Top Destinations to Take a Vacation

By Jeffrey Mayo

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These places are known as some of the best vacation spots in the world:

1. Las Vegas, Nevada, United States -Known as a major entertainment Mecca, Las Vegas is a city that always has something going on, which is why it remains one of the best places to vacation. From concerts, theater shows and casinos to galleries, fine dining and upscale shopping, Las Vegas is sure to offer a good time to its visitors. Although it is known for its many gambling opportunities, Las Vegas now has artistic, cultural and tourist attractions and entertainment venues for the entire family. For more information, go to visitlasvegas.com.


2. Virgin Islands, United States - In a year when travelers are apt to still be watching their wallets, this is our #1 choice for an American tropical getaway. It's eternally 80 degrees, rimmed with white-sand beaches on turquoise water, and, yes, it's a US territory. Each of the US Virgin Islands has their own identity: if you want a break from resorts, St John is nearly two-thirds a lush national park with tent cabins amid trees and hikes to secluded beaches - this sadly may be the last year for the Maho Bay Campass, a long-standing eco-resort which is the place to stay if you're watching your budget; or try the St John Inn, which offers great-value rooms with kitchenettes. For more action, the previously inaccessible Hassel Island, now part of Virgin Islands National Park (St Thomas), can be explored by snorkel or kayak. And word is that the Captain Morgan Rum Distillery on St. Croix will open its new visitor center in spring 2012 - ahoy!


3. Rid De Janeiro, Brazil - Although hardly a secret destination, Rio de Janeiro is shedding its image as a sun, sea, and samba town and going for glamour and sophistication. Join the friendly Cariocas for an innovative 10-course Amazonian dinner at Rio's top Le Pr Catelan restaurant or some delectable "brapas" (Brazilian tapas) at hip eatery Oui Oui. Even Rio's magnificent beaches are better than ever before; from Leme to Leblon, new outdoor cafs boast fabulous seaside patios with comfortable bathroom facilities. As host of the 2014 Soccer World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, the city is abuzz with exciting developments that will be sure to attract huge crowds. Beat the rush and see how the Girl from Ipanema is all grown up.


4. Doha, Qatar - Doha doesn't attract the hoards of beer-swilling British tourists or the sheer number of hotels that the U.A.E.'s Dubai does, but its beaches are more beautiful and its gourmet restaurants are less crowded. The Al Jazeera news network is what put Doha on the map a decade ago, although a different sort of camera -- the movie kind -- is what's drawing tourists for the Doha-Tribeca Film Festival. Next year marks its third installment. Doha is concentrating on beefing up its presence on the international stage by following up its world-class, I.M. Pei-designed Museum of Islamic Art with a bid for the Olympics in 2016 and the Fifa World Cup in 2022. Plus, the city is hosting professional soccer's Asian Cup in January.


5. Barbados - Barbados is a comparatively flat island situated in the easterly Caribbean Sea just to the north of Trinidad. There is a glitzier, more sophisticated feel to Barbados than most other Caribbean islands, it also features some of the best hotels and resorts in the Caribbean that makes the island to one of the top 10 vacation destinations in the Caribbeans to go for a honeymoon.Barbados is a beautiful coral island with a special charm and warmth, with never ending powdery white sand beaches, an attractive year-round climate of sea breezes and sunshine, exotic botanical gardens, acres of abundant, rolling sugar cane fields, and a rich and exciting history. Besides, the island is one of the best, and most popular ports of call in the Caribbean. Barbados is blessed with a near ideal clime. It is a year-round destination, dryer than most other Caribbean islands, even though you may want to avoid the rainy season from June to November. The joyous island ambience, the active local scene and rhythmical music, making Barbados one of the most powerful beach cultures around the globe.


