Now is the time to travel to russia

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For a country that encompasses an area of over 10.5 million square miles, it is no coincidence most people know very little about Russia, aside, of course, from textbook blurbs of Tsarist rule, Mongolian raids, bloody revolutions and snowy, desolate Steppes. The mere expanse of the Russian border makes the country a more versatile destination than any other place in the world. Visit the arctic zone and navigate through sub-tropical regions without ever leaving the country! A closer look and a few tips can subdue your fear and pique your interest to travel to Russia.

Western Russia: Travel to Russia's Heart and Soul
Western Russia includes Moscow, St. Petersburg, Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) and the Black and Caspian Seas, making this region the commercial and political core of the nation. Initially the capital of Russia, St. Petersburg was built by Peter the Great and is filled with both haunting and enchanting remnants of a time past. St. Petersburg is certainly the most European and best preserved city, adorned with stately architecture and regal cathedrals that echo of a romantic and prestigious era. In the early 20th century, the capital moved away from the European border to Moscow where the Kremlin, Red Square and Lenin's Mausoleum (where you can view his embalmed body!) stand as testaments to Russia's rocky history. In the Southwest, Volgograd is traditionally accepted as the origin of the Russian Empire and was fortified in the 1500s to protect tsarist Russia's southern border from Cossack and Viking pillages. With these bases covered, leave the crowds behind and head east into a land with a history all its own.

Travel Russia from Europe to Asia
There is nothing quite like seeing six thousand miles of land in a single trip. The epic journey aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway is for those who consider the journey to be just as magical as the destination. The longest continuous rail line on the planet takes you from metropolitan Moscow through vast steppes and the Siberian taiga, the largest remaining forest in the world, to finally arrive in the commercial bustle of Russia's main Pacific port city, Vladivostok. Three alternate routes and several extensions into European and Asian nations have also been constructed and provide more options to travel Russia's breadth.

Many travel restrictions have been lifted since the 1990s and it is now possible to arrange overnight stays in many of the fascinating towns and breathtaking landscapes along the way. Make sure to spend a moment in the Siberian town of Ulan Ude, Russia's main Buddhist center, and visit the Tibetan Buddhist monastery that has been restored since the oppressive rule of Stalin. The Baikal Lake region is also a very popular stop and a perfect place to be immersed in the natural beauty of Russia's heartland. Baikal Lake is the oldest in the world, estimated at 25-30 million years old. The lake region is home to over 2,500 animal species including a unique Siberian species of freshwater seal and thousands of migratory birds.

Accessibility is the new attitude toward foreign tourism in Russia. A society that has long been closed-off, particularly to westerners, is now ready to embrace curious visitors with open arms. There has never been a better time to travel Russia!

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New zealand car rental - things you should know

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New Zealand Car Rental
If you're visiting New Zealand a rental car is one of the best ways to get around. New Zealand is a small country but has the astounding geographic diversity of a major continent squeezed into its small size. For example, within 3- 4 hours drive of Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city, are sub-tropical beaches, volcanic mountains with ski fields, boiling mud pools, ancient forests, unspoiled trout fishing rivers and world class golf courses.

Having a rental car gives you the freedom and flexibility to go where you want and when you want.

Driving in New Zealand
For most overseas visitors driving in New Zealand is a breeze because, compared to what they are used to, there is surprisingly little traffic on the roads - especially in the South Island. Whilst New Zealand is about the size of UK its population is only 4 million - UK by comparison has over 60 million.

Another difference is the limited number of motorways and freeways. Roads are generally only 2-laned and frequently windy due to the ever changing landscape. In New Zealand we drive on the left, as in UK. If you're from America or another country that drives on the right then you might feel apprehensive about having to drive on the "wrong side of the road". Don't be - it's straight-forward and tens of thousands of foreign visitors happily do it every year.

New Zealanders typically show a little less consideration to other drivers than is seen in UK, Australian, and the US where more cars on the road force people to be more considerate. Having said that, don't be put off - driving in New Zealand is nothing like the harrowing experience of driving in Italy or parts of Asia!

New Zealand Car Rental Firms
New Zealand car rental firms range from the familiar multi-national big brands through to small local car rental firms. The advantage of the big name rental firms is they can be found throughout New Zealand and offer the biggest and newest range of rental vehicles. The disadvantage is that generally they're the most expensive and often have lots of hidden costs.

