Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year All Over The World!

It doesn't matter where you are now, whether you're at work, resting at home or maybe travelling...

It doesn't matter what your skin color is, what's your religion and what are your beliefs. All the same - I wish you all the