Join London in celebrating this wonderful festival this weekend! (We know, same time as valentines!) Head over to Trafalgar Square where there will be many live performances on the 21st of February, including a parade with the traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances as well as dancers from China. There will be live shows at the National Portrait Gallery showing dances, martial arts and storytelling.

Or why not join all the fun in Leicester Square where there will be firecrackers and fireworks setting off in the afternoon. You will also be able to try authentic Chinese food being served by Chinese restaurants and stalls in Chinatown.

If you fancy getting some culture in you, go to one of the special events at some of London’s museums or galleries for the New Year. These include the National Maritime Museum and the National Geographic Store on Regent Street, who will be showing special photography of the big cats to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. Take your children to the museum in the Docklands where they can take part in lion dances and traditional arts and crafts like batik.

Events will be held both on the 14th of February and 21st, so choose which ones you fancy and join in with the celebrations!

Can I tell you the best part of all this? It’s all free! So what are you waiting for?

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Is it February already? January seems to have flown by everyone! I hope you have all had a nice start to the year! This week on our gig guide, we are taking a look to see what’s going on in March this year. There seems to be a lot of tours and concerts going on, so we picked the best ones we found and hope you’ll be able to get to some of them to see some of your favourite artists!

Lady Gaga (1st March) – SECC, Glasgow, United Kingdom – The ever controversial Lady Gaga is touring the UK! With her outrageous outfits and quirky personality, it is not to be missed.

Bat for Lashes (2nd March) – Morumbi Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil – This Alternative Rock musician is actually solo artist Natasha Khan and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2007 and is up for Best Female Solo Artist at the 2010 Brits!

Muse (3rd March) – Baltimore Mariner Arena, USA – Who doesn’t know Muse? With hits like Supermassive Black Hole and Knights of Cydonia, these guys put on an awesome show. I’ve seen them myself as I am a huge fan, and it is spectacular!

Whitney Huston (4th March) – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Australia – Who doesn’t love Whitney’s voice? Powerful and beautiful, this lady is definitely worth a see live.

La Roux (5th March) – Astra Kulturhaus, Berlin, Germany – Influenced by 1980s sythpop, La Roux has had hits like In For The Kill and Bulletproof and with her individuality and style this will be a great concert.

Groove Armada (6th March) – LIVE, Brussels, Belgium – This music duo have collaborated with many artists including Mutya Buena (Sugababes) and Sophie Barker and are well known for their funky dance music. I, for one, love them. Their songs are catchy and great to get you on your feet dancing!

X Factor Live (7th March) – SECC Glasgow, United Kingdom – Anyone remember Jedward, Olly Murs and winner of the show Joe McElderry? They are touring! Should be a great laugh, especially if Jedward do Ghostbusters again! I hope Joe’s version of The Journey’s – Don’t Stop Believing is on the set list!

Are you seeing any of these artists? Where are you seeing them if not listed here? We’d like to know what concerts and gigs you are going to be heading out to this year! Have a nice weekend!

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An online survey that was carried out on members of the public found that only half (52%) were successful. Surprisingly less than 5% came across the widely used A – G energy efficiency label in their attempts to look up information on emissions.

It showed that Mini, Kia, Lexus and Honda had the best usable website for finding this information, while Alfa Romeo, Nissan, Smart and Mercedes Benz ranked amongst the worst. You can view the full league table on the Guardian website to see where all the manufacturer’s ranked.

Users who tested how long it took to find the emissions; had said that CO2 emissions were not ranked very important on some manufacturer’s websites.

Blake Ludwig, MD of We Are Futureproof has said “More and more people want to choose greener, more efficient cars, but our study shows that some car makers expect them to spend time hunting around confusing websites for information. Other car makers have got it right, putting the data upfront and easy to find, and we think all companies should have to follow this model.”

How easy have you found looking up the CO2 information on manufacturer’s websites? Do you think it is important to keep all the information clear where people can find it easily?

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The most famous Moroccan dish is cous cous, traditionally made from semolina which is rolled into small pellets. It is then steamed two or three times to get its light and fluffy consistency. This is served with vegetables and can be used as an accompaniment for main dishes.

Main dishes are mostly Pastilla (or B’stilla) and Tagines. Pastilla is an elaborate meat pie traditionally made from pigeon, although chicken is more commonly used today. It is made from thin dough, shredded meat cooked slowly in broth and spices with a crunchy layer of ground toasted almonds, cinnamon and sugar. Tagines are slow braised stews cooked in traditional tagine pots which are made of heavy clay and have a domed cover. Lamb or chicken are the most popular meats for this dish and are cooked with a variety of spices and fruits such as pears, prunes and apricots.

Sweet pastries are served after the main meal although it is more common to have fruit.

Green tea is usually served with dinner or with the sweet pastries after. Making it is a complex ritual and takes about 30 minutes when done properly. Traditionally it is made with mint but this has declined in recent years in Morocco and sometimes pine nuts are used instead. Restaurants outside of Morocco still use mint. It is poured from a distance so that there is a foam on the tea.

