Discover Eastern Europe: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus

Almost every one at least once has heard about Haiti. For the majority of people this country associates with a variety of threatening stereotypes that hardly make the whole: zombie, voodoo, Father Dock and his son Baby Doc, poverty, civil war, permanent cyclones. All these taken together have a strong impact – Haiti still is one of the most rarely visited countries, thought its climate is favorable for the development of tourism. However some of these stereotypes seem to be true.

Haiti is among the poorest countries in the world. But its poverty is a little bit strange. There are no beggars on the streets. No one you meet there – even homeless children who earn their living cleaning trade rows of rubbish- will never beg for anything and sellers at the markets will not ask too high a price.

And in big cities you won’t see poverty for it dissolves in an exotic diversity of colours. But it’s obvious on the outskirts where there is neither asphalt nor regular transport system. The majority of houses are built from bad material and sometimes do not have merely window frames.

Voodoo rituals

Still for those extreme-lovers who pluck up their courage and find themselves in Haiti the main attraction are voodoo ceremonies. If voodoo priest allow mass attendants of idle tourists and make performances for them with terrific crooks and knives, picturesque dances, roosters being killed it will put to an end the voodoo as it is in today Haiti. This happened to their neighbours - Dominican Republic where they continue to bury their dead in traditional crypts and sell amulets to tourists. But not more then this.

And Haiti voodoo is quit different not so exuberantly threatening – there are no fetishes like mummified animals sold out at any corner and can cure from the very serious diseases of course not without the help of the priest. You won’t see ritual monuments for ancestors and motley temples swarming with snakes.

The only sign that tells about voodoo ceremonies held in unremarkable sheds is a flag hanged outdoors. There are numerous “temples” in Haiti. According to one catholic priest “if 95% of Haiti population are Catholics 100% of them are voodooists”.

Haitians consider any window-dressing inappropriate. Local people create their religion 3 centuries ago absolutely secretly.

What zombie is?

This term came to Haiti with the slaves at the beginning of 18th century. It may be related either to the notion “little god”,” dead soul” or “ghost”. Many scientists tried to explain this phenomenon not from the cultural but from the scientific point of view. But for the lack of information this still is under the veil.

They say “the death in Haiti is just the beginning not the end”.

All people are dreaming about fantastic and unforgettable holidays. Either a hard working person who is “glued” to his activities and is extremely busy but from time to time counts the money saved for the coming leave and examined all available package tours. Or a wealthy businessman who can afford traveling around the world at any prices but is actually pressed for time.

Though tourism is increasingly developing and provides lots of opportunities from family holidays to extreme options still the most luxurious way of cultural rest seem to be cruises.

Just imaging yourself sitting on board the ship looking at the calm sea, listening to the lapping of waves and thinking about the most pleasant thins on the earth. Then admire the sights of the ports that the ship will come at. You may go about lots of places without changing the “vehicle” that is obviously very convenient.

That’s the exact thing you may get visiting www.directlinecruises.com. The company is involved in tourism for 12 years already that helps them to take in account the requirements of clients with diver tastes. The geography of cruises is really impressive:

• Royal Caribbean Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Azamara Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Line

Splendid hotels, interesting places, foreign countries, creative and magnificent performances during the voyage - isn’t that enough to make up the mind?
To choose a cruise and to get more information about different options visit www.directlinecruises.com.

Each city and each town is beautiful in its own way. Surely those ones that are located in the parts of the globe where there is always summer, and hot weather does not leave the land for quite a long period of time, people from other countries tend to see only positive sides there. Such tourist places are swarming with people eager to see everything possible in the shortest period of time imaginable.

People rush into foreign countries in order to see something new in their lives and to derive many positive emotions. Sochi is one of those cities that captivate from the very first glance. The climate is quite warm to enjoy the sun most of the days of the year. Moreover, there are numerous places to visit.

One of the most enjoyable places in the city is the park “Riviera”. It is located in the very center of the city that is why most of the tourists enjoy visiting it. The location is convenient to reach from any area of the city. It is just buried in verdure and flowers that make the park extremely beautiful and desirable place to take photos in. Besides, this park is equipped with all the necessary places to go to such as bars, shooting-ranges, cafes, libraries etc. In general there is everything to attract more tourists and the citizens of Sochi.

There are also several lakes in this huge park one of which resembles the Black Sea in miniature. The main place of interest in this very park is the so called Glade of Friendship where magnolias planted by different famous people grow.

The next place that is worth visiting is Orehoviy Waterfall. It is called so because of the village Nizhniaya Orehovka that is located 14 km from the sea where the river Bezumenka flows into the river Sochi. This waterfall is really beautiful at any time of the year and attracts hundreds of tourists who are not lacking the sense of beauty.

The water temperature in this waterfall is extremely cold so if you want to bathe in it do not be surprised by this fact. Besides it is very noisy, so you can not even hear what the people standing beside you are talking about. But in general the picture of the waterfall is really amazing.

