Speaking of Norway, people can naturally bring the world famous novel <<The Forest in Norway>> to mind. There are many mountains in Norway. All kinds of villages are seated among the mountains. Between the villages are just the forests which are far away or nearby as if they are waiting for something. The forests of birches and firs which are both thin and thick are neither secretive like the virgin forest in image nor profound like the description by the authors.

In Norway, you can see the forest everywhere. The Norwegian like the forest very much. It is ruled by law that people must plant a young tree in the time limit after felling a tree no matter it is public-owned or privately owned. The Norwegian go to the forest is like our going to the square in weekends. People go to the forest to have a walk, go fishing deep in the forest and pick the mushrooms and wild fruit or only to do mountain climbing. I hear that there is usually a small log cabin deep in the forest. Beside the doorway is a mail box. People can live here for nights only after putting the money into the box. People would tidy the room and put some wild flowers in the drawing room for welcoming the next guest when they leave.

Whether the music of the Beatles or the word of Haruki Murakami, both make people the forest in Norway mysterious and beautiful which is beyond description. The forest in the novel of Haruki Murakami is mysterious, endless and is filled with the atmosphere of lost and coldness. In the true world, seventy-five percentage of the land are forest and greenbelt in the capital city of Oslo which is only with a population of five hundred thousand. Here is a typical place where the Nordic get along very well with the nature.

It is said that the original meaning of Oslo is "the valley of God" while another meaning is” plain of the foot of mountain". Oslo leans close to the circuitous firth of Oslo. Being viewed from a high place, it is surrounded tightly by the sea and the forest. The forest is endless. You can not see an end. Only one third of the entire city land is developed for construction. Most of the area remains in the nature status. For more information about traveling; please have a look at http://www.affordablecruisestours.com.

I like traveling and would like to share my experience with others.
http://www.affordablecruisestours.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/wonderful-norway-1067838.html

As temperatures soar higher and higher this summer, warnings are out in force about the dangers of spending too much time in cars that are just too hot for comfort. There are plenty of very serious dangers connected with the heat, such as heatstroke and dehydration, so follow these tips to try to avoid damaging yourself and your passengers if you have to make any journeys in the sun this summer.

Primarily, you should try to avoid driving during the hottest time of the day - advice you might recognise from sunbathing adverts. The sun is at its most dangerous between the hours of 11am and 3pm, so if you can keep out of the car and somewhere shaded during these hours, it is recommended.

By planning your trip and choosing your route ahead of time, you can speed up your journey and spend less time in the car too, so checking maps and having alternate routes handy is always a good idea.

If you're inevitably going to be making a long journey, however, there are things you can do to make it more bearable. For example, keep lots of bottled water on hand to ensure you and your passengers stay hydrated and, if you have to leave the car for any amount of time, you should place white towels over seats in order to prevent them from getting too hot. If you've ever sat on a leather seat after it's been heated by the sun, you will understand the value of this practice!

You can prevent your car from overheating too much by parking in shaded areas, which is good for your car generally as well as keeping the interior air cool. You can also keep that air cool by pointing air conditioners up towards the roof of the car rather than at individual passengers. The cool air will bounce off of the roof and move down below, ensuring an even distribution of cool air.

For the benefit of your car itself, make sure your tyres are in good condition and properly inflated. Heat-related tyre failure is the biggest cause of tyre failure, so it is something that should be avoided if possible. You should also check your vehicle's fluids before setting off because your car may overheat or fully break down if it is not well-oiled.

Finally, if you're in doubt about your vehicle's capabilities for making a journey in your heat, you might want to consider car hire from a reputable company to ensure that the car you'll be using is completely up to the journey.

