Posted in Travel on 07/04/2010 12:10 pm by Diana
Los Angeles is a major tourist destination . People for decades have been traveling to it to see the sites many of which have been attracting tourists for decades if not the better part of a century. These days there’s pretty much a set list of the sites you “have” to see if you plan to visit the ‘City of Angels’ for the first time.
The top things you are expected to see on a trip to L.A. is rather long but number one since it became open to the public has been Disneyland. This theme park and studio has been a long standing attraction for Southern California and is billed as “The happiest place on earth” . Other places to visit include Universal Studios, Venice Beach, Rodeo Drive, and Sunset Blvd. One of the longest lasting images of Hollywood though has always been Hollywood Boulevard and thanks to recent urban renewal projects it has begun to reclaim the crowd drawing presence of its heyday. There is much more to Los Angeles than just those attractions though so don’t feel the need to limit yourself.
When planing your stay in L.A. feel free to custom tailor your stay to fit your needs. There are even options if you plan to vacation on a budget. You can, provided you reserve in advance, be part of a studio audience for some sitcoms and a multitude of game shows filmed around the city for cheap if not free. If you plan to be in town during it you may want to see the Rose Parade though if you want the best sidewalk seats you need to be prepared to camp on the sidewalk for it. There are limitless free attractions and all within easy reach of five star hotels. Los Angeles beaches are also free. Not one for fun in the sun but still wanting to enjoy yourself without spending a fortune? The California Science Center is always free and several other museums offer special free pass days. If you would like to experience some live music during your stay there are free concerts from April to November in the Los Angeles Times Central Court at the Los Angeles County Art Museum.
Posted in Travel on 06/28/2010 12:10 pm by Diana
The great city of Chicago is a great source of pride for the midwest. An eclectic place with a lot of fascinating history, it’s hard to imagine any time but the present. It’s a very stimulating place, with fantastic smells from a wide variety of world cuisines, visual imagery from the street artists that offer eye candy at every turn, and the constant stream of people to make it all entirely agreeable.
For fine dining, great theater, and four star hotels, Chicago has the goods to keep its guests in a very lovely place, showing why there is no better time than the present. Of course, the past here does tend to come up now and again, and it’s hard to escape from. Not that there’s any good reason to. Chicago’s past is truly folded into the present, where everything that’s great about the city has connections that link it to other times, and sometimes, to other places as well. Jazz is one of the best examples of this, where one can look at the musicians currently playing in the city.
There are few professionals in the scene who can talk at length without mentioning the influence of Eddie Johnson on their own work. The great patriarch of jazz in the city passed away this past April. He was 89 years old, and has been impacting the music lovers in the city, and the world, for decades.
By all accounts, Johnson was one of the quintessential jazzmen, playing with a grace and panache that might seem particular to a generation, but in the music industry, it’s a timeless persona. Cool and collected, mischievous and capable of great bursts of laughter, the saxophone player encompasses a bridge between the past and the present. The origins of jazz come from African rhythms, and its name is a derivative of a Congolese word. The present of jazz is a cutting edge art that makes the past the present, and the present the past, while making space for sound in the future.
Posted in Travel on 06/24/2010 12:10 pm by Diana
There is beautiful geography all across the state of Colorado and it is also extremely diverse in ecological makeup. There are the beautiful Rockie Mountains and plenty of lakes, rivers and streams that span the state. Fort Collins is located near the northern edge of the state and it is about 57 miles of Denver. It is near and even placed in some of the most beautiful geography in the state and its location on the Cache La Poudre River places it close to beautiful mountain slopes as well as gorgeous tree lands and lush landscapes. Its location is one of the things residents love most about their city and is also one of the main reasons it’s so attractive to tourists.
The beautiful geography and close access to great skiing and hiking opportunities is not the only reason guests choose to spend their vacations in one of the hotels Fort Collins . One of the sensational features of the city is the Anheuser-Busch brewery that is located in the city. This is particularly attractive to the students, though it is also an interesting and exciting place to tour for visitors. There are other small breweries in the city and every year the Colorado Brewers Festival takes place, which is a major city celebration.
