Monaco Prince Takes Pole Position

More used to Grand Prix cars than dog sleighs, Monaco’s Prince Albert’s forthcoming trek to the North Pole has been greeted with surprise by many.

But the Prince is fairly accustomed to the cold, in contrast to the Mediterranean warmth of Monaco where he became ruler last July following the passing of his father Prince Rainier, who had ruled the tax haven for over 50 years.

Albert represented Monaco at the last five Winter Olympic Games in their Bobsleigh team. And he is going to face some cold and hostile conditions on his seven day trip to bring to the attention of fellow world leaders the environmental damage to the arctic regions that global warming is having.

Speaking at a recent news conference in Monaco, Albert explained his thinking behind the trip to assembled journalists.

‘If in our modest way, by this action we are able to bring environmental problems to the forefront and force some leaders to take stronger actions, this expedition will have achieved its objectives’.

Environmentalists have welcomed Albert’s expedition, and his image in the world’s media is changing from that of a playboy millionaire to a responsible leader.

In 2002 47 year old Prince Albert agreed to a DNA test to show whether he was the father to a boy born to a former air hostess he had had a relationship with, and more recently has been linked by the press with 28 year old South African swimming champion Charlene Wittstock.

But one of the first actions he took after succeeding to the throne was to sign the Kyoto Protocol, taking Monaco outside of the small group of countries that had failed to ratify the treaty, designed to reduce the world’s emissions of greenhouse gases.

Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Prince Albert inherited from his father is now the world’s best known tax haven, and the ultimate European destination for luxury hotels, including the Hotel de Paris, frequently quoted in guides as among the top ten in the world.

One local on-line travel guide comment that Prince Albert’s interest in the world’s environment sets a different agenda than that of his father, who transformed the principality in his reign into an economically safe country for the world’s wealthy to live and invest.

Residents of the principality enjoy a zero rated income tax.

As well as being a tax haven, Monaco hosts the best known Formula 1 Grand Prix of the year around the streets of Monte Carlo and Fontvieille in May. Over recent years Monaco has also become a destination of choice for the super-rich in September, when it hosts the Monaco Yacht Show.

And while the Grand Prix and Yacht Show fill the hotels in Monte Carlo and Monaco each year, and on an everyday basis every second car seems to be an Aston Martin or Ferrari, locals hope that Prince Albert doesn’t look too close to home when it comes to his concern for the environment. Cancelling the Monaco Grand Prix in 2007 to show his concern for the environment would certainly grab world headlines, but might not be a popular decision among his subjects.

Locals feel that there is little danger of this though – Albert is after all the son of Hollywood star Grace Kelly, and future media appearances could just as well be in celebrity magazines as environmental campaign ones.

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Hot Skiing Spots In Chile

Chile has become a favored destination for skiing enthusiasts the world over. One very popular place to ski is in Santiago.

There are several resorts that the tourist will find enjoyable in this area of Chile. Several of them are located within hours of Santiago, in the heart of the Andes Mountains. It’s important to make your travel plans and reservations well in advance because with the ever increasing popularity of this region, more and more people are discovering its charm.

One area that has becoming a booming center for skiing in Chile is Valle Nevado. This is a couple of hours drive from Santiago and is suited for both the experienced and novice skier. Many people who live in Chile consider Valle Nevado to be the ski destination. They simply refuse to ski anywhere else in the world.

Valle Nevado is considered an ideal skiing retreat for families because of the variety of available runs. There are beginner runs which are perfect for small children who are getting their first taste of skis. With friendly and educated instructors available, parents can feel very comfortable knowing that their child is going to not only get a primer in all of the basics of skiing but also get a chance to ski down a few of the easy runs.

Those with a bit more experience will welcome both the intermediate and expert runs that are found in Valle Nevado. The chair lifts are considered some of the most efficient and comfortable in the world. When people go to ski in Valle Nevado they may just fall in love with the area.

Another destination that people who live in Chile and tourists alike enjoy is Portillo. Portillo is actually just an area not a city. It’s much smaller than Valle Nevado but the conditions are incomparable. You need to book your travel to Portillo early due to the fact that the area only hosts one hotel.

You may be concerned that with only one hotel your vacation experience in Portillo will be compromised. However, it should be viewed as a cruise ship for skiers. The hotel can house up to 450 guests with one employee per guest. This means very accommodating staff who are there to answer your every call and concern. With the limited number of skiers in the area the wait for a chair lift is very rare.

One of the unique aspects of Portillo that sets it apart from other ski areas in Chile is the ski school. The school in Portillo has been in operation for over five decades and boasts many notable past students including several Olympic athletes. This is really an ideal location for people who want an unique skiing adventure.

If you are looking for a less expensive ski experience in Chile there are many other choices available for you. You can plan either a day trip or an overnight stay at many of the local ski areas.

Do You Know How To Find The Best Air Fare Deals?

Sometimes travel is totally dependent on getting just the right air fare deal, which many times is dependent on the time of travel, especially if it is during a holiday or on short notice, etc.

Many times air fare deals with certain airlines are only posted online. If you can be flexible on travel times and dates, then by all means check out http://www.priceline.com where you can get awesome cheap air fare deals to most any destination.

Are you looking for air fare deals for your next vacation? You can still consult with a travel agent of course, but your best bet is at the tips of your fingers. The internet is swarming with travel sites that offer great air fare deals, as well as hotel and resort accommodations, all inclusive deals, and cruise/air specials.

You can start by checking out http://www.expedia.com, http://www.travelocity.com, http://www.cheaptickets.com, http://www.orbitz.com, or the websites of airlines that offer flights to where you want to go.

If you have to travel at the last minute it is still possible to get reasonable air fare deals; not all seats are filled on all flights, and if traveling alone or with another adult, chances are greater that there will be open seats still available, they may just not be together.

Why drive and spend all that time in your vehicle when you could already be there having fun? Timing is everything and the sooner you know your availability and other pertinent information the sooner you can take advantage of those great vacation packages including hotel and air fare deals for you and your whole family.

You really must be flexible and not restrict yourself to certain dates and times if you really want a good air fare deal. Last minute specials offered for online bookings are great if you can book immediately or travel at a moment’s notice. The greater your flexibility the greater your savings and the better the air fare deal.

Spring is a great time of year to make travel plans for those long awaited summer vacations and weekend getaways. There are many cheap air fare deals to be found online and out there just waiting for you and your family to discover.

If you are available for travel during the off season, there are numerous options available for quite a few popular destinations, most with cheap air fare deals to boot! You better get going – no fun having!!