The town of Alice Springs is found in the middle of the Australian continent and is the unlicensed but unchallenged capital of the Australia’s huge outback.  This unique city is rich in history and natural features, and is the perfect base from which to explore Australia’s Red Centre which includes world famous features such as Uluru ( Ayers Rock ), Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and the MacDonnell Ranges. 

Alice Springs is nestled in the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia.  Roughly equidistant between Adelaide and Darwin, it lies almost at the geographical centre of Australia, approximately 1500 kilometres from any major Australian town in any direction.  The highest mountain in the northwards Territory of Australia, Mount Zeil, rises to 1,525 metres out of the West MacDonnell Ranges about 2 hundred kilometres west of Alice Springs.  The town has a growing population of almost 28,000 and is today a flourishing regional centre where an amazing range of tours, accommodation and activities for each taste and budget are available. 

The history of Alice Springs commenced in 1871 with the construction of a telegraph repeater station, one of many such stations built between Adelaide and Darwin as a part of the historical Overland telegraph.  Originally known as Stuart, this name wasn’t actually favored and in 1933 the town’s name was officially changed to Alice Springs.  Development was initially slow, with the original dirt road to Adelaide not being replaced till 1987.  Till then, travellers including train visitors on the historical Ghan railway followed the same route north as that followed by early Scottish explorer John MacDouall Stuart, north from Port Augusta in South Australia to Alice Springs through the outback towns of Oodnadatta and Finke.  Today, the Stuart highway which runs from Adelaide to Darwin is a first class road acceptable for any auto. 

Development in Alice Springs speeded up seriously in the 1980’s, and the town today is a modern, moderate sized municipality with a treasure house of resources and facilities compared to similar sized Australian cities.  The Ghan railway played a significant role in the city’s development, first arriving in 1929.  The train line line was recently extended north to Darwin, with the ensuing route across the centre of the Australian continent from Adelaide to Darwin now representing one of the planet’s great train journeys. 

A variety of important buildings can be found in the center of Alice Springs, including the original surgery in Adelaide House, the John Flynn Museum and Church, the Old Courthouse, the residence and the Stuart town Gaol.  The first telegraph Station is found in a reserve a short distance outside Alice Springs to the north.  On the eastern side side of the typically dry Todd river, which runs thru the centre of city, is the Olive Pink Botanic Garden, a dry section botanical garden found right in the heart of town. 

Alice Springs is found in a predominantly dry region, with wonderful cloudless blue skies from April to Sep.  Rainfall is untrustworthy and irregular, but can routinely be anticipated during the warmer summer months from October to March.  During summer, temperatures of forty degrees C ( 104-108 F ) are common, while in winter ( June to Aug ) overnight temperatures regularly fall below freezing point.  Winter days are generally bright and sunny, making this the most popular time of year for visitors. 

Information about the Arrernte folks of Alice Springs can be found at the Strehlow Research Centre, where many fascinating artifacts are displayed.  The Araluen humanities Centre maintains a massive collection of paintings by Aboriginal artists from the Alice Springs area, including famous the watercolour painter Albert Namatjira.  Plenty of other activities are available in and around Alice Springs, including hot air ballooning, horse and camel riding, cycling, and excursions to nearby natural attractions in the MacDonnell Ranges.  Alice Springs also hosts a spread of events and festivals in the cooler months between May and September. 

Alice Springs is well serviced with accommodation suited to all tastes and budgets, from backpacker hostels to 5 star hotels, and has several good cafes.  Alice Springs is easily accessed by air or bus from all Australian capital cities.  To travel in style to Alice Springs, consider the luxurious Ghan train which departs from Darwin, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.  Cars can be carried on the Ghan so that your own transport is available when you arrive in Alice Springs.

Do you love to see the world? Want to see some of the best places in the world? Visit famouswonders.com to get an idea of where to go for your next vacation. Make sure to also check out The Outback in Australia.

Unquestionably filled with free-flowing traveller destinations, the dominion of Morocco is often jammed with enthusiastic travelers from all over the world.  Beguiled by the naturally lovely landscapes, superb beaches, and provoking architecture of villas in Morocco, travellers would doubtlessly find their way to this tiny African heaven.  And once they set foot on this majestic country, the 1st thing they should do is select a cushty place to stay– studios, luxury hotels, or maybe villas in Morocco. 

Of all the types of traveller rentals, villas in Morocco are best for holiday makers who actually need to experience the Moroccan lifestyle.  Compared to conventional hostels and terraces in Morocco, villas can give you more than simply a comfortable resting place.  They also offer features to remind you that Morocco is a gloriously strange country.  So if you’re one of the cherished guests, you may be certain of living like a genuine Moroccan through your stay in this country.  However *COMMA] feeling like you’re basically in your own home does not imply that you can do everything and anything you need in it.  If you really want to act like a genuine Moroccan, you will have to go about your everyday tasks the Moroccan way.  These are some yes and no’s to remember :

DO…take time to ask the people working in villas how they are doing

Welcome a beautiful morning by asking the person serving your breakfast how he’s’s doing.  Remember that in Morocco, Moroccans don’t simply give a short greeting to folk they meet.  Instead, they generally stop and say’Ca va?’ –a sweet way of inquiring about a pal’s life.  Staying in one of the villas in Morocco would teach you this small lesson of concern for your neighbors. 

DON’T…smoke or drink alcoholic beverages within the villas in Morocco

Since Morocco is generally against smoking and drinking, it’s a smart move for you to offer some vice abstinence during your stay.  You might disagree the dear villa is your house but as a visitor, you should still show respect to the anti-smoking and drinking practices in the country.  Should you find it difficult to withstand a strong craving to smoke and drink, just ensure that you’ll be respectful enough to wash your own mess. 

DO…invite some of your new Moroccan pals to your villa

By nature, Moroccans are one of friendliest people you will meet.  You can gain mates by simply walking in the street, riding a train, or window-shopping at a boutique.  Moroccans worth the people they meet by inviting their newfound mates for an informal dinner.  As a number of one of the villas in Morocco, why not prepare a simple meal for your friends? 

DON’T…do anything that is offensive to Islam

Moroccan people often have a strong Islamic religion.  Regardless of some Moroccan practices that vary from the standard ideology of Islam, folks in Morocco still value a personal attention to their ideology.  As a guest in their country, you don’t need to convert to their faith but only value their practices to completely enjoy the Moroccan way of living.  Respect others, particularly your neighbors who are also staying in one of the villas in Morocco. 

The intricate designs and the substantial array of Moroccan meals in villas in Morocco will leave you a memorable impression.  But best of all, you will also find out about Moroccan values that will encourage you even after your stay.

To read more about travel topics, visit famouswonders.com and while you are at it, check out Tetouane.