There are other intriguing cultural establishments in the city and Lincoln Center is among them. Not to be confused with the Lincoln Center in New York, this is probably Fort Collins’ primary performance art center. It is currently closed for renovations and will be open in September to begin the fall season. The Fort Collins Museum of Contemporary Art has an impressive permanent collection and continually presents touring exhibits and special educational programs. The primary focus of the museum is on national and regional contemporary art. These are just a few of the many cultural and geographic elements of Fort Collins that make residents love their city and tourists want to come back for more.
Posted in Travel on 06/20/2010 12:10 pm by Diana
There are so many incredible things to do in and around Boston, Massachusettes that developing your particular visitation agenda can be somewhat complicated. Many people decide to pick a theme and chose to either explore the historic aspects of the city or the contemporary attractions, while others think it’s best to make try and blend the various elements. Regardless of how you approach your stay in one of the five star hotels Boston five star hotels boston , you will walk away having one of the great cultural experiences of your lifetime.
Visiting the various historic landmarks, monuments and buildings that are found in and around Boston are interesting, informative and exciting. In addition, they help visitors to gain a sense of history that can only be found by being there. And while these elements are always endorsed visitation destinations, there are great contemporary cultural elements that are also amazing.
The John Fitzgerald Kennedy Library and Museum is one of the great contemporary establishments that also relates to the historic significance of this city. There are numerous documents and articles that relate to Kennedy’s Presidency, his political career and personal life. The information is extremely fascinating testifies to the great character of this President. The archives also include various video footage of some of his great speeches. This is one of Boston’s prominent Presidential library museums. And after spending an afternoon here you may want to explore the sights of the city and some of its waters with a Charles River Tour . There are sunset tours available and great views of the Boston Harbor are available. There are numerous ways to tour and explore this great city, and however you decide to do it, the important thing is that you are.
Posted in Travel on 06/17/2010 12:10 pm by Diana
Hands-down the best and hottest nightclub in San Diego is Stingaree . For those in-the-know and for wannabes and newbies, all of whom are hoping to catch a glimpse of the celebrities who tend to make an appearance such as Kim Kardashian, Carmen Electra, and Kanye West, who are all there to see in-club performances by John Legend, LMFAO or the Black Eyed Peas. What could be hotter than that?
How about Stingaree’s new feature – a new rooftop club area, called Ritual, urging local clubbers to embrace the way of Buddha and indulge in sultry summer nights. As guest step out onto the new Ritual roof top, they are greeted by two 16-foot tall Buddha statues. VIP cabanas are elevated and the seat are raised on a 6-inch wood platform that are encompassed by see through, hand-painted shades of blue, green and cream. Stratus shaped Thai woven bamboo lighting pendants and Capiz shell chandeliers make the Ritual rooftop feel as if you’ve been transported to another realm.
There are many five star hotels in San Diego within walking distance of Stingaree, but wouldn’t you rather show up in luxury? Don’t worry, San Diego is home to a multitude of luxury transportation that will happily help you cruise in ultimate style. There’s the Cali Party Bus: one of San Diego’s leading sources of luxury transportation, featuring a fleet of custom-designed party buses with all the works; Avant-Garde Global Transportation: has a vast fleet ranging from stretch Rolls Royce specialty vehicles to limo buses and stretch hummer limos; TerraMoto: offers a sleek and sophisticated ride in their ‘Green’ luxury transportation, providing hybrid executive class vehicles; but it you are really looking to impress, then look no further than Prestige: you can rent your dream car such as an Aston Martin or a Lamborghini, only you’re imagination is the limit when it comes to what Prestige can provide.
So, next time you’re visiting San Diego, drive up to Stingaree in your luxurious car and feel as if you too are one of the ‘in-crowd’.
