Etosha is the largest natural park in Namibia and also one of the most famous in Africa. Located north of the country, not far from the border with Angola, has an area of approximately 23 thousand square kilometres (equal to that of New York), 5000 of whom occupied by a vast and ancient salt depression that in the rainy season, becomes an immense lake.

The park is home of a large variety of animals: over a hundred species of mammals and over 300 species of birds. The "tenants" the most illustrious in which we come across along the many paths that cross the park are elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, antelopes (springbok) and especially the king of mammals: the lions.

Paris is among one of the most stimulating cities in the world. Its beautiful architecture will bowl you over, each area of the city is so different that you'll surprise to see the beauty, variety and vibrancy. For the shoppers Paris is a shopping paradise. It is also the fashion capital of the world. For the gourmands and night birds, Paris offers a host eating out joints and hanging out options.

As the cost of traveling around the world mounts, more people incline towards budget travel. Of late the concept of budget traveling has gained momentum. Now you don’t need to be a millionaire to see the world. All you need to know is how to plan and prioritize your tour.

Whether traveling solo, with friends, family or with a bunch of energetic kids; keeping costs within your budget is important. Different travelers have different needs and priorities. For example if you can comfortably manage to stay in a cheap budget hotel or discount hotel; you can use the remaining amount on sightseeing or touring nearby places. Budget travel is all about packing maximum in minimum budget.

No doubt Brussels is a beautiful city in Europe but for a budget traveler or for the one with limited travel budget, it is bit expensive. But it does not restrict many to enjoy the beauty and ambience of this city. For, many shrewd globetrotters know the art of enjoying a journey even without having deep pockets.

Brussels is the capital of Europe and attracts large number of high powered business travelers. This is perhaps why many of Brussels hotels are a bit costly if compared from a budget travelers’ point of view. With many hotels in Brussels doing brisk business during weekdays, some believe they won’t find a decent hotel during weekend. However, most hotels in Brussels drop their rates on weekends, simply there is hardly any business on weekends and so lesser business travelers.

If you are in Singapore during the first half of May, don’t miss the racing action that promises to sway tourists and locals from 6-14 May. The festival has lined up a host of events that include a Vintage Car Rally and a grand finale in the form of Singapore Airlines International Cup on the 14th of May.

S$3 million prize money for the Singapore Airlines International cup promises to attract best horses and horse jockeys from around the world. It is one of the most exciting and fascinating horse races in the world. The Singapore Airlines International Cup promises to attract large number of locals and foreigners alike.

In June/July this year, when you visit Hong Kong chances are you may find more of Italy in Hong Kong then of Hong Kong itself. No, Hong Kong ain’t going Italian way but yes the city is going to host Italian Festival— The Italy 2006: Quality and Lifestyle.

Hong Kong being a cosmopolitan city is home to large number of people from different corners of globe. The city hosts different kinds of festivals and is also referred to as the events capital of the world. The Italian festival is yet another proof of the city’s cosmopolitan appeal.

After last week's flat hike near the Lake District (Burton in Kendal), I was back up in Edinburgh to do some more hilly terrain.

The route I chose was in the Pentland Hills, starting at Balerno and covering East Kip, West Kip and finally Scald Law, the pentland's highest peak. I had taken the route from "Jarrold Short walks - leisure walks for all ages. Edinburgh". The walk is about 7 miles and has some steep rises in it (nothing you couldn't manage in a few hours though).

It's been a few weeks since I have last reported on my preparations for the West Highland Way. I haven't just sat on my backside, so I will need to do some catching up on my blogging.

I went down to the Lake District for the longest walk yet (10 miles). It was actually south of the lakes at Burton (south of Kendal). It had been raining several days before so my walking buddy suggested we walk on limestone, as the water soaks away quicker there (clever). There is a limestone ridge (The Limestone Link) near Burton so we decided to go there, instead of heading up soggy hills in the Lake District.

Rest of the journey went smoothly. I spent most of the time sleeping or reading. As the sun set, I could see the stars twinkling up above so high like diamonds in the sky.

Hills have this undying love for stars, more the height, more they seem closer. But no matter how higher you go, they are yet so far. Just like life, the more successful you are, the more close you seem to stars. But you never catch them because they keep shifting their position.

A childhood dream was fulfilled last year with the move to Southwest Montana. Another dream was reached when she and her husband, Dan, opened Fish Creek House, a bed and breakfast just outside of Whitehall, just 20 minutes from the historic mining town of Butte and close to Bozeman.

"When I was young I always told my parents I wanted to live in Montana," said Cid. Living in New York and later California, Cid didn't know how that would quite happen.