Along the eastern edge of the Rift Valley, for example, there lies a range of volcanic mountains approximately one hundred kilometers long. These mountains, the Aberdares, link Thomsons Falls and Nairobi, and rise magnificent isolation, with forests and moorland clinging to the slopes within the National Park set up in the 1950s. This is a site off the usual tourist safari trails, but those intrepid travelers who do make it here will be rewarded with views of all the major species (rhinos, elephants, leopards and lions) as well as getting the chance to look for the graceful bongo antelope that hides in these mountains. The rich volcanic soil is a bright red color. Many streams run through the landscape, cascading over in spectacular waterfalls. The two main peaks reach almost four thousand meters in height, and are linked by moorland that lies at over three thousand meters. There is heavy rainfall, which can turn the roads to river of mud, and the park often closes completely during the rainy season. Visitors will need a sturdy vehicle to get around, at any time of the year.

The National Reserve at Shaba is named after the local mountain of the same name, which is a massive extinct volcano. This area is famous for its connection with the author, Joy Adamson whose much loved books tell the story of the leopards she raised and released here. Unfortunately, her trilogy of books was left unfinished when Joy died, but the leopards of Shaba live on as her legacy to the world. There are three game sanctuaries in the area, which rests to the east of the route between Marsabit and Isiolo.

Another extinct volcano, Mount Kenya, dominates the region known as the Kenyan Highlands. To the west lies the Rift Valley, while Nairobi is a hundred and forty kilometers away in the South West. There are two peaks to the mountain, Neilon and Batian, both over five thousand meters. A wide range of vegetation cover the slopes of the mountain, including bamboo, moorland, scrub and forest, with ice, snow and rock covering the highest points. There are also marshlands and wide fields of grass, as well as outcrops and cliffs of bare rock. There are woods of acacia and Euphorbia forest covering rocky hillsides. One of the most beautiful scenes is that of the Lake of Nakuru, which is a large but shallow lake sitting among waving grasses and flourishing woods, near the town of Nakuru. Water from the region of Mount Kenya feeds the rivers of the North Ewaso Ngiro and Tana.

Most tourists who visit Kenya will spend some, if not all of their trip, at the Masai Mara Reserve. Sometimes it can seem that there are more people here than animals, but it is clear to see why they come when you look out at the natural beauty of the area, or spot some of the most spectacular wildlife in the world. Tanzania’s Serengeti Park covers a huge area that contains the richest concentration of wildlife in Africa. If you are chasing a sighting of the Big 5 species, the rhino, elephant, buffalo, leopard and lion, then this is the place to catch them. In the months of May and June there is a massive influx of wildebeest and other species, including zebra, buffalo, eland and giraffe, followed by predatory animals including the hyena and vulture. Many other creatures can be seen here too, such as monkeys, baboon, hippos and impala, as well as more than five hundred species of bird. One great way to grasp the hugeness of the migration is to take a tour overhead in a hot air balloon.

Brazil is a wonderful location to go on a trip, and there are some things to keep in mind to prepare for the trip.

Humidity is a factor, so be sure to prepare and protect all your photo equipment. Disposable cameras are recommended. A good supply of plastic bags is also recommended.

Don’t forget any medications you may be taking. Declare all medications at the Customs Department.

If you have important documents, keep extra copies at different locations, such as back home, or with a friend or family member.

You will need mosquito repellent as well as a good sun block. A pair of sandals, bathing suit and a hat to protect yourself from the sun will come in handy. In a sweaty summer day, deodorant and perfume become very important items. So don’t forget to pack some.

Make sure that you have all your shots and immunizations such as the Hepatitis shot. Hepatitis A, B and C is prevalent, so make sure that you take any precautions needed and maintain sanitary habits.

Pack light as there are limits on luggage weight. Mix and match outfits for better use of luggage space. Casual clothes are in tune with most Brazilians way of dressing.

Since Brazilians speak Portuguese, brush up on it to communicate with the locals. Other languages spoken in tourist areas are English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German.

It is important to have some cash with you if you decide to go outside the city to more rural areas. Major credit cards are accepted, like in other countries.

You need a passport to visit Brazil. It is valid for 6 months from your entry date. Foreign tourists have 180 days a year as a maximum stay. If you need to stay longer than that you have to obtain a renewal for 90 more days. You can obtain the renewal from the Policia Federal.

And never forget to mind your belongings by not leaving them unattended. With a bit of preparation and knowledge of Brazilian customs, you will have a good time in this beautiful and fun country.

