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Magic Mountain is perhaps one of the most well known theme parks in the United States. The park is located in Valencia California, which is North of Los Angeles. The park opened in the summer of 1971 just in time to attract the summer crowds of families that were off of work and school and looking to have some fun. In 1979 Six Flags purchased Magic Mountain, and so the park adopted the Six Flags Magic Mountain name that it has carried ever since. Even with a big chain like Six Flags, Magic Mountain remains one of its most well-known and visited theme parks.

Magic Mountain is not only visited often, it has been the backdrop for many movies. Magic Mountain was the fictional “Wally World” in the movie National Lampoon’s Vacation, the theme park was also shown in the show Step by Step, and was a fictional theme park shown in the movie Encino Man. Being in so many movies and on television is a testament to the fact that the park is not only a great place to have a good time, but is such an ideal setting that it is good enough for television! The great thing is, it isn’t just a set and all those excited people that you see aren’t acting, the park provides a great experience for the whole family.

In April of 2006 Six Flags Magic Mountain will officially break the record for the most roller coasters in one park! For several years now, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Cedar point have been tied for the prestigious title, but when the new Tatsu roller coaster is completed Magic Mountain will have the title to itself, for now at least. If roller coasters are what bring you to Magic Mountain, it is worth noting that all of the roller coasters are not operating at all times. On the weekends and over holiday weekends you’ll see the majority of the coasters operational, but if you are coming to the park for a particular ride, it’s a good idea to call ahead and see if the ride you have been looking forward to will be operational on the day you plan to come. If you are just looking for a good time full of great roller coasters and rides for the whole family and you don’t have any favorites or specifics, then you can come any time the park is open and expect to have a marvelous time. Some of the rides that have made Six Flags Magic Mountain a entertainment destination are Batman the Ride, Colossus, D

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The city of Florence is actually the capital of Italy’s Tuscany area and stands
alongside the scenic banks of the Arno River, close to the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic
Seas. Bustling with local industry, which includes arts and crafts, commerce and
tourism; Florence is a particularly historic location, steeped in heritage.

One of the most desirable places to visit in Italy, Florence was originally founded by
Romans during the first century and grew dramatically between the 1200s and
1600s. Of particular importance, the Medici family, who ruled over Florence during
the 15th century, were responsible for many of the city’s most spectacular
landmarks, buildings and monuments, most of which remain in excellent
condition.

Florence Travel:

The Florence area features a well-structured public transport network, comprising
of main railway lines, orange ATAF buses and local taxis that congregate at various
taxi ranks and around the piazzas. Renting a car is one of the most popular ways to
travel around the Tuscany area and the A1 Motorway connects Florence to many
major Italian cities, such as Bologna, Milan, Naples and Rome. Also the A11
Motorway links Florence to Lucca, Pisa and a number of coastal resorts.

Florence is easy to reach from around the world and the city’s Amerigo Vespucci
Airport is nearby. Just 5 km / 3 miles from the city center, the Florence Vespucci
Airport offers modern facilities and is home to a number of important international
and Italian airlines.

Florence Commerce:

With a thriving commercial city centre and many businesses supporting the services
and financial sector, Florence is a wealthy city. Nowadays, with tourism being an
equally important industry in the city, many local crafts boost the economy, such as
jewellery, leatherwork and ceramics, together with hotels. Florence contains a
number of notable, medium-sized companies, including engineering firms,
publishing and textile businesses.

Florence Hotels:

Hotels in Florence are often fairly expensive throughout the year and many are
centrally located, although a number of popular cheaper alternatives are available.
Accommodation during the peak season quickly becomes fully booked in the most
popular hotels and it can be advisable to book at least two weeks ahead. If you
decide to rent a car, ensure that the hotel has car parking space available before
booking. Hotels can be found all around the city centre, in the green Viale dei Colli
area, close to the Santa Maria Novella train station, alongside the Arno River and on
the city outskirts.

