Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi: The exterior view

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi:The beach side view

Emirates Palace at night

Mezlai Reception

Khaleej Deluxe Suite Lounge

Royal Khaleej Suite: Living room

Royal Khaleej Suite: Bedroom

Pearl room: The outer view

Palace Suite bedroom

Diamond room

Coral Room

Sayad Restaurant

Mezzaluna

Le Cafe

L` Etoiles

Havana Club

Hakkasan Restaurant

Breeze Lounge

Las Brisas Pool

Anantara Spa

Anantara Spa Massage room

Anantara Spa Hammam

Room and Suite options at Emirates Palace

•    Coral Room

•    Pearl Room

•    Diamond Room

•    Khaleej Suite

•    Khaleej Deluxe

•    Royal Khaleej Suite

•    Palace Suite

Rooms and Suite facilities

•    Wireless Internet

•    Minibar

•    Laptop-size safe

•    24 hrs Butler Service

•    Daily newspaper service

•    Laptop-size safe

•    Balcony

•    Flat-screen TV

•    Working Desk

•    Entertainment Center

Dining and Bar options

•    Le Vendome

•    Mezzaluna

•    Sayad

•    Mezlai

•    BBQ Al Qasr

•    Hakkasan

•    Cascades

•    Las Brisas

•    Diwan L’Auberge

•    Havana Bar

•    Breeze Bar

•    Le Café

•    Caviar Bar

•    Etoiles

Leisure Facilities at Emirates Palace

•    Anantara Spa – the flow of water without boarders

•    Emirates Palace white sandy pristine beach

•    Pools –Aquatic adventure and leisurely lazy dips

•    Sport and Fitness – action packed healthy living

•    Boutiques and Designer Shopping

•    Sightseeing – discover what’s old, what’s new in dynamic Abu Dhabi

Spa amenities and treatments available

•    Anantara Spa Signature Journeys

•    Anantara Spa Massages

•    Body Treatments

•    Elemis for “Him”

•    Bath and Steam Rituals

Sport and fitness amenities

•    Private Beach

•    Cascade Pool

•    Las Brisas pool

•    Tennis courts

•    Kids zone

•    Kids club or Sarab Land

•    Multi-Speciality Gyms

•    Water sports

•    Sailing

•    Snorkeling

•    Windsurfing

Other amenities at Emirate palace include

Venues for.

•    Meetings

•    Weddings

Facilities like.

•    Advantage Abu Dhabi

•    Booker Incentive 2012

•    Request for proposal

•    Wedding Special

Emirates Palace offers include

•    Suitely Sensational

•    Emirates Palace Early Booker Room Rate

•    Palatial Romance Package

•    Out of this World

•    Magnificent May

An Interesting fact:  The famous ‘Dragon Corridor’ of 66 Dragon Pillers is constructed for the prosperity of the guests visiting here. This is an ancient Chinese belief. So why waiting? Put this hotel in your next stop list.

The Grant Entrance: Pangu, Beijing

Pangu, Beijing: The 7 star hotel

Enjoy the Grand Lobby

Pangu, BeijingExterior view

Wenqi Chinese private dining room

Presidential suite

Premium junior suite

Premium deluxe room with a view

Premium corner suite bathroom

Karma lounge

Happiness lounge

Grand deluxe suite

Grand deluxe room

Grand corner suite

Executive deluxe room

Pangu, Beijing: The Ballroom

Auspicious Garden all day dining

Guest rooms options at Pangu hotel, Beijing

•  Grand Deluxe Room
•  Executive Deluxe Room
•  Premium Deluxe Room
•  Executive Junior Suite
•  Premium Junior Suite
•  Grand Corner Suite
• Grand Deluxe Suite
• Premium Corner Suite
• Premium Suite
• Pangu Presidential Suite

Dining options at Pangu hotel

• Hapiness Lounge
• Karma Lounge
• Auspecious Garden
• Wenqi Chinese Private Dining Room
• Wenqi French Private Dining Room
• Wenqi Balinese Private Dining Room
• Wenqi Thai Private Dining Room
• Wenqi English Private Dining Room
• Kaden Minokichi Japanese Restaurant