Posted in Travel on 05/28/2010 12:10 pm by Diana
Things have a tendency to change over time Saint Malo, France embodies this. Through history it’s been many things, an island at the mouth of a river and home to pirates, brigands, colonists, and the odd explorer for example. Today it’s a popular vacation spot for tourists from the British Isles and no longer is it on an island. In the 15th and 16th century the pirates calling this fortified city home would charge English ships a toll to safely navigate nearby waters. In 1944 bombing all but leveled the city but efforts in 1962 rebuilt the city to it’s historical glory.
There are many sights to see in this city no matter what your tastes. The city from outside its historic walls looks gloomy and intimidating but once inside tourists discover that the streets within the walls are often busy and full of people, lined with hotels, restaurants, bars and shops for travelers to pass the hours. In the summer crowds can be oppressive in the narrow streets but a stroll atop the ramparts of the city should restore your balance and give you a chance to breath. While up there you’ll have a breath taking view of the beautiful beaches right beyond the city’s doorstep. These beaches is a big bonus if you’re traveling with kids in tow and want to let them tire themselves out before returning to your Saint Malo hotel rooms or taking a flight or ferry home.
Whether you go with kids or not if you travel to Saint Malo in the summer you have a wide option from diving among the sunken ships off the coast, some of them are war memorial sites from D-Day or if you can’t swim and still want to experience the ocean you can visit the Saint-Malo Great Aquarium and stroll amongst the denizens of the deep as well as see some tropical fish.
Posted in Travel on 05/23/2010 12:10 pm by Diana
When in Punta Cana, there is much more to do than shop, relax on the beach or hike into the woodlands, there’s the whole Caribbean ocean at your disposal and there are plenty of organization ready to take you exploring this beautiful water world.
Would you like a nice relaxing short cruise? Then take a 2 hour afternoon cruise on the Bavaro Afternoon Cruise. Nothing can match the magic as you’ll sail on the blue water off Punta Cana. You’ll start your cruise along the coastline and you’ll have the best views of Punta Cana as the cool ocean breeze keeps you refreshed. You’ll relax with the very enjoyable music being played by one of the local bands as you snack and drink until the day draws to an end. They also offer a twilight cruise which can only be described as romantic as the sun sinks into the sea. You’ll really like the cost of this tour too, only 30 Euros per person. What a perfect way to experience a beautiful day in paradise.
If its speed you’re into, check out the Bavaro Splash Speedboat Ride . You’ll get to experience this 3 hour aquatic adventure as you get to drive your own speedboat, James Bond style, on the turquoise Caribbean sea. You’ll zoom across the waves in a mini 2-seater speed boat as you follow the leader speeding alongside the beaches of Bavaro. Your adventure will take you to a snorkeling platform where you’ll also get to snorkel into the clear waters to see all the coral and sea-life in every color imaginable. If you’ve never used a speed boat or snorkeled, don’t worry, expert instruction are available to those who need it. This wonderful, fast adventure will cost $45 Euros per person, and the price includes a soft drink before speeding back to your beach.
Not interested in speed, but would like to spend more time on the water and in other locations? Then you must take the Catamaran Cruise to Saona Island . This cruise lasts 10 hrs and cost $60 Euros per person. You’ll get to relax on the beach, and enjoy the beautifully crystal clear waters. You’ll explore the tropic on a very relaxing catamaran cruise to the Saona Island and sun on the white sandy beach under the coconut palms. You’re journey will begin when a van will pick you up from your Punta Cana hotel and take you to the catamaran. You’ll spend 3 hours on the island and learn how to Merengue after a Barbecue lunch served buffet-style. But, first, you’ll be treated to cocktails at the amazing ‘Natural Pool’ lagoon, which is loaded with starfish. Upon returning back to Punta Cana, you’ll be entertained by the musical crew as you enjoy the unlimited open bar.