Some examples of what you might find in a typical Moroccan restaurant:

Moroccan Salad – Fresh herbs, tomato, cucumber, eggs, onions, olives, feta cheese and dressing.
Pastilla ba Djaje – Chicken pie, with eggs, herbs, almonds and saffron.
Tagine bal Houte – Sea bass baked in tomato, charmoula sauce, lemon and saffron.
Tagine Lahem bal B’tata – Lamb with potato, green peas, cumin, ginger and saffron.
Brochettes Lahem – skewers of minced lamb and herbs.

Have you been to Morocco and tried any of these mouthwatering dishes?

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You can actually take yourself on a self drive safari which is ideal if you want to be able to see the country at your own pace with your own personal itinerary. To give you an idea of what you can do with your car hire in Namibia, here is a nine day breakdown of what you could do if you choose to drive from Namibia to Botswana.

Day 1: Windhoek – Land in Windhoek and pick up your car hire and drive to the city. Once you’ve checked in your luggage, enjoy some time driving around the city seeing sites such as The Old Fort or Parliament Building to name a few. You’ll find in Windhoek that many skyscrapers will be among old historic buildings, which is just a beautiful sight to see.

Day 2: Waterberg Plateau – Drive yourself up to Frans Indongo Lodge and enjoy watching game running through the landscape and admire the beautiful views.

Day 3 & 4: Kavango Region – You should arrive by afternoon if you set off in the morning, here you can enjoy the beautiful sunset and perhaps put the kids to bed early to have a romantic evening with your loved one. Staying another day here would be a great time for you and your family to enjoy some excursions. Have a go at Tigerfishing or watch some of the 400 species of bird fly across the landscape.

Day 5 & 6: Mahango National Park – Enjoy views of the river and take another excursion while you are here. Take some time to go on a safari tour and see if you can spot any elephants in Namibia’s most diverse and interesting conservation area. Don’t forget to visit Popa Falls, a stunning series of rapids that run into Botswana.

Day 7 & 8: Mudumu National Park – With stunning forests, marsh and open woodland you will find a wide variety of wildlife. Take a drive through the park or a nature walk and admire the views of this mysterious land with zebras, buffalo and antelope to name a few of the animals you can see!

Day 9: Katima Mulilo – Drop your car off at the airport and hop on to your flight back to Windhoek then home. What a great nine days to cover some of the best scenic routes in Africa! Driving West to East you can really get a taste of what there is to offer.

Pick up your car hire at Windhoek Airport and plan your itinerary before you go. Make sure you have your Hotels or Bed and Breakfasts booked and get some food and water for your journey as it will be very hot out there! Do you have any tips for your fellow travellers thinking of going?

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Whenever you visit Australia during March there are a plethora of events to keep you entertained, whether you like the excitement of Formula 1 or just prefer to enjoy listening to classical music in the park. Listed below are some of the highlights:

Victoria

Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne 25th to 28th March
Can Jensen Button win here again like he did last year and go on to win the title? Albert Park in Melbourne hosts the second race in the F1 2010 season. The excitement and sheer exhilaration of this event makes for an unforgettable experience. As well as the racing there is lots of off track entertainment including a carnival which makes it a perfect day out for all the family.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival – 12th to 23rd March
The largest celebration of its kind anywhere in the world. Visit the Theatre of Ideas and get inspired by top Michelin star chefs like Massimo Bottura or attend one of the master classes and learn how to make the perfect souffle! The Earthly Abundance Dinner in the Praharan Market on 17th is a must. You can enjoy canapes and wine in the market square before sitting down to a magnificent three course dinner prepared by top chefs from America.

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra Festival – 6th to 14th March
Nine days of exhibitions, music, sporting events and theatre. Witness the Balloon Spectacular and watch the many balloons ascend into the morning sky whilst enjoying a relaxing breakfast. Or why not book a flight in one and experience it first hand? Enjoy listening to the Canberra Symphony Orchestra in Commonwealth Park or if you like your music a bit more up beat there is the free Celebration in the Park concert.

New South Wales

Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta – 5th to 7th March
The largest yacht racing championship in Australia. As well as watching the magnificent yachts there are plenty of other activities going on: Fashion parades, remote control yachts, live entertainment and on Saturday evening watch the spectacular firework display .

South Australia

International Rugby Sevens Adelaide 2010 – 19th to 21st March
The Australian Rugby Sevens takes place in Adelaide in March and is one of the eight tournaments that make up the series. 16 international teams play 44 games over the two days so it is sure to produce some excellent entertainment. Australia will be trying to improve their position and trying to stem neighbouring rivals New Zealand who are currently dominanting the competition. They will also be trying to gain ground on England who are just 10 points ahead of them. A must for all rugby fans!

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Now for this week’s question.

Can you tell me what this is a picture of, and where it is?

Hint: It was the longest in the world when it was completed during 1937 and is now an internationally recognised symbol of the State it belongs to. The project cost more then $35million, with a total length of 1.71 miles (8,981feet). It is still the second longest suspension bridge in terms of span in the United States and is ranked fifth in America’s Favourite Architecture.

