Sri Lanka No.2 in World's Twenty Best Tourist Destinations - National Geographic Channel 2010

The world renown TV Channel in an exclusive report on best places to visit has categorized Sri Lanka as the 2nd best place to visit. Out of the 20 countries it many well known tourist destinations are listed far behind Sri Lanka. Under this list Hong Kong occupies the 9th place, Bali 7th place, Mauritius 4th place and Zanzibar 3rd place. In an exclusive report on Sri Lanka the commentators Travel Writer of the Times, Jil Crawshow and Editor of Wandertrust Magazine describes Sri Lanka as definitely a best place to visit. Opening the commentary with the first world traveler Marco Polos description of Sri Lanka as the Jade Pendant in the Indian Ocean the commentators say Sri Lanka is exactly what it is and Sri Lanka has got basically everything for a tourist. Commenting about the beaches, they say Sri Lanka has hundreds of miles of amazingly undiscovered beaches and coral marine life, and it is one of the greatest island for beaches. The comment that Sri Lanka got a wonderful history and culture in a really small space and describes the ancient 6th century city Sigiriya, the palace built on a top of rock as place not to miss. Commenting on Sri Lankas wild life and the availability of elephants and leopards, they make special reference to the Pinnawala Elephant Sanctuary. They describe that Pinnawala was started in 1975 with 7 elephants and it has now 65 elephants and it is the largest herd in captivity. The commentators have not even spared to mention about the food ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgRIoQnHqmk&hl=en

Guanajuato, Mexico Tourist Season 2008

In the middle of the night when the bombing (Day of the Dead fireworks) began and I was startled awake by my three-foot, straight-up jump out of bed, I suddenly remembered I had forgotten to write my annual article about this year's Guanajuato Tourist Season! In case you don't know, I have been writing a special-interest article each year about the Gringo Invasion of Guanajuato. These invaders are called tourists. More specifically, these conquering travelers are commonly known in Guanajuato as Gringo Tourists. And to be even more scientific about it, Gringo is the Genus and not the breed of Tourists.

The word Genus, according to Webster means, "a class, kind, or group marked by common characteristics or by one common characteristic."

What I am talking about is the specific Species or Breed of Tourists taught in Tourism School or the science of Touristology called The American Gringo Tourist. To understand this better, think of the dog breed, The Great Dane. It is a domestic dog. Think also of the Chihuahua that also is a domestic dog. However, it doesn't take a genius to see the vast and magnificent difference between the two. The same goes with your ordinary Canadian, European, Australian, and Oriental Tourists. All are tourists but when you compare them with The American Gringo Tourist, the differences are, well, vast to say the least.

To simplify, think of Americans as a specific breed of tourist.

What I have done in years past is try to apply very carefully and with much forethought the scientific principles of ethnology - a science that deals with the division of human beings into races and their origins, distribution, relations, and characteristics (Thank-you Mr. Webster).

In doing so I would venture out daily into the wild and wooly wilderness of tourist traps like sidewalk cafes, boutiques, churches, park benches, and observe and record how The American Tourist acts. My results? Startling!

In past articles I would observe and record things like shrieking harpies (always females followed subserviently by obedient males) screaming in front of sidewalk cafes, "I know you speak English and are pretending you don't." This was by far the most common thing observed and recorded.

Next, I would see entire groups of this most common Breed of Gringo eating at small, out-of-the-way eateries getting so bombed on booze that entire groups of American Gringos would become falling-down drunk. There would always be someone in those groups, usually a male, who would find the brains God gave him to try and flag a cab. However, this blasted soul would soon have an American Gringo lapse and begin cursing wilding and giving the finger to each cab that passed him, already occupied with a fare, for not stopping for his "Here I am...American Tourist...HEAR ME ROAR!"

Finally, I would sit in the plazas and listen to loud bellowings come out of restaurants, "I ordered a taco!" or "You call this a taco?" or "Don't you have Taco Bell here?" It always was loud protestations about tacos.

I would make many minor observations too. Mostly these were carefully scribbled notes of how American Tourists would pitch public fits over where or what to eat, where to go next, or wailings to the point of almost swooning when they exited their hotels to discover that they could not find anyone who spoke English. Sometimes I could hear them ask one another, "Is everyone here really Mexican?"

