Going For Vacation

Buenos Aires

2011-10-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

Buenos Aires Spanish pronunciation: is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent. Greater Buenos Aires conurbation, which also includes several Buenos Aires Province districts, constitutes the third-largest

conurbation in Latin America, with a population of around thirteen million.

Spanish: Avenida General Paz Avenue between the Cabildo and the Pan American Highway (National Route 9) from the tower building located in City Council and General Paz. On the right, Province of Buenos Aires,

The Buenos Aires Japanese Gardens are a public space administered by the non-profit Japanese Argentine Cultural Foundation and are one of the largest gardens of its type in the World, outside of Japan.

Metrobus is a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. They conducted a pilot test on Avenida Juan B. Just by joining the Liniers and Palermo neighborhoods. It was inaugurated on May 31, 2011.1 On Avenida Juan B. Just common and articulated buses circulate corresponding to lines 34 and 166, current national concession holders tours on this avenue. As existing national concessions precariously since 1970 and in final form since the early 1990, the city government should give priority to these companies to provide the service. model unit

The lanes are located in the central lanes of the avenue and stops, made up of platforms for the descent and ascent of passengers, which are separated by a distance of 400 to 500 meters apart. This collective system has a total of 21 stations across the path of the Avenida Juan B. Justo. Their stations are: Liniers - Velez Sarsfield - Velez Sports - Cortina - Av Lope de Vega - Carrasco Av - Av Segurola - Chivilcoy - Concordia - Av Nazca - Gral Artigas JG - Avenida Boyacá - Lt. Gen. Donato Alvarez - Av San Martin - Honorio Pueyrredón - Murillo - Corrientes Avenue (Subway Line B) - Aguirre - Honduras - Guatemala - Pacific Pte (Subway Line D)

Tranvía del Este or “Puerto Madero Tramway ” is a 12-block "demonstration" tramway line in the Puerto Madero neighborhood of Buenos Aires operated by the rail company Ferrovías.

Construction of the first section has been completed and the line was inaugurated on July 14, 2007. Initially, the service is provided by two Citadis 302 model vehicles, manufactured by the French company Alstom and granted under a free concession by the city of Mulhouse. The vehicles are double-ended, bi-directional, low-floor, four section units, each section having 48 fixed seats, another 16 folding seats and standing room for a total of 300 passengers for the whole train. The vehicles, locally known by the name Celeris, run on an exclusive right-of-way for 2 km (1.2 mi) parallel to Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo, from Avenida Córdoba to Avenida Independencia.

Trains run from Monday through Saturday from 8:00 until 23:20 hs, and on Sundays and Holidays from 9:00 until 22:00 hs every 15 minutes. For tickets there are two Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) installed at each station and guards with portable vending machines are also available. Tickets are ARS 1.00 (around USD 0.26).

Further extensions planned would extended 2 km to Retiro Rail Terminus and Intercity Bus Terminal and 5.2 km from the existing terminus at Independencia to Caminito in La Boca, and a further extension to Constitucion and Buenos Aires stations is also proposed.

Bali

2011-03-03T03:03:00.000-08:00

Of all the tropical islands of Indonesia, Bali is the best known tourism destination, and surely for a reason. Inexpensive Bali has great beaches as well as excellent surfing and diving conditions. The lovely island offers also lovely landscape with palm trees, tropical forests and volcanic mountains. The many hot springs and spas, and the intriguing exotic culture and ancient Hindu traditions of the island make Bali a truly magical place!

Sights and activities in Bali: beaches, spas, diving, trekking, golf and shopping

Bali is a diverse destination with something for everyone, from stunning beaches and nightlife in Bali to cultural attractions and from golf courses to jungles and shopping in Bali. Surrounded by the warm Indian Ocean, Bali has plenty of beaches, of which the most famous and popular ones are in Kuta, Legian and Sanur. There are also plenty of beach resorts in Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Seminyak and Kerobogan. Beaches in southern Bali have usually white sand, whereas the ones in the North and West have black sand. Kuta and Legian are the most popular locations for surfing in Bali, as well as centers of nightlife in Bali. The island is surrounded by coral reefs that offer great opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving in Bali.