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Venice – Often considered the most romantic city in Italy. Stroll around St Marks Square early evening and absorb its architectural splendor. Sample the Venetian cuisine in one of the many delightful restaurants which can be found on or near the square. Then take a romantic gondola ride along the many canals and enjoy a relaxed tour around the city – the perfect end to a perfect day. Other places to visit include the Rialto Bridge where you can experience great views of the canals or visit one of the many islands.

Florence – With its Renaissance history and culture many people would argue that actually Florence is the most romantic city in Italy. Visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia to see Michaelangelo’s greatest work – David or the Uffizi Gallery to see Botticelli’s ‘The Birth of Venus’. Then visit Boboli Gardens, which dates back to the 16th Century, for stunning views of the city. In the evening visit the Ponte Vecchio which spans the Arno River and enjoy a romantic meal in one of the many restaurants, or just marvel at the many street artists that perform there.

Lake Como – Bellagio is the most famous of the resorts on Lake Como and known as The Pearl of the Lake. Its location, at the intersection of the three branches of the lake, affords magnificent views. Wander through the pretty stone lanes and stairways or the tree lined avenues. Visit the museum at the Villa Melzi and then relax in the gardens. There are plenty of restaurants which offer traditional Italian cuisine for that romantic meal. Take a cruise and visit some of the other resorts on this beautiful lake – enjoy a coffee or lunch in Varenna or visit the cathedral in Como.

Wherever you choose you are guaranteed a Valentines day to remember. Where do you think is the most romantic city in Italy?

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This week we are looking at the last eight days of February. There are so many wonderful bands playing around the world, I really wish I could go and see them all. Here are our recommendations for you if you can get yourself there!

AFI, Panamore, Placebo, HIM + many more (21st Feb) – Eastern Creek Raceway, Australia – The Soundwave Music Festival is a great place to enjoy a vast array of artists and will be great day out for all those rock lovers!

Dave Matthews Band (22nd Feb) – Palasharp, Milan, Italy – This Grammy award winning band are well known for their tours around Europe and US. They have long jamming sessions live on stage and each show is different to the next. Definitely worth a see for a great night out.

Jay-Z (23rd Feb) – American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, USA – Who doesn’t know Jay-z? Married to Beyonce, this R’n’B artist will have you bopping your head and singing along to his music.

Basement Jaxx (24th Feb) – Hatch, Osaka-Shi, Japan – Dance the night away with Basement Jaxx with hits like Red Alert this duo are sure to have you off your seats.

Vampire Weekend (25th Feb) – Olympia Paris, France – This American Indie Band are great to see live. They will put on one hell of a show and they create all their own material. What more could you want?

Lady Gaga (26th Feb) – The 02, United Kingdom – Who wouldn’t want to see this controversial young lady perform in her outrageous outfits; different hair colours and great songs. She is my secret guilty pleasure!

Spandau Ballet (27th Feb) – Dom Sportova, Zagreb, Croatia – You are gold! Always believe in your soul, you’ve got the power to know, you’re indestructible, always believe in… You are GOLD! Yeah!

The Temper Trap (28th Feb) – Gloria-Theatre, Cologne, Germany – Absolutely love The Temper Trap. Their music has an upbeat chill out feel to it and when performing live, they are amazing! They must not be missed!

I would love to go the Soundwave Festival this year. I’d hire a car in Sydney, head down to the festival then drive to the city to see some sites such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour. I’d probably not the beach either and take some time to relax. Have a nice weekend everyone!

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The Las Baulas National Park is on the Pacific Coast in Costa Rica, about 100km from the border of Nicaragua. This park is one of the few remaining sites that these beautiful creatures nest their eggs on the beach. These creatures are in decline around the world. This is due to poaching, beach development and accidental capture from fishing nets. The project in Costa Rica in the park is dedicated to protecting these creatures as over the thousands of years they have been declining.

So what can we do to help? Why not experience an opportunity of a lifetime and volunteer to help save these beautiful creatures. It is a wonderful thing to do and you will help save an endangered species. During your time here you will:

Work: Assist in all areas of the project work from collecting data to relocation of the nests. You will be given training on site so you will learn something new during your stay.

Accommodation and Food: You will stay close to the beach in rooms with a bathroom and air conditioning. Your meals will be at the local restaurant and it will be a great time to make new friends as everyone eats together.

Transport: You will be doing a lot of walking on and off the beach and there will be a van for trips that are a bit longer. To get to the site you need to arrange your own means of transport.

Communication: There is a telephone line which is used for all forms of communication, phone, fax and email.

You can also take part in other projects, such as building a house for the National Park volunteers, cleaning debris of wood from the beach so more turtles can nest and an ongoing education program with the local schools.

When you are not working you can enjoy the tourist attractions nearby such as Tamarindo Estuary with many different species of plants and animals. You can choose to hire a car and explore the country of Costa Rica, enjoy some surfing and enjoy the views. So why not consider volunteering for this wonderful project and in your spare time hire a car in Costa Rica and enjoy what this country has to offer while having a rewarding experience?

Have you actually taken part in the conservation project? Let us know your experiences and any advice for others considering going.

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