Sydney was Wotif’s number one city for the second year running, and NSW the most represented state with 7 destinations on the top 20 list. The major arts, sporting and cultural events and activities taking place in 2010 are expected to inject more than $500 million into the NSW economy.

The Master Events Calendar includes some fantastic events such as the Medibank International Sydney Tennis Tournament, Mardi Gras, and the FIFA Fan Fest. The calendar also includes some exciting new events such as Parramasala - a week long festival of Indian arts to be held in Parramatta. These events promise to cater to a wide range of interests, provide a great day out for budget conscious families and inject vital funds into our economy.

The calendar includes the State’s three annual anchor events:

About 56km off the coast of Pahang lies Tioman Island, an alluring holiday paradise in the South China Sea. Acclaimed as one of the best island getaways in the world, Tioman was the location of the Hollywood musical, 'South Pacific' in 1959.

According to legend, this island is the final resting place of a mythical dragon princess. The warm waters and good visibility make Tioman a paradise for divers. Discover astounding sights such as colourful Gorgonian sea fans, Staghorn corals, nudibranchs and beautifully sculptured sea sponges. Snorkellers can delight in swimming alongside huge Napoleon Wrasse, Golden Striped Trevally, Bumphead Parrotfish and shoals of Fusiliers.

This island is an idyllic spot for leisurely days under the sun. Swim in its emerald waters, enjoy a stroll by the beach or be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves. There are several villages scattered around the coastline, the larger ones being Salang, Tekek, Genting, Paya and Juara.

The island's granite formations make for excellent rock-climbing expeditions. The more adventurous can attempt to scale the sheer cliff face of the legendary Gunung Nenek Semukut or Dragons Horns. Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort offers a luxurious stay amidst a backdrop of rolling hills and scenic views.

Seokguram Grotto is scheduled as the 24th National Treasure of the Republic of Korea, but many scholars and tourist believe this elegant monument near Bulguk Temple in North Gyeongsang Province to be the single most valuable tangible cultural legacy of this country, and its best creatively.

This comparatively small ancient holy site, but many of those who study and knowledge it announce that it is one of the best-made and most-profound outstanding Buddhist artworks on earth.

The perform of carving the images of Buddha’s, Bodhisattvas and other deities into the stone walls of usual caves and dug-out grottos to actualize grand icon-sanctuaries in progress in India at least 2,300 years ago, and then stretch across the Silk Road deserts into China.

As Buddhism flowed into the early Korean kingdoms, however, they only impressed the holy images on cliffs and boulders on their craggy granite mountains, but usually not in caves or grottos because those were previously being used for indigenous mountain-worship customs. It was only the Silla Kingdom grotto-temple is unfortunately less known than some of the world's other huge that shaped a few full-sized grotto-temples, frequently by building a structure outside of depression or cracks in cliffs with a few Buddhist carved images to create them seem like caves.

Located in Chaoyang Lake Scenery, Feixian Pavilion, an inevitable path of Ancient Southern Silk Road has a history more than 2000 years long.A lengend has it that,during the Wen Emperor's reign in Han Dynasty, a General named "Mogong" went on an expedition in Yunnan and stationed troops here after triumphant return. Seeing the picturesque scenery with green hills and clear waters, he decided to cultivate himself in recluse life.

Afterwards, he became accomplished and flied to the heaven riding red-crowned crane.The offsprings built the statue to perform sacrifice for him .Therefore the place was named Feixian Pavilion which means flying fairy. Feixian Pavilion boasts numerous places of interest among which the Cliff Engraved Statue in Tang and Song Dynasty is the most valuable in appreciation and research. There exist statues of 92 shrines and 777 pieces,most of which are Buddhist statues. Among them, No.9 shrine was enlisted into by People's Art Press in June,1988,was recorded into in 1994 and was enlisted into by the United States in the same year.

Tokyo has newly been crowned the epicenter of superior dining, but many visitors to Japan watch the whole nation as a gastronome's paradise, writes Joanna Hall. Anybody who travels to Japan will rapidly be trained two things: food is a very serious business, and Japanese cuisine isn't all sushi and rice. Although it's a relatively small country, Japan is sacred with an extraordinarily rich variety of varied ingredients and cooking approach.

