Sri Lankan Tourism is Kicking into Full Gear!

It appears that the conflict with the Tamil Tigers may finally be coming to a close. After years of civil unrest and countless losses, Sri Lanka is ready to put itself back on the map as a major tourist destination. Here is a recent news release compliments of SriLanka.travel discussing conflict resolution and the country's plans to attract more tourism:

The conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist group also known as the Tamil Tigers, which has affected the north of the country for over two decades, is rapidly nearing its end.

When the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse assumed office in 2005, the LTTE had over 16,000 square kilometers under its control. Within two and a half years since the recommencement of the conflict in mid-2006, the government has managed to take control of the LTTE strongholds in the northeast of Sri Lanka, restricting them to a narrow 8-kilometer strip in the northeast of the country.

The President of Sri Lanka visited the eastern province last year and more recently the Killonochchi last week - the LTTE's once self-proclaimed headquarters. Subsequently, the armed forces achieved victory this week by rescuing over one-hundred-thousand civilians...

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Free things to do in Paris

Paris: the city of light, and also the city of an empty pocketbook. This world class city in western Europe is full of things to do, but many times at a high expense. In my junior year of college, I studied abroad in Paris. Being a student, I quickly learned how to get by on little cash and still have a lot of fun. Here are Travel Marketer's personal favorite FREE things to do in Paris, France:

The Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel).

This is one of the most recognized structures in the entire world and a must when visiting Paris, however, if you want to get all the way to the top, it will cost you about 13 euros. Instead, grab a bottle of wine (you can get great wine in France for as cheap as 1 euro!), a loaf of bread, and a couple of friends and enjoy a picnic at the foot of the tower. There is often free entertainment and performances to enjoy! As an added bonus, on the hour, the tower displays a spectacular 10 minute light show.Take a look at a live shot of the Eiffel Tour at Webcams.travel.

Notre Dame:

One of the world's most stunning pieces of architecture and the inspiration for a classic novel, this cathedral is a free treasure for tourists.

Take a walking tour. Paris has so much to see and I would spend many days walking around and discovering this very accessible city. Some of my favorite spots included: the Seine River, which slices a path through the heart of the city, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Palais Royal. On the way to and from class, I would walk through the gorgeous Luxembourg Gardens, central Paris’s largest park in the heart of the Left Bank which also houses the Luxembourg Palace.

Museums. No one can visit Paris without visiting the famous Louvre. Admission is free for all visitors on the first Sunday of each month and on July 14 (Bastille Day). My favorite museum in Paris is the Musee Rodin which features the famous statues of The Thinker and The Kiss, is also free of charge each first Sunday of the month.

Window Shop on Avenue Montaigne and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, one of the city's priciest streets. Galeries Lafayette, one of Paris’s largest department stories, offers free weekly fashion shows on Fridays at 3 p.m. on the seventh floor. For even more window shopping, take a stroll down the Champs Elysees or Saint German.

Pay Your Respects: Pére-Lachaise Cemetery has served as the final resting place for a "who's who" of cultural icons since 1804. Chopin, Colette, Molière, Modigliani all lay beneath 118 acres of rolling terrain. So do Oscar Wilde, Isadora Duncan, Georges Seurat, Sarah Bernhardt, Gertrude Stein, and Jim Morrison.

With all of the free and exciting things to do in Paris, there is no reason not to visit. Visit Future Vacations to book your trip today! -Travel Marketer

Green Travel for Earth Day

April 22nd's Earth Day is a holiday inspired by Senator Gaylord Nelson to promote awareness and appreciation of our mother Earth. In honor of Senator Nelson and out of respect for our dear planet I have provided a list of Central American Eco lodges courtesy of Greenspot.travel.

La Finca Rosa Blanca in Costa Rica: La Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Inn is located right above the Central Valley of Costa Rica and this 13 room inn is one of the most luxurious times you will ever have going green. Not only is La Finca Rosa the first ever sustainable hotel in Costa Rica, but 5 % of the lodge's profits go towards community projects supporting the local children. And dont forget, the master suite is a perfect romantic getaway for you honeymooners!

Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge in Panama: Sure Tranquilo translates to calm. And you wouldn't necessarily expect to see the words calm and adventure in the same sentence, but when your having that afternoon cocktail on a jungle view balcony you will forget all about how sore your back is from snorkeling earlier that day. With only six cabanas, youll feel like your on your own private island in this tropical paradise.

Granja San Bernardo in El Salvador: These cabins in the wood come with a twist, you have a great view of the Izalco Volcano right from your front porch. The hotel is family owned and is know for its high level of customer service and fantastic homemade bread. For being at the base of a Volcanic Biosphere and Reserve Granja San Bernardo is suprisingly peaceful and charming.