Travel Help

Sparkling waters, magnificent glaciers and an abundance of wildlife are just a few of the magical things that await travellers to Alaska. Whilst it can seem fun and exciting to travel to the exotic areas of the Caribbean, Alaska offers majestic scenery and will give you a memorable holiday that the whole family will enjoy. When you step outside your cabin, you may catch a glimpse of a brown bear fishing for salmon or you may marvel at the enormous size of a glacier, which is when you will see that Alaska is truly an outstanding place to find magic and majesty. Here are a few of our recommendations for cruising to Alaska.

What is there to do in Alaska?

On the Ship: There are usually two different itineraries for cruises to Alaska; the Gulf of Alaska and the Inside Passage. Both options will give you the chance to view some of the most picturesque spots of Alaska, whilst cruising past glaciers and visiting exciting ports of call. Although there are things to do on land, a large portion of your time will be spent on-board the ship, which will still leave you with plenty of things to do. Depending on which cruise line you chose, there may be live shows, entertainment, clubs, spas and boutiques for exploring whilst on the ship. If you select a balcony cabin, you can simply sit and view the spectacular scenery, and you may catch a glimpse of seals or whales swimming through the water.

On Land: When you reach a port of call, there are plenty of options for sight-seeing and hiking. In Juneau, you can ride the tramway above the city, which will give you a breath-taking view of the area. In Sitka, you can explore historical sites or visit the Alaska Raptor Centre, which is home to birds of prey that are being nursed back to health. The adventurous can fly over glaciers in Juneau or hike through the wilderness in various areas of the region. There are also opportunities for fishing in Ketchikan or Skagway.

What should you pack?

Although Alaska is known for its icy glaciers and cold temperatures, the weather conditions do fluctuate often. The sun’s UV rays are also intense, so it is important to pack sunscreen. I suggest packing a fair amount of clothing that can be layered, which includes both lightweight clothing and warmer fleece clothing. I also recommend taking a camera to capture the remarkable scenery and binoculars, so you can easily spot wildlife during the cruise.

What type of ship should you choose?

Both large and small ships travel to Alaska, so it may seem difficult selecting the best one. Larger ships usually stick to major cities and ports of call, which include ships from Princess Cruise Line and Holland America. Smaller ships will be able to navigate to the hidden areas of Alaska that will give you a better chance at catching a glimpse of wildlife. Silversea Cruise Line is a perfect choice for those who want to go on a luxury cruise, as they have fewer passengers on-board, which mean more personal service and fewer crowds whilst standing on the deck.

Signing up for Dubai Holidays aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise was a surprising decision for me. I used to prefer European holidays but this time, felt an insatiable pull to go to the Middle East and witness modern day Arabian Nights with its mystery and excitement.

I chose the 16-night tour over the 11-night Arabian Explorer Tour and the 7-night Dubai Cruise Tour because I wanted to see a bit of India, aside from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.

I could hardly wait to sail away and sample delicious food onboard, spoil myself in the spa and enjoy the “nightlife”.

Beyond Rest and Relaxation

When you take a cruise to beautiful, full of contradictions Dubai aboard the Brilliance of the Seas or a ship of similar specifications, you enter a different world shrouded in mystery. Dubai and the Emirates are stunning with architecture that rivals the best in the U.S. For those who expect sand dunes and other images, add a few more stunning views like the coral-rich blue waters of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the lush oasis and the state-of-the-art Mall of the Emirates. Just imagine – 200 shops under one roof and an indoor ski slope! Dubai even has man-made islands. As far as architecture is concerned, Dubai has pulled the stops.

As you see more of what the Gulf has to offer, the incredible images of the souks or Arabian markets with its gold, textiles, food and spices bring you back to a past era. You see dunes, forests, mountains, canyons and scenic beaches when you simply expected wide spans of sandy dessert. I was surprised the contradictions blended seamlessly – the cities looked modern yet one could feel its old soul.

The shopping is amazing with its wide array of high quality goods and incredible bargains. Choose to be extravagant or choose the more frugal path – either way, the shopping will please you.

Dubai the Gem

Dubai is fast becoming a destination for many reasons. For adventure and culture buffs who seek the ultimate, this Royal Caribbean Cruise is hard to pass up. It has wonderful weather year-long making it easy for you to book your trip anytime of the year. If you are avoiding harsh winters, Dubai is the place to be. You can also book early and get superb discounts. You can extend your holiday with hotel stays or complement your cruise with land tours.