Room facilities as per choice of room

• Personalized butler service
• Room rates inclusive of in-room non-alcoholic drinks
• 24-hour in-room dining
• Complimentary broadband and wireless Internet access and Local Phone Calls
• Call Conference By Cisco VoIP phones in rooms.
• LCD TV screens in the living room and bathroom with satellite/cable TV
• Full-size executive desk
• Electronic safe; Energy-saving key cards
• Emergency power systems
• Automatic curtain controls
• Digital fireplace with remote control
• Walk-in wardrobes
• Custom made reversible bathrobes and slippers
• 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton bedding by Frette; Pillow menu
• 24-hour laundry service
•  Twice daily Housekeeping service
• Gianfranco Ferre and Hermes luxury bathroom amenities
•  Monsoon rainshower and heated towel rack
• Hand-crafted marble bath tub

Ball Rooms 

• Pangu Lotus Ball Room
• VIP Meeting Room
• Business Center Board Room
• Pangu Ball Room
• Pangu Function Room

Exclusive  Services

• Personalised butler service
• TechnoGym fitness facilities
• VVIP pick-up
• VVIP departure
• Ruyi Bridge access to Beijing Olympic Park and Olympic Stadiums.
• Explore Beijing in style
• Spa suites
• Indoor pool

The blue water Melissani Cave, Greece

Tourist enjoying the sunlight inside the cave

Mouth of the Melissani Cave, Greece

Crystal clear water

Cave lake

Cave during noon

Best time to Visit

Various times during the day give various views of the cave from inside. Mornings and evenings throw light rays of the sun inside the cave which shows different illusions on the walls  and during noon the sun’s rays hit the blue water and the caves get colored blue.

How to reach

The cave is located on the Greek islands of Kefalonia which are close to Sami. You can take a boat ride from mainland of Kefalonia. The boats will take you right inside the cave and show you around.

Accommodation

You can stay on the island of Kefalonia and there are many options you can ponder on.

Other attractions

• Drogarati Caves

• Kefalonia museums and churches

Balboa bay club, CA: A View from the sea

The Grand entrance

Hire a yatch and relax

Summer Boat rides

Posh Sitting room

Deluxe Bedroom

Cosy bedroom

Fine dining

Luxury bathrooms

Spa

Outdoor swimming pool

Resort amenities

•  Spa
•  Fitness centers
•  Recreation
•  Salon
•  Restaurants
• Apartments
• Hotels

Events

•  The Annual Newport Beach Film Festival – April 26-May 2, 2012
•  Sawdust Festival – June 24–August 28, 2011
•  Festival of the Arts – Pageant of the Masters – July 7–August 31, 2012

Places to visit

Art & culture

• Orange County Art Museum
• Segerstrom Center for the Arts
• Newport Harbor Nautical Museum
• Lyon Air Museum
• Segerstrom Center for the Arts
• South Coast Repertory
• Bowers Museum
• Pacific Symphony
• Marconi Automotive Museum

Beaches & Parks

• Newport Municipal Beach
• Corona del Mar State Beach
• Newport Pier located at Balboa Peninsula
• The “Wedge”
• Little Corona in Corona del Mar State Beach
• Crystal Cove State Park

Sports Activities and Destinations

• Duffy Boat
• Stand-Up Paddle Board
• Kayaking
• Pelican Hill Golf Course
• Tustin Ranch Golf Club
• Oak Creek Golf Club
• Strawberry Farms Golf Course
• Monarch Beach Golf Links
• UCI
• The Honda Center Arena
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Baseball
• Long Beach Veterans Stadium
• Dodger Stadium
• UCLA
•  USC

The Shopping destinations at Balboa Bay Club & Resort

• The Bay Club Collection
• The Club Store
• The Grog Shop
• Jewelry by Mardo
• Fashion Island
• Boardwalk Shops at The Newport Pier
• Corona del Mar Plaza
• South Coast Plaza
• Crystal Cove Promenade

