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Of the Balearic Islands off the coast of Spain, Majorca has remained for many years the most popular destinations, for travelers as well as those from around the world, buying real estate and setting up permanent residence on the island. In 2008, the number of new homes purchased was at a steady incline. Many were satisfied with the safety of their investments as the balance between supply and demand was extremely stable. However, the current economic climate is reaching the island with a noticeable drop in the housing market. The British have always loved the island, as tourists and as residents, however current sales numbers indicate a fifty percent drop in the purchasing of new homes by the British.

All of the islands have been popular with the jet set, the rich and famous, with Majorca consistently being the most visited. It’s no wonder as the island has a temperate and mellow climate throughout the months of summer sunshine, and the stunning, pristine beaches and landscapes. In the past, many have considered this island to be the hub for those with yachts, of all the locations in the Mediterranean. And the capital, Palma, is much more than a tourist town, much more cultural and cosmopolitan than other tourist destinations. According to reports from Spain’s National Institute for Statistics, the amount of people moving to and setting up residency on the islands climbed by more than 17 % in the past year. Most coming from Germany, making up the most populous single nationality to immigrate to the islands. The British, of course are a close second with many from Italy and Morroco as well. Palma has the largest population, with Calvia coming in second. Almost twenty-five percent of the people living on the islands now are foreign immigrants. However, it has been a financial quarter not without challenges. Overall sales dropped by almost 40 percent by the end of 2008, when compared against the same quarter of 2007. One exception to the drop has been the Southeastern region of Majorca, an area with the most profitable year to date. The island, the businesses, the 5 star hotel Majorca are attempting to balance the situation, introducing new developments, in the hopes of leveling out new home purchases on all of the islands.

Visitors to the Dubai Mall Aquarium and Underwater Zoo will now have the opportunity to view the rare Leafy Sea Dragon. A native of western and southern Australia, “leafies” can only be found at a handful of aquariums around the world.

The Leafy Sea Dragon is unique amongst underwater species in that the young are carried by the males in a stomach pouch. Once they are born, the babies are left to fend for themselves, as with many marine species.

Named for the leaf-like protrusions that cover their bodies, the leafies preferred habitat is grassy and weed beds or man-made structures such as docks and piers. The largest leafies grow to a mere 43 centimeters.

Dubai has become a premiere tourist destination in the Middle East over the last decade. Visitors can choose a five star hotel Dubai, a resort on the beach, a golf resort or a variety of other lodgings. The city itself offers water and desert sports, great restaurants, excellent shopping, and interesting attractions such as the aquarium and a water park.

Phuket City and the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand are sponsoring the Phuket Food Festival this week in Phuket Town. The festival, which kicked off on Thursday, March 19th, runs through Saturday, March 28th. It highlights the great taste of Phuket’s restaurant and assures tourists of sanitary conditions in local restaurants.

Opening Day events included a “Tom-Som-Phuket” competition. “Tom-Som-Phuket” is a local dish of salt fish, onions, dried chilies, tamarind and fish sauce. There were also demonstrations of other local dishes as well as regional dishes from other Thai provinces.

Cooking demonstrations and competitions will continue throughout the festival, which runs nightly from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. There are also workshops and presentations on food hygiene and sanitary food preparation. Music and cultural shows by local talent are also on the bill. A special feature of this year’s show is the promotion of ecologically-friendly dishes, glasses and utensils.

Of course, the biggest draw of any food festival is the opportunity to sample dishes made by a variety of chefs and restaurants. Tourists flock to the food booths every night to taste Phuket and regional Thai cuisine.

By promoting food hygiene as well as flavors, the festival serves an important role in the island’s hospitality industry: reassuring the many guest at the Phuket best hotels, beach resorts, and theme hotels as well as locals that the food here is not only delicious, but safe to eat.

Martello Towers were built by across the British Empire in the 19th century. Martellos (as they are more commonly known) are small forts designed for defense. While many of the towers have fallen to the ravages of time, there are three towers surviving on the island of Mauritius.

The original fort upon which all the rest were modeled was the Tower at Cap Mortella in northern Corscia in 1794 a small group of Corsicans were able to defend themselves against a British naval force. The design of the tower so impressed the British that the copied it for their own use. Over the years Mortellos were constructed in England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Canada and the US. Other towers were built on islands such as Jamaica, Bermuda, Barbuda, and the British Virgin Islands. Additional Martello towers could be found in Sierra Loene, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. In all, over 215 towers were built around the world by Great Britian and other nations.

The thick fort walls are resistant to cannon fire and the round towers rise up to 40 feet high. Some Martellos included a moat. The towers were designed to mount a single heavy artillery piece that could fire in a 360 degree arc.

Although there were originally five Martellos on Mauritius, only three survive today. They were positioned on the island’s main bays to defend against enemy approach. Because the French never attacked, the towers were not called into action. The towers at Cunningham and Fort Victoria disappeared and the remaining three were subject to vandalism, looting, and the weather.

Beginning in the 1990s the government regained control of the Martellos and began preservation and restoration work. Today the
l’Harmonie Tower is a National Monument and the La Preneuse tower houses a public museum.

Mauritius is an idyllic island paradise. With stunning beaches, beautiful mountains and tropical climate, the luxury hotels Mauritius are popular with the rich and famous. The island offers incredible food, music, and even shopping as well as the numerous natural wonders and endless opportunities to enjoy the sun and sea.

