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Once capital of the former state Janjira, nowadays the fisherstown of Murud is situated about 102 miles south of Mumbai and can be easily reached by ferry/bus combination from the Gate of India as its located on the green west coast of Maharashtra. Janjira is the Marathi corruption of the Arabic word “jazirah” meaning “island”. Although the whole city was once called Janjira, the true meaning is defined by the mighty island fortress in the sea.

When you arrive in Murud by bus or taxi there’s just one main street leading through the city which is narrow and clean, one the sides are palm trees and colored houses, an gigantic empty beach can be found on the right hand side overlooking the outlines of the Casa Fort with nearby a few lodges like Sahil Lodge (from 600rs/night) as well a handful of hotels like Sea sight (from 800rs/night) providing cheap accomodation. It’s not a popular tourist destination but more of a stop-over for backpackers who are traveling from Mumbai toways Goa and back. 

The presence of the volatile Abyssinians can be felt like the tales of Murud’s past glory being told by the locals, as well can be seen by visiting the magnificent Sidi Palace that even today still stands on the outskirts of Murud village. The Sidi Palace brings a whole new dimension to tourist sightseeing with it’s 43 arces of land, old cannon’s, remnants of stone lion and a disused fountain covered with weeds and sculpture, not to mention the interiors of the Sidi Palace which is absolutelly breathtaking.

As earlier mentioned, the beach is empty besides for a few fishermen and kids riding buffalo’s with wooden cars, as well horses. You’re in for a surprise! Leaves you wondering why they don’t add a few beach shacks, restaurants and advertise Murud as a beach resort. As far our research, map wise Murud is the closest beach town from Mumbai and can be easily reached within 4 hours of convenient travel. It’s a perfect hide-away for Mumbai citizens and backpackers, but as of March 2010 has a serious lack of facilities. There’s just a few small shops that sell snacks and drinks. In the entire city of Murud there’s no ATMs (closes one is 19 miles away) and just a single internet cafe named “Fahim Internet Cafe” opened from 8:30 am to 11:00 pm (35rs. per hour) with 19 inch flatscreens and a decent internet connection which is a few doors down from the Sahil Lodge.

The trip from Mumbai to Murud should cost you 144 rs. for the ferry and bus from Gate of India to Mandrwa by ferry 45 minutes, from Mandrwa by bus to Alibag 30 minutes (2 in 1 ticket 110rs) total travel time 1 hours and 15 minutes. From alibag central by bus to Murud 2 hours (bumpy ride) for 34rs. Be sure to stock some extra drinks and snacks before proceeding to Murud by bus as there’s no aircon. The tickets for the bus can be purchased in the bus.

Dar Es Salaam is the largest and richest city in Tanzania. When you translate its name, it means House of Peace in Arabic. The city was formerly named Mzizima, before the Sultan of Zanzibar needed a port on the mainland. Dar Es Salaam grew fast after World War II. It is located on the east on a natural harbour on the Indian Ocean and has a population of around two million people.

Dar Es Salaam is not the official capital city of Tanzania. The city is however home to the head offices of various governmental organisations. Most tourists see the city as a necessary stop, but it has lots of things to offer. It is a busy place with a great atmosphere, culture, beaches, markets and historical buildings. The harbour looks very picturesque and you can visit water parks. You can easily go shopping and eat at good restaurants. The city has a mix of African, Arabic and South Asian influences, and has Swahili roots, which offers many great sights around the centre.

The main sights of the city are the interesting Kariakoo market, the National Museum and the Botanical Gardens. You can also visit the Makumbusho Village Museum, the Askari Monument and Kivukoni Front. Or go see the Karimjee Hall, the Azania Front Lutheran Church and the St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The largest building in the city is the Benjamin William Mkapa Pension Tower that has more than 21 stores. When you are done walking through the city, you can relax at the beaches. Or you can enjoy scuba diving or deep sea fishing. Nearby sites close to the city are Bagamoyo, Bongoyo Island and Mbudja.

It is best to check the official website of Tanzania’s embassy in the United States for the latest information. Dar Es Salaam has relatively stable temperatures during day and night. It has a tropical wet and dry climate, as well as one short and one long rainy season. Most of the year it is hot and humid. The best time to visit is between June till early October, when it is dry and cool.