6. Miami, Florida, United States - The long, skinny island of Miami Beach - and specifically image-conscious South Miami Beach (that's South Beach or SoBe in shorthand), with its charming Art Deco District and sizzling dining and club scenes, has for the past decade reigned as one of America's capitals of cool. It's the kind of place where you might spot Cuban boat people washed up on Ocean Drive or a guy walking a leashed mountain lion on Lincoln Road. Sure, there's some pretty interesting and even cultural stuff to do out here, but it's really all about "the scene" - by day, sun and sand amid scantily clad, hard-bodied rollerbladers and volleyballers, by night, dining and partying amid a mix of the rich, famous, and fabulous. This sprawling, sexy, sun-splashed resort playground's posh combination of sun, sand, and hedonism makes it the quintessential glamorama party capital and a perfect spring break destination.


7. Puerto Villarta, Mexico - While there are quite a few Mexico hot spots favored as spring break destinations, no place other than Puerto Vallarta combines a raging nightlife scene with a colorful colonial village imbued with old-world ambience. Indeed, Puerto Vallarta's appeal is undeniable: The city proper, a fabled hillside hamlet, brims with muddled alleyways, red-tiled roofs, and balconies draped in bougainvillea. Miles of golden seafront, dotted with newer towns and resorts, stretch to its north and south, while the local color of an old Mexican fishing village mingles with modern upscale influences. The famed malecn - a waterfront boardwalk that stretches from the center of town towards the Hotel Zone - is dotted with shops, restaurants, cafs, bars, and street artists. The lively promenade is always hopping and perfect for grabbing a drink or a bite during the day and after sunset. Plus, come nightfall, you can revel in trendy lounges, rowdy pubs, surf-side watering holes, and romantic taverns. Most of the worthy nightlife is located along a three-block stretch of Calle Ignatio L. Vallarta, on the south side of the river, where everything from mariachi music and sports bars to salsa clubs and discos is found.


8. Amsterdam - Some come for the tulips, some come for other "green" delicacies, but whatever's on the vegetative agenda, visitors to this freewheeling spring break destination often find themselves mesmerized by the city's free-thinking, live-and-let-live mantra. With a Dutch policy structured on controlling what it can't efficiently outlaw, such illegalized American no-nos as marijuana (widely available in Amsterdam's ubiquitous coffeeshops - though you may have to act quick, as recent pushes for legislation have sought to ban "drug tourists") or even prostitution (witness the notorious Red Light District) are permitted and regulated here. Additionally, the legal drinking age for beer is 16 (and even that is rarely enforced), giving the under-21 crowd full access to the stellar nightlife scene and all its libations, in trendy cafs, cozy "brown" bars (neighborhood watering holes), and clubs highlighting top international DJs. For those preferring to steer clear of such illicit temptations, spring's warm days in this Venice of the North are also tailor-made for strolling the some 1,000 bridges that span the city's 160 canals - whether they lead you to a Van Gogh painting or to fulfill your hankering for a hashish-filled hookah or cold Heineken (the Dutch beer's former brewery is open for tours in town; http://www.heinekenexperience.com) is entirely up to you.


9. Los Cabos, Mexico - From Hollywood stars to rowdy teens, Los Cabos, Mexico, attracts 'em all for a quick winter getaway - and it's no wonder. Beaches, mountain, and deserts - you name it, this place has got it - with a plethora of activities to enjoy the best of each. Scuba diving, fishing, golfing, whale-watching, hiking, and biking are just a few of the outings on offer. Whether you choose to stay in crazy Cabo San Lucas with its bars and nightclubs or in the quieter, picture-perfect village of San Jose del Cabo, you are guaranteed a good time.


10. Montego Bay, Jamaica - Jamaica may do duty as a spring-break central every year, but the reggae-centric spot has a fascinating history, vibrant culture, and passionate political past that make it an enchanting (and warm!) place to visit for a quick winter getaway. Known as MoBay, Jamaica's second-largest city is the premier tourist destination on the northwest coast, offering travelers everything from picture-perfect white-sand beaches to river rafting; from spicy jerk chicken to some of the best golf in the West Indies. Catering to everyone - honeymooners, party-goers, and families alike - the island offers an array of accommodations from luxurious villas to all-inclusive resorts and out-of-the-way enclaves.