However Japanese food also has a burly focus on cyclic ingredients, joined with an attractive attention to detail when it comes to management. Even a fast-food bento box, sold at a railway station to a starving executive on his way residence from the office, is approved with loving care and attention.

Japanese food is definitely unique along with the great cuisines of the world, but it's only been in modern years that the country has come below the spotlight as a fine dining purpose. It all began in the stir of the new millennium, when numerous world class and celebrity chefs descend on the Japanese capital. In 2005, Gordon Ramsay of Hell's Kit-chen fame releases his first restaurant in Japan at the five-star Conrad Tokyo, and he was pursuing soon after by others counting the acclaimed Monegasque chef, Alain Ducasse.

Then, three years ago the French bible of gastronomy, Michelin, available it’s first Japanese guide aspect Tokyo. It was the respected publishing house's first foray into a destination exterior of Europe and the United States, and it prizes an inspiring 191 stars to 150 restaurants.

India has moved up 35 places to go round into the 88th best country in the world to live in, leaving after the nations like Russia and China, according to an examination.

The rise has completed India the second best place behind Bhutan to live in the sub-continent, according to the 2010 Worth of Life Index, published by travel magazine International Living.
Sweden has been named as the costliest country in the world to live in by the list.

In 2009, India was the fourth greatest nation in South Asia behind Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

The list, presented for the 30th year, ranks 194 country’s in nine group’s: cost of living, culture and leisure, economy, environment, freedom, health, infrastructure, safety and risk, and climate.

India has not only better its overall place in the tally, but has also increased about 25 points in the price of living category. This year the country got 65 points evaluated to 40 last year.

"The form informs how much it will charge one to exist in method similar to, or superior than, the typical of living you're possible enjoying in the United States," the publication says.

Iraq tops the cost of living group, securing 100 per cent. This makes it the most horrible country to live in. The second-worst place to settle down in is Afghanistan, which got 88 points. For the proof, Sweden scored a zero in the group.

Tibet is likely to be given six million tourists in 2010 with whole tourism profits of 5.9 billion yuan, basis from Tibet Tourism Bureau.

This year, Tibet will focus on promoting the tourism monetary benefit and service value through combining the high-level and familiar travel routes to put up Tibet to be the world-class tourist destination, according to Wang Songping, deputy manager of Tibet Tourism Bureau.

Tibet will highlight on the promotion in world tourism market, creation of tourism infrastructure, modern of tourism products as well as preparation of professional talents in 2010.

Previous year, Tibet made a new elevated in both the tourist number and tourism income. In all, Tibet expected 5.56 million tourists in 2009, up by 147.6% with an entire income of 5.24 million yuan, a annual increase of 132%.

Nui Coc Lake, the man-made reservoir, located in Dai Tu district, Thai Nguyen province is well-known for its spectacular and legendary beauty.

Nui Coc Lake also surprises tourists by a mysterious legend of a romantic but tragic love story between a girl named Cong and a man named Coc. As the legend has it, the Cong River and Coc Mountain are named after the names of the ill-fated couple.

The tourism zone of Nui Coc Lake covers a large mountainous area with natural landscape and exciting entertainment areas. The lake is surrounded by mountains, forest trees and green tea hills which help to make Nui Coc more like an artistic painting. Visiting Nui Coc Lake, tourists can explore natural beauty of the vast lake, amazing islets, giant mountains as well as enjoy entertainment activities and the region’s specialties.

Nui Coc tourism area is divided into two parts: the north and the south of the lake. The northern zone provides visitors with varieties of entertainment facilities like water park, dinosaur park, electric railway, swimming pools and so on. Along the hill’s slope, many lodging houses and guest houses are available to tourists who want to stay overnight. A thing that should not be missed is the region’s specialties such as shrimp, tench bream….How enjoyable it is to sit in a restaurant floating on cool water and enjoying the region’s specialties.

The southern zone of Nui Coc Lake shows all kinds of services and a busy tourism zone which can meet diverse needs of tourists.

