The main attractions in New York are the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, The Empire State Building, The New York Stock Exchange etc. The Frick Collection, Manhattan, New York, is one of the most wonderful private art collections. Brooklyn Bridge, once the longest suspension bridge in world, spans the East River and brings the NYC and Brooklyn close. Through the centre is a walk way for the pedestrians and cyclists. There are six lanes for motor vehicles.

Another biggest attraction of New York is the JFK International Airport in Queens County, New York, around 12 miles from Lower Manhattan.”The Met”, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, with its permanent collection of two million art works, is a stunning sight. It lacks nothing; art, sculpture, arms and armor, costumes, drawings and paintings etc. Works of art from every corner of the world are available there. Art works from Egypt, Islamic countries, Rome, Greece, Europe – you name it – it is there.

New York City, also called the Big Apple, is the capital city of New York State. It has 5 boroughs – administrative divisions of state – namely Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Bronx and the Staten Island. New York has the lowest crime rate for the last 10 years among the largest 25 cities in the world. It is the centre of fashion, culture, entertainment. Broad Way in New York, with its 40 professional theaters with capacity of 500 each, is the world famous.

On the open air deck of the 86th floor of The Empire State Building is the observatory. It gives a beautiful picture of New York, day and night. A two hour cruise will give you a great view and understanding of Liberty Island and Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty stands majestically on the Liberty Island. Statue of Liberty – a gift of friendship from French to the Americans – is now a symbol of freedom and democracy.

Rangitoto Island

Located just a 20-minute boat trip from Auckland, Rangitoto Island is one of the most scenic spots in the country. The island actually consists of a dormant volcano that last erupted 600 years ago. It was bought by The Crown in 1854 for £15 and since then has been used as a base for harbour defence, fire control and a radar station. Nowadays the island is the domain of picnickers and hikers who arrive by the boat load for the New Zealand walking opportunities.

There are designated New Zealand walking trails on the island, each taking in a plethora of natural sights from the caves to Mackenzie Bay. Rangitoto Island has over 250 different species of native trees and several ornate species of orchid.

Rugby

You simply can’t visit New Zealand without catching a game of rugby and as Auckland is home to the famous “All Blacks” it’s probably the best place in New Zealand to see a game. If you’re not that heavily into rugby and don’t want to fork out over the odds on a top price ticket to an “All Blacks” game, you can catch the Blues instead at Eden Park.

Wine Tours

The New World is slowly overtaking Europe in terms of wine production. If you can tell your Merlot from your Malbec then you’ll pleased to hear that only in New Zealand, walking around vineyards is possible, so close to a built-up area. Oenophiles are spoilt for choice when it comes to taking tasting tours around the city. From the old favourite West Coast to the newcomer Matakana, there are several places around Auckland where you can sample the produce and simply forget that you’re just minutes away the city.

Dine in a Treehouse

Eating your evening meal amid the branches of a giant redwood tree has to be one of the world’s most unique dining experiences. The huge pod shaped structure was designed by a group of Pacific Environments Architects and access is provided by a giant, elevated, walkway. The tree house can only seat 30 guests at a time so booking ahead is imperative. Redwoods Treehouse is located just outside Auckland in a town called Warkworth. This town is located on the banks of the Mahurangi River and is extremely scenic, it was founded by John Anderson Brown who lived in Warkworth, Northumberland and when walking New Zealand’s Warkworth, guests will spot several similarities with the English village.

The Sky Tower

The Sky Tower is Auckland’s most iconic monument and no New Zealand walking holiday would be complete without a trip to the observation deck at the top of the building. At 328 metres high, the building is the tallest in New Zealand and offers views out at over 80 kilometres in every direction. The more adventurous amongst you will want to attempt the Sky Jump and Sky Walk from the top of the monument; guaranteed to give you quite a rush!

image credit: tripwow.tripadvisor.com

One of the best ways to see the country is to book a ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ tour. These tours give you the option of spending between one and three days taking in some of the best fjords and places of natural beauty in the country. If you prefer to explore under your own steam then it’s a good idea to hire a car as some of the best sights are off the beaten track and a little tricky to get to on public transport.