11. Prague, Czech Republic - We hear the question, "What's the next Prague?" a lot. But while we're all for discovering great new destinations, we hardly think Prague is over. Sure, everyone's heard of it, but it's still a grand city with extraordinary historic and cultural sights, and it's definitely worth a visit. The often-rebuilt Prague Castle has overlooked the city since the 9th century, and the synagogues and cemetery of the Jewish Quarter are must-sees. Nightlife here is diverse and plentiful, from trendy clubs to sophisticated wine bars to late-night celebrations.

If you wanna know about more best voted vacation destinations visit my blog: http://top-vacation-places.blogspot.com/

Visit and Discover: Taiwan Night Markets

By Maya J Bustos

For some, traveling is a passion. It can be used as an escape; a time to heal for the brokenhearted, a break from stressful work, or it can be a time to reflect on what you really plan on doing with your life.

As I am Asian, I encourage those who are passionate with traveling to first visit Asian countries before visiting foreign ones. One such destination that I'll truly recommend is Taiwan.

If you haven't visited Taiwan yet, make sure to include it in one of your stops if ever you have decided to take a trip this year.

Taiwan

Formerly known as "Llha Formosa", derived from the Portuguese language which means "Beautiful Island"; Taiwan sits in the east of Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located in the southeastern coast of mainland China. While it is true that Taiwan hasn't made it to the top of everybody's 'to visit' list, Taiwan has so much to offer not only when it comes to the beautiful sceneries, but also tasty and exotic food.

What to Must Visit in Taiwan

There are many attractions and places to visit in Taiwan, and included in what you must see is Taiwan's Night Market.

These social gastronomic venues in Taiwan operate in urban and suburban areas; a few of them such as the 'Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market' utilizes purpose-built marketplaces, but most of them occupies either sidewalks near streets or the entire street itself which are normal thoroughfares by the day.

Though there are stalls that sell clothing and other consumer goods, these places have become famous due to stalls that sell "xiaochi" or finger foods. These dishes are not only delicious, but also cheap. They're usually around the price range of $30 to $50 NTD which is roughly equivalent to $1 - $1.75 USD. So be prepared to go hungry during the day, and indulge your taste buds during the night.

Here are some of the night markets that you should go visit:

Keelung

Standing near the Dianji Temple in Keelung City, the Keelung Temple Street night market is most famous for its pot-edged pancake soup, shaved ice, tempura, fried sandwiches, bean noodle thick soup, and shrimp Taiwanese ball.

Shilin

Along Wenlid and Dadong road, you'll find the this gem of a place. The various cuisine that can be found here includes steak, hot stuffed dumplings, little cakes wrapped in big cakes, sliced noodles, liver soup, squid thick soup, and oyster omelets.

Raohe

With a total length of about 600 meters, this area can be found in the intersection of Bade Road and Fuyuan St. Raohe is the first tourist night market in Taiwan. If you're somebody who's inclined into what is healthy, you'd be able to find many herb-steamed spare-rib restaurants here.

Huaxi

Your taste buds craving for something exotic? Then you should visit Huaxi. As the most famous place to grab something good to eat in Taiwan, Huaxi attracts many foreigners and natives alike for sightseeing. The cuisines in here includes snake meal and snake wine, salty rice pudding, and fresh water turtle meal.

Taiwan has more than meets the eye, with its night markets just a small fraction of what you can enjoy in the country. Make sure to visit this colorful - and gastronomically - delightful country. Hope you enjoy your visit!

A History Of Santorini And Its Link to Atlantis

By Mike Singh

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Santorini is one of the most famous island destinations of Greece. The small, circular island is approximately 200 km southeast from Greece's mainland. It is the southernmost island belonging to the Cyclades Islands. Thirty-Nine islands compose the Cyclades. Other Cyclades Islands include Anafi, Delos, Ios, Mykones, and Syros. Other names for the island include Thera or Thira.

Island Demographics

• Seventy-Three square kilometers
• Population of 14,000
• Main cities are Thira and Oia

The island was actually formed by a volcano eruption. Because of this eruption, there is a giant caldera or lagoon in the center of the island. The lagoon is shaped like a rectangle and measures 12 km by 7 km. Towering, steep cliffs surround the lagoon on three sides. The cliffs are as high as 300 meters. On the outside of the cliffs, the island slopes down into the Aegean Sea.