Florence Tourism:

Tourism in the Florence area is important and thousands of people choose to visit
this part of Tuscany each year, to enjoy the scenic views, historical buildings,
stunning architecture and famous works of art. Must-see attractions in Florence
include a number of magnificent palaces, such as the Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo
Medici-Riccardi and Palazzo Strozzi. Other attractions include the Piazza del
Signoria, the Teatro Comunale (theatre), the arched Ponte Vecchio bridge, the
historic Campanile di Giotto and the world-famous Duomo / Santa Maria del Fiore -
also known as the ‘Cathedral of Florence’.

Top museums in Florence contain many important art exhibitions and outstanding
exhibits. Worth a visit are the National Archeological Museum, the Uffizi Gallery and
the Academy Gallery, amongst many others. Also, the Chianti area, which is
situated between the city of Florence and nearby Siena, features one of Italy’s most
stunning countryside landscapes and is also home to a number of famous
vineyards.

Florence Restaurants:

Restaurants in Italy are known as ‘Ristoranti’ or ‘Trattories’ and are widespread in
Florence, with many different kinds of cuisine readily available. Menu prices do not
usually include service charges and these are added to the bill, together with any
further cover charges (’coperto’). Therefore, tipping in Florence restaurants is not
strictly necessary, although always very much appreciated. Lunch in the city is
generally taken around 13:00 and is the main meal of the day, with dinner being
eaten between 20:00 and 21:00.

Florence Weather:

The city of Florence features fairly temperature weather, with notable hot, sunny
summer months and cooler, breezy winters. Temperatures between the months of
July and August are at their hottest and reach highs of up to 32

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The Catalan town of Alghero is located on the Northwest coast of Sardinia. Known throughout the world for its stunning beaches and characteristic old town centre it is fast becoming one of Europe’s holiday hotspots.
Alghero is an old fishing town that has embraced the tourist industry with two very large arms. Sprawling out along the coast line Alghero offers the tourist both the opportunity of a beach holiday or a small city break.

If you are looking to just relax and be somewhere that you can walk out the door and be on the beach you must stay in the Lido area. The Lido is Alghero’s own beach that runs all the way form Alghero to Fertilia, a small hamlet of Alghero. There are a number of hotels located in the area with sea views and private sun beds on the beach for residents. In the summer months the Lido comes to life with a number of bars, restaurants and pizzerias either on the beach or in the area and when the sun goes down you can find live music and parties on the beach.

For those who don’t want to be on the beach and want to experience a little more of the cultural side of Alghero there is the old town. Dating back to the 12th century the old town centre is truly something that must be seen to be fully appreciated. Have lunch along the battlements looking out to sea or take a stroll through the shops in the warren of cobble stone streets. There are a number of churches and historical places of interest to visit and many guided excursions to help make sure you do not miss anything.

The area of Alghero does of course spread beyond the boundaries of the city itself. There is Porto Conte with its natural wildlife reserve that spreads along the coast line in complete natural beauty. Reachable either by land or by boat excursion there is Capo Caccia and Neptune’s Grotto which is a must for any visitor to Alghero.

Away form the coast there is also much to see and do. Why not visit an Agriturismo, a working farm that has lodging and restaurant facilities serving up only produce from the farm.

As mentioned earlier Alghero is a Catalan town and although much of the cuisine available is Italian there are a few Catalan influences to be found. Why not try Paella Algherese or Catalan lobster (served cold with fresh tomato and onion). There are of course many Sardinian specialities to be tried such as roast suckling pig or Seadas, a pastry filled with Goats cheese and then dribbled with honey.

The climate in Alghero allows for a perfect vacation all year round. The summer months get up to about 35 degrees and throughout the day in the winter the temperature never drops much below 15 degrees.

A great place for children and adults alike, Alghero is definitely worth a visit.

For more Sardinian tourist information take a look at Sardinia - tourist information

Born in London Kirk Friis moved to Sardinia where he now lives with his wife and son.

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