
<div id="attachment_7264" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/rio-view.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7264" title="Life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro has inspired many a writer and filmmaker" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/rio-view-450x252.jpg" alt="Life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro has inspired many a writer and filmmaker" width="450" height="252" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro has inspired many a writer and filmmaker. One of the most famous films of recent years to delve into the hardships of Brazilian slum life is the critically acclaimed &#39;City of God&#39;, which garnered a slew of awards worldwide.</p></div>
<h3>Cidade de Deus (City of God) &#8211; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil</h3>
<p>Instead of gorgeous beaches and nightlife, <em>City of God</em> dares to show a different side of <a href="http://www.riodejaneiro-hotels.travel" target="_blank">Rio de Janeiro</a>, Brazil, based on a true story about a boy named Rocket growing up on the city’s outskirts. Taking place in the 1960s, the emotionally violent tale captures Rocket’s struggle to free himself from the clutches of his morally deficit setting. The story takes place over two decades, displaying how children living innocently in the <em>favelas</em> (slums) grow up to become drug lords battling for power and terrain. With sex, drugs and a soundtrack that just makes you want to samba, <em>City of God</em> is everything that you want it to be and more.  Director Fernando Meirelles’ art direction is stunning, cinematically bringing to life the exquisite beauty of <a href="http://www.brazilhotel-link.com" target="_blank">Brazil</a> juxtaposed with the unsightliness of inhumanity.</p>
<div id="attachment_7265" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/tunisia-chebika.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7265" title="The beautiful mountain oasis of Chebika in Tunisia is a popular film location" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/tunisia-chebika-450x337.jpg" alt="The beautiful mountain oasis of Chebika in Tunisia is a popular film location" width="450" height="337" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The beautiful mountain oasis of Chebika in Tunisia is a popular film location. As well as featuring in the award-winning movie, &#39;The English Patient&#39;, this picturesque spot can also be seen in the recent Star Wars movies.</p></div>
<h3>The English Patient &#8211; Tunisia</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.tour-tunisia.com" target="_blank">Tunisia</a> has been the setting for many films, such as <em>Star Wars</em>, <em>Jesus of Nazareth</em>, and <em>Raiders of the Lost Ark</em>, but perhaps unbeknownst to most, it was the location for what is thought to be one of the most romantic films of all time: <em>The English Patient</em>. Although the film takes place in the Sahara Desert, it was actually filmed in <a href="http://www.tour-tunisia.com/destination_guide#_1023201258" target="_blank">Tunis</a> and other parts of Tunisia, telling the tale of a passionate love affair that blossoms during an archaeological expedition into <a href="http://www.egypt-whl.com" target="_blank">Egypt</a> and Libya. Told in flashbacks, the movie exhibits brilliant scenes of the remote desert and the infinite rolling landscape, which sets the scene for a tumultuous journey of love and deceit.</p>
<div id="attachment_7266" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/transylvania-ruins.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7266" title="A historically significant region of central Romania, Transylvania is a popular destination with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, but hardly a likely place for celeb spotting" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/transylvania-ruins-450x337.jpg" alt="A historically significant region of central Romania, Transylvania is a popular destination with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, but hardly a likely place for celeb spotting" width="450" height="337" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">A historically significant region of central Romania, Transylvania is a popular destination with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, but hardly a likely place for celeb spotting. This all changed in 2002, when Anthony Minghella enlisted the help of A-listers Nicole Kidman, Jude Law and Renee Zellweger to recreate a little piece of North Carolina in the Romanian countryside during the filming of &#39;Cold Mountain&#39;.</p></div>
<h3>Cold Mountain &#8211; Transylvania, Romania</h3>
<p>A modern day <em>Odyssey</em>, the film <em>Cold Mountain</em> is the epic tale of a confederate soldier named Inman on a journey back to find his love, Ada, after the American Civil War. The gorgeous mountain scenery, which was meant to be Cold Mountain, North Carolina, was actually filmed in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania in the Eastern European country of Romania. John Seale, the cinematographer, artistically captures the breathtaking magnificence of the rural Romanian countryside, which would almost be enough to make an excellent film, even without the romantic storyline. However, with an emotional narrative and an original bluegrass soundtrack, the film is a triple treat.</p>