Discovering caves is a great choice to those who love adventurous tourism. Such caves as ‘Legendary Palace’, ‘Three Pine Trees’ and ‘Fairy Tale World’ will certainly amaze tourists. Inside the caves there are fanciful mazes and natural masterpieces of all kinds. More interesting, many old fairy tales are carved on the cave’s walls. Fairy tales along with legendary beauty of caves will lead tourists to a miraculous world to forget all their fatigue and sorrow in life.

China plans to expand the southern island of Hainan, China's only tropical region, into a top international tourism destination by 2020, according to a declaration released by the State Council Monday. Also, the government aims to expand Hainan into a platform for international economic collaboration and cultural relations, a base for agricultural production and increasing resources and services in the South China Sea.

The government encourages developers to put up premium hotels and resorts in Hainan. Meanwhile, family-operated hotels and property-rental services will be confident, according to the declaration. There will also be an importance on the growth of the financial industry in the island. China will expand its yuan trade completion test program to Hainan Province and promote qualified tourism firms there to register on the stock market.

The government also launched other actions to boost the island's expansion, including rising oil and gas exploration, contributing more duty-free services, falling pollution and building new information networks and transportation. The plan also includes events to uphold modern tropical agriculture in Hainan, including tropical fruits and aquatic products, and enlarge its agricultural cooperation with Taiwan.

Hainan is a admired holiday destination among domestic travelers and some foreign tourists. In 2007 there were 18 million domestic tourists, and 750,000 from out of the country.

Mexico City expected 10.4 million tourists in 2009 and expects that build to boost to 14 million next year, helped by events such as free public presentation of World Cup games, according to city officials.

City Tourism Minister Alejandro Rojas said that of the 10.4 million visitors to the funds who stayed in hotels, 2.4 million were foreign tourists and the rest from other divisions of Mexico, according to a administration release.

Alejandro Rojas planned that the economic benefit to the funds from tourism this year was 43.5 billion pesos ($ 3.3 billion). Tourism was harmfully affected by the depression in Mexico and the US, and by the swine flu occurrence in April and May, when public Authorities shut down restaurant entertainment venues and controlled activity.

Depicting old history of Chitral, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology is sited at Polo Ground, Chitral. It offers glimpses of ancient heritage and has collection of historical articles mainly the Kalash Valley antiquity. The Parwak excavation in 2003 has provided the first ever archaeological material of Aryan Graves dating back to 1800 to 600 B.C. The museum’s formal inauguration took place on 28th November 2003. The proposal for such an historical site came from Mr. Shakil Durrani, then serving as Deputy Commissioner of Chitral.

The magnificent Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is top known for its literary heritage and its spectacular landscapes. Contribution a vast array of thrilling options for the visitor, the Panorama Route hosts some of the best adrenalin attractive adventures in the country as well as some more peaceful pastimes.



One of the main highlights of the area is the Blyde River Canyon Reserve, home to stunning wildlife and birdlife and some of the best views in South Africa. The Blyde River Canyon is the third leading canyon of its kind in the world. Other highlights include the wonderful waterfalls in Graskop and Sabie, the Echo Caves that speak of Africa’s powerful tribes such as Pedi, Mapulane and Swazi, trails left after by the Voortrekkers in regions such as Lydenberg and Ohrigstad, early artistic footprints left by native peoples of Africa and the Gold Rush land, Pilgrim’s Rest, home to the early gold prospectors.

Argentina is the land of sufficient natural assets and hence a preferred destination for visitors. Argentina is a land of changeable landscapes. Argentina seems like a wonderland. There are numerous places to vacation in Argentina like architectural buildings, national parks, lakes and rivers and historical buildings. Approach and discover the Argentina tourist attractions, it might well be the knowledge of your lifetime.


Tourist places -

Buenos Aires: This is the capital of Argentina and it’s has one additional name called the ‘Paris of South America’, the city is just wonderful for honeymooners. It is a city of numerous contrasts, presenting a collection of exotic food, wine, architectural styles and the courageous spirit of tango. The attraction of Buenos Aires cannot assist to go away the tourists bowled over.

Iguazu Falls: If you don’t visit world famed Iguazau falls then your tour is incomplete. The falls is frequently called as the gateway to Argentina.