The most popular tourist destination for nature lovers is probably the Voringsfossen Waterfall in Hardanger where a number of waterfalls converge into one in a magnificent spectacle. Purpose built lookouts have been constructed both above and below the falls to give visitors a dazzling view and there are lots of beautiful picnic spots nearby where you can enjoy a bite to eat after taking in the sights. Whatever you do, don’t forget the camera!

In Norway everyone has the ‘right of access’ in the countryside so hill walking and climbing tours are very popular. You’ll find trips to suit all levels of fitness and skill, from a gentle stroll around the lakes to something a little more challenging in the mountains. The mountains around the Trollstigen Mountain Road are some of the most impressive and a drive along this road is a great way to take in the scenery if you don’t fancy getting out the ropes and crampons.

One of the most incredible natural phenomena in Norway is that of the midnight sun, which means that the sun never sets and it is bright literally 24 hours a day. This lasts from the 12th June to 1st July in Nordland, but lasts for the entire 6 months of the summer in the North Pole. This can be quite difficult to adjust to when you’re used to sunrise and sunset, but there’s nothing quite as enchanting as taking a midnight stroll through the countryside in broad daylight.

Of course Norway is not all about fjords, mountains and lakes. A break in one of its main cities also makes for a great trip, and with accommodation costing less than most other countries in Europe a weekend break needn’t break the bank. One of the most popular destinations is the capital city of Oslo, which is a bustling modern city, yet rich in culture and heritage. Spend your days strolling round Bogstadveein, the trendy heart of the city, which is great for shopping and eating out, or find out more about the city’s Viking and Scandinavian past at the Viking Ship Museum. Then top your day off with a trip to the beautiful National Theatre which runs an ongoing programme of plays and operas.

Flights to Norway are very reasonably priced and if you hunt around and plan ahead you can get some really great deals. Add this to the fact that accommodation and eating out are also relatively inexpensive and you’ve got yourself a real bargain of a trip.

One of those, the Costa Rica Jade Museum, is a must-see for visitors wanting to look back to the life and culture of those who came before us.

While most people probably think of a museum as a place where old things and art from the past have been put on display—and where a couple of hours can be whiled away before hitting the malls—the displays are far more.

A good museum has two characteristics:

• A single piece (or multiple pieces of an artist) like a carving, painting, or statue provides a glimpse back in time to the artistic soul of a particular artist while
• A collection of pieces from many people (most whose names are forever lost in time), from different social groups, and covering an extended period of time (often measured in epochs or centuries), affords today’s observer an opportunity to see the evolution of a people’s culture, religion, and secular life.

The museum, located in the National Insurance Institute (Nacional de Seguras), hosts the world’s largest collection of pre-Columbian (pre Christopher Columbus) jade, more than 6,000 pieces.

The appearance of jade carvings in Costa Rica, about 600 B.C., coincided with a seminal, dramatic cultural change in the country that lasted for nearly 1,000 years until replaced by another seminal, seismic change when gold replaced jade.

While people had lived in Costa Rica for perhaps 13,000-15,000 years, sophisticated jade carvings suddenly appeared on the scene over the course of a few decades. The suddenness, coupled with the relative sophistication of the earliest carvings (rather than an evolution from simple, crude carvings to more and more sophisticated objects) and the dramatic cultural, religious, and material changes that quickly ensued, are strongly suggestive of a once insular society suddenly introduced to and influenced by outside cultures.

Jade, like gold after it, represented a tectonic change in culture.

It wasn’t just art.

It came to represent, in an historical blink-of-an-eye, man’s changing view of himself and his relationship with the gods.

And that, of course, led to a profound change in culture, not only in religious rituals but in material life as well.

Now, certainly, most of the visitors who go to the museum have no idea about—or interest in—the role jade played in the evolution of society 2,500 years ago. They simply enjoy the beauty and mystery of the green stone carvings.