I wanted a fantastic, stress-free holiday where I could enjoy value for money. Royal Caribbean Cruises offered more than that. My Dubai Holiday was the eye-opener to “a whole new world”.

Lets face the simple truth. About the only time you are going to get the family to sit down, turn off the phone and pay attention is on a family outing. A trip package is just the ticket to get this done.

Packaged Trips For Families

Family trips can be expensive and hard to plan. You have to choose a destination, book flights or other travel methods, accommodations and plan for activities, all for a group. One way to beat all of this trouble is to purchase a trip package. That way, everything is planned for you often right down to dining and amusement.

When choosing a package for your trip, be sure to research what is included. While some packages may include airfare, others may simply be for hotel rooms and dining. Also be sure to check age restrictions on your trip packages some might offer free or lower cost per person for children up to a certain age, so this can factor into your choice.

A popular family destination for many is one of the Beaches Resorts. This resort chain is geared towards family trips, and is run by the same resort group that manages the Sandals chain (adults only). There are four Beaches resorts with three located in Jamaica: Beaches Negril Resort and Spa, Beaches Sandy Bay and Beaches Boscobel. There is also one Beaches resort on Turks and Caicos. All of the Beaches resorts, which are all-inclusive, offer themes and other amusements geared specially towards children and they have also teamed up with Sesame Street to have their characters available at the resorts. The all-inclusive price of Beaches resorts also means that you pay once and everything is taken care of, making for a great family outing that is stress free.

Another great package can be found at the Disney World Resort. Disney World, the Happiest Place on Earth, has always been a favorite family spot. Now, Disney World has added the Magic Your Way package to their offerings. This package allows you to combine your stay at any of the many Walt Disney World resort hotels (prices ranging from economy to luxury) along with admission to the Disney theme parks and dining options. Planning a trip this way allows you to know exactly what you will be spending for your days ahead of time and takes all of the guess work out of your stay.

Trip package deals are a great way to both save money and time when planning your next family trip. If you enjoy spending time as a group and want to be able to maximize your fun, a package can help you to do that without taking the fun out of planning. Just make sure everyone leaves their cell phones at home.

Not only is it the capital of France, Paris has accumulated a laundry list throughout history of self-proclaimed and well-worn titles that place Parisians in a class of their own. Paris is a haven for love and romance, the disputed epicenter of cutting-edge fashion, a global culinary capital, the motherland of fine arts and let us not forget the self-given accolade of an elite culture. The streets of Paris, particularly on spring or summer evenings, are an enchanting mosaic of clanking wine glasses, aromatic espresso and impassioned chatter against a background of softly lit cobblestone. The sprawling metropolis requires careful exploration to properly digest its enticing blend of traditional classy charm and progressive hyper-modernism.

Top to Bottom: Paris at an Angle
An array of sights and attractions offer unique views of Paris from above and, yes, below. The Notre Dame, constructed in the 12th century, offers a spectacular panoramic view of Paris’ skyline from an intriguing, if not distracting, setting situated 387 steps up the north tower. The gargoyles perched around the roof of the cathedral range from haunting and ferocious to contemplative and watchful. In the Montmartre quarter, climb the hill culminating at the Basilique du Sacr Coeur and push through another 234 steps to the top of the cathedral’s dome. This southerly view of Paris is coveted by visitors, locals and artists alike.

While atop Montmartre Hill, stroll through the artists’ sidewalk displays until you come across the entrance to the underground Salvador Dali Museum. Descend the staircase and enter the twisted and fascinating surreal world of Dali’s rarer sketches, sculptures and paintings including a humorous caricature of Picasso, the artist’s contemporary rival. If musty, dark underground passages and 6 million skeletons don’t faze you, then cross the Seine and descend an unassuming spiral staircase into the Empire of the Dead, the Catacombs of Paris. Most visitors assume the Catacombs are a haunted spiritual shrine of sorts, but this underground burial place was simply Paris’ way of solving a problem of overflowing cemeteries in 1785. Strange patters out of skulls can be found in the arrangements of bones that line the passageways 7 feet high on either side.

A Little Level Ground
Once you’ve come up for air, a refreshing stroll through Champs Elyses may be needed. The beautiful gardens that stretch out from the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe are surrounded by one of the most popular shopping districts in Paris. Lalique Crystal and Louis Vuitton adorn the store windows between decadent chocolate and pastry shops. At night, venture into the Bastille quarter where swanky lounges and chic bars line the winding avenues. Enjoy a fresh made crepe from a street vendor or sit down in a romantic restaurant for garlicky escargot and tender Steak au Poivre paired with the best house wine you’ve ever had.