The capital city of Denpasar is not a major tourism destination, but it is interesting for those wanting to experience more local lifestyle. There are several good golf courses in Bali to enjoy. Bali has an estimated 20.000 beautiful Hindu temples, many of which are easily accessed. The most famous temples are Uluwatu, Besakih and Tanah Lot. There are also plenty of colorful religious festivals around the island. The biggest festival in Bali is the 10-day Galungan Festival in the end of March or the beginning of April. There are also many theme parks in Bali, located around the island that are great entertainment especially for children, and spas in Bali are perfect for relaxation.
The rugged interior of Bali offers not only great hillside scenery, volcanoes, hot springs and lush rainforests, but also plenty of activities from trekking in Bali to white water rafting and horseback riding. The large Bali Barat National Park offers also opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.

Bali travel information and practical tips

Bali has a tropical climate where the temperature is warm around the year. There is a distinct rainy season from October to March and a dry season from April to September, although rains can occur at any time of the year.

The coastal areas in Bali are hotter than the high mountain areas in the interior, but there is a sea breeze that tempers the heat. The mountainsides also receive more rain than coastal areas. The main tourist season in Bali is in July and August, as well as during Christmas and New Year.

Traveling to Bali is usually done by air via the capital city Denpasar. It has an international airport that receives flights to Bali from all over the world. You can also travel to Bali by a ferry from the many other islands in Indonesia.

Public transport on Bali is handled by buses and local minivans called bemos. There are also special tourist shuttles running between the major tourist destinations, and you can easily rent a car in Bali, as well as a motorcycle or bicycle, or charter a minivan with a driver. However, remember that the traffic in Bali is often chaotic.

Accommodation & services. There are plenty of hotels in Bali to choose from, including cheap hostels. Restaurants in Bali and other tourist services are also widely available in the main tourist centers. Due to the importance of tourism on the island, English is a common third language in Bali, and all people in service professions speak at least a bit of it.

galleria vittorio emanuele

2011-02-23T04:05:00.001-08:00

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the most elegant and stylish shopping malls in Italy with cafes, restaurants and shops. The Galleria is topped by a glass roof and links Piazza del Duomo with the Teatro alla Scala.

The shopping arcade is named after Vittorio Emanuele II who was the first king of Italy. Giuseppe Mengoni designed The Galleria in 1865 and it was built by 1877. The Galleria has an octagonal shape adorned with mosaics and a magnificent glass roof. The floors are decorated with mosaics of the signs of the zodiac.

China

2010-10-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

China is one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations

The People's Republic of China (PRC), established in 1949, commonly known as China, has control over mainland China and the largely self-governing territories of Hong Kong (since 1997) and Macau (since 1999).

The Republic of China (ROC) established in 1912 in mainland

China, now commonly known as Taiwan, has control over the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, the Pratas island group, and a few other outlying islands.

In the 1950s, change to economic policies in Taiwan transformed the island into a technology-oriented industrialized developed economy after a period of high growth rates and rapid industrialization. In mainland China, in the 1970s, reforms known as the Four Modernizations modernized the agriculture, industry, technology and defense, vastly raising living standards, and making the PRC one of the great powers.

Historically, China's cultural sphere has extended across East Asia a

s a whole, with Chinese religion, customs, and writing systems being adopted to varying degrees by neighbors such as Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Through its history, China was the source of many major inventions. It has also one of the world's oldest written language systems.

China Hotel was built in 1979 by the Hong Kong listed conglomerate Hopewell Holdings Ltd (controlled by Sir Gordon Wu) under a novel contractual agreement that came to be known asBuild-Operate-Transfer, a means of building and operating joint ventures with local authorities in China. This arrangement allowed a foreign partner to build a facility at its own expense, operated it for an agreed length of time to generate a return on its investment, then hand it over to a local partner at no cost.

China Hotel first opened on the 18th of June 1984 and became the first hotel managed by Marriott in Mainland China in 1998. China Hotel became China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel.

In 2008, the hotel was fully renovated and offers 850 Guest rooms.

