Flights Beijing

By Chris Sims

 Scenic Kitzbhel is everything an alpine resort should be: a charming village with a medieval center, a world-famous aprs-ski mecca, and a ski run regularly used on the World Cup circuit. Whether you go to Kitzbhel to ski the Hahnenkamm or to party all night (or both), Kitzbhel doesn’t disappoint.

The village is situated at the southern foot of the Kitzbheler Horn, about 100 kilometers (63 miles) from Innsbruck. The area around Kitzbhel has turned up archaeological evidence of human habitation as far back as the Bronze Age. During the time of the Roman Empire, it became a major crossroads for merchants and travelers. The first records of the village of Kitzbhel date back to 1271. The area didn’t become a tourist destination until 1902, when construction started on a major hotel. Franz Reisch organized the Association of Winter Sports and staged Kitzbhel’s first public ski race.

That’s the old news in Kitzbhel. Here’s what’s new: improvements in lifts and snowmaking facilities for the 2005/2006 season. Old T-bars are being replaced with a state-of-the-art chair lift equipped with child safety devices. Also new this season is the “Panoramabahn Kitzbheler Alpen,” an eight-seat mono-cable circulating gondola. The resort is also increasing its snowmaking system. Work is underway on a new water reservoir. Man-made snow will cover the ice increasing the amount of terrain by 30 hectares and improving the condition of the snow at the Resterhhe ski area.

Now, back to the basics - Kitzbhel offers over 145 kilometers (90 miles) of trails with 39 percent designated for beginners, 46 percent for intermediates, and 15 percent for advanced skiers. There are four main mountains: the Hahnenkamm, theKitzbheler Horn, the Bichlalm, and Pass Thurn. While it is a great resort for intermediates, experts are not left out. They can test their skills on the famous World Cup Streif run (on Hahenkamm) and there is plenty of off-trail terrain to explore. Skiers can even have their speed clocked with radar on the Pengelstein. There are also steep trails around the Ehrenbachgraben bowl and also on the Rettenstein at Pass Thurn.

Kitzbhel is home to the popular Ski Safari circuit, marked by elephant symbols. The circuit allows skiers to explore the entire area between Hahnenkamm and Pass Thurn. A recently installed 3S (tri-cable) continuous loop cableway allows skiers to complete the circuit in both directions without taking off their skis. The Ski Safari covers 35 kilometers (22 miles) of runs.

Snowboarders are most likely to head for the Kitzbheler Horn. In addition to free-riding terrain, there’s a half-pipe and funpark. There’s a boarder-cross near the Brunellenfeld lift with a 95-meter (312-foot) vertical drop and at least 14 obstacles. The Red Eagle Snowboard Academy in Kitzbhel is a great place to learn and perfect snowboarding skills.

The Kitzbhel area is a good choice for cross-country skiers. Kitzbhel offers 30 kilometers (19 miles) of groomed trails. With the trails of the surrounding towns added on, there is a total of 120 kilometers (75 miles) of groomed trails to explore. Snow hikers and snowshoers find over 100 kilometers (62 miles) of well-maintained hiking trails. Free guided hikes are available during the week as well as special torchlight and photography hikes.

Visitors enjoy other winter activities, as well. Tobogganing, indoor and outdoor ice skating, tubing, and sledding add to the fun. Riding in a horse-drawn sleigh is a romantic way to see the spectacular scenery surrounding Kitzbhel. There are a lot of things to see and do in Kitzbhel. In addition to shopping, visitors can tour several medieval churches. There are spas, the Cable Car Museum, a casino, art galleries, and an alpine zoo.

The village is filled with brightly painted houses, many dating back to medieval times. Visitors can browse through trendy shops and stop for coffee and pastry at one of the many cafs. The only hard part about dining out is deciding where to go. There are more than 100 restaurants in Kitzbhel. Food choices range from Tyrolean, Mexican, and Chinese to Italian, Swiss, and even American. Many great restaurants are found in the town’s four-star hotels.

Some people choose Kitzbhel just for its party atmosphere. Famous for its wild aprs-ski, the town draws the rich and famous from around the world. Bars and discos keep the fun alive all night. There are, however, quiet pubs for those looking for a more romantic evening.

Kitzbhel is preparing for its opening celebration, with special events planned for December 8 - 11, 2005. Whether you come to ski and snowboard, party or shop, Kitzbhel is the ultimate fun alpine resort.