Zierikzee is a small city in the municipality Schouwen-Duiveland in the province Zeeland. The city has a population of more than 10 thousand of people. At the end of the Middle Ages Zierikzee was an important city for the province and surroundings. It was damaged by the catastrophic flood of 1953 but helped by the English town of Hatfield. Since 1971 the city has a protected city view. It is connected to the Oosterschelde by a long canal.

The city of Zierikzee was probably founded around 976. Some farmers and fishermen started a settlement alongside a creek that ended up in the Gouwe. This was an important navigation connection between Vlaanderen, Holland and Zeeland. The city rights of Zierikzee were confirmed and extended in 1248. In 1304 the city won a battle with the Flemish army. The city was to the east and west extended after World War II.

Zierikzee is known for its monuments. Some of the walls, churches, towers and mills were founded in the 15th century. The most famous monument is the Sint-Lievensmonstertoren, a tower that is also called The Fat Tower. The city has a beautiful city hall that was built in the 16th century and rebuilt between 1772 and 1779. This building is somewhat similar to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Other beautiful sightseeing sights are the mills De Hoop and Den Haas, the Nobelpoort, the Noordhavenpoort and the Zuidhavenpoort. You could also visit the Maritime Museaum, the 14th century old house called De Haene or the Gravensteen of the 16th century.

Travellers to Zierikzee need a valid passport and visa. American citizens are allowed to stay up to 90 days without the use of a visa. The best time to visit the city is during daytime summer from July till August.

Kaatsheuvel is a village in the province Noord-Brabant, located in the south of the Netherlands. The village lies north of the larger city Tilburg and belongs to the municipality Loon op Zand. The village also is close to municipalities Waalwijk and Drunen and it is close to the larger cities ‘s Hertogenbosch to the north and Breda to the west.

The name Kaatsheuvel consists of two words: Kaats and Heuvel. It is not completely sure where the name comes from. The word Heuvel means hill. The word Kaats could come from St. Catharina or ‘kaatsen’, a popular Dutch game. It is however more likely that the name of the village is a deterioration from the word Ketshoeve, the name of a former guest house.

For a long time the people of Kaatsheuvel lived from the shoe industry. The circumstances for producing shoes were ideal thanks to the oak barks and the many streamlets. Most households even had their own small shoe factory. The village thrived mainly on the shoe industry before the mayor in the 1950s decided to attract other industries to its village. That resulted in the build of theme park The Efteling on 31st May 1952, the largest theme park in the Netherlands. The tourist industry soon replaced the importance of the shoe industry.

The Efteling is the absolute main attraction of Kaatsheuvel. You can easily spend a whole day here. It is fun for everyone, young and old. It can be pretty busy during summertime since there are a lot of tourists that visit the park. During the winter the park is transformed into a real wonderland winter theme. In Kaatsheuvel you can also see the mill The Eendragt and the corn-mill The Couwenbergh. This last mill was restored in 1995 and is now home to a restaurant.

The area of Kaatsheuvel is popular for hiking and bicycling trips. Travellers to the village need a valid passport and visa. American citizens are allowed to stay up to 90 days without the use of a visa. The best time to visit the village is during daytime summer from July till August. You can also visit the village during winter for enjoying the Winter Theme of The Efteling.

Hilvarenbeek is a municipality in the south of the Netherlands near the Belgium border. It is located in the province Noord-Brabant and it lies south of the larger city Tilburg. The municipality includes the six villages Hilvarenbeek, Baarschot, Biest-Houtakker, Diessen, Esbeek and Haghorst. Every village has its own impressive church. When entering Hilvarenbeek you will see the tower of the Petrus church. The municipality has a population of around 15 thousand people.

Hilvarenbeek is surrounded by nature. There are young and old forests everywhere. The area is perfect for bicycling and walking. There are plenty of recreation routes that you can follow. The protected Vrijthof has a 300-year-old lime tree and many cosy terraces. The biggest attraction of Hilvarenbeek however is safari park the Beekse Bergen. This park consists of a safari park with African, Asian, European and Australian wildlife, an amusement park and camping opportunities. There are also museums and historical monuments for anyone that likes culture. Or enjoy different theatre and music groups.