Victoria Cochrane writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/heatwave-travel-tips-1066310.html

The Canal du Midi was constructed by Pierre-Paul Riquet between 1667 and 1681 (under the reign of Louis XIV) with the help of about 12,000 workers. Riquet designed it in such a way that it blended in with its surroundings and managed to turn his technical achievement into a work of art. It paved the way for the Industrial Revolution.  It is a 360km long canal in the South of France (called Le Midi) full of navigable waterways and 328 structures (91 locks, 55 aqueducts, 7 canal bridges and 126 canal bridges, dams and a  tunnel). The canal connects the Garonne River to the Etang de Thau on the Mediterannean Sea. The canal runs from Toulouse, through Castelnaudary, Carcassonne and Béziers and down to the Mediterranean port of Sète.

It was initially constructed to enable the transport of goods for the French Navy between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to the Canal du Midi, the boats avoided the long sea voyage around hostile Spain, Barbary pirates and a trip that in the 17th century required a full month of sailing. The canal was also built to facilitate trade within the area. In the 17th century the Midi had two major crops: wheat and wine and one major product: textiles (heavy cloth from Nimes, denim and silk). Transport by road which was a mud path was extremely slow and expensive. It was easier to transport heavy goods by water. The wine of the region needed to be exported or sent to northern France. The canal was mainly used by small sailing barges with easily lowered masts but by the middle of the 18th century horse towing had taken over and steam tugs arrived in 1834. By 1838 there were around 270 vessels on the canal and passenger and packet boats continued a good trade until the coming of the railways in 1857. Commercial traffic continued until 1980 when it began to decline rapidly until its closure in 1989. It is now almost exclusively used by pleasure boats. In 1996 the Canal du Midi was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Short and long cruises along the canal are very popular during the tourist season. Here is a taste of what there is too see in the various towns along the Canal du Midi.

Toulouse

Starting off in Toulouse, this cosmopolitan and enthusiastic Ville Rose (distinctive for its brick architecture) is an absolute must for anyone wanting to explore France. It mixes heritage, lifestyle, cultural events and festival pleasures. Toulouse is just as lively by night as by day. It has one of the most intensely cultural calendars in France, including classical concerts, lyrical art, jazz, variety and electro-acoustic music. It has many museums including the Musée Saint-Raymond which specialises in antiques. The Cathédrale Saint-Etienne de Toulouse originally built in the 12th century in the Roman style was later renovated in the Gothic Baroque style is a sight not to miss. Toulouse is the centre of Occitan culture and every year the city holds a Fête Occitane with traditional music, singing, dancing and a traditional Occitan ball. You must of course not forget the city’s gastronomic speciality: Saucisse de Toulouse (pork sausage with onions, white wine, salt, pepper and spices).

Castelnaudary

As the main port of the Canal du Midi, this market town located 50km southeast from Toulouse was very prosperous in the seventeen century. Today it is a popular pleasure port. The port is now known as the Grand Bassin and is the largest open area of water in the canal covering 17.5 acres. Walking around the Grand Bassin remains a popular pastime as you can get a lovely view of the town. The town’s most unique building is the beautifully restored 17th century windmill; Le Moulin de Cugarel. It is situated on a hill overlooking the Languedoc-Roussillon region. La Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pitié located just outside the city walls is also worth a visit. The building was restored in 1981 and inside has beautiful wooden sculptures evoking the life of Christ. If you are there for lunch then you must try the city’s delicacy: Cassoulet (slow- cooked bean stew containing pork sausages, goose, duck, mutton and white haricot beans).

Carcassonne

This medieval fortified town in the Aude department of France is divided into two parts: the fortified Cité de Carcassonne and the more expansive lower city, the Ville basse. A fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands since the pre-Roman period. The old part of the town comprises of a gothic cathedral, drawbridges, 52 towers, ramparts and many small streets whereas the lower city is more modern. There are always many music concerts to enjoy including the Music Festival on 21st June to celebrate the longest day of the year. There are train tours taking you through the medieval city which enable you to admire its turrets and ramparts. A visit to the Basilique St Nazaire to see the large beautiful stained glass windows is a must. The city has a very unique atmosphere and is a very popular place to live. If you are looking to buy a property in the area of Carcassonne, you can find a 4 bedroom villa with a large garden, a pool and outbuildings for €283,000 (Ref 10694). If you prefer something with a little more character then take a look at this beautiful 7-bedroom manor house set in a 5 acre garden with a swimming pool for €850,000 (Ref 17534).