And, fact is, that’s more than enough reason to visit the Costa Rica Jade Museum.

Over the years, Miami has developed its own unique sense of style. This is partly down to Miami’s heavy Hispanic culture, which is reflected in many stores and boutiques, which offer some incredibly eye catching and iconic clothing.

With so many shopping and dining options in Miami, choosing a venue to shop or eat can be a tricky decision, especially for those new to the area. To help make that decision easier, three of the most popular destinations are listed below.

Dolphin Mall

Dolphin Mall is the largest mall in Miami and boasts over 200 shops, cafes and restaurants. As well as the more typical outlets, such as Gap, Nike and Starbucks, you can also visit some major designer outlets, including Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

If you’re looking for something to eat, there’s the KOBE Japanese Steak and Seafood, Tango Grill Parrillada and a host of Latin influenced restaurants. There’s also the Cinebistro – a concept cinema offering top cuisine, fine wines & cocktails and a movie.

Aventura Mall

At the three-storey Aventura Mall, you will find a vast selection of shopping and dining experiences. There’s a Disney Store, Louis Vuitton, an ever-fragrant Lush soap outlet and an entire store devoted to Lego. The eating options are also plentiful, with a host of local and world cuisines all available in the mall.

The mall also holds regular events, such as the farmers market which offers shoppers some of the finest fresh produce in the area. There are often huge discount sales in the mall, giving consumers the chance to make some major savings on designer brands.

Bal Harbour Shops

On a sunny day in Miami, few things beat a spot of retail therapy down at Bal Harbour. This upscale complex is one of the few remaining family owned malls still operating in America, and is arguably the best looking retail area in the whole of Miami.

Since the designer label Gucci set up shop in Bal Harbour during the 1970′s, many designer brands have flocked to the area. Nowadays, Bal Harbour is populated almost entirely by world renowned fashion brands, with Versace, Giorgio Armani, Dolce and Gabbana and Fendi all currently residing in the complex.

Lincoln Road

For an entirely different shopping experience, try Lincoln Road Mall – perhaps the most alternative shopping centre in the region. The mall is ten blocks wide, and is largely closed to traffic. Lincoln Road offers some exquisite architecture, arty boutiques and private cafes. Some of the best Miami hotels are conveniently located in the area, making Lincoln Road an ideal destination for budding tourists.

The stalls at the Green market on the upper east side of Lincoln Road sell some amazing local produce, including an incredible array of local seafood. Hungry visitors can indulge in some freshly caught crabs, made-to-order ribs or an array of wonderful homemade snacks. There’s also endless amounts of art and craft stalls in the area, with all kinds of weird and wonderful trinkets on display. If you’re looking for a more refined dining experience, there’s also a good selection of restaurants and bars in the area that help contribute to the flourishing and atmospheric nightlife.

image credit: disfrutamiami.com

There is so much to do in Madrid. One can go around sightseeing in the city. There are wonderful parks and gardens in the city. For those who want to relax and enjoy, they can go the beaches. There are also museums and monuments where one can visit and get to know about the rich cultural heritage of the city.

One gets to see the amazing art and architecture of the Europeans. There are lovely mansions, a lot of food joints, outlets that are very fashionable and many theme parks where you get to play a lot of games and lot more activities that are very relaxing.

The most exclusive and the extra ordinary museum that one must see in the city Is the Prada museum. There is displayed a lot of master pieces of great artists in this museum. One can visit this museum a lot of times. This is because at any given point only few of the art pieces will be displayed. So to see the entire collection the museum has to be visited a number at different times of the year.

The Sofia museum is also an amazing museum here which displays the art works of the three very famous artists Picasso, Dali and Miro. This displays the master pieces of these artists and this museum is world famous.