<div id="attachment_7615" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 460px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/mumbai-slums.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7615" title="the sprawling slums of Mumbai have provided the backdrop to some of the most striking and affecting cinema on India" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/mumbai-slums-450x337.jpg" alt="the sprawling slums of Mumbai have provided the backdrop to some of the most striking and affecting cinema on India" width="450" height="337" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Much like the favelas of Rio, the sprawling slums of Mumbai have provided the backdrop to some of the most striking and affecting cinema on India. Both the recent smash hit &#39;Slumdog Millionaire&#39; and its Hindi predecessor, &#39;Salaam Bombay!&#39;, have brought much-needed attention to the plight of street children in the poorest neighbourhoods of Mumbai. (Courtesy of Wikimedia / Iijjccoo)</p></div>
<h3>Salaam Bombay! &#8211; Mumbai, India</h3>
<p>Nominated for an Academy Award for best Foreign Language film, <em>Salaam Bombay!</em> is the powerful tale of Krishna, a young boy forced to leave his home in the slums of Mumbai to make money for his mother. Similar to the contemporary <em>Slumdog Millionaire</em>, <em>Salaam Bombay!</em> is a culturally vibrant movie that defies convention to show the underside of Mumbai and the life of neglected street kids. This Bollywood favourite is replete with complex characters and an arousing plot, but what perhaps makes the film so real is that most of the actors were actually street children from Mumbai. After the film went public, the director, Mira Nair, started the <a href="http://www.salaamstreetkids.org" target="_blank">Salaam Baalak Trust</a> to help street kids, which is still in existence today.</p>
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		<title>Classic Travel in the Saint Tropez of Tunisia: Hammamet Joins the whl.travel Network</title>
		<link>http://www.thetravelword.com/2009/10/16/classic-travel-adventures-in-the-tunisian-saint-tropez-hammamet-joins-the-whl-travel-network/</link>
		<comments>http://www.thetravelword.com/2009/10/16/classic-travel-adventures-in-the-tunisian-saint-tropez-hammamet-joins-the-whl-travel-network/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:22:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>paul</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[architecture & landmarks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beaches]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[human interests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new local connections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Northern Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tunisia]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[beach]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[desert]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hammamet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hammamet medina]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hammamet tours]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[history tourism]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.whl.travel/blog/?p=2743</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH. Travellers to Hammamet  are routinely amazed by the sheer beauty of the 'Tunisian Saint Tropez'. Frequented even during ancient Roman times because of its healing mineral baths and known today for its historic medina  and beautiful beaches, Hammamet practically oozes tradition.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/2009/10/16/classic-travel-adventures-in-the-tunisian-saint-tropez-hammamet-joins-the-whl-travel-network/#french" target="_self">VOIR CI-DESSOUS POUR CE MESSAGE EN FRANÇAIS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN FRENCH</a></p>
<p>Travellers to <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/" target="_blank">Hammamet</a><strong> </strong>are routinely amazed by the sheer beauty of the &#8216;Tunisian Saint Tropez&#8217;. Frequented even during ancient Roman times because of its healing mineral baths and known today for its historic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina_quarter" target="_blank">medina</a> and beautiful beaches, Hammamet practically oozes tradition.</p>
<div id="attachment_2745" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Hammamet-Gulf.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2745 " title="Hammamet-Gulf" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Hammamet-Gulf-300x225.jpg" alt="Houses in the Medina, or old city, look out over the tranquil, azure waters of the Gulf of Hammamet" width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Houses in the Medina look out over the tranquil, azure waters of the Gulf of Hammamet</p></div>
<p>Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea at the start of trade trails leading deep into the Sahara Desert, Hammamet&#8217;s Medina, or Old City, is surrounded by a series of early 16th-century fortifications. Setting foot within is like stepping back in time as you wander past donkeys and street vendors in the city&#8217;s narrow lanes or take in the largest Roman <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necropolis" target="_blank">necropolis</a> in Africa at the ruins of Pupput.</p>
<p>If your appetite for history has been whetted, head north for a day-trip exploration of the <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/The_road_to_carthage" target="_blank">ancient ruins of Carthage</a>, west on a <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/Roman_explorer" target="_blank">Roman Cities Tour</a> or further afield south to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/Kairouan" target="_blank">Kairouan</a>, Capital of Islamic Culture 2009 and North Africa&#8217;s holiest city.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re able to pry yourself away from sunbathing on spotless beaches and want to see more of Hammamet&#8217;s gorgeous Mediterranean coast, the city sits on the edge of the Cap Bon Peninsula, which can be is best taken in on a <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/Cap_Bon" target="_blank">day trip</a>. A tour takes in the area&#8217;s outstanding natural beauty as well as local craftsmen at work.</p>