Marriott China Hotel Guangzhou (Guangzhou Zhongguo Dajiudian) is a five-star hotel located in the heart of the city, close to the railway station, the China Trade Exhibition Center, Baiyun International Airport and the Yuexiu Metro station.The China Hotel, managed by Marriott, offers 1,013 rooms and suites, ranging from standard accomodations to business rooms and presidential suites, all specially designed to combine elegance and functionality.

The Forbidden City is the world's largest surviving palace complex and covers 72 ha (178 acres). It is a rectangle 961 metres (3,153 ft) from north to south and 753 metres (2,470 ft) from east to west. It consists of 980 surviving buildings with 8,707 bays of rooms. The Forbidden City was designed to be the centre of the ancient, walled city of Beijing. It is enclosed in a larger, walled

area called the Imperial City. The Imperial City is, in turn, enclosed by the Inner City; to its south lies the Outer City.

The Forbidden City remains important in the civic scheme of Beijing. The central north-south axis remains the central axis of Beijing. This axis extends to the south through Tiananmen gate to Tiananmen Square, the ceremonial centre of the People's Republic of China. To the north, it extends through the Bell and Drum Towers to Yongdingmen.[29] This axis is not exactly aligned north-south, but is tilted by slightly more than two degrees. Researchers now believe that the axis was designed in the Yuan Dynasty to be aligned with Xanadu, the other capital of their empire.

The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups. Several walls have been built since the 5th century BC that are referred to collectively as the Great Wall, which has been rebuilt and maintained from the 5th century BC through the 16th century. One of the most famous is the wall built between 220–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Little of that wall remains; the majority of the existing wall was built during the Ming Dynasty.

The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The most comprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced technologies, has recently concluded that the entire Great Wall, with all of its branches, stretches for 8,851.8 km (5,500.3 mi). This is made up of 6,259.6 km (3,889.5 mi) sections of actual wall, 359.7 km (223.5 mi) of trenches and 2,232.5 km (1,387.2 mi) of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers.

San Alfonso del Mar

2010-08-14T05:18:00.001-07:00

It is more than 1,000 yards long, covers 20 acres, had a 115ft deep end and holds 66 million gallons of water.

The Guinness Book of Records named the vast pool beside the sea in Chile as the biggest in the world.

But if you fancy splashing out on one of your own – and you have the space to accommodate it – then beware: This one took five years to build, cost nearly 1billion and the annual maintenance bill will be 2million.

The man-made saltwater lagoon has been attracting huge crowds to the San Alfonso del Mar resort at Algarrobo, on Chile’s southern coast.

Its turquoise waters are so crystal clear that you can see the bottom even in the deep end.

Chile’s monster pool uses a computer- controlled suction and filtration system to keep fresh seawater in permanent circulation, drawing it in from the ocean at one end and pumping it out at the other.

The sun warms the water to 26c, nine degrees warmer than the adjoining sea

Interior of Burj Al Arab

2010-01-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

The marketing technique of self-declaring the 7 star title has worked very well. Burj al-Arab became one of the most wanted destinations, and not only in the United Arab Emirates. To keep objectivity, the hotel is officially 5 star deluxe. The service and the unseen luxury definitely makes it stand out of the other 5 star hotels. The service includes private chauffeur with Rolls Royce or BMW 7, private reception desk every floor, helicopter pad (helicopter trips to the center of Dubai or to the Dubai International Airport), restaurant located 200m above the sea level, with amazing view on the city. The hotel offers free entry to the Wild-Wadi Water Park as well

Burj al-Arab has the most luxurious interior imaginable. Khuan Chew, Design Principal of KCA International was responsible for the interior design. The most expensive materials were used throughout the building.

There is no exact data about the cost of the hotel, but rumours say that the return of investment could be 100 years, although the nights at Burj al-Arab start at $1000. The Royal Suite costs $28000 per night

There are 202 duplex suites in the hotel, the smallest suite starts at 169 m², and the largest is 780 m². Each suite has floor to the ceiling windows with spectacular views on the Persian Gulf

Every suite has sumptuous living and dining area, and office facilities.

They are equipped with 42 inch Plasma screen TV, and everything is automated and can be controlled via remote.

The list goes on, like 13 pillows to choose from and similar thoughtful care for the guests

There is huge variety of brilliant, elegant restaurants that offer much more than the average.