Patagonia: This is a new good place that you include to visit before whole your Argentina tour. It is an wonderful experience to have a meeting with the gorgeous whales and penguins in Peninsula Valdes and the lake region of Bariloche and benefit from the diversity of wildlife there.

Mendoza: This is the top destination place for lovers and admirers of wine and food. It’s also celebrated for adventure sports. The wine regions situated in the western sides of Mendoza are truly charming.

Salta: Located in the charming northern region of Argentina, Salta is the region where the climate conditions stay quite stable throughout the year. It is an earliest, long-standing and the mainly out of the ordinary royally town in Argentina. A train journey through the attractive and remarkable scenery can make you trip a truly pleasant one.

Atlantic Coast: If you not seen Atlantic coast then your tour is imperfect. The beaches on the shore enchant you with their healthy beauty and quiet tranquility.

The trip: Head to the Niagara area for winery tours, the fantastic falls, a huge New Year's Eve party or make a date for mid-January and the ice wine harvest.

Holiday shine: Wine and holiday spirit certainly go together. So, what improved way to enjoy a uniquely Canadian holiday than drinking icewine in the scenic Niagara Valley, the world's biggest manufacturer of this sweet dessert wine?

The various wineries in the Niagara Valley suggest tours and tasting all time long, but in the winter, when the cold grapes are hand-picked from the vines and give way one precious fall of juice each, the vintners are particularly arrogant to split their rare and pleasant wines with the public.

It's fun and soothing just on tour around the rural Niagara area or indirect down the tree-lined streets of delightful 200-year-old Niagara-on-the-Lake (N.O.T.L. to persons in the know). Personal companies offer winery visits that comprise tours, food sampling and cellar tasting.

For a whole change of pace, go from the laid-back surroundings of tasting wine to the lively buzz of Niagara Falls. Moreover the amazing falls, the city boasts a excess of attractions, including casinos, the Butterfly Conservatory and a skating rink within view of the falls. During the Winter Festival of Lights, when the city is decked with almost two million lights, there are outside concerts and fireworks - and new for this year, there's even an outdoor rink, right at the edge of the falls.

Excellent For: While Niagara Falls is family-oriented, touring vineyards and wine tasting is not accurately a kid-friendly movement. Build this trip a holiday there for Mom and Dad.

The best moment to go: Particular New Year's Eve actions be plentiful in the region. Peller Estates and Hillebrand Winery are holding New Year's Eve dinners which, of course, contain wine pairings.

Or expend the evening with 30,000 of your neighboring friends at Niagara Falls. Payable as "Canada's largest free New Year's Eve Extravaganza," this happening is televised nationwide and will mark live concerts from STYX and Glass Tiger as fine as two fireworks displays.

If you truly want to celebrate icewine, visit N.O.T.L. between Jan. 15 and 31, through the Niagara Icewine Festival. With the lot from tasting, seminars and winery tours to celebration dinners, receptions and live activity, it's all concerning icewine.

CHENNAI - The 36th version of the yearly festival event - India Tourist and Industrial Fair - organized by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) at Island Grounds, Chennai would be launched by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Tomorrow.

Declaring this on Sunday, V Irai Anbu, Tourism Secretary said, ‘tourism celebrates diversity’ would be the subject for this year’s fair. “Regarding 44 government pavilions have been raised with effective models to instruct the public about a variety of government welfare schemes.”

While various departments suggest blood test, ECG and testing the superiority of water at a nominal fee, preparations have been made to share out Prasadams of famed temples at the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment pavilion, he sharp out. He also said the major entry facade has been intended with a model of the National Art Gallery in arrange to honor the 150th year of the gallery. Similarly, Anna Auditorium, the site for cultural programmes has been formed with the setting of the Thanjavur Big Temple in sight of its 1,000-year achievement, which is a UNESCO heritage site, he renowned.

Visual pleasure: The tourism pavilion has the model of world famous monuments of Arjuna Penance and Five Rathas and Shore Temple of Mamallapuram. While the Krishna Mandapam of Mamallapuram shapes the major entry of the pavilion, Tiger Cave has been formed on the side of the entry.