Posted in Travel on 05/17/2010 01:02 am by Diana
It can be an interesting ride, the rides taken inside the city, as well as the city itself. Anyone who’s had to spend a few hours here and there taking cabs to faraway places in New York City, where the ride might cost well over the ten dollars it was anticipated, has had to wonder if a cab might be the perfect metaphor for the city. Lately, lately being any time in the past thirty years, anyone taking a cab may notice that the icon of the cab driver has changed.
There are some who might say that the philosopher behind the wheel is a relic of the past. But there are those who might know that it’s not gone away at all. It is a different game, and a different world, where moments in time have been particularly dicey for a driver. This did lead to a certain distance that came between the driver and the passenger.
There is also plenty of evidence to show that people don’t take cabs as much as they used to, and there are less cab drivers now than there were in the 30s. The subway has gotten that much better, and the times have changed a lot.
However, it’s still possible to get into a conversation about the split between mind and body, or the reason there are still people who care in the world, with a cab driver, if the right questions are asked. Now it’s more a question of the rider being the one to break the ice, but it’s worth it in order to hear the stories. Every cab driver has a story to tell in this town, and so does every passenger, native or just visiting. And visitors like to go home at the end of the day.
And at the end of the day, when the cabs are bringing people home to their New York City hotels , the rumination might be over for a time. It starts up again the next day, well before dawn, when the city’s decided to crack its knuckles for another spin around the universe.
Posted in Travel on 05/12/2010 12:10 pm by Diana
One of the great draws to Miami is the beautiful Atlantic Ocean and all the wild animal life that lives in it. There are so many ways to enjoy this vibrant coast. Maybe the first day out hitting the beach would be the best plan. It is always important to have a little down time after traveling and getting away from the work stress of home. Take a trip across the water on the I195 to Miami Beach. Depending on how much you want to hit the big city you may even want to find a great Miami hotel right on the water so the sand is only a few steps away. Â
While you are spending time on the beach you may want to find a way to get in some scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some amazing artificial reefs just of the coast that can be explored. Check out some diver companies like South Beach Divers they offer some great day trips as well as PADI certification if you plan to really get into it and are staying for a short while. There are now many ways to get certified on line with scuba diving at least in theory. Â
Then there are the fantastic boat rides that let you get out and enjoy the view from the other direction. Rent a power boat at a place like Fast Track . They have all kinds of different boats as well as some great charters and cruises. This give you the option of handling the power yourself or taking a tour and learning more about the are by the experts who live and breath in the Miami Coast every day. Deep sea fishing is also a great way to spend the afternoon on the water. You never know you may get a great fish tale out of it.
Posted in Travel on 05/11/2010 12:10 pm by Diana
The future of performance is very likely to be somewhere in Germany, and Mannheim is a likely candidate for the city that will birth it. Its famous water tower, proximity to the Rhine, as well as its position as a major urban center, all make it particularly apt to hosting some fascinating talents. With a little help from friends who are also good translators, the work of Bulent Ceylan comes through as a potential high water mark. He may have access to some of the key elements in the world in terms of timing and innovation.
Comedy depends on the ability to press people’s attention spans, their capacity and desire for repetition, but it also needs a razor wire sensibility, where wit is the key element that turns all the screws just enough in the right direction so that they are loose at just the right moment.
Visitors to the city can find things to do after resting in their Mannheim hotels and getting their bearings, and for some, the first trip is to the cafe. It’s a great place to start off any evening in Germany, and it’s the place to get the feel of a city for the first time. It’s also a great place to get the feel for the second and seventeenth times. All the news passes through here, and all the cultural evens are discussed here.
With Bulent Ceylan , it might be necessary to have an understanding of the local cabaret tradition, and what it means to the people of Mannheim. His short frame and impeccable timing offer a new kind of everyman for audiences, a Turkish-German iconicity of the everyday, and a sort of anti-hero with a soul patch. The future will spell out the tracks he’s on, but the present in Mannheim demonstrates amply that these tracks are well placed, and this is the talent to travel them.