Al Mahara (The Oyster) let you enjoy your meal next to a large circle aquarium.
The Skyview you with an unforgettable experience 200m above the sea-level.

If that is not enough, there are 8 more restaurants to choose from

While Burj al-Arab lies on a small artificial island, Emirates Palace is surrounded by a spectacular garden with multiple swimming pools and amazing fountains. The hotel kept the traditional arabic architectural style.

The Burj al-Arab features the tallest atrium lobby in the world, at 180 meters (590 feet). The atrium is formed between the building's V-shaped span.

The atrium dominates the interior of the hotel, and takes up over one-third of interior space.
It can accommodate the Dubai World Trade Center building, which, at 38 stories, was the tallest building in Dubai from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s

The tower that resembles the sail of dhow, became the world’s tallest hotel with the height of 321m in 1999, and the iconic tower of Dubai. The construction took 6 years (1994-1999)

Cape Verde Islands

2010-01-05T11:44:00.000-08:00

The Republic of Cape Verde is located on an archipelago in the Macaronesia ecoregion of West Africa. Cape Verde is a former Portuguese colony, comprises ten inhabited and several uninhabited volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Their population is of mixed African and European descent. The group of Cape Verde islands includes: Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, Sao Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Sao Tiago, Brava, Fogo and Maio.

This new holiday hotspot is so exotically unusual, coming here is one big magical mystery tour. The Cape Verde islands are opening up to tourists, especially holiday makers searching for a rich blend of fresh holiday experiences. Even the Cape Verde people are unique, being a cultural mix of their two nearest neighbors â€“ Senegal and Brazil, this combination is most obvious in the ever-present Cape Verde music; a scintillating hip-swinging fusion of Samba and Salsa sprinkled with tribal African. It's the destination for those in the know.

Some reasons to visit The Cape Verde:
* Glorious sandy beaches and clear waters
* Rich history and culture
* Fantastic water sports
* Excellent for walkers of all levels
* Deep sea blue water fishing

Ten barefoot island paradises wait to whip your breath away. Each one is dramatically different, from bounty-like blond sands backed by jungle-like scenery to volcanic monochrome landscapes peppered with pastel-painted towns. The beaches are mind-bogglingly gorgeous and the colorful blend of cultures from Africa, Portugal and Brazil will have you charmed from the moment you arrive.

Fall in Love With Cape Verde Again and Again
When you own a timeshare in this exciting vacation destination,
you'll be able to return every year to experience the rich culture,
beautiful natural surroundings and fun-loving attitude of this beloved,
if little-known, vacation destination.
Cape Verde is not a place that you can come to know and love

with just one vacation.

There is so much to do, see and experience in this beautiful island
off the coast of Africa,
that multiple vacations are almost a necessity
if you're looking to immerse yourself
in the unique culture of these islands.

As you return year after year
you'll begin to feel less and less like a tourist
and more like a Cape Verde native.

Montmorency Falls,Quebec

2010-01-01T23:49:00.000-08:00

The Montmorency Falls (French: Parc de la Chute-Montmorency) form a large waterfall in Quebec, Canada. The falls are located in the borough of Beauport, Quebec City, about 12 km from the heart of old Quebec City.

The falls, at 84 meters (275 ft) high, are the highest in the province of Quebec and 30 m (98 ft) higher than Niagara Falls. The basin at the foot of the falls is 17 m (56 ft) deep. The falls are at the mouth of the Montmorency River where it drops over the cliff shore into the Saint Lawrence River, opposite the western end of the Île d'Orleans. The falls were given this name in 1613 by Samuel de Champlain. He named them in honour of Henri II, duc de Montmorency, who served as viceroy of New France from 1620 until 1625.

There are staircases that allow visitors to view the falls from several different perspectives. A suspension bridge over the crest of falls provides access to both sides of the park as well as a spectacular view. There is also an aerial tram (Funitel) that carries passengers between the base and the top of the falls. In the summer the park hosts an international fireworks competition with the falls as a backdrop.