Nearest airports

• John Wayne/Santa Ana Airport
• Los Angeles International Airport
• Long Beach Airport

Capella Ixtapa, Mexico: The cliff side view

The pool side view: Capella Ixtapa, Mexico

Beach side Dining: Capella Ixtapa

Private bedroom terrace

Private Balcony with a view

Personal jacuzzi and relaxing chairs

Outdoor infinity pool

The Terrace bar for evening relaxation

Rejuvenating Spa

Couple spa beds

Rocky private beach

Accommodation options
•    Ocean Front Junior Suites
•    Deluxe Ocean Front Junior Suites
•    Capella Ocean Front Junior Suite
•    Capella Deluxe Ocean Front Junior Suite
•    Ocean Front Penthouse Suites

Accommodation features for villas
•    A master bedroom
•    Living area
•    Private terrace
•    Plunge pools
•    LCD television
•    Wireless LAN
•    Touch panel control for lighting
•    Refreshment center
•    Complimentary mineral waters and soft drinks
•    Spectacular view of the Pacific

Facilities
•    Unique in-room welcome amenity
•    24-hour room service
•    Access to The Spa & fitness center
•    Nightly turndown service
•    Bottled water and soft drinks in the refreshment center
•    Enhanced poolside service & amenities

Amenities and Services
•    Pool side Restaurants
•    Indoor-Outdoor Bar
•    Terrace Bar
•    Spa
•    Pool

Dining options
•    Pool Café & Las Rocas Restaurant
•    A Mares Restaurant
•    Terrace Bar

Activities
•    Romantic Getaways
•    Golf
•    Fitness
•    Spa
•    Swimming
•    Cruises & Sailing
•    Outdoor Adventures
•    Water Experiences
•    Deep Sea Fishing
•    Seasonal Activities
•    Sailing
•    Snorkeling
•    Hiking

Package Options 
•    Escape To Capella Package
•    Experience Capella Package
•    Breathless: Romance By Capella Ixtapa
•    At One With Capella Ixtapa

Special events at Capella Ixtapa
•    Corporate events
•    Weddings
•    Special celebrations
•    Corporate events
•    Intimate dinners
•    Sunset cruises
•    Couple’s spa treatments

Special Honeymoon Package includes
•    Roundtrip airport transfers in a luxury vehicle
•    Seven nights’ accommodations in an Ocean View Deluxe guestroom
•    Champagne and amenity upon arrival
•    Nightly romantic turndown service
•    Daily breakfast for two
•    Special gift
•    A choice of a private cooking lesson or sunset yacht cruise
•    Two dinners for two
•    A Flip cam to document stay
•    One couple’s spa treatment

Ariel view of Banyantree Resort, Mayakoba

Banyantree Resort, Mayakoba: The external view

Saffron for special occasions

Pool side drinks and dining

Two bedroom Villa

Wow!! Mouth watering Dining

Beachside wedding setting

Bathroom of Garden pool villa

Vitality pool

The Oriente

Tamarind bar and dining

Spa pool villa

Private dining for 14

Forest rainshower

Villa Options at Banyantree

•    Garden Pool Villa

•    Courtyard Pool Villa

•    Spa Pool Villa

•    Two-Bedroom Pool Villa

•    Three-Bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa

•    Three-Bedroom Townhouse

Facilities at Banyantree

•    Yoga Sessions

•    Ballroom

•    El Camaleón Golf Club

•    Meeting Rooms

•    Spa

•    Group Events

Villa Amenities

•    Swimming Pool

•    Air-Conditioning

•    Safety Deposit Box

•    Hairdryer

•    One LCD TV with on-demand movies in living area and one LCD TV in the master bedroom