Hilvarenbeek offers plenty of accommodations through bungalow parks, campsites, camping farms, group accommodations and hotels. The municipality is also close to the Efteling, the Autotron and the Kempen.

Travellers to Hilvarenbeek need a valid passport and visa. American citizens are allowed to stay up to 90 days without the use of a visa. The best time to visit the village is during daytime summer from July till August.

At the western end of the great Victoria Falls lies the Town of Victoria Falls. It is located in the province of Matabeleland North in Zimbabwe on the southern bank of the Zambezi River. Victoria Falls Town is located near Livingstone and the country Botswana. The town is a popular destination for adventurous people and sightseers. It has a population of more than 17 thousand people. The Airport of Victoria Falls is located south of the town.

Victoria Falls Town began as a settlement in 1901. The town was expanded after the opening of the railway from Bulawayo and Victoria Falls Bridge. This bridge connects Zimbabwe with the country of Zambia. The town now is the principal tourism centre for visiting the Falls. The Victoria Falls are within walking distance. There is no doubt you should visit this unbelievable falling of water. It is also a great opportunity to see the Zambezi River at sunset. You can book yourself a cruise or go white-water rafting for about $110. Or you can go canoeing or fishing. Get a magnificent view of the Falls from the Victoria Falls Hotel.

Other activities around the Falls are going on a safari, taking a sunset cruise or taking a helicopter ride. Prices vary from $45 up till $120. Safaris will stay in Zimbabwe or cross the border to Zambia or Botswana. You can also try an elephant ride or horseback safari if you like something different. Victoria Falls Town itself offers safe and comfortable accommodations. There are a few sandwich shops and fast food options, but every hotel also has a restaurant. There are plenty of tourist shops with wood and stone carvings, jewellery, t-shirts and other products.

Nationals worldwide require a valid passport and visa to enter Zimbabwe from Harare International Airport. Victoria Falls Town is relatively safe, but be aware of scam artists. Never deal money on the black market. Also beware of walking on the streets during night.

The northeastern area of the mainland of Australia is home to the state Queensland. It borders with the states Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales. Queensland has many world heritage sites, landscapes, vibrant cities, golden beaches, clear blue waters and warm temperatures. The state is named in honour of Queen Victoria. Its nickname is the Sunshine State.

The capital city is Brisbane, which has a lively atmosphere. Other cities are the popular Cairns in the north, Mount Isa, Charleville, Townsville, Port Douglas, Bundaberg, Caloundra, Noosa, Mackay, Hervey Bay, Gladstone and Rockhampton. Each city and town in Queensland has its own atmosphere but you will always enjoy real hospitality from the citizens. To the south of Brisbane lies the Gold Coast, a popular tourist area with beaches and resorts. To the north of the capital city lies Sunshine Coast, an area with many different cities.

Queensland has many amazing landscapes and natural treasures. You can visit the Great Barrier Reef, one of the great wonders of the world. It is home to more than tens of thousands of species, including colourful fish, coral, dolphins, whales and turtles. Another great site is the Daintree National Park with rainforest, swamps, beaches and mangroves. You can follow walking tracks to see this nature. In the southeast of Queensland lies Gondwana Rainforest, an extensive area of rainforests. Bloodjamulla Lawn Hill National Park also has many rainforests.

Other great national parks are Fraser Island off the Hervey Bay coast, Bunya Mountains National Park and Carnarvon National Park. You can also visit the Great Dividing Range with waterfalls and picnic areas, the Glass House Mountains, Cape York Peninsula, the white sandy beaches of Whitsunday Islands and Hinchinbrook Island.

The state of Queensland offers everything for every tourist. It has the most beautiful nature of the world, including rainforests, lakes and beaches. The people are friendly and most of the time laid-back. The climate offers warm temperatures with a subtropical to tropical climate in the east and arid climate to the west. The north has a wet season. The best time to visit Queensland depends on your destination.

Travellers to Queensland need a valid passport and visa. Citizens of America, Canada and Europe automatically after application receive a tourist visa that is valid for 12 months. It permits multiple entries into Australia for a stay of up to 3 months on each visit.