Montmerency suspension bridge

Stairs taking visitors to the source of the Falls

Adventure Bulgaria

2009-11-25T11:40:00.000-08:00

Adventure Activities

Bulgaria's mountain regions offer an excellent opportunity for either nature-oriented or activity holidays. Although maybe lacking the height and excitement of Mount
Everest, the vastness of the Grand Canyon and the impenetrable unknown of the Amazon jungle, they have their own special charm: tailor-made for today's tourist who looks for that little bit more from a holiday.
The sparkling lakes, awesome caves and spectacular landscapes and the ever-surprising flora and fauna make hiking through these; g regions an experience of a lifetime, especially when the whole Hi region is so closely linked with the traditions of yesteryear, and be cultures that have survived the test of time.
While the nature lover has more than enough opportunities to explore the region to his heart's content, the more adventurous visitor will be amazed at what Bulgaria's mountains have to offer, and will certainly find that he simply won't have the time to try all that is on offer.

RAFTING

Where would an activity holiday be without the excitement of going rafting ? The Struma,
Arda and Ossam rivers are especially suitable for the enthusiast in springtime once the mountain snows higher up have melted, and the Stackevska river in the Vratza mountain offers all the thrills and spills of wild water rafting. The river Danube is excellent for canoeing and kayaking.

ORIENTEERING

Perhaps you'd like to try orienteering, either on skis in the winter, or on foot in the summer. Bulgaria has already hosted two World Championships and the annual cup for orienteering is held on the Shoumensko Plateau. The forests around the St.St.Constantin and Helena resorts and the Kamchia river are ideal for this type of activity holiday. They say time stands still for the visitor here, certainly most wish it would.

ROCK CLIMBING

It is difficult to surpass the excitement of climbing in Bulgaria, and the keen mountaineer will never forget the thrill of the many ascents the mountains have to offer. Experienced guides not only ensure that you make the most of your climb, but are also on hand should an emergency
arise.
Besides the chance to follow mountaineering courses, trips are organised by specialised agencies in the areas of Vratsa,Veliko Tarnovo, Trojan, maliovitza and Roussenski Lom. For sheer excitement and endurance, the climbing rocks of Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes and Stara Planina are a must.

HORSE RIDING

If you are an experienced horseman, there is a wide choice of one and two week trekking tours. Destinations include the Balkan mountains, Trojan, the Danube valley and the Valley of Roses. Riding along the paths on the Rila and Stara Planina mountains you are at one with nature, breathing in cool mountain air and history at the same time.

HIKING

Hiking and walking have long been a tradition in Bulgaria, and there are both one and two week trips on offer in most of the national parks, always in the company of an experienced guide. Enthusiasts will certainly want to discover the mountain regions of Pirin, Rhodope, the Balkan with the Botev peak, and Vitosha with the breathtaking Cherni Vrah. Thanks to a network of comfortable mountain chalets, guest houses and camps, the visitor has the choice of more than 5,000 marked paths and routes through unspoilt nature, secure in the knowledge of a warm welcome at the end of an exciting day.

FISHING

There is excellent trout fishing, along with pike, carp and bream, to name but a few in the mountain streams, and comfortable accommodation to be had with the local inhabitants. Who will ever forget being among friends, with the smell of the day's catch cooking over the camp fire, sitting around and listening to the 'one that got away' stories which last well into the night.

BIKING

Mountain biking in the Rhodopi mountains is a new activity holiday, and the Special Bike Tours are fast gaining in popularity, both for youngsters and families. The Black Sea coast is great for the cyclist who wishes both to be closer to nature and cycle through the surrounding areas meeting the local inhabitants.

Copacabana

2009-11-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

Copacabana is the main Bolivian town on Lake Titicaca, from where boats leave for Isla del Sol, the sacred Inca island. The town has a large 16th-century shrine, the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana. Our Lady of Copacabana is the patron saint of Bolivia.

The town is a destination for tourism in Bolivia. The town is also known by its famous Basilica, home of the Virgin of Copacabana, its trout, and its quaint atmosphere. The town is built in between Mount Calvario and Mount Niño Calvario. The town has approximately 6,000 inhabitants. Copacabana's religious celebrations, cultural patrimony, and traditional festivals are well known throughout Bolivia.