These folks would do one of two things but never both. They would either run back to their hotels and in under three minutes come back out with packed bags to head to the airport for Puerto Vallarta, or they would join the shrieking harpies' battle cry (see above).

Well, I am happy as a peach that what I have to report for Guanajuato, Mexico's 2008 Tourist Season is none of the above.

That's right! Though it appears there were more tourists than ever, even of the American Gringo Breed, that showed up in town this year, we saw none of the behavior that spurred the naming of American Gringos as The Ugly American! Isn't that swell?

This year, the difference seems overwhelmingly to be that they hired English-Speaking Mexicans to take them by the hand all over the city. It also appears that the tour guides made a better effort than before to advertise their services and unbelievably, the American Gringos took them up on their offers to show them a good time.

Everywhere I looked I saw happy-faced American Gringos frolicking up and down the streets of Guanajuato holding hands with their bilingual tour guides and all merrily singing Canta no Llores.

Is this a good omen of many more Tourist Seasons to come? I don't know. But, as always, I will be here to watch and record from park benches, small cafes, small darkened corners in bars and grills, surreptitiously making notes for the Guanajuato Tourist Season 2009.

The Top Ten Best Tourist Spots in Italy

Italy is one of the most popular places to visit in the world. It's a favorite of millions of tourists worldwide. And who can blame them? Nobody can resist the charms of Italy's culture and architecture. This boot-shaped country was, after all, the home of the Legendary Romans and the Heroes of the Renaissance. Indeed, if you're going to go to Italy, be prepared to have your breathe taken away by the sheer beauty of the place.

1.) The Coliseum

No other civilization in the world could top the Romans in terms of strength and power, and indeed, the Romans practically conquered the world. And for their entertainment, the Romans had the world. They had the Coliseum where the prizes of their conquests, lions and other exotic animals were made to battle with the gladiators. Indeed, if you stand within the walls of this gigantic complex, you can almost feel the spirit of celebration that once rang through the place.

2.) Piazza Campidoglio

The Piazza Campidoglio, or the Capitoline Hill, was the seat of power of the Ancient Romans. And up until today, it still stands as Italy's center of politics. It holds the famous statue of Castor and Pollux and various structures designed by the great Michaelangelo himself like the double staircase and other buildings.

3.) The Roman Forums

Also, there's nothing more exhilarating than to visit the place where democracy was born. The Roman Forums, where the Roman senate once held their heated debates discussing everything from large-scale wars to petty squabbles, are also popular tourist attractions. Here, you can find the Forum of Caesar and the Forum of Trajan, and there's also the Palatine Hill and all the other temples dedicated to the various gods and goddesses of the ancient Romans.

4.) The Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of the best places that you can visit in Rome. It's teeming with beautiful architecture, beautiful sculptures, and beautiful statues. This magnificent building is also the home of the grave of the famous painter, Raphael.

5.) The Trevi Fountain

This world renowned fountain is famous for its sheer beauty and size, and it features several sculptures, including one of Neptune coming out from underwater, riding on a sea shell that's drawn by two horses with wings. It's featured in Dan Brown's famous novel, the Da Vinci Code. Also, toss a coin into it while facing away from it and it is said that you will be guaranteed a return to the great city.

6.) The Grand Canal in Venice

There's nothing more Romantic than going on a boat ride through the famous canals of the floating city of Venice. These quixotic canals are featured in various movies and are a favorite of newlyweds all over the world. It's also a great way to take in all the sights of the beautiful city.

7.) The Sistine Chapel

The Vatican, though it's considered as an independent country in itself, is still found in the heart of Italy. And, there, you'll find the great Sistine Chapel where extraordinary pieces of art can be found. There, you'll see the works of Michelangelo and Botticelli.

8.) St. Peter's Basilica

Also, if you're a fan of great architecture, you will have to see the famous St. Peter's Basilica. It's the largest Catholic Church in the whole world, and it's simply teeming with beautiful paintings, frescoes, and statues. You can also see this Basilica's famous dome which is literally filled with works of art.

9.) St. Peter's Square

And of course, if you're going to St. Peter's Basilica, you might as well walk a few steps to get to St. Peter's Square. This beautiful plaza is designed by the famous artist Bernini. It is also featured in Dan Brown's novels.

10.) The Vatican Gardens

The Vatican Gardens as beautiful as they are large. This grand paradise is filled with beautiful sculptures, fountains, and flowers. It's a great place for sightseeing and picture-taking.