Those who are interested in knowing more about the history and the rich cultural heritage of the Madrid must visit the national archeology museum. It gives glimpse into the origin of the city. In this museum they have displayed the artifacts that date back to the pre historic periods to the fifteenth century. There are so much of remains of the pre historic period which one can watch and enjoy. This is a wonderful museum that has preserved the artifacts really well. There have been various civilizations that have settled in this city so the vestiges of the all these civilizations are displayed here. Romans, Iberians, Egyptians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Moors are the various civilizations that have settled down in this city. And one gets to see the remains of all these civilizations here.

MacCurtain Street is one of the oldest shopping areas in Cork City. Here, one will find an eclectic mix of shops, ranging from antiques, to musical instruments. Along the way there are a number of quaint cafes to revive oneself. Crowley’s Music Centre is where the legendary musician, Rory Gallagher, bought the 1961 Fender Stratocaster that will forever be associated with him. Back in the day, MacCurtain Street was the place to head if you fancied some old style confectionary. A case in point was Hadji Bey’s shop, located on the ground floor of the Metropole Hotel, which was famous for its Turkish Delight in the early 20th century. Sadly it ceased trading in the 1980s. These days, the Metropole Hotel is still there, and the area around the bay windows is where Hadji Bey’s used to be.

French Church Street is one of those shopping areas with many secrets just waiting to be discovered. Here you will find a range of exciting unique shops, selling clothes and accessories, to sweets and coffee. Heated outdoor seating areas are available around many of the coffee shops, giving this street that French coffee society ambience. This street, together with Paul Street and Carey’s Lane, forms the Huguenot Quarter. In this area is the Huguenot graveyard. This walled cemetery dates back to the early 18th century; a time when Huguenot refugees left France to start a new life in Cork. They specialised in textiles, making silk and linen. They also became property developers.

Since the late 19th century, goods have been bought and sold on Cornmarket Street (also known as the Coal Quay). It was also the site of St Peter’s Market, which originally was a food market but nowadays is a vibrant pub and eaterie. In the late 90s/early 00s, major regeneration projects saw many apartments being built, along with a retail centre that is accessible from Paul Street. These days, street traders sell their wares on Cornmarket Street every Saturday morning. Its nickname hints at its origins; this district used to operate as a quay, as it was where the channel from the River Lee flows. However, it was concreted over to develop what is now Cornmarket Street.

Opera Lane is one of the newer retail districts in Cork City. Architects ensured that its design complements the surrounding historical structures – for example the Queen Anne House at Emmet Place and Crawford Art Gallery. Many of the well known high street stores, like Topshop, Gap, Next, Kuyichi, Topman and Tommy Hilfiger, to name just a few, trade here.

Sheltered by mountains, Costa Blanca enjoys the best holiday weather in Spain with the most days of sunshine in a year. The coastal region has even been named by the World Health Organisation as having one of the healthiest climates in the world. It’s little wonder, then, that many of the attractions for children involve water-based fun. Aqualandia near Benidorm is one of the best places to spend a fun-filled day dipping in and out of the water. It’s among the largest aqua parks in the world, with more than twenty slides and water rides centred around a huge lagoon area. Perfect for water babies, the park also appeals to adults with a giant Jacuzzi surrounded by fountains and waterfalls.

Right next door to Aqualandia is another water attraction, but this time the marine mammals are doing the splashing. Dolphins take centre stage at Mundomar Park, performing shows in the afternoon and posing for photos with the children. There’s also an underwater viewing area where visitors can watch them interacting with their trainers. Families looking for an unforgettable experience can book a session in the water with the dolphins or sealions. The park is home to exotic animals like flamingos, parrots and lemurs, as well as water mammals like penguins and otters. Feeding time for the penguins and lemurs, when the animals are at their most active, is a guaranteed highlight for the kids.

Theme parks are always a big hit with children too, and Costa Blanca has a fantastic one. No effort has been spared in constructing Terra Mitica, which is split into areas with rides dedicated to the great Mediterranean civilizations of Egypt, Rome, Greece, Iberia and ‘The Islands’. Some of the attractions, such as the looping rollercoaster and an enormous pendulum swing, are truly hair-raising, but there are smaller versions for younger children and those with delicate stomachs. In the heat of the midday sun, getting soaked on the water log and rapids river rides is an exciting way for the family to cool off.