Law Courts,Antwerp

2009-10-23T00:46:00.000-07:00

Antwerp Law Courts has been welcomed as an iconic and sustainable building that meets the aspirataions of its users. It gives an impulse to the southern part of the city of Antwerp and to the image of the Belgian juridicial authority in general. The striking roof structure will become a landmark for future generations.

The new law courts for the Flemish city of Antwerp is one of the practice’s major public buildings of the early 21st century. Like many projects by the practice, it reflects a vision of the city as a humane and democratic place with a commitment to the regeneration of urban life.
The site for the law courts is at the Bolivarplaats, on the southern edge of Antwerp’s central area, where the urban fabric is broken by a massive motorway interchange, cutting off the boulevard that leads into the city. The new building is one of the catalysts for RRP’s long-term masterplan of ‘the new south’ of the city, currently in progress.
The new building, designed in conjunction with Belgian architects VK Studio, is conceived both as a gateway to the city and to provide a link across the motorway between the city centre and the Schelde River. It houses eight distinct civil and criminal courts and includes 36 courtrooms plus offices, chambers for judges and lawyers, library and dining room, with a great public hall (the space traditionally known as the ‘Salle des Pas Perdus’) linking six radiating wings of accommodation. This space is capped by a striking roof-structure, crystalline in form, rising above the paraboloid roofs that cover the courtrooms.
A low-energy services strategy is fundamental to this project – natural light is used to optimum effect, natural ventilation is supplemented by low-velocity ventilation for the hearing rooms and rainwater is recycled.
The building, straddling a major highway, looks out to a large area of parkland – the design creates ‘fingers’ of landscaped that extend right into the heart of the building. The landscape is configured and planted to shield the building from the noise and pollution of the motorway.

National Library of Belarus

2009-10-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

Today The Republic of Belarus, which became independent after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, is seeking only to the development of the economy and the State, as well as for the well-being and prosperity of its citizens. The greatest dream of Belarus is peace. The main features of the Belarusian people, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe are encouraging, tolerance and hospitality. The architectural monuments, and the culture and way of life is a fusion artsy West and East. Belarus real pearl is Belovezhskaya Puscha, the last deer woods Europe, carefully stored Belarusian sovereigns for centuries.

WORLD TRADE CENTRE BAHRAIN

2009-10-16T06:40:00.001-07:00

The Bahrain World Trade Center is the first commercial building in the world to incorporate large-scale wind turbines within its design to harness wind power. It has three massive wind turbines that measure 29 meters in diameter that are supported on bridges between the BWTC's two 240 meter high towers. The tower structures themselves help funnel the existing on-shore Gulf breeze that is used to generate greater power efficiency.

Three 96-foot propellers suspended between the towers will supply the 42-storey spires with over 1100 megawatts per year. The shape of the building itself will create an accelerated airflow for the jumbo blades. Three bridges connect the towers, each hold one large 29 m (32 yd) turbine. These turbines face north, which is the direction of the prevailing winds inn the Persian Gulf.

The sail-shaped buildings on either side are designed to funnel wind through the gap to provide the maximum amount of wind for the turbines. This was confirmed by wind tunnel tests, which showed the the building create an ‘S’-shaped flow, ensuring that any wind coming within a 45° angle to either side of the central axis will create a wind stream that remains perpendicular to the turbines. This significantly increases their potential to generate electricity. The wind turbines are expected to provide 11% to 15% of the towers’ total power consumption. This is equivalent to providing the lighting for about 300 homes annually. The three turbines were turned on for the first time on 8 April 2008.

Bahamas

2009-10-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

The Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is an English-speaking country consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 rocks. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) and the Caribbean Sea, northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the

United States of America. Its size is almost 14,000 km2 with an estimated population of 330,000. Its capital is Nassau. It remains a Commonwealth realm