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Marriott Beach Resort In Curacao

By Chris Sims

 Curacao: Island of Wonder and Intrigue

Sunny, warm and charming, Curacao pronounced ‘koo-rah-sow’ is a beautiful resort destination that is relatively unknown to many people. With it’s Dutch Colonial buildings and traditional Caribbean feel, it’s a unique place that incorporates the best of 55 different nationalities to create a purely individual culture. In fact, four languages are spoken here: English, Spanish, Dutch and their own Papiamento. It’s cosmopolitan, but simple. And incredibly gorgeous. Where is Curacao? Located in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea, this exquisite island paradise is off the coast of Venezuela and is the most populated and largest of the three “ABC” islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaao). It is part of the Netherlands Antilles, a self-governing part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The capital is Willemstad. This busy port city sees a lot of traffic from the island’s large oil refinery, which is second only to tourism for the local economy. As of result of the oil, Curacao is one of the more prosperous parts of the Caribbean region.

Also well known here are the island’s coral reefs. The world’s best divers and snorkelers have already discovered this wondrous vacation hideaway. Where are the hot spots? Most of them are on the south side of the island. Especially interesting in Curacao is that the sea floor drops off steeply within a few hundred feet of the shore. As a result, you can get to the reef simply by swimming - no boat needed! In addition, the coastline of Curacao has lots of intriguing bays and inlets, many of which are good for mooring.

Surprisingly, Curacao has a semi-arid climate, similar to the Southwestern U.S., with plenty of cactus, evergreens and warm weather native plants. If you’ve been to the big island of Hawaii, it’s more along these lines, as opposed to a lush, tropical island rainforest. Although always a possibility, Curacao typically misses many of the hurricanes each season, as it’s positioned away from the hurricane belt. Curacao’s highest point is Christoffelberg, rising 1,230 feet in the northwestern part of the island.

The Food

Ever tried Stoba? Well, you’re in for a treat. A delicious stew made with lots of different ingredients, like papaya and goat, or beef. Stoba is a major dish of Curacao and part of the traditional fare, known as “Krioyo”. Similar to Caribbean and Latin American cuisine, Curacao chefs use an eclectic blend of flavors and techniques that bring out interesting tastes. Other popular dishes include Jambo, a soup made from okra and seafood), a cactus soup called Kadushi, and Funchi which is a cornmeal mush similar to polenta. Of course, being an island community, there are always plenty of fresh fish and other seafood dishes.

Of course, there’s also the one thing that many people have heard of before they even knew there was a place called Curacao. What is it? The Curacao liqueur. Developed here in the late 1800’s, it started out as a local experiment with the rinds of a locally grown variety of oranges, which themselves weren’t very edible. How is it made? Curacao liqueur is processed with the dried peels of the “Laraha” (Curacao native orange), which when dried by the sun, contains an etheric oil with a pleasing fragrance and even better taste.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Visit Historical Sites: Make sure you see the restored mansions of Scharloo and Pietermaai, dating from the 1700’s. They are spectacular, and incredibly interesting. These neighborhoods have even been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which commemorates unique value to the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

Curacao Seaquarium: Built on the oceanfront at Bapor Kibra in 1984, this exquisite complex is one of the most unique in the world because of its “open-water-system,” which allows seawater to be continuously pumped into the aquariums. Be sure to watch a feeding show and experience the “touch tank”, which gives you the chance to touch live animals!

Dolphin Academy: Get the opportunity to meet, swim, and snorkel up close with Curacao’s cute and fascinating dolphins! Because you stand on a platform in the water about waist deep, the animals will swim right up to you.

Hato Caves: The Hato Caves are a must-see when you come to Curacao. Formed below sea level millions of years ago, the Ice Age dropped the water level down and left these spectacular caves. Beautiful limestone formations, romantic pools, a waterfall and even a colony of fruit bats await!

Punda, Willemstad: Location of many shops and tourist activities in Willemstad.

Landhuis Brievengat, Curacao: A museum by day and a partying live music club by night. This 18th-century plantation house is a great place to have some fun.

Amstel Brewery, Willemstad: Take a tour of the factory and taste the only beer made with distilled seawater!

Handelskade, Willemstad: The famous street with the brightly painted 18th century buildings. It’s a must for any traveler to check out the many boutiques, art galleries and intriguing cafes.

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