On the fourth side of the island, the small island of Therasia separates the lagoon from the sea. The lagoon is approximately 400 meters deep, which makes it an excellent shipping port.

The volcano that created the island is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aegean Sea. The eruption that created the island is one of the largest volcanic explosions ever.

Excavation Revelations

Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of cities buried under about 100 feet of volcanic rock. Homes with advanced plumbing and engineering lay under all of this volcanic rock. Since few human remains were discovered in the buried city, archaeologists believe that the citizens were evacuated before the volcano exploded.

Evidence exists of multi-storied buildings. In addition, there is evidence of roads and paths that intersect each other. Archaeologists say this may point to an early method of city planning. Each house had fresh running water and toilets. These sophisticated civilizations existed prior to 1500 B.C. as it is estimated that the volcano exploded at approximately 1500 B.C.

Connection to Atlantis

Plato discussed Atlantis in his writings. The layout of Atlantis matches the layouts of the ancient cities buried on Santorini. The buried shipping docks match the descriptions of the shipping docks of Atlantis. The rocks in the quarries on Atlantis match rocks found on the island.

Modern Day

The island became a part of Greece in 1912. No rivers exist on the island. Tourism is the primary means of income for the island. Winemaking is a small but growing industry on the island.

To Backpack Solo or to Not Backpack Solo - Is That the Question?

By Cody J Markin

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I've been lucky enough to have backpacked through 19 country both solo and with friends and both are great in their own way. There are great things about both ways of travel and I cannot say that I prefer either one over the other.
GOING SOLO
There's something "scary" about backpacking by yourself. At least that's what I hear when I tell people that I have done it. Yet, all these people who say this to me have never done it. The truth is, yes, it is very "scary" the first time you step out of an airport in a country you have never been to and everything is different. The signs are in a different language, the cars drive on the "wrong" side of the road, etc. This is exactly why I wanted to go solo to Thailand. I wanted to get "scared". I wanted to see if I had enough confidence and resiliency to get through 3 months of being on my own and away from my family and friends. Before I left for this trip I did a lot reading about solo backpacking. I wanted to find out the experiences that people had from other people who have done it. I can honestly say I was a little nervous when my parents dropped me at LAX on the warm, sunny day of January 9TH, 2008. I was nervous when I stepped out of BKK and had taxi driver after taxi driver run up to me asking " where are you going, my friend?". The truth was, I had no clue where I was going. I had no clue what I was doing in a country that I had only seen in the movie "The Beach". I was nervous as I wandered the streets of Bangkok at 3 in the morning waiting for the check in time at a hostel that I had yet to book. All the nervousness went away when I met hundreds and hundreds of other kids who were just like me. Kids that left their home to explore the world we live in. I made many friends, some of whom I still talk to till this day, whether it was a weekend trip together or a night drinking and telling stories about each other's travels. When you travel solo it allows more freedom than ever imagined. You don't have to discuss with anyone what tomorrow will bring. You just wake up whenever you feel and go. When people ask me why I did it I tell them " because not many people do it and I don't want to be like everyone else". That trip gave me more confidence in my self to go out and talk to strangers, to not be afraid of trying something new. I will never forget my solo backpacking trip. I honestly can say its been my greatest accomplishment so far in my life.
BACKPACKING WITH FRIENDS
In early 2010 I had mentioned to a couple of buddies at work that I planned on taking 30 days of leave ( which is the max they will allow us to take) and head back to Thailand to wander around. Ed and Tim seemed intrigued by this idea and said they wanted to come. I was stoked because I had never traveled with buddies before. Then as the time came closer I was talking on the phone to my good child hood friend Jason and he mentioned that he wishes he could backpack like I have done and so I told him I was planning another one in a few months and he said he wanted to come. It was set. My next trip included two of my buddies I work with and one of my best friends. Leading up to the day I did some reading about "travelling with friends" and in pretty much every article I read it mentioned how the trip will either make you closer to each other or make you hate each other's guts. I found this odd but could see how it could happen. I mean, you're travelling and living with these guys for 32 straight days. I quickly found out that travelling with three other guys was a lot different from being by myself. You don't have to be willing to try to meet people everyday to keep from being lonely. This was nice. We did some amazing things that I will never forget. It was great to be able to share all the new experiences that I experienced with my friends. To show them that there are other great places in the world and that you don't need to stay in 100+ USD hotels a night or eat 30 USD plates of food for dinner to have a memorable time.
It's hard for me to pick one or the other. Both going solo and with friends has its advantages and disadvantages but one thing is for certain: Memories will be made. You just have to get out and make them happen.