Narbonne

Although the Canal du Midi does not run through Narbonne it is linked to it by the Canal de la Robine. The town was built by decree from Rome in 118BC as a trading post along the newly constructed Via Dolmitia. After the departure of the Romans it became the capital of the Visigoths. It is home to the St Paul Basilica which was one of the first Gothic churches in France in the Middle-Ages, the Pont des Marchands - an exceptional bridge with 7 arches and the Saint-Just cathedral which started being built in 1272 but was never finished. The Musée Archeologique, the Roman Horreum and the Palais des Archevêque with its view over Narbonne are also worth a visit. Narbonne has many traditional markets, cafés, restaurants and boutiques. The old part of the town has been tastefully improved with gushing fountains and pedestrianised streets. The daily food market in Les Halles sells fresh locally grown vegetables, meats, fish, charcuterie, cheeses and some locally produced wines. This historical city with a medieval heritage is a wonder to live in. Take a look at this villa with a large garden, a garage and a swimming pool for €330,000 (Ref 11405).

Béziers

The next stop along the Canal du Midi is Béziers, a town with a rich historical past, Béziers was first a Phoenician settlement before becoming a Roman military post. It is a town with a rich historical past, it was already a fully functioning and vibrant city when the Romans arrived in 35BC and named the town Colonia Julia Baeterrae Septimanorum. The town has since then preserved its Roman feel. The Cathédrale St-Nazaire which was rebuilt in the Gothic style after it was burned down in 1209 is a definite sight to see. You can take a stroll down the allées Paul-Riquet which are lined with trees, cafés, restaurants and shops. There is also the beautiful Plateau des Poètes, an English garden filled with ponds and trees that was designed by the creator of Paris’ Bois de Boulogne. If you are in Béziers in August then there is the famous 5-day festival: Le Feria du Béziers.  It is well known for its magnificent town centre, one of the largest in France. The landscape around Béziers is dominated by vineyards, providing the backbone to the city’s economy. Its location (near to the beach and the mountains) is a popular reason why people live there. If you are looking to buy a property in or around Béziers have a look at this large 6-bedroom winegrower house with a terrace, double garage and convertible space for €220,000 (Ref 12388). If you are keen on living in a Chateau (who doesn’t?), then this converted 2-bedroom apartment in a 19th century Chateau could be for you. It is situated in a working winery and has a communal swimming pool €384,000 (Ref 18385).

Sète

The final stop at the end of the Canal is Sète, this popular Mediterranean seaside island resort is home to 12km of fine sandy beaches. It is the largest fishing port on the Mediterranean and is notorious for its fish restaurants. Sète is home to many museums and the Théatre Molière. It is also particularly well known for its water jousting taking place every year during the summer months. Other local attractions include the daily closed market (including Sunday) selling regional produce and the panoramic view from the top of the Mont St-Clair Chapelle Notre Dame de la Salette is a must. If you get the chance you should try some of the town’s unique dishes: La Tielle; an octopus based pie with tomatoes and spices originally made by the Fisherman’s wives for their husbands to give them strength before they went to sea. It can be eaten hot or cold and is best served with a glass of regional dry white wine. And, Le Frescati otherwise known as the cake of Sète. It is a traditional French pastry with the base consisting of a sweet pastry biscuit and white raisins soaked in rum and topped with a soft Italian meringue and cold coffee fondant, it goes down very nicely with a glass of chilled Muscat. The town’s restaurants, canals, streets, bridges, fishing boats and the sweet scent of the garrigue (Mediterranean scrubland) and sea air all add to its charm. If you are looking to buy a property in the centre of Sète, why not check out this newly built 2-bedroom apartment with a panoramic view overlooking the sea €180,000 (Ref 14243).

