Authentic places to stay spanning three continents.

THE PURE DESTINATION were the homes of the owners from the Netherlands and Alberto Cortes from Spain . It now has fast become a small boutique collection with a route that covers IBIZA, MARRAKECH and BALI.

The three resorts; HARISSA , RYAD DYOR and THE PURIST are located at exclusive, hip and authentic spots in the world. Spots which have always been known for its special atmosphere and cosmopolitan mix of people.The route that goes to these places has been traveled since the sixties bypeople searching for love piece and harmony. Today these places are still the perfect getaways for those who want to experience the culture and spirituality, enjoy the nature and its healing forms and explore the thriving nightlife and real taste.

According to King Vajiravudh or Rama VI, the three pillars that hold together the Thai society are – nation, religion and monarchy. Despite the technological, economical and scientific advancements, it is on the basis of its distinct cultural identity that the world recognizes Thailand. Hence, it is necessary to promote awareness of cultural heritage and pride of being a Thai among children and youth. The concept of art education in Thailand is concentrated on developing personal and creative instincts and styles among children. Section 23 under National Education Act directs compulsory education till age of nine that accommodates knowledge about the history, culture, traditions, art forms and sports of Thailand.

One summer my friend and I decided to go to Italy during the summer holidays. Having read information about the tours we decided to do without travel agencies. We didn’t want to stick to strict programs, to be in the crowds of tourists, losing lots of possibilities to get acquainted with the country more intimately so we started to think over our trip.

We managed to do quite well: six days in Rome with a day-long journey to Florence. Italy took us by storm! We’ll try to go there again! We spent less than we expected. Of course, we spend nerves and time to arrange the trip, but Italy was worth that! Of course I was afraid lest something goes wrong, I was especially anxious about the visa. But everything went quite smoothly. So here’s my story.

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world. Millions of tourists come here every day. So when planning your trip to Paris make sure you have a place to stay at. Don’t go to the city without a reservation. The majority of the Paris hotels have official websites, so it’s very easy to book a room on-line. Another variant is to reserve a room via fax, using a special form included in the website. Write dates of stay, time of arrival, number of people, type of room you desire, required facilities and location. Wait until you get a confirmation – and here you are! You have a place to stay at when in Paris! Don’t forget to bring a copy of your reservation (whether it was made via fax or email) when you check in.

Like all the southerners, Portuguese people are gourmands. And they can cook well. Mind that they pay attention not only to the dishes, but also to the place and the time of their meals. And, of course, the company.

Portuguese cuisine differs from any European cuisine, including Spanish one. For instance, Spanish and French restaurants offer a variety of snacks and salads whereas the Portuguese prefer to start their meals with the first course. To be exact, there are only two real salads in Portugal – vegetable and “green” (prepared of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, onion and carrot, all with olive oil), sometimes spices are added.

According to economists, there are five principal reasons for the East Asian currency Crisis or IMF of July 1997 that caused a period of economic unrest and turmoil in Southeast Asian financial markets. The countries that were mainly affected during the crisis included Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea. Inadequate foreign exchange reserves, improper handling of fund allocations and inadequately developed financial sectors in the developing Asian countries have been held as the prime reasons for the drop in the local currency exchange rates against the US dollar during the period.

Your lodging choice and choice of vacation deals can be a very important facet of your vacation. Finding that right hotel for you and your family can help to make your vacation fun and memory filled. You will find a great deal of variety in hotels in the United States and finding the right hotel and the best hotel for you will help you to enjoy your vacation even more.

Valais. Delicious wines by the Rhone River

Sometimes the sun turns Valais into a Mediterranean country. This is one of the reasons why there are so many wonderful specialties produced here.

None of the other 22 cantons can boast of such culinary richness as Valais. The reason for this is its special microclimate and various types of soil. The canton combines territories of arid Mediterranean climate and Alpine grounds. No wonder why the highest European vineyard (1150 meters above the sea level) is located here, in Visperterminen.

Chinchon is a little-known gem of a town.

The laid-back atmosphere of the unique main plaza conjures up images of what Spain must have been like a hundred years ago. The Parador Chinchon is the perfect place for a restful stay. It was originally established as an Augustinian Convent in the 17th century, and was then called Santa Maria Del Paraiso. It is still today a little slice of paradise (“paraiso”).

The Parador of Chinchon has interspersed throughout; peaceful cloisters with fountains, gardens, quaint patios, and hallways adorned with the famous blue “azulejo” tiles from Talavera De La Reina. There is a wonderful fresco on the arched ceiling at the head of the stairs leading up from the reception area. The floors are tiled in terra cotta, and the bedrooms are light and airy with special touches – like the hand-painted golden garlands on the antique bedsteads. As well, magnificent tapestries hang on the walls in many of the public areas.

Costa Rica – Natural Attractions
By Tatyana Kogut

Costa Rica is a resort country with a total of 74 resorts located on its territory. Lush greenery, mountains and ocean – that’s what you should come here for. The country’s main attractions are: national resorts, mountains and underwater caves, waterfalls, picturesque valleys and volcanoes. More than 25% of the country’s territory are occupied by government-protected natural parks.