At the other end of the scale are the small local operators who typically have older rental cars. Whilst you may not end up driving this year's latest model the advantage is that the smaller car rental firms can be substantially cheaper, so leaving you more money to spend on the many exciting attractions New Zealand offers. Between these extremes you'll find a wide range of NZ car rental firms catering to different needs and budgets.

What Sort of Driving Licenses are Required in New Zealand?
You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver's license from your home country, or an International Driving Permit.

Most car rental companies require drivers to be over the age of 25 and to have held a full license for at least 3 years. Some firms will rent vehicles to younger drivers. For example, A2B Car Rentals rents vehicles to drivers who are 20 or older and hold a full driver's license. At the manager's discretion, a holder of a license for less than three years is acceptable but may incur a higher insurance excess.

Make sure your overseas driver's license is current. If your license is not in English, you should bring an English translation with you or obtain an International Driving Permit. Contact your local automobile club for further details about obtaining a translation or an International Driving Permit.

In New Zealand it's a legal requirement that all drivers, including overseas visitors, must carry their license or permit when driving. Naturally you will only be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country.

What are New Zealand's Road Rules?
Here's a brief over-view. You can get more details the NZ Government Land Transport Authority website ( ltsa. govt. nz/roadcode/)
· In New Zealand, all vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road as in UK.
· When turning left, give way (or yield) to traffic crossing or approaching from your right
· When the traffic light is red, you must stop
· Speed limits are strictly enforced by police using radar, speed cameras and un-marked patrol cars. Fines for speeding can be expensive
· The speed limit on the open road is 100 km/h (approx 60 mph)
· In built up areas the speed limit is 50 km/h. (approx 30 mph)
· Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times

In Summary
If you're planning to visit New Zealand a rental car is one of the best options, especially for independent travelers who want to experience everything New Zealand has to offer. A rental car gives you the freedom and flexibility to go where you want and when you want to enjoy this wonderful country.

Alaska s southwest has numerous attractions

Alaska is the biggest state out of all fifty in the USA and consists of five regions: the Southwest, South Central, the Inside Passage, the Interior and the far North. The Southwest part of the state has a terrain that ranges from volcanoes to the Katmai National Park.

The park was created in 1912 after an eruption of the Novarupta volcano. The terrain also features the Aleutian Islands that actually stretch around 1,000 miles clear to Asia. The main town in this region is Kodiak, and it houses the state's biggest fishing fleet. The original people of Kodiak were called the Alutiiq people. Over 7,000 years ago they came to this place and still today they have descendants that live in the town where there is a museum and Repository that provides information on their culture and heritage.

The Alaska Peninsula extends approximately 550 miles towards and into the Pacific Ocean. In the western part of the peninsula, there is the Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. which offers miles of seacoast, glaciers, mountains and bodies of water that are filled with rainbow trout. Hence, this part of the region is literally filled with fishing lodges. A person can get scheduled air service from Anchorage, the capital, and fly out to place like King Salmon, or Naknek, which hosts two of the finest fishing lodges in Alaska.

Bristol Bay is another place in which has adventurous landscapes to travel through. It is notably the largest source in the world of Red Salmon. Lots of visitors come to this part of the region to fish in the summer, ski in the winter time, and host cultural events year round. There is also a great deal of wildlife to be found and admired.

The economic hub of Bristol Bay is Dillingham which is mostly noted for being the gateway to the popular Togiak National Wildlife Refuge and Walrus Island State Game Sanctuary.

The Aleutians Islands' East Borough is said to be one of the world's most beautiful regions with active volcanoes, miles of coastline and untamed landscape being just some of the features. The Aleut people have lived in these parts since the Second Ice Age. Right past the top of the Alaska Peninsula, the islands start their 1,000-mile stretch towards Asia. These islands are also home to numerous wildlife refuges. Tourists can reach the Unalaska or Port of Dutch Harbor by a scheduled flight from Anchorage and there is also the popular method of taking the ferry ride from Kodiak Island. It is said that Dutch Harbor lead the nation for quantities and values of fish caught.

Other attractions include the early examples of Russian churches and many World War II military sites which host a network of dug in bunkers and pillboxes that were built to train soldiers back in that era. Another claim to fame is that this part of the islands was once the site of a nineteen day battle between Japanese and American soldiers back in 1943.