Although detractors may sniffle over the Parisian attitude, any display of gratitude and an attempt at French will earn overwhelming hospitality. Embrace Paris with a willing heart and the city of wine and cheese will swallow you whole.

For more information on international travel and discount airfare to Paris, visit www.cfares.com.

On Safari in South Africa – Where Africa’s Wildlife Never Disappoints

South Africa continues to enjoy the tremendous goodwill of holidaymakers worldwide. While travel to most long haul destinations declined last year, this country experienced an enviable 6.5% growth, according to the World Tourism Organisation. The growth was jump started by the transformation heralded by the demise of apartheid and onset of democratic rule in 1994. Apartheid polices of racial discrimination protected by law greatly offended enlightened opinion in many parts of the world. And the enemies of these policies launched a very effective campaign against visiting South Africa. So it came to be that South Africa, a truly superior destination by any standards, remained hidden to many until the dark cloud of apartheid blew over.

The wildlife safari is a key item on the South Africa tourist menu. Those who chose to see Africa’s wildlife here will not be disappointed. The game viewing experience is excellent at the top rated Kruger National Park and at other well-regarded game parks in the country. Wildlife is protected in over 300 public and private game and nature reserves. SANParks (South African National Parks) manages 20 national parks spread throughout the country.

Kruger is the place to see big game particularly the “big five” of buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros. Most of the other parks have specialised in conserving particular species or are identified with specific animals. The Greater Addo National Park, for example, is the only place you find elephants in the Cape region. Some of the parks along the 3000 km coastline host whales and dolphins.

South Africa’s wildlife conservation policies are advanced and highly successful. An initiative targeting wildlife sanctuaries cutting across international boundaries hopes to replicate this success elsewhere. This is in recognition of the fact that wildlife is no respecter of territorial lines covenanted between men. Transfrontier conservation areas have been identified in six regions along the boundaries with Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.

In South Africa, the best places to see wildlife is at private game reserves and national parks. Private game reserves are not as expansive as the publicly owned national parks. Their key selling point is the superior accommodation and ranger escorted personalized tours. The national parks on the other hand are popular with self-drive tourists. They offer accommodation in a limited number of enclosed rest-camps, in thatched rondavels, bungalows and chalets. Tour companies also offer packages, including transport and guide in the national parks. See our South Africa Tours page to view info and book one of our package safari offers.

South Africa is home to numerous species of land animals, including the celebrated “big five” – rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. Most members of the big five league are undoubtedly charismatic. But this is not the reason they are so named – otherwise I would petition that the buffalo be ejected. The reason is that these are the animals the early safari hunters found most challenging. The idea of viewing game without killing had not gained widespread acceptance then. The arrogant practice of killing animals as a sport is very unpopular today with those who value the right to life and dignity of animals as full members of our planet.

In addition to the disagreeable aesthetics, hunting brings about a bad relationship between man and the animals. I will illustrate this with an incident narrated to me by a guide on a recent visit to a country (not South Africa) that allows hunting. The guide recalled an occasion when he was taken by surprise to see an elephant charging at his vehicle. This was contrary to his experience with elephants in that region. This unusual behaviour arose because hunters had wounded the elephant. The elephant hereafter dealt with vehicles and humans as enemies. It is regrettable that South Africa’s otherwise stellar conservation policies, allow the practice of hunting in certain areas.

Game viewing is usually done from the comfort of a vehicle but walking, horseback, camel and canoeing safaris are increasingly becoming popular. If you wish to view game in any of these modes, it is required that you be accompanied by an armed ranger. Full blood adventure types think that watching game aboard a vehicle is for wimps. Walking safaris are designed for such hardy souls. And it is the reason that the thoughtful folks at SANParks maintain a network of wilderness trails in the parks. The typical walking safari will have a maximum of eight persons with ages ranging from 12 to 60 years and last for 2 nights and 3 days. Participants must obviously be physically fit.

Without doubt, the best place to see wildlife, especially the “big five” is Kruger National Park. This is the flagship of South Africa’s national parks. The Kruger was created in 1898 and owes its existence to the vision of Paul Kruger at one time president of the Transvaal Republic that later became part of the Union of South Africa. He was ahead of his time in recognizing the need to create a sanctuary to preserve and protect wildlife. Even at that time it was clear that the hunter with his rifle would soon annihilate all the animals.