Manila Cathedral is a magnificent architectural feat with its intricate stone carvings, stained glass mosaics, and rosette windows

The Church of Manila was established by the secular Juan de Vivero who had the honor of baptizing Rajah Matanda. The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception administered the religious affairs of Manila until such time it became a parish and Manila was created into a diocese. It was a simple structure of nipa and bamboo, materials which were readily available during that time. It had for its first parish priest the secular Juan de Villanueva. The other religious who became the pillars of this parish were Juan de Vivaneta and Nicolas Riccio.

Manila Cathedral is located near Beaterio; near Gen. Luna; near Cabildo; near Postigo; near Sto. Tomas; Manila Cathedral is geographically located at latitude (14.5915 degrees) 14° 35’ 29" North of the Equator and longitude (120.9738 degrees) 120° 58’ 25" East of the Prime Meridian on the Map of Manila.

Orange Isle is like a black silk ribbon lying in the middle of the river and like a dark yellowish green barrier while seen in the river bank.

As the world's longest inland river isle, Orange Isle connects the Mount Yuelu in the west and the downtown in the east, with a length of 5km and a width of 50-200 meters and a total area of 70kms. Orange Isle comprises three nearly-connected isles: upper isle, middle isle and lower isle. The upper isle is called Ox-head Isle and middle isle Land-and-water Isle, while the lower isle is called Fujia Isle. Orange Isle referred to at present includes Ox-head Isle and Land-and-water Isle.

The isle has been a popular site for summer vacation for a long time. During his youth, Mao Zedong spent a lot of time walking on the beach, swimming and sunbathing. There is also a grand white marble monument, on which there are two seal cuttings: four Chinese characters Ju Zi Zhou Tou (Orange Isle) and a classical Chinese poem QinYuan Chun-Changsha, both of which are Mao Zedong's works.

Orange Isle Park was originally set up in 1960 for entertainment and service and today the island is under construction to be a more attractive sightseeing destination, which will integrate gardening, traveling, entertainment, sports, culture and commerce. In the plan, the area will be divided into Two Corridors and Seven Garden: Hunan Culture Corridor, On-water Amusement Corridor, Orange Garden, Garden of the Nature, Park of Harmonious Guests, Plaza of Shopping and Foods, GYM Center, Relaxation Resort and Wildlife Park. And an even more beautiful Orange Isle will surely bring more pleasure to every tourist.

Bastar , The Land of Tribals and Natural Resources , is also enriched with natural beauty and pleasant atmosphere. It is surrounded with dense forests ,hilly mountains , streams, waterfalls , natural caves , natural parks etc. It is firmly a tribal area, where the natural beauty can easily attract the tourists at first sight itself. Here the art & culture is the valuable ancient property of the Bastariyas. From the view point of tourists and tourism , Bastar is called the 'Kashmir of Chhattisgarh'. If we place Bastar in the map of tourism , no doubt it definitely attracts the foreign tourists.

The deep forest area ,between bushes and bamboos where one always felt the absence of sunlight , wide and thick forests , costly woods such as Sal , Teak , Sheesam ,Bija etc., between high mountains cool flowing stream , mountain valleys , caves , high waterfalls , sky-touching valleys and in the valleys the spread of greenary and in between this , the huts made by bamboo sticks, the fearless life style of the tribals and their culture, our heart and mind can be fill with new wonders and pleasure.

The important tourist places in Bastar district are Chitrakot and Tiratgarh (both are water falls), Kotamsar and Kailash caves, Kanger Valley National Park etc.Indravati National Park, known for tigers and wild buffaloes is situated at a distance of 200 Kms, west of Jagdalpur, is another place of worth seeing. There is another tourist spot virgin Kurschel Valley, with its gigantics trees, situated at 40 Kms. north west of Narainpur. There are two wild life sanctuaries Bhairamgarh and Pamed which are in Dantewada district. The famous historical temple of Goddess Danteshwari is situated in Dantewada.Another place of historical interest in Dantewada district is Barsur.

If you want to feel the complete joy of the Tourism , so let come , enter into the beautiful scenes of Bastar . Here you will get the same joy and peace where one gets at the places of tourism.