China has never been a nation that has needed to make a concerted effort to attract foreign visitors. Its wealth of traditions, historic sites and wildlife make it the perfect destination for any adventurous traveler and its popularity as a holiday hotspot is far from waning. In August, its foreign visitor influx is set to increase yet further with the start of the 2008 Olympic Games. Beijing will host the mammoth event which is expected to entice tens of thousands of people to visit China. April 30th will mark the start of the 100-day countdown and numerous celebrations will be taking place throughout the city and indeed country to commemorate the event.
But while the Beijing Olympics are hugely important to the country and its people, China has plenty more on offer to travelers who are looking for the trip of a lifetime. Many of those who are booking trips over August are likely to spend a substantial amount of time traveling around the country as well as enjoying the Games themselves.

In a country so large and abundant in spectacular sites it is often difficult for intrepid travelers to know where to start. Those who are planning a trip, however, are likely to ensure that they at least experience some of the most important sites the country have on offer. Unmissable attractions include the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Silk Road and of course, the ever-mysterious Terracotta Army. Another place worth making time for is the impressive Yangtze River – with numerous firms offering relaxing and exciting cruises along it. Here, travelers can discover the wonder of the river’s Three Gorges including the massive Three Gorges Dam Project.

Other sites to experience on the river include the ancient Shennong Stream with its meandering watercourses, primitive environment and crystal clear waters. Yangtze River also plays host to an abundant array of wildlife, with the beautiful baiji dolphin and the finless porpoise both dependent on the waterway for survival. Researchers believe that relatives of the baiji dolphin first made their home in the river over 70 million years ago but today the species is in danger of dying out. The Chinese government has acted to conserve the creature, giving it the highest level of protection possible. But the dolphin is not the only old resident in this river of wonders. Even more ancient is the giant Chinese river sturgeon which breeds at Changshu, on the Yangtze River. Dating back an estimated 140 million years, it is one of the rarest creatures in China

Australia should be your first choice for a holiday. We have clean white beaches in abundance, modern cosmopolitan cities, unspoiled rainforests and national parks, the worlds greatest marine attraction and an unequaled number of marine parks, as well as huge tracts of outback for you to explore. Not to mention our weather!

The best part about holidaying in Australia for Northern Hemisphere residents is our weather. Basically when the Northern Hemisphere is in the grips of winter, Australia is basking in summer sunshine. Conversely when the Northern Hemisphere is entering Autumn or Fall, Australia is blooming in spring. Even if you plan to visit Australia in out cooler months, our temperatures are much milder than the Northern Hemisphere with snow restricted to a few Alpine areas.

Sydney is the capital of New South Wales (Australia’s oldest state) and is Australia’s most cosmopolitan city, and is situated right on the spectacular Sydney Harbor. There is accommodation available from the best 5-star hotels, right down to backpacker hostels.

For many visitors to Australia, their first port of call is Sydney due to its busy international airport. If you are anything like me after a long international flight, then the first thing you want to do once you clear customs is head straight to the hotel. Sydney Airport is linked to the city by the usual cabs, limousines, and shuttle buses (many of which are free and run by the better hotels), but if you are a little more adventurous then you could also try the metropolitan rail system which has a station at both the domestic and international terminals of Sydney Airport.

My recommendation is to ask for the railway day pass that also allows you to travel on the famous harbor ferry network as well as the rail network. When I travel to Sydney I usually dump my bags at the hotel and head straight for the ferry terminal (there is a rail station there as well) and catch the ferry over to Manly. This not only allows you to view the city’s most well known attractions (the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge) but you also get up close and personal with the beautiful Sydney Harbor itself. Once at Manly Ferry Terminal it is only a short walk from harbor side to surf side for a swim at the Manly Surf beach. If you are hungry there are multitudes of restaurants there as well. It truly is a great place to chill out after a long flight, and if you like to dine and drink in the open air, you’ll love the options available to you.

If you are on a visiting tour of Sydney, the best place to start is, of course, the Sydney Opera House. It really is worth going on one of the regular guided tours. Likewise, Sydney’s other eye catching landmark, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, also runs climbing tours that take you to the top of the bridge. If thrills are your game, then look out for Luna Park which is harbor side and a fantastic fun park with a huge Ferris Wheel, it is located on the north side of the harbor just west of the bridge.

The central city is brimming with shops, parks, eateries and historical buildings, and well worth a walk around. Another great way to get around Sydney is by the monorail system, which takes you out to Darling Harbor. Darling Harbor is a newer Sydney entertainment precinct that encloses a large number of shops, restaurants and other facilities in a spectacular scenery. There is a spectacular aquarium, maritime museum and many other attractions.

Sydney has many great beaches and attractions to see and all this is easily within reach of the city via train or car. There are also many great day trips that you can take – the rail system extends all the way out to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.

Just south of the small coastal town of Quepos along the Pacific Ocean lies Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park. The smallest of Costa Rica’s national parks, stretching over 1700 acres of land and nearly 136, 00 acres of marine reserve, it is nevertheless one of the most stunningly beautiful parks with a diversity of wildlife that is unmatched.

Tiny it may be, but Manuel Antonio embodies the very best Costa Rica has to offer: A breathtaking setting with offshore islands, pristine sand beaches, close up encounters with wildlife galore and a network of wide welcoming trails leading into a swathe of tropical rainforests where you may see marmosets, ocelots, river otters, sloths and rare monkeys. Howler monkeys Languidly clamber from tree to tree while iguanas scramble up trunks. Wild parrots ablaze with red and yellow feathers and toucans and scarlet macaws screech loudly as they flap by.

The lush forest cliffs rise sharply from the shoreline where capuchin monkeys abound and even rare squirrel monkeys can be seen. Butterflies, as well as wild flowers and plants intensify the forest’s colorful setting, offering spectacular scenery unique to Costa Rica.

To the backdrop of the lush mountainous tropical forest reaching to the water’s edge, the park features idyllic white beaches. Gazing down from the quickly rising hillsides, you’ll gasp in awe at the breathtaking vistas expanding beneath you. Connected by trails meandering through the rainforest, the near perfect beaches of Espadilla Sur, Playita, Escondido and Playa Manuel Antonio pave the setting for snorkeling, water board surfing and great swimming. A small coral reef and 12 offshore islets add to the beauty, where dolphins and whales can sometimes be spotted.

Whitewater rafting, kayaking and fishing are also core water activities in the park. Hiking and nature walks through the jungle abound and horseback riding and mountain biking trips provide unparalleled excitement. The latter take travelers on day-long expeditions to the mangroves, and shorter explorations through the forests and along the coastline.

The awesome views, the pristine, unspoiled sandy beaches, the exciting trails and tropical rainforests not only offer a great adventure opportunity, but the wealth of wildlife of every kind make this a scene for great family travel vacation. Bringing together this charming combination in a unique and exotic setting, Manuel Antonio National Park is a fabulous adventure destination with a wealth of activities and attractions for all types and all ages.