Great Outdoor Cities in the United States

By Alejandro R Perez

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If you just so happen to be an outdoor enthusiast, there are some excellent of places in America to visit for your fix. From beautiful parks and trails, to places to explore the wild side of nature, there is a great deal to see. Sure, the busy and fast city life is fun in its own way but if you really hope to get out into the earth and experience all the greatness and creativity it has to show, that is an entirely different thing altogether. If you are planning a long distance move, these are some great outdoorsy cities to keep on your radar.
Jacksonville
Located in Northeast region of the state of Florida, Jacksonville is the biggest city in area in the continental United States. With crisp, clear weather and wonderful beaches, Jacksonville is always a great city to hang out or live in. It has one of the largest park systems in the United States. The Ray Greene Park, for example, has an excellent course for off-road bikers. Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park, with great trails and conservation programs is a center for naturalists.
Anchorage
Truth be told, you can't speak about outdoor cities without mentioning Anchorage. It the northernmost major city in the whole United States of America. Anchorage, also, makes up for more than forty percent of Alaska's population. It is a breath-taking place with a whole lot to experience and explore. If you are a champion of outdoor recreational activities, Anchorage is also very regarded for its wonderful places to fish, ski, hike, and much more. The cities wildlife population is very diverse as well, with bears, goats, wolves, foxes, and an array of other animals in many of the neighboring areas.
Seattle
Seattle is simply an outstanding outdoor city with over 75 miles of trails. There are trails conducive to running, hiking, and basically taking in your surroundings. From the sandy beaches of Elliot Bay to the Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle is just packed full of fun and outdoor excitement.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis, with over 5,400 acres of park and plenty of outdoor recreational activities to participate in, is just great. From sailing lessons and kayaking along Lake Harriet to trail walking, the city has got you covered.
San Francisco
Well, San Fran is one of the best tourist attractions in the whole world. The city has a great deal to offer those who are privileged to call it their home or plan to vacation there sometime. It is a very cool place to work and also play. Located in the state of California, this lively city is popular for, among many things, its more than fifty hills. Not to mention the pleasant breeze blowing gently from the Pacific Ocean. With breath-taking beaches and more than two-hundred excellent parks, San Francisco is a prime spot when it comes to outdoor activities and breathtaking sites.

Ambisi Dubai Ciptakan 'Dunia Baru'

Angkutan antarpulau hanya bisa dijangkau dengan yacht, kapal, atau helikopter.

Ismoko Widjaya, Elin Yunita Kristanti

The World Islands di Dubai (REUTERS/ Jumana El Heloueh)

VIVAnews - Megaproyek 300 pulau buatan di Dubai, The World Island, senilai US$14 miliar atau sekitar Rp125,8 triliun membuat dunia tercengang. Harga setiap pulau dengan kisaran US$15 juta sampai US$45 juta atau sekitar Rp155 miliar sampai Rp400 miliar ini merupakan proyek ambisius pemimpin Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Kumpulan 300 pulau buatan manusia berbentuk peta dunia di lepas pantai Dubai, Uni Emirat Arab. Berdasarkan laporan pengembang, 70 persen dari 300 pulau telah terjual.

Pulau-pulau ini, bila dilihat dari udara menyerupai peta dunia. Pulau-pulau buatan ini menjadi destinasi dan incaran para miliuner dunia.

Setiap pulau berukuran mulai 23,000 m persegi hingga 84,000 m persegi. Setiap pulau memiliki jarak dengan air sekitar 50–100 m antara setiap pulau. Pembangunan ini akan meliputi area seluas 9 km panjang dan 6 km lebar. Setiap pulau dikelilingi oleh pemecah gelombang oval.