The third place you would definitely be glad to visit is the Japanese – Russian Friendship Garden. It is called so because on the territory of Russia you can come across exotic plants and statues that are typical of Japan. Its building started in 1981 and nowadays it is one of the most popular and favorite places to visit.

There are many other places to go to in this beautiful city. The ones are more beautiful than the others. But each person chooses the one that he or she likes the most in a particular city or country in general. Each of them is associated with various things in people’s lives. But what is more important that you will never regret going to Sochi.Don’t know where to spend your summer? Travel to Odessa! You’ll enjoy the climate!

Numerous people from all over the world tend to go to the sea when the summer comes. For many people from the former Soviet Union and especially from the neighboring countries Odessa has become the city that is meant for the qualitative and modern kind of rest.

It is one of the hugest cities in Ukraine that attracts thousands of tourists each year. The location right near the Black Sea makes the city desirable for many people who would like to spend there their summer holidays.

But probably one of the most beautiful places in Odessa is Arcadia, which is extremely popular among the visitors to this city. Here numerous night clubs are located. At night the life seems to start as hundreds of young people are going out in order to entertain. It seems that Arcadia turn Odessa into the most international place on Earth as here you can come across so many people from so many countries of the world. Foreign languages are heard here and there so even the dullest evening may turn into an amusing one.

Numerous concerts are organized in the night clubs of Arcadia. Many Russian stars like L. Dolina, M. Zadornov and the famous dance group “Todes” and others performed on the stages of the clubs. One of the most luxurious and expensive clubs is surely “Ibiza” that is actually the usual receiver of such guests. Not far from “Ibiza” there is another fashionable club called “Ithaca” performed in the Greek style. The atmosphere is charming, the bar is rich and the barmen are truly inventive and friendly. The waitresses are all dressed in the Greek style which adds the feeling of an unusual location.

In general there are over 15 night clubs in Arcadia that are all very unique and represent their own style and theme. Moreover, there are numerous restaurants and bars, and all this is in the open air right at the seashore. While dancing through the whole night you may even observe how the sun rises. An unforgettable impression, I should say.

Moreover, Arcadia is not only the place to entertain. It is even more popular for being the huge beach that is visited by quite a number of people during the daytime. Unlike all other beaches in the city there is a very convenient and flat slope that leads to Arcadia. Besides, there is the so called “Healthy route” that is of about 6 km length. It is meant for mere promenades or cycling.

Needless to say, that there are numerous resorts both inside and outside the city. It is interesting to note that those who are the citizens of Odessa are not interested in the sea and the sun at all. They may not even know why this or that place is called like this or like that. But probably this is the common feature of all citizens of any town or city. We do not appreciate what we have, and strive for the things that we do not or can not possess.
Visit a heroic place in Belarus - Brest Fortress.

There is hardly any person in Belarus and in the neighboring countries like Russia and Ukraine who has not heard about the famous Brest fortress. It is one of the most popular places of interest in the republic that is famous for the events that took place during the years of Great Patriotic War. Nowadays quite a number of people have the desire to visit this memorial as it is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the country.

The construction of the fortress started in 1833. It was the project of Opperman. But at first just temporary earthworks were built there and the construction of the fortress that we observe in Brest today started on June 1, 1836. April 26, 1842 is known to be the first day when Brest fortress was put into service. The fortress was composed of a stronghold and three fortifications that protected it. The total area is 4 square km.

The stronghold is composed of two caserns that have two floors. These caserns are built of red brick with 500 casemates which house 12 thousand people. The walls are very thick – of about 2 meters thick.

At the beginning of the 20th century the second circle of fortification was built. The construction began in 1913. It was to be 45 km in diameter but nevertheless the construction was not finished because the war began.

Brest fortress has a long history and was an active “participant” of the hostilities that took place on the territory of Belarus. But it is even more famous for the events that took place at the beginning and at the end of the World War II. Nowadays people from all over the country come to that place not only because they see it as a mere tourist attraction, but to pay tribute to the people who died during Brest fortress defense.

In general Brest is considered to be one of the most attractive cities in the republic. There one can find many places to go to. Numerous clubs and bars, restaurants and cafes… Young people always have a choice where to go out one of these days. It is not very large but very clean and attractive. Many people claim that as it is located closer to Poland it is more western like. Whether it is so or not can only be said after seeing it with your own eyes.

Still many people go there in order to see the famous Brest fortress that made the city known for the citizens of the former USSR countries. People of the entire republic have something to be proud of and the citizens of Brest in particular.

Going to Brest can become not a mere excursion around the city itself, visiting it can also become very informative and educational. Here you can learn more about the history of your own country or, if you are a foreigner, you can get to know quite a lot of new facts about the country you are visiting.
You can have a good rest in Belarus. Try it.