<p>Of course, <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/accommodation" target="_blank">Hammamet hotels</a> could act as your base of operations for seeing the <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/destination_guide" target="_blank">sights, tastes and sounds of Hammamet</a> as well as the wider area.</p>
<p>whl.travel’s launch of <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/" target="_blank">www.travel-hammamet.com</a>, which covers Hammamet and Nabeul, connects travellers with Tarak and the team at <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/aboutus" target="_blank">Capitol Travel</a>.</p>
<div id="attachment_2746" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Hammamet-Sbeitla.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2746" title="Hammamet-Sbeitla" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Hammamet-Sbeitla-300x225.jpg" alt="The Triumphal Arch of Antoninus marks the entrance to the ruins of the Roman city of Sufetula, very close to modern day Sbeitla" width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The Triumphal Arch of Antoninus marks the entrance to the ruins of the Roman city of Sufetula, very close to modern day Sbeitla</p></div>
<p>On behalf of the Capitol Travel Team, Tarak Ben Rached says: &#8220;We are passionate about the destinations we serve and take great pleasure in being in direct contact with our guests and changing their preconceptions of Tunisia. For us, cultural exchange and the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life are the most rewarding aspects of working in tourism.&#8221;</p>
<p>Hammamet is the first whl.travel destination portal to be launched for Tunisia.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-</p>
<p><a name="french"></a>EN FRANÇAIS / IN FRENCH:</p>
<p>Les voyageurs à <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/" target="_blank">Hammamet</a><strong> </strong>sont régulièrement surpris par la beauté de la &#8216;Saint Tropez Tunisienne&#8217;. Fréquentées, même pendant l&#8217;antiquité romaine en raison de ses bains theramaux de guérison et connu aujourd&#8217;hui pour son historique <a href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9dina" target="_blank">médina</a> et de ses belles plages, Hammamet veille a conserver ses traditions.</p>
<p>Situé sur les rives de la mer Méditerranée au départ de sentiers pour le désert et le Sahara, la Médina, ou la vieille ville, est entouré par une série de fortifications du début du 16e siècle. En mettant le pied dedans c’est comme remonter dans le temps ; vous vous promenez dans les ruelles étroites de la ville ou prenez le temps de visiter la plus importante <a href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A9cropole" target="_blank">nécropole</a> romaine en Afrique dans les ruines de Pupput.</p>
<div id="attachment_2747" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Hammamet-Bouhdid.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2747" title="Hammamet-Bouhdid" src="http://www.thetravelword.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Hammamet-Bouhdid-300x225.jpg" alt="Customers enjoy a quiet drink in the famous Cafe Bouhdid, just outside Hammamet's ancient walls" width="300" height="225" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Customers enjoy a quiet drink in the famous Cafe Bouhdid, just outside Hammamet&#39;s ancient walls</p></div>
<p>Si votre appétit pour l&#8217;histoire a été aiguisé, allez au nord pour une journée d&#8217;exploration  des <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/The_road_to_carthage" target="_blank">ruines antiques de Carthage</a>, à l&#8217;ouest sur une <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/Roman_explorer" target="_blank">tour des villes romaines</a> ou plus loin au sud vers le Site du patrimoine mondial de l&#8217;UNESCO de <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/Kairouan" target="_blank">Kairouan</a>, Capitale de la culture islamique 2009 et ville la plus sainte du Nord de l&#8217;Afrique.</p>
<p>Si vous êtes capable de vous grappiller des bains de soleil sur les plages immaculées et que vous souhaitez voir la plus magnifiques côte méditerranéenne de Hammamet, la ville est située sur le bord de la Péninsule du Cap Bon, Qui peut être plutôt des mesures sur un <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/Cap_Bon" target="_blank">Day Trip</a>. Une visite dure en beauté naturelle exceptionnelle de la région ainsi que des artisans locaux au travail.</p>
<p>Bien sûr, <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/accommodation" target="_blank">Hammamet hôtels</a> pourrait agir comme base d&#8217;opérations pour voir les <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/destination_guide" target="_blank">images, les goûts et les sons de Hammamet</a> Ainsi que la zone en plus large.</p>
<p>whl.travel en lancement de <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/" target="_blank">www.travel-hammamet.com</a>, qui couvre Hammamet et Nabeul, relie les voyageurs avec Tarak et l&#8217;équipe de <a href="http://www.travel-hammamet.com/aboutus" target="_blank">Capitol Travel</a>.</p>
<p>Au nom de l&#8217;équipe de Capitol Travel, Tarak Ben Rached a écrit: <em>“</em>Nous sommes passionnés par les destinations que nous desservons et de prendre beaucoup de plaisir à être en contact direct avec nos invités et de changer leurs idées préconçues de la  Tunisie. Pour nous, les échanges culturels et la possibilité d&#8217;interagir avec des personnes de tous les milieux de vie sont les aspects les plus gratifiants de travailler dans le tourisme. &#8221;</p>
<p>Hammamet est le premier portail de whl.travel qui sera lancé pour la Tunisie.</p>
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