Kruger offers a diversity of animals unrivalled anywhere else in South Africa. In addition to the big five, some of the interesting game you find here include – hippo, jackal, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog, numerous antelope species, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. The park is home to more than 140 mammal and 500 bird species. Kruger spreads over nearly 20, 000 sq km of unspoilt scrubland punctuated by acacia and mopane trees. The botanic biodiversity is vast and over 336 tree species are found here.

Accommodation within Kruger is provided at self-catering rest camps that offer good but basic lodging. There are also some smaller bush lodges and bushveld camps offering more luxurious stay. Accommodation ranges from rondavel huts and safari tents to family bungalows and cottages and luxury guesthouses. In addition, there are caravan and tent camping sites at some of the rest camps. Most of the camps are supplied with electric power and telephone. Other facilities include shops, kitchen facilities, restaurants and petrol stations.

Kruger has 3,000 kilometers of a well-maintained road network and is ideal for those seeking a self-drive experience. The park is relatively inexpensive and easily accessible. It is therefore hugely popular and draws over 600,000 visitors annually. It in particular gets very crowded over the school holidays in July and December. Since there are a maximum number of vehicles allowed into the park daily, you are well advised to make advance arrangements if you plan to visit then. Game viewing is good year round, but the best time will be from April to September when the bush is sparse.

Kruger is located 330 km to the northeast of Johannesburg. If you have no stomach for a long drive, take one of the daily flights from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa Airport, Hoedspruit Airport or Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport. If you wish to rent a car at either Durban or Johannesburg, visit our South Africa Car Rental page for your reservation. Towards the western and southern sides of Kruger National Park, there are a number of highly rated private game reserves. This includes Sabi Sand, Mala Mala, Londolozi and Timbavati game reserves. Here you will find some of the finest game lodges in Africa.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is another unique game sanctuary. This huge park is a combination of the two parks -the former Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa. Covering over 36,000 sq km, it is one of the biggest wildlife conservation areas anywhere in the world. The landscape is marked by red sand dunes and sparse thornbush vegetation. The environment of this park provides outstanding opportunities for unforgettable wildlife photos.

This park is host to the famous black-maned Kalahari lions. You will also see gemsbok, springbok, eland, blue wildebeest, cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, bat-eared foxes and leopards. Birding is also excellent and of 297 species recorded, 96 are resident. The Kgalagadi is not for the fainthearted -it is far from anywhere and getting there is a slog. It is located 904 km to the west of Johannesburg. All accommodation in the park is managed by SANParks. You will get the best experience if you visit between June and July when the weather is coolest.

On safari, remember to carry a pair of binoculars to help you spot animals. Also carry a camera and other equipment as a means of recording your safari. It is the only way to shut up those who doubt the story of your encounter with the African wildlife. Carry along a decent pair sunglasses to shield you from glare, especially if you travel to the semi desert Kgalagadi. Dressing well means cool clothing (such as light cottons and linen) for summer and warm for winter.

The international tourists might not know it but Nova Scotia is the fast up coming destination for the avid travelers. Located in the main land of Canada, it offers never-ending expanses of greenery and lots of water inlets to make it the ultimate fishing ground. Since 1604 when John Cabot found it out it has been a teeming ground for fresh water fishing. This fits well the Canadian social culture. During the 17th century the Scottish and the French businessmen traded here in fur. The Scottish influence is evident from the name it self which means New Scotland.

The tradition of the place is highly influenced by the sea and the place is studded with museums and galleries singing the lore of the seafaring individuals form the land. The feeling one gets there is nostalgic and it takes one back into the annals of ancient mariner lifestyles. The ton of beaches in the place and the scenic beauty is good enough to attract people from all around the world. The place has taken due advantage of its proximity to the sea. The surfers have actually set up, in the place, the host for the major surfing events of the world. The life saving competitions is also held along its coast lines and that has made the place a lot more popular then other coastal destinations.

As a mark of respect to the discoverer of the place, the longest travel around Nova Scotia is called the Cabot trail. The approximately 180 mile long tour of the city covers many parts and is a trip worth taking. The natural structures and the golf courses en route the trip are a pleasure watching. An amazing fact about the place is that it is because of this place that the telephone technology has developed. The place is the home land of Graham Bell. He invented the telephone.

The capital city of Halifax is the witness of the people dead in the Titanic Disaster in 1912. The bodies were brought to Halifax and the place has numerous cemeteries resting the victims of the disaster. Apart from having the historical account of almost half-a-century the city is a growing hub of modernization and an upcoming destination for development. With the advancement of Canada the place is getting much required attention.