•    Bathrobes

•    Bathroom and Pool Slippers

•    Duvets

•    Kimono

•    Music System

•    Coffee Maker & Tea Kettle

Dining options at Banyantree

•    In-Villa Dining

•    Ixchel

•    Oriente

•    Sands

•    La Copa

•    Tamarind

•    Saffron

Activities in resort

•    El Camaleón Golf Club

•    Mangrove Boat Tour

•    Recreation for Kids

Activities around resort

•    Visit the Riviera Maya region

•    The jungle experience

•    Visit archaeological sites

•    Enjoy the quiet beaches

Banyantree for special occasions

•    Weddings

•    Corporate events

•    Theme parties

Special packages available

•    Romantic Getaway Packages

•    Honeymoon Packages

•    Spa Packages

Mexican Art Night

•    Mexican Buffet, or Platted Dinner

•    Mexican Folkloric Dance

•    Spicy Margaritas Signature Cocktail

•    Mexican Candy Souvenirs

•    Latin Band

•    Optional Mariachi Band

This Is It! Package

•    Daily buffet breakfast for two adults at Oriente Restaurant

•    20% off on Banquet Menus

•    One complimentary Garden Pool Villa, per every 10 paid, per night and two upgrades to next Pool Villa category suitable for VIP or meeting planner

•    One complimentary hour of cocktail reception

•    20% discount on body massages at our Banyan Tree Spa and two complimentary 90-minute massage sessions for VIP’s

•    Complimentary access to the Gym (24 hrs open)

•    Complimentary wireless internet access in the villa and throughout the resort (including meeting space)

How to reach?

•    Cancun international airport – Nearest Airport

•    One air by road from Cancun International

Boiling Lake in its furious best

The boiling lake of Dominica

Tourists watching the steam from the lake

Boiling lake, Dominica

Steam flowing above the lake

Pools of Sulphur water which is boiling

Things you will require for the hike:
•    Comfortable clothing
•    Light/short pants
•    Waterproof rain gear or a water proof poncho
•    Sturdy sandals/sneakers/hiking boots
•    Avoid wearing any metal jewelry as it may stain due to the sulphur.
•    Camera with extra batteries
•    Plenty of water

Things to do
•    Bird Watching
•    Canyoning
•    Cruise Ships
•    Diving
•    Hiking
•    Visit the Botanical Gardens
•    SHAPE’s Walking Tour of Roseau
•    Visit the Papillote Tropical Gardens
•    Wacky Rollers
•    Jeep Safari Tours
•    Rainbow Yoga
•    Wacky Rollers River Kayaking & Tubing
•    River Kayaking & Tubing
•    Sailing & Yachting
•    Sea Turtle Watching
•    Sports Fishing
•    Tours
•    Whale Watching

Places to see in and around the Boiling Lake
•    Emerald Pool
•    Trafalgar Falls
•    Ti Tou Gorge
•    Boiling Lake
•    Morne Trois Pitons National Park
•    Middleham Falls
•    Woodford Hill Beach
•    Londonderry Beach
•    Glassy Trail
•    Isulukati Waterfall

Some of the accommodation options in Dominica
•    Anchorage Hotel
•    Calibishie Cove
•    Calibishie Lodges
•    Carib Territory Guest House
•    Caribbean Sea View Apartments
•    Castle Comfort Dive Lodge

Crater Lake, Oregon, USA during winter

The beauty of the lake during sunrise

Ring of fire created due to the sun

Crater Lake during winter

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake and Wizard island

Crater lake Lodge

Trails around the lake

Entrance road

Visiting the Park
You can visit the Park by all means of transportation like
•    By air, you can land or board a plane from Klamath Falls and Medford.
•    By rail, you can land or board a train from Klamath Falls station
•    By road, you can get car rentals from again Klamath Falls city and the cars will take you directly to the visitor center in the park.