Glittering parade floats and acrobat warriors, what causes more people to take to the streets is nothing other then the National Day Parade and celebration. This event boasts more than seven hundred performers. Showcases by various theater companies and universities trek down the streets provided a show rich and vibrant. The best Singapore restaurants serve food, the dancers dance and the singers sing. People from different international organizations and realms of the art world witness and partake in what is come to be known as a party of the grandest scale. Dragons and crouching tigers, and Miss Thailand 2009 make appearances that leave the crowd wanting and needing more. The first parade occurred in 1966, in celebration of Singapore’s gained independence from Malaysia. Illusions of magic, street dancing, food feasts and drinking are all part of the fun and joyous atmosphere. Members of high government attended the first ‘show’, with the prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew and others present there that day on the steps of city hall. Fireworks ring in the climax creating a night sky ‘Aurora Borealis’ in the Southern China night. Various people from various countries come together and may discover that not only to they not have such differences, but that the commonalities between races are something beautiful to behold and should forever continue to be-holden to the heart, of individuals and of societies as well.

Tickets are sometimes hard to come across, and people wander the streets looking for them. Not to know, perhaps, that the event is free of charge. Overcrowding may be a bit of a problem for some, the government mainly I suspect, but with the amazing talent performing at the event and the meaning behind it, one may conclude that this would be and could be a very good aspect of the parade. Singapore is a strict place to live, and I suspect…to travel to as well. And comfort of those in the ‘care’ of a controlling relationship is perhaps an issue worth resolving for those with their grand ideas of control, i.e. the leaders themselves. What started out as a simple neighborhood parade has come to mean much more to the people involved and has come to carry much more international weight. This grand event which sets Singaporeans onto the streets decked out in the most glamorous of style, dancing to the most exciting music pumped out by the famous DJ’s is about to bring forth the question that this island needs to ask, freedom or oppression. Perhaps next January, the prime minister will see life in a different, and more brightly colored and festive light.

The island of Ibiza is well known for late night parties and dance clubs. While this is a splendid way to spend a vacation for singles looking for that party, it may not be conducive to a family vacation. This island has many locations just outside of the main city, that are more relaxing and family friendly. Three very fine towns are Santa Eulalia, Puerto de San Miguel, and Es Cana.

What started out a major trading town, Santa Eulalia has become a favorite for family travelers. This is one Ibiza’s largest and wealthiest cities on the island. Trading was made possible and easily accessible due to the fact that the one river on the islands runs right through the middle of the town. Settlement began here during the Roman times and has continued to flourish. Many aspects of Santa Eulalia makes this a perfect location for families to enjoy. Museums illustrate the rich history of town, providing afternoons of entertainment for children, as well as adults. The idea of pirates is always exciting for kids, and the Puig de Missa is one spot they shouldn’t miss. This was a fort used as a lookout for pirates and is now one of the many museums where one can walk through to see artifacts and to listen to the historical tales of the pillaging marauders. There are also many cafes, and restaurants and 5 star Ibiza hotels as well, not all is of the historic nature. The beaches of Santa Eulalila offer up either relaxation or sport. True to the nature of the pristine sand and water of the whole island, one may take a relaxing walk while the kids partake in any one of the many activities on the water.

Another small, quaint and family friendly town is Puerto de San Miguel. This location has the added benefit of pine tree forests and hills set right up against the water, providing many opportunities for day hikes and picnics. Water skiing and sailing are just two of the many ways to enjoy this location, all the while with the benefit of the tranquility that sets it apart from the club-hopping reputation of the island. This has become a popular spot for families over the years. And while nature is what makes this city so peaceful, there are still many restaurants and shops and town squares. And should one desire a night out on the town, a bus runs on the weekends taking passengers to various club destinations.

Perhaps the most peaceful spot on the island is the town of Es Cana. There are many guided tours on this town, and while there are still opportunities for the various water sports, the beaches and the water surrounding this town are shallow and safe, providing fun for small children and relief for parents. There are many family friendly restaurants and cafes, and once a week there is an open air market where food, always food, and various homemade arts are sold. For the calm holidays and for the families still looking for adventure but wanting it to be away from the club scene, these three spots on the island offer various ways to experience the pleasure, without the chaos.

The most happening place in the Middle East is undoubtedly the rapidly-expanding city of Dubai. Home to sparkling beaches, man-made islands, major sporting events, and all the attractions that appeal to the modern tourist, the city has gone from a mere trade center to the gem of the Middle East in the past decade.

While Dubai is a desert city (part of the United Arab Emirates), its location on the Persian Gulf gives it miles of beach and coastal property. Developers have made the most of this feature, building a luxury hotel Dubai wherever they could find the land — and even constructing new islands to increase the available land.

The beaches of Dubai offer more than stunning views and opportunities to soak up the sun. Visitors here can try sailing, windsurfing and fishing as well as swimming. The waters off the coast are great for snorkeling and scuba diving, filled with beautiful reefs and interesting shipwrecks.

The beach resorts, Palm islands, and the city itself are filled with great restaurants and entertainment venues. Concerts, theater, and other performing arts are readily available as more and more of the best international musicians and performers add Dubai to their world tours. And artists aren’t the only superstars putting Dubai on the map. World-class athletes are competing in major tournaments and matches in the city in golf, tennis, cricket, and even horse racing.

Those looking to explore the history and culture of Dubai will find plenty to keep them busy. The city’s long and colorful history is evident in its museums, mosques, and the well-preserved architecture of previous eras. There are Dubai Creek tours that showcase sites of Old Dubai or and local souks (traditional Arab market) that sell merchandise that just isn’t available in the city’s malls.

Between the city’s modern appeal and traditional charm, it’s apparent that Dubai has much to offer the 21st century tourist.