One of the most fascinating things to see in Nova Scotia is the lighthouses around the place. Standing as the custodians of rich marine history, they stand tall to help the lone ships that loose their path in the confusing seas. The light houses provide an extraordinary sight and most tourists are attracted by them. To keep them in good shape an organisation to maintain them has also been formed. A customized tour is also designed to take the tourists to all the major lighthouses. The tour is almost along the coast line and offers much thrill to the visitors.

The cultural influence of the French and the Scottish is evident around the place. A delicate balance between the two existed for a long time and keeping in view the rich heritage and the growth prospects it is no more there. Thus Nova Scotia is truly an out of the world experience to the tourists.

When you think of “Paramus” do you automatically think, “shopping malls?” If you do, you are not alone. On a recent trip to the west coast, I was asked, “where in New Jersey do you live?” When I mentioned near Paramus, the person nodded her head in recognition. She knew that the town was a shopping mecca on the east coast.

Paramus’ origins and even recent history, belie the shopping mecca label. As recently as the 1960s, the borough was dotted with farmland; indeed Paramus is derived from the Lenni Lenape name Perampsus, meaning: “where there is worthwhile or fertile land.” Where there was fertile land, maize or corn was grown and wild turkeys were also found in abundance. Thus, the meaning of Paramus . . . “A fertile land where corn was grown attracting wild turkeys”. For kicks, go to the Paramus Park Mall and observe the Indian riding the turkey [Route 17 entrance near Macy's]. It looks odd to the visitor, but with your new knowledge of Paramus’ name origin, it explains much.

Clifton could easily be called Cliftside or Underclift due to its proximity to Weasel Mountain, now called Garrett Mountain. Acquackanonk Township was an earlier name for Clifton, which at one time also included the cities presently called Passaic and Paterson. Acquackanonk was part of Essex County until its residents, unhappy, with the preferential treatment Newark was receiving, asked to leave the county and be joined to Passaic County.

In Essex County, the name Bloomfield suggests bucolic farmland. While the farmland part may have at one time been true, Bloomfield was named for a New Jersey governor who served from 1803-1812; Gov. Joseph Bloomfield also served as a U.S. Senator. The present day township of Bloomfield was originally part of Newark, which was settled in 1666.

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina smashed into a heavily populated part of the USA, specifically the city of New Orleans in the state of Louisiana.

The city was ruined. Over 1,100 people died.

Known as the “Crescent City”, the city of New Orleans, in the US state of Louisiana, had a population of just under half a million people, with Greater New Orleans bringing the figure up to 1.3 million. One quarter of the population was under the age of 18, according to the 2000 census, and one-third was aged under 25.

“New Orleans” is usually pronounced by locals as “Noo Aw-lins”.

It was home to some of America’s poorer citizens – more than one quarter of the population was considered to be living below the poverty line. Household income was 35% below the national average, and individual income 20% below the national level.

The US federal government has a significant presence in the area. The NASA Michoud Assembly Facility is located in the eastern portion of Orleans Parish. Lockheed-Martin also has a large manufacturing facility located in the Greater New Orleans area that produces external fuel tanks for space shuttles.

New Orleans is in the Mississippi River delta and has always had a history of flooding. The first levees were built by French prison labour around 1718 and were only three feet tall.
The founding site was a rare selection of higher ground along the flood-prone lower Mississippi. Still, much of the city is located below sea level between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain.

Despite its economic and geographical disadvantages, New Orleans was famous for being a city of entertainment and excitement, both exuberant and hedonistic. It was a genuine world-class tourist destination, attracting visitors with the annual Mardi Gras (held on the iconic Bourbon Street) and the college-level “Sugar Bowl” gridiron match. Areas of the French Quarter and Central Business District in recent years began catering to booming tourism rather than residents and local businesses. The city’s charm increased when streetcar upgrades in Canal Street were completed as recently as 2004.

The city is also world-famous for its food. Specialties include beignets, square-shaped fried pastries that are sometimes called French doughnuts (served with coffee and chicory “au lait”), Po’boy and Italian Muffaletta sandwiches, Gulf oysters on the half-shell and other seafoods, etouffee, jambalaya, gumbo, other Creole dishes, and the Monday evening favourite of red beans and rice.

Only time will tell if the desire exists to resurrect this famous city. The hurricanes, the flooding and the problem of the disappearing wetlands have not been defeated.