Hallstatt,Austria

2009-10-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

The small town of Hallstatt and its adjoining lake, Hallstattersee, derive their names from Hal, the old Celtic word for salt. For at least 2,800 years salt has been mined in the area, making the Hallstatt mines among the oldest in the world. From 1000 to 500 BC the town flourished as a major European trading center and this period of Celtic culture has become known as the Hallstatt epoch of the early Iron Age. Following the Celts, the salt mines continued to be worked by the Romans and later the medieval Europeans; today the mines are a great underground museum of prehistoric technology. Little is known of Celtic or Roman religious practices at Hallstatt yet by the 1300's the hillside church of Maria-Hilf had become an important place of regional pilgrimage. Most scholars discuss Hallstatt solely in terms of its commercial activities during the Iron Age but for this writer the beautiful lakeside town is more significant for its extraordinary atmosphere of peace. To meditate in the quiet shrine of Maria-Hilf, to walk amidst the forests and hills surrounding the town, or to glide by row boat across the placid waters of Hallstattersee is to leave for awhile the hustle-bustle of the modern world and enter an inner realm of timeless serenity.

Opera House,Sydney

2009-10-12T23:42:00.000-07:00

The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre on Bennelong Point in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who in 2003 received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honour

Interior of Opera House

Night View of Opera House

Structure Of Sydney Opera House

Jal Mahal,Jaipur

2009-10-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Jal Mahal Palace, Jaipur is noted for its intricate architecture. The Palace was developed as a pleasure spot. It was used for the royal duck shooting parties.

On the road to Amber at a distance of 6.5 kms from Jaipur are the cenotaphs of the royal family. A causeway leads to Jal Mahal Palace situated in the middle of Man Sagar lake, opposite the cenotaphs.The first four floors of this building is under water, only the top floor remains outside.One can have a wonderful view of the lake and the palace from Nahargarh Fort

Built in 1799, the palace is now abandoned, but reasonably well preserved. In the monsoons, it looks particularly startling with its red sandstone set against the water hyacinth filled lake.

PONZA

2009-09-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

Ponza is the largest of the Pontine Islands, a pretty archipelago off the Italian coast between Rome and Naples. With blue waters and a striking mountainous landscape, the island is loved by regular visitors who attempt to keep its charms a secret.

The most popular beach at Ponza,

Chiaia di Luna.

ST. BASIL'S CATHEDRAL,Moscow

2009-09-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, Russia was built by Ivan the Terrible between 1555 and 1561. According to legends, the builder of this Cathedral was blinded so that such a beautiful structure could never be built again. The Cathedral is vividly colorful and contains redbrick towers that add to its beauty. The church’s design consists of nine chapels, each mounted with its individual dome that marks the assault on the city of Kazan.

Mercato Mall

2009-09-26T12:04:00.000-07:00

The name Mercato Mall has its origins from the Italian word for ‘market’. This mall is unique in its architecture and is one of the famous shopping centers in Dubai. It is built in the renaissance architectural style with French, Italian and Spanish inputs.

The shopping experience here is entertaining and interesting and this mall is frequented by the tourists and residents who give more stress on quality. Situated on the popular Jumeirah beach road in Dubai, this mall also features the 12 screen Century Cinemas.

WILD WADI,Dubai

2009-08-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

The Wild Wadi Water Park is situated in Jumeirah, an area in Dubai, United Arab Emirates next to the Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. The water park is operated by Jumeirah International, a Dubai-based hotelier.

Wild Wadi is an outdoor water park with a heated/cooled wave pool, multiple water slides and two artificial surfing machines. In addition, the park has the largest water slide outside of North America. Another feature of the park is an 18 m (59 ft) waterfall that goes off every ten minutes. The water park also has two gift shops, three restaurants and two snack stands.
It was featured in The Amazing Race 5 and The Amazing Race Asia 1, in which teams had to slide down a 21 m (69 ft) drop.

BURJ KHALIFA,Dubai

2009-08-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

Burj Khalifa, a supertall skyscraper under construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is the tallest man-made structure ever built, at 818 m (2,684 ft). Construction began on 21 September 2004, and the tower is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy by the end of 2009.

The building is part of the 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi) flagship development at the "First Interchange" along Sheikh Zayed Road, near Dubai's main business district. The tower's architect is Adrian Smith, who worked with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) until 2006.The Chicago-based architecture and engineering firm SOM is in charge of the project.The primary builders are Samsung Engineering & Construction and Besix along with Arabtec. Turner Construction Company was chosen as the construction manager.