Sextant Properties is a network of 160 local estate agents based in France

Tel (UK) : 020 7428 4910
http://www.sextantproperties.com

http://www.sextantproperties.com/languedoc-roussillon

Matthieu Cany is Managing Director of Sextant French Property

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/httpwwwsextantpropertiescomlanguedocroussillon-1063803.html

Visitors to the city of Wuhan should definitely take the time to explore the historically famous Yellow Crane Tower. Considered to be the symbol of Wuhan, this unique structure lies along the border of the Yangtze River and is recognized as one of the four greatest towers in China. Having a rich historical background, the original Yellow Crane Tower was built in the year 223 during the Three Kingdoms era in a location that is approximately a kilometer away from where the tower now stands. Consequently, the tower has been rebuilt many times during different periods in history. Today, the architectural work of the tower represents that of the Qing Dynasty.

Standing at a grand height of 52 meters, the Yellow Crane Tower comprises of 5 levels, each unique with its décor and ornamentation. The artistic splendour of the place has attracted and inspired many famous Chinese poets in the past, of which the poem known as the ‘Yellow Crane Tower’ by Cui Hao is the most renowned. The eaves of each level of the tower have a traditional out turned appearance and is a beautiful sight to behold.

Visitors to the Yellow Crane Tower can see lovely art and poetic work within. Each level displays creativity relating to a particular theme. There are several beautiful murals to behold such as the ceramic painting of a yellow crane and white cloud. There are also many tablets and inscriptions of poems written by famous Chinese poets about the tower that are displayed within.

The Shangri-La Hotel Wuhan, is a popular and classy Wuhan luxury hotel that is ideally located near to many of the city’s main attractions including the Yellow Crane Tower. This lifestyle hotel provides comfortable and modern accommodation in Wuhan that is suitable for both the business and leisure traveller.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/yellow-crane-tower-one-of-the-four-greatest-towers-in-china-1059765.html

The forecast summer heat wave has impacted on holiday booking preferences of the UK population, especially in the wake of the recession. So, rather than book holidays abroad, many British families have opted to stay home and sample the delights that the UK has to offer.

'Must-visit' destinations for those staying at home are likely to include the nation's capital, as it has so much to offer in such a relatively small space. For example, The London Eye, which will probably retain its number one spot as the nation's most popular attraction by drawing in tens of thousands of visitors during summer, closely followed by the waxworks at Madame Tussauds.

The London Aquarium is becoming increasingly popular, especially in drawing visitors to its glass walkway beneath the sharks. Because of its proximity to the London Eye it is likely to be visited by many taking in both attractions.

Because of the increase in the number of stay-home holidaymakers there is a fair chance that London accommodation will be in short supply during the height of summer. However, those who think they may struggle to get reasonably priced digs may inadvertently benefit from a recent unexpected tragedy.

The death of Michael Jackson which led to the subsequent cancellation of the 50 gigs he was due to perform at the O2 Arena will impact on numerous hotels in London. That is because many of the singing star's global army of fans were planning on travelling from all four corners of the world to see their hero in action, and had already reserved rooms at many London hotels.

Many of those reservations are bound to be cancelled meaning that there may be some great London hotel bargains to be had at the height of summer.

Also, because of the hole in the O2's schedule the venue is adding new productions daily including a superb event taking place there during September, namely a live presentation of Ben Hur which promises to include the spectacular chariot race, which is central to the story.

Without adding the expense of buying tickets to London attractions there are plenty of things to see in the capital that are free of charge. Fabulous historic buildings such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and many others can be viewed from the outside for free. Indeed, there is so much to do and see in London the only difficult choice will be what to leave out!

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/london-a-hotspot-for-staycations-1056872.html