Yogyakarta or simply Yogya, is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. Located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano, Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram., from which present day Yogyakarta has inherited the best of traditions.

The city is divided into 14 districts (kecamatan). 1. Gondokusuman 2. Jetis 3. Tegalrejo 4. Umbulharjo 5. Kotagede 6. Mergangsan 7. Ngampilan 8. Danurejan 9. Kraton 10. Wirobrajan 11. Pakualaman 12. Mantrijeron 13. Gedongtengen 14. Gondomanan

Museum Sonobudoyo

This museum, founded in November 1935 and designed by the Dutch architect Kersten, is built in traditional Javanese architecture. It exhibits weapons, leather and wooden puppets of wayang theater, masks, statues, textiles, curios and old Javanese gamelan instruments. The museum is situated on the northern side of the city’s main square in front of the Sultan’s Palace.

Kotagede

Kotagede, about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, is a neat little town which was once the seat of the mighty Mataram empire. In this old palace town with its walled-in houses, the graves of the first rulers of Mataram are still to be found. Since the 1930s, however, Kotagede has become famous for being the center of the Yogya silverwork industry. Kotagede is easily reached by andong, the four wheeled horse-drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car.

There are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver being transformed into beautiful works of art known as Yogya Silver.

Affandi Museum

On the main road between the airport and the city stands the Affandi Museum (1907 – 1990) in a lush garden next to his peculiar private home on stilts. He was Indonesia’s foremost impressionist painter who built a private museum for his own paintings and of those of his daughter Kartika. Affandi’s grave (died in May 1990) lies in the backyard next to the museum.

The average daily temperature range between 26 degree and 28 degree Celsius with its minimum 18 degree C and maximum 35 degree C respectively. Average humidity is 74% with its minimum of 65% and maximum 84% respectively.

The Monaco Grand Prix ranks among the top sporting events in the world, and for good reason.

The combination of Formula One cars street racing and the influx of celebrities to the playground of Europe make a heady mix for the annual event, and is viewed as part of the social calendar for the worlds top sports stars, actors, models and businessmen.

The circuit takes in Casino Square and passes by the renowned Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo, making it one of the most recognisable hotels in the world.

The race started in 1929, organised by Monte Carlo resident and founding president of the Automobile Club de Monaco, Anthony Noghes, and the Grand Prix has made the worlds second smallest country a destination of choice for many.

While Monaco enjoys the attention of the worlds media for one weekend every May, she also attracts many people long term to become residents due to her tax haven status, and residents enjoy a zero rated income tax.

In recent years Monaco has attracted the wealthy for another visit. The annual Monaco Yacht Show in September has the most exclusive yachts in the world moor at the harbour in Fontvieille, and the hotels in Monte Carlo and Monaco are booked full nearly a year in advance.

For both events, the Monaco Grand Prix and the Yacht Show many visitors stay in nearby Nice and travel in, and the hotels in Monaco enjoy full occupancy at premium rates.

Monaco Real Estate

Once a European backwater, Prince Rainier turned Monaco into one of Europes best known locations, combining glamour with an income tax free policy that has attracted millionaires and billionaires to the principality for the last forty years.

Real estate prices reflect the prestige and tax advantages of living in Monaco. One local Monaco estate agency report that currently they have a one bedroom apartment, with no sea views, available at 880,000 Euros. And by the time closing costs are taken into account this rises to around a million Euros.

A two bedroom two bathroom apartment in Monte Carlo is available for 1,900,000 Euros.

And a five bedroom four bathroom apartment, recently featured on the BBCs Money Programme No tax please were rich, in Fontveille, the same area of Monaco where the Hotel Columbus, part owned by Grand Prix driver David Coulthard, is situated with Mediterranean views is available for ten million Euros.

With demand from clients worldwide the prices of real estate in Monaco is likely to be among the highest in the world for the forseeable future.

Commenting on the local property market, several estate agents have reported good sales for Monte Carlo real estate and for Monaco generally in the first quarter of 2006, with the top end of properties in Monaco doing particularly well compared to the same quarter last year.

And there are rumours among the owners of the hotels in Monaco and Monaco Real Estate industry that two islands could be built with bridges to connect them to Monte Carlo which would allow some 5000 new low rise properties and a hotel to be built.

If the rumours become true of more availability of properties and a new hotel in Monaco the possibility also exists of an extended or changed circuit for the Monaco Grand Prix in years to come.