Cabo San Lucas lies at the furthest end of the Mexican peninsula of Baja California, as far south as you can get along this strip of land that stretches out into the clear, warn waters. The most famous and photogenic landmark is probably El Arco, a formation of natural rock that arches over the water, a stone doorway between the Pacific Ocean and the magical Cortes Sea. This sea is the home to what is considered to be the most diverse marine ecosystem in the world. This includes more then eight hundred species of vertebrate. The Cortes Sea is hugely popular with divers, and it is well worth taking a diving trip while you are here, even if you have to learn from scratch. This is definitely the place to look for marine wildlife, and there are whale-watching trips by boat as well as dives, if you prefer to keep out of the water.

Other activities you can take part in here include kayaking, surfing, horse rides along the beach, riding mountain bikes, and playing some golf. Some major golfing tournaments are hosted in the area, which means that there are some amazing courses. They can be expensive to use, but they will certainly be a challenging and enjoyable experience for anyone who is passionate about the sport.

This is also a popular location for fishing, with a reputation as the best place in the world for marlin. A number of competitions are held here, when there are so many fishing competitors that the sea becomes a mass of boats and foaming wakes as they all head out in the morning. Perhaps the most famous of these competitions is the Brisbee, with millions of dollars in prize money being awarded by it each year.

There is plenty of entertainment once the sun has gone down, too. There are clubs, pubs and bars for all tastes, including the famous Cabo Wabo.

A wide range of accommodation is available for tourists, including some luxurious hotels, many of which are five star, and some massive villas available for short-term holiday lets.

Although this was once a favorite spot for Pirates to hide out after a profitable plundering voyage, Cabo San Lucas now plays host to some rather more welcome visitors. American tourists are probably the most common visitors, since the area has close ties with the US. A number of American companies have been involved in developing the area, and it is often possible to pay with US dollars. There is still a very relaxed atmosphere, however, and it does not get as overwhelmingly busy as the US resorts in the Pacific Northwest and California.

Las Vegas has, for a long time, had the reputation of being a playground for adult desires, a place where they can go to gamble and drink, somewhere not dissimilar from the Wild Old West. Over the last couple of decades things have changed a lot. It is now a great destination for a vacation with all the family, with something to offer for all interests and ages.

The main thing to consider when selecting a hotel is where in the city or the surrounding area you want to be. This will depend largely on what you intend to do while you’re visiting, and it will also have a big impact on the price. If you want to be right on the Strip you’re going to need to expect to pay a lot more than if you look even a little further away. You may decide, after looking at some of the rates that you would rather have to travel a little to get to the center and keep the extra cash to spend while you’re there. If you’re more interested in the natural beauty of the surrounding area, you will want to find a hotel that is on the outskirts of the city, with good access to the many conservation reserves nearby. Visitors who are intending to spend a lot of time out at the amusement parks will also want to be in a hotel that’s far enough away from the strip to avoid the gridlock that surrounds the main casinos.

Most hotels in Vegas will be about a ten minute drive from the Strip, so even if you decide that your main interest on you vacation lies elsewhere you will find it easy to get a look at the most photographed and famous landmarks. If you do want to spend the evening at a casino you will find that most provide parking at no charge to customers, so you will not end up spending what you saved on the hotel for an overpriced spot to park your car.

Las Vegas has a lot more to offer than bright lights and gambling, and if you choose the right hotel for your trip you will place yourself in the best possible location to appreciate all the different aspects of the city, from the exhilarating Strip to the breathtaking natural beauty of the desert.

Whatever is has been called in the past, it is certain that this island has served many diverse purposes. A plantation of sugar cane was once cultivated upon it. After this had disappeared people came to Jumby in order to mine for flint. Later still, it provided a way for slaves who had been emancipated to earn a living when they rented it in order to use it to raise sheep. There are still a number of these sheep living on the island today.

Since the 1980′s, Jumby has found yet another purpose, however. It was developed into a luxurious private resort and became a favorite destination of the wealthy and the beautiful. The Half Moon Club runs Jumby Bay as an exclusive destination under the Elegant Resorts brand name. The resort is spread over most of the island, with pavilions scattered across the scenic landscape. Guests will find themselves in a natural paradise, sharing their habitat with the rare species that have made their homes on the island, including visiting turtles and resident lizards and stunningly beautiful endangered birds. Their own accommodation will be a bed of luxury set in the beauty of the surrounding island, with its vibrant tropical plants, including spectacular orchids. There are thirty-nine suites and eleven villas, with either two or three bedrooms, providing an excellent choice without leaving visitors feeling overcrowded by other guests. The buildings are styled with Mediterranean tile roofs and graceful watchtowers, and every one sits along the bay, with its own stunning view of the sea. A cool breeze filters in from the water to provide just enough fresh air to create a relaxing haven for the hottest part of the day. Guests who are feeling more active, or more sociable, can explore the island along the convenient bike tracks, or use them to visit friends in the other villas.