Visit Timings

Steele Visitor Centre
•    November to April : 10 am to 4 pm
•    April to November: 9 am to 5 pm

Rim Visitor Centre
•    Late May to Late September : 9.30 am to 5 pm

Activities 
•    Go on Mountain trails
•    Hiking
•    Sporty activities

Other nearby Attractions

•    Deschutes & Ochoco National Forest
•    Fremont – Winema National Forest
•    Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest
•    Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges

Remember the dates for 2012: May 1 to May 13

The Pirate Festival 2012, Louisiana - Contraband Days

Contraband logo 2012

The Pirate Guns

The Pirate Ship: A definite feature of Pirate festival

Music shows makes it true carnival

Festival lights of Louisiana

Polly the parrot

Children dressed as pirates

The highlights of  Pirate Festival are
•    Day 1-Instrumental Music
•    Day 2-Instrumental Music, Youth Concert
•    Day 3-Family Day, Instrumental Music,Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides, Emerson Pony Rides, Kid’s World Stage
•    Day 4-Instrumental, Pirate Marketplace, Emerson Pony Rides, Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides, Activities, Theater Auditions, Pirate’s Cove, Kid’s World Stage
•    Day 5-Emerson Pony Rides, Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides, Activities, Theater Auditions, Malibu Rum Outdoor Stage, Pirate’s Cove, Kid’s World Stage, Contests
•    Day 6-Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides, Contraband Days Pirogue Building Contest, Activities, Outdoor stage, Pirate’s Cove, Kid’s World Stage
•    Day 7-Todd Armstrong Carnival
•    Day 8-Todd Armstrong Carnival, celebration of National Tourism Week
•    Day 9-Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides
•    Day 10-Activities-Magic Reinvented, Pirate’s Cove, Kid’s World Stage, Pirate Marketplace
•    Day 11-Barrel Old Country Store Tour, Outdoor Stage, Todd Armstrong Carnival, Pirate’s Cove, Kid’s World Stage
•    Day 12-Emerson Pony Rides, Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides,  15th Annual Contraband Days Car Show,  Contraband Days Boat Parade, Theater, 55th Annual Fireworks Party, Ninth Annual Bar-B-Que Cookoff, Sea food competition, Award Presentation, Pirate’s Cove, Kid’s World Stage.
•    Day 13-Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides, live music, Mother’s Days Special

Things to do around Lake Charles
•    Casinos
•    Live music
•    Night Life
•    Restaurants
•    Fishing
•    Hunting
•   Outdoor adventure
•    Pirate museums

 Sports activities at Lake Charles

•    Baseball
•    Basketball
•    Bowling
•    Cheer / Dance
•    Football
•    Golf
•    Gymnastics
•    Martial Arts
•    Rodeo Arenas
•    Soccer
•    Softball
•    Swimming
•    Tennis
•    Volleyball
•    Wrestling

Plitvice Lakes

Plitvice lakes side view

Dense forest around the lakes

Broadwalk through the Plitvice lakes

Boat rides across the Plitvice lake

Ariel view of the lakes with the hills surrounding

A crossing over the water

Small lake and waterfall in the Plitvice national park

Clear waters of the lake

Plitvice lakes has a numerous waterfalls

When to visit
The park has two entrances, titled Entrance 1 and Entrance 2. Entrance 2 is closed during winters
•    The park is open every day throughout the year
•    Daily working timings are 7am to 8pm
•    Entrance fee is chargeable as a contribution towards the park’s maintenance
•    Fee per adult is 80 Kunas from November to March and 110 Kunas from April to October
•    Free entry for children between 7 -18 years
•    Discount tickets available for a group of more than 15

Things to do
•    Hiking or walking through the park
•    Admiring the beautiful waterfalls, wildlife and the surroundings
•    Sail in the park’s electric boat on its largest lake
•    Riding in the Park’s “panoramic train” or the shuttle bus
•    Visit the park in different seasons for vivid experiences
•    Visit the Licka kuca or Lika House, the park’s restaurant
•    Experience traditional Lika food from Croatia region

Thing prohibited in the park
•    Swimming in any of the park’s water bodies
•    Any other water activity

Accommodation
•    The park offers three hotels
•    Camp Korana contains space for 500 camping units
•    Camp Borje contains an area of 15 kms for camping units
•    Hotel Grabovac offers a selection of private rooms, guesthouse and apartments
•    Accommodations are also available in villages like Slunj near the Park