The total budget for the Burj Khalifa project is about US$4.1 billion, US$20 billion. Mohamed Ali Alabbar, the CEO of Emaar Properties, speaking at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat 8th World Congress, said that the price of office space at Burj Khalifa had reached US$4,000 per sq ft (over US$43,000 per m2) and that the Armani Residences, also in Burj Khalifa, were selling for US$3,500 per sq ft (over US$37,500 per m2).

JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL,Dubai

2009-08-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a 5-star hotel in Dubai ,United Arab Emirates. The hotel, which opened in 1997, is operated by the Dubai-based hotelier Jumeirah. The hotel contains 598 rooms and suites and 19 villas. This wave-shaped hotel complements the sail-shaped Burj Al-Arab , which is adjacent to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

The hotel occupies a location on the beach. Visitors to the hotel have at total of 33,800 square metres (364,000 sq ft) of beach for their use. Beside the hotel is theWild Wadi Water Park. All guests in the hotel have unlimited access to the waterpark.

When completed in 1997 the Jumeirah Beach Hotel Became the 9th tallest building in Dubai.Today, it is ranked lower than the 100th tallest building. Despite its lower rankings, the hotel remains a Dubai landmark.

Palm Jumeirah,Dubai

2009-08-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government. It is one of three islands called The Palm Islands which extend into the Persian Gulf, increasing Dubai’s shoreline by a total of 520 km. The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest and the original of three

Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira) under development by Nakheel. It is located on the Jumeirah coastal area of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Palm Jumeirah is in the shape of a palm tree. It consists of a trunk, a crown with 16 fronds, and a surrounding crescent island that forms an 11 kilometre long breakwater. The island is 5 kilometres by 5 kilometres and its total area is larger than 800 football pitches. The crown is connected to the mainland by a 300-metre bridge and the crescent is connected to the top of the palm by a subsea tunnel. Over the next few years, as the tourism phases develop, The Palm Jumeirah is touted as soon to be one of the world’s premier resorts. The Palm Island is the self-declared 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.

Atlantis is the majestic focal point of Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island that has captured the world’s imagination with its magnificent scale and ingenuity. From the moment of arrival, you’re immersed in a dazzling world of imagination, pleasure and luxury. The resort offers relaxation and thrills for couples and families alike, including a landmark hotel, unique marine habitats, an exhilarating water park, pristine white beaches, world-class cuisine, indulgent spa and cosmopolitan boutiques. To stay or visit is to live out your dreams amidst warm Arabian seas.

Sky Dubai,Dubai

2009-08-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

Ski Dubai has 5 runs that vary in difficulty, height and gradient, the longest run being 400 meters with a fall of over 60 meters. Test your skills on the world’s first indoor black run or practice your turns on the gentle beginner slopes. Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels will enjoy these various slopes and snowboarders can also practice their stunts in the Freestyle Zone. Kids and parents alike will have fun in the huge interactive Snow Park, which at 3000 square meters is the largest indoor snow park in the world.

You don’t have to worry about ski clothing or equipment either. Ski Dubai has thought of it all and offers guests the use of winter clothing, ski and snowboard equipment. Your skis will carry you down the slope, and quad-chairlift and tow lift will promptly carry you back to the top for another run.

You will enjoy themed restaurants; St Moritz Café at the entrance to Ski Dubai, and Avalanche Café at mid-station, with views of the slope. Exclusive retail shop, Snow Pro, has expert staff to advise you on your equipment needs and a team of professional Snow School instructors will guide you through the simple, fun process of learning to ski or snowboard.

22,500m² covered with real snow all year round – (equivalent to 3 football fields)
Temperature maintained at a comfortable -1 to -2

85 meters high (approximately 25 stories) and 80 meters wide
5 different runs of varying difficulty and length, longest run of 400 meters
Full capacity of 1500 guests
Freestyle zone

Corporate and group bookings
3,000m² Snow Park with a snow cavern
Quad chairlift, tow lift and flying carpets
Mountain resort theme

Rental of quality equipment and clothing included in the ticket price
Qualified professional instructors
State of the art ticketing system
Changing areas with locker rental
Private kids party rooms
Exclusive retail shop – Snow Pro
St Moritz Café and Avalanche Cafe