Jumby seems like a private, remote haven in the beautiful Caribbean, but it is surprisingly easy to get to. This sanctuary is just two miles from the airport, and new arrivals will be greeted as they land by hotel staff who will bring them to the island by private boat. The vacation begins immediately- with a refreshing cocktail or thirst quenching soda and a Caribbean tune to welcome visitors as they relax on board and watch Jumby Island draw nearer across the turquoise sea.

The East and South coasts of Antigua are the best places for divers, while the whole Barbudan coast offers equally welcoming conditions. The currents in these areas are gentle almost to the point of non-existence. The water stays warm all year, usually maintaining a comfortable temperature of about 80°F (25°C). The reefs, shelves and walls that have formed here offer many different views, and the excellent clarity of the water means that visibility is 50 to 144 feet, so there is no chance of missing the diverse species of fish and other animals, or the chance to take a closer look at the corals and marine plants.

Cades Reef is perhaps the favorite site of visiting divers. This is a two and a half mile long reef that lies parallel to Antigua’s southwest coast. It can be reached in under an hour in a boat from St John, which is Antigua’s capital. There are plenty of dive spots to choose from along the reef, where there are numerous chances to spot the most colorful and intriguing animals as well as stunning sea fans and other soft corals. The sea here is usually very calm, but if the weather does get a little rough divers are usually advised to keep to the sheltered side if the reef. Cades is home to many of the larger animals that visit reefs, such as reef sharks and nurse sharks, barracuda, green eels and moray eels, eagle rays and lobster.

The underwater Park is a section of the Cades Reef that has been designated specifically as an area for diving and snorkeling. There are opportunities for both novice and experienced divers to explore the shallow waters here.

The inner reef is out of bounds to divers, however. It is a haven for wildlife, while the outer reef has been left open for tourism. This means that the beauty and diversity of Cades will be conserved for the future, while divers are still able to take the opportunity to visit and experience the wonders of Antigua for themselves.

Anchorage is a relaxed, unhurried city and having your own transport will allow you to experience this slower pace of life, and to truly appreciate the beauty of the city rather than being limited to the main routes. If you’re here as a tourist you will be able to visit the places you want to see at a time of your own choosing, and you can forget about bus timetables and having to catch the last train. If you’re here for work then you will find it much more relaxing to be able to get to meetings on your own terms rather than wasting time waiting for your bus or looking for a taxi.

It is usually possible to arrange for your car to be ready at the airport or a nearby location when you arrive, so that you can get started with your trip straight away. The main companies that operate here provide an excellent selection of cars, from the compact to the SUV or minivan that’s big enough for all the family, with a range of mid and full size cars in between. For the business traveler there are many choices of luxury vehicle too.

The main names you should look out for when considering who to rent your car from in Anchorage are Avis, Alamo, Dollar and Thrifty Car Rentals. These are all large and established companies that provide a good choice of cars and in which you can have the confidence of knowing that they come with excellent reputations.

Avis is one of the largest rental agencies in the world, and they get a high degree of loyalty from their customers, so you can be sure that they will treat you well. They have a vast range of cars, and will arrange for you to pick up your car either at the airport or downtown.

Alamo is a great place to look for a bargain on car rental. They also have an excellent reputation and allow you to make your choice from a multitude of makes and models. There is no requirement to use a credit card to reserve a vehicle from Alamo. Your car will be waiting for you at the airport when you reach Anchorage.

Dollar has a reputation of excellence in service, and making sure that their customers get exactly the car they are looking for from the wide range they have available. The cars are all well cared for and come at truly reasonable rates.

Thrifty Rentals, as the name suggests, are also recommended for their affordable prices. These do not come at the expense of their customer’s satisfaction however, as Thrifty provides top quality cars with low mileages and has a great reputation among its customers.

The first human inhabitants of the island are believed to have arrived about 5000 years ago, as they traveled from the Asian mainland on their way to dispersing throughout the Indonesian islands. Tools made from stone have been uncovered in Bali that experts believe date back to the times of these ancient immigrants, the first Indonesians. A second influx arrived in about 100 BCE, bringing important technological advances in agriculture with them from India. Their methods of irrigation allowed rice to be cultivated on Bali. These new arrivals left a lasting trace on the island. Visitors today can still see the influence they had, both culturally and religiously, on Bali.