Benidorm definitely has the greatest concentration of activities geared towards kids, but the popularity of family Costa Blanca holidays means that you can find entertainment for children no matter where you go. Even the more adult-orientated towns like Altea are used to welcoming children and have seafront play areas and child-friendly facilities. Retaining its Spanish charm, the little town of Altea is ideal for families looking for a quiet base close to Benidorm’s attractions.

Devon Cliffs is packed with activities for all the family, including direct beach access (which every body loves), 7 different places to eat, Sky TV and Wi-Fi for those who just can’t get enough Internet.

Let’s look at what’s there for the kids first. At the start of the day, there’s the opportunity to have breakfast with characters before trying their hand at Circus School or being a Wildlife Detective. After being treated to lunch at Burger King, they can get active at Laser Combat or becoming the next Torvill and Dean at Ice Skating. Then in the afternoon, they can make a splash in one of the 2 heated pools (outdoor or indoor – weather pending) before sitting down to dinner in the holiday home, which Mum and Dad so proudly made after shopping at the on-site SPAR convenience store. In the evening, they can wind down watching a magic show or the Touring Circus, before heading off to bed, with tomorrow’s set of activities firmly in their dreams.

I miss being a kid too. But what is there for the adults at Devon Cliffs and what will the kids want to join in with as well? Well before meeting up with the kids after their Circus School training, you can kick start the day with a little pampering from the luxury spa. You can then get everyone involved in a Bike ride or some activities at the multi-weather sports courts. The beach will definitely work in your favour, especially with the beachside bar close to hand. After serving up your best Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner, there’s the Big Quiz to keep those brain cells in full working order or the sitting down to a tribute band that the whole family enjoys. Once the kids are in bed, there’s your old friend SKY TV to keep you company until you fall asleep on the sofa.

You’ll find no two days the same at Haven’s Devon Cliffs, with all the choices of food, entertainment and activities, everyone will come back refreshed and exhausted, all at the same time.

There are different types of visas in Qatar that will allow you to visit Doha Qatar or even stay there for a relatively long period of time. Here are the some examples types:

1. Tourist Visa

This visa is valid for 2 weeks. However, you can get a joint visa of Qatar and Oman that can last for 3 weeks. Tourist visas can be obtained for you by your hotel or through Qatar Airways. A tourist visa costs around 500 Qatar riyals or approximately 138 US dollars. If you so choose, you can extend your 2-week long visa to 2 more weeks, which is not unusual once you visit Doha Qatar and get entranced by its beauty.

2. Work Visa

An employment Qatar visa can be valid for 1 to 3 months. These are usually arranged by the expatriate’s employer. This is initially needed to allow the person to enter the country. Once that is set and the person is able to enter the country, he or she will then need to obtain resident and work visas. For these visas, you will need to undergo a health check.

3. Exit Visa

All working residents who want to exit the country except for those who were sponsored by their husband or father, will have to obtain an exit visa. An exit visa will require you to get a guarantor that will say that he or she is willing to shoulder all your debts if in case you leave anything outstanding before you leave. Exit visas can be obtained by employers online but you need to read Arabic for this. Otherwise, you can go to the immigration center at Al Gharaffa.

4. Transit Visa

This is a special type of Qatar visa that you need to secure if you have a connecting flight in Qatar and you need to stop over there for 2 days.

5. Business visa

Businessmen and women from a handful of countries such as Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, United States, Japan, Canada, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, Norway and Greece are allowed to get a business visa. This type of visa is prearranged by a Qatar-based company and it can be valid from 2 to 4 weeks.

6. Visit Visa

People allowed to work in Qatar can sponsor their family members and relatives to visit Qatar for a period of up to 6 months. Spouses and children can even stay as long as 1 year. For this type of visa, aside from the passport, the birth and marriage certificates will be required accordingly. This is a great opportunity for relatives and family to visit Doha Qatar.