Beberapa selebritis dilaporkan membeli pulau di 'The World'. Misalnya,  drummer, Tommy Lee mengumumkan bahwa ia membeli Pulau Yunani untuk mantan istrinya, dan ibu dari dua anaknya, Pamela Anderson. Brad Pitt dan Angeline Jolie juga dikabarkan telah membeli 'Ethiopia'.

Pengembang 'The world' adalah anak perusahaan Dubai World. Perusahaan ini pernah didera utang tahun 2009 lalu. Akibatnya otoritas setempat meminta penangguhan pembayaran utang pokok (standstill) hingga enam bulan kepada para kreditor mancanegara.

Tak hanya sekedar mengurug lautan, pulau-pulau ini dibangun lengkap dengan kompleks hotel mewah dan villa yang tak kalah lux yang bisa dijangkau hanya oleh para miliuner berkantong tebal. Angkutan antarpulau hanya bisa dijangkau dengan yacht, kapal, atau helikopter.

• VIVAnews

Jasa Marga & Ancol Bangun Pusat Rekreasi di KM 88 Cipularang

Kamis, 26/01/2012 11:10 WIB

Whery Enggo Prayogi - detikFinance

Jakarta - PT Jasa Marga bersama PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol Tbk (PJAA) membangun pusat rekreasi baru di kawasan sekitar KM 88 Tol Cipularang. Lokasinya mencakup tempat peristirahatan (rest area) yang dilengkapi fasilitas rekreasi dan taman lalu lintas.

"Di tol Purbalenyi, Km 88," kata Direktur Operasi PT Jasa Marga Tbk (JSMR) Adityawarman saat berbincang dengan detikFinance, Kamis (26/1/2012).

Ia menjelaskan, rest area ini berada di area seluas 5 hektar. Saat ini perseroan tengah intensif berbicara dengan PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol Tbk (PJAA), selaku mitra strategis pembangunan pusat rekreasi di jalur tol tersebut.

Nantinya, pihak Jaya Ancol bertugas membangun sarana rekreasi, sekaligus sebagai operator. Selain itu rest area Km 88 juga dilengkapi dengan fasilitas standar, seperti SPBU, pusat komersil.

Adityawarman berharap, pembangunan bisa dilakukan tahun 2012 ini. "Masih pembicaraan lebih lanjut dengan Ancol. Kan mereka yang berhasil membangun pusat rekreasi. Ada area rekreasi, juga taman lalu lintas untuk pusat edukasi," tuturnya.

Selain untuk pengguna tol Cipularang, pusat rekreasi baru ini kabarnya juga bisa diakses oleh masyarakat sekitar. Area ini akan tembus dengan jalan provinsi, sehingga masyarakat yang tidak melintasi jalan tol juga bisa memanfaatkannya.

"Kabarnya, area ini juga tembus jalan provinsi. Namun ada batasan, hingga tidak bisa masuk ke area tol. Tapi bisa masuk area," tegasnya.

Five Steps For Creating a Fabulous Media Tour

By Lauren Darr

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If you want to raise awareness for your product or your service, think about hosting a media tour when you're launching. Having a great media tour will help you establish credibility in the market. The press you generate through public relations has more credibility than advertising, which makes this tactic all the more appealing to consider. Following are five steps to conducting a fabulous media tour.

Step 1: Establish Goals

Think about what you want to get out of the media tour itself. Ask yourself the following questions. What is it that you want to be known for? What is it that that you want to convey to the marketplace? How do you want to be perceived? Do you have a product, service, or solution that you need to introduce? Are you raising awareness for a cause? Are there specific interviews that you want to have? These are the things that you need to keep in mind when setting public relations goals.

Step 2: Determine The Right Media

The next step is to target the right media. Are there specific magazines, radio or television stations, newspapers, or online media that you want to be in? For example if you're a supplier to an industry target the industry-specific publications so that you get the greatest exposure within your market. Create a list of appropriate, targeted publications and media entities both electronic and print.

Step 3: Create Messaging

This step is all about developing the right messaging. Think about what you want to pitch. What do you need to focus on your interview? Form your hooks- interesting things that reporters love to hear. An example is using statistics or facts from surveys. These always make things seem more newsworthy and give credibility to the story you are telling. Be creative with your message platform so as to make it memorable. Write your messaging out and develop the appropriate communications tools such as press releases and press kits for the media tour. Decide if you need to develop collateral to go along with the press kit that will be left with the media.

Step 4: Get On The Road!

The next step is to actually go and pitch the media. Contact the producers, reporters, editors, and publishers ahead of time to schedule appointments. Call and let them know you're conducting a media tour and would like to meet with them. As a side note, get the right producer, etc. for the specific area you're pitching to so as not to waste anyone's time. For example, if you're pitching a technology topic, talk to a technical editor. You may not always get them right away on the phone and may have to leave a message and/or follow up. Patience is key. Don't be a pain in the neck. Once you set the appointment, send a thank you email with the agreed upon date and time. And, send a reminder just before traveling to them.

Step 5: Deliver

Know your stuff and deliver great interviews. Have all of your notes in front of you or memorize your pitch. If you're inexperienced, invest in training to help you keep on topic or rein questions back to your message platform in a positive way. Finally, there is no substitute for good old-fashioned practice. The more you practice, the more at ease you can be during the interview and focus on the conversation itself.

Follow these five steps and you can look back at the media tour as a wonderful experience that has gained a lot of attention for yourself, product, service, or cause.

Lauren L. Darr is the President and Founder of DIY Mmarketing Communications, a brand of Lauren Originals, Inc. She has over 20 years experience in working with companies large and small on their marketing efforts. Her passion is working with small businesses and entrepreneurs to create successful marketing campaigns. 

Lonely Planet Ranks Uganda Number One Travel Destination For Year 2012

By David Sande

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Renowned and respected world travel guide Lonely Planet has ranked Uganda the best travel destination for the year 2012. Uganda was ranked ahead of the likes of Myanmar, Ukraine, Jordan, and Denmark.
Lonely Planet collected lots of ideas from travellers, bloggers and tweeters from which they generated a list of countries. Countries chosen are said offer a range of experiences to travellers albeit a few shortcomings like the less than satisfactory infrastructure and seeming tense political atmosphere after the just concluded presidential elections for the Uganda's sake.
From the collected ideas, the top ten ranked countries were then voted for by a panel of travel experts at Lonely Planet and Uganda happens to be at the pinnacle of this list. The ranking was based on factors such as topicality, excitement, value and the special x-factor for a particular country.
Measuring almost the same size as Great Britain, Uganda passes for the most beautiful and diverse nation on the African continent. The country boast of a range of unique attractions and with the rapidly expanding tourism infrastructure and the much improved political stability, Uganda is turning out to be a haven for travelers.
Uganda is the entire Africa in one small package. What you find in the different parts of the African continent you find it all here in Uganda. At a glance you find the smallest of sunbirds iridescent in the dawn light, the enormous clumsy yet silent elephant disappearing like a vapor behind the trees, the naughty chimps crashing about the forest canopy, the Mountain Gorilla chewing thoughtfully in the bamboo thicket.
This lush tropical country is the source of the longest river in the world, the Nile. The mighty Nile twists its way North like a flickering ribbon, through arid semi-desert with scattered rocky kopjes. It is in Uganda where the savanna meets the huge Lakes of East Africa, and where snow capped mountains bear down on expansive jungles.
Snow capped peaks, tropical, sandy, fresh water beaches, and beautiful jovial faces all over the place. All that and more is here; Uganda is a feast for all the senses.
Declared by legendary British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill as the Pearl of Africa, it is little wonder Uganda is now the number one travel destination in the world.
The other ranked countries among the top ten travel destination for the year 2012 include:
2. Myanmar, 3. Ukraine, 4. Jordan, 5. Denmark, 6. Bhutan, 7. Cuba, 8. New Caledonia, 9. Taiwan and 10. Switzerland.