The natural beauty of Bali is as much of a draw for tourists as the unique culture of this tradition-rich island. Bali measures only about 150 km by 100 km, but packed within this compact space is a wealth of varied and stunning landscapes, including vast mountains of more than 10,000 feet. The volcanic history of the island has left its mark on the landscape. The volcanic mountain, Batur, is believed to have been the source of one of the worst catastrophes in history, when it exploded many hundreds of years ago, while even the tallest mountain, Agung, is a volcano that apparently last erupted during the sixties.

Visitors of a less active disposition may prefer to view the mountains from a distance, and spend their time exploring the beautiful and serene coast. There are many excellent beaches to relax on, from the pure white sands of the south to the exotic black beaches in western Bali. The island is circled by coral reefs and shallow waters that make it an ideal spot to enjoy the sea. The bright blue of the lagoon at Padangbai among the warm, clear waters is particularly stunning.

The capital city, Jakarta, retains traces of the European colonists who settled here. Visitors with an interest in architecture will find that they can still see buildings in the Dutch and British styles scattered around the city, while there is also an excellent museum here where you can discover more about the varied history of Indonesia, from the first humans who arrived in the prehistoric age to the modern day. A visit to Jakarta wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the National Monument, which rises more than four hundred feet above the streets.

Bali has a population of about two and a half million people, and the northern part of the island is one of the richest agricultural regions in the country. This island offers the chance to experience the Hindu culture in a stunning setting where vast mountains reach more than ten thousand feet into the sky, and the beaches offer the perfect setting to spend some time relaxing and enjoying the view of the calm water. Sanur is one of the best destinations if you want to experience the best that Indonesian beaches have to offer.

The natural beauty and wildlife of Indonesia can best be experienced on a trip to Sulawesi or Sumatra. To get an idea of the wide range of habitats within the borders of Indonesia you would really have to spend some time on both of these very different islands, and even then you would have more to discover around the rest of the archipelago. Sulawesi offers a chance to explore the lush vegetation and bountiful wildlife of mountain valleys and cleat lakes. There are many volcanic springs and spectacular geysers too. The butterfly reserve at Bantimurung is a spectacular chance to see some of the native wildlife, with many species making their homes here. The wildlife of Sumatra is very different. Anyone who has already been on an African safari will find this to be a familiar environment, although with its own unique sights and experiences. Guides will be able to show you rhinos and elephants, as well as the shy tapirs and tigers that hide among the thick jungles and forests.

The sort of vacation you are looking for will determine which of the Indonesian islands you should choose to visit. Each has its own particular nature that will appeal to particular interests.

There is a beach for you, whatever it is that you are looking for on your vacation. Some cater to the more active visitor, with great surfing and sports opportunities. There are bustling beaches on which the young and the young-at-heart gather while they party. Others are perfect for a family getaway. Some are packed with people, while others offer a chance to get away from the crowd.

Copacabana is the most well known of all the beaches in Brazil, and it attracts the most visitors too. It is worth a look if you’re in Brazil for a mix of the nightlife and the beach-side recovery the morning after, or if you just want to see where the beautiful people spend their time.

For families, Rio offers a calmer space with good access from local hotels, at Ipanema. The beach is just as beautiful, but you’ll find it a much better place for children to play.

The more active traveler will find Jericoacoara, while taking a little more effort to get to, to be worth the trip. Here you can meet other backpackers and join in with all the activities. Windsurfing is particularly popular here, and if you’re around at dusk, chances are you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular sunset.

From the Costa Verde you can relax on a gorgeous beach within sight of the exotic rainforest. This is a much quieter part of the coast, although nearby King’s Cove has some excellent facilities geared to the family market.

If you’re interested in nature, or just looking to spread out over a larger section of the beach, you should head towards the beach at Santos. There is an interesting garden here, as well as a vast four mile long stretch of sand on which you’ll get a lot more privacy than one one of the busier beaches. Pipa is also a good choice, although it tends to become a lot busier later in the day, and noisier too thanks to the sand buggies. You’ve got a great chance of watching dolphins play just off the shore here though, so its well worth a visit.

There’s a real tropical paradise to be found at Genipabu, with its coconut palms and bright blue lagoons set against the pure white sands. Plenty of other beaches are waiting to be discovered nearby, too, so this is a great place to visit if you’re looking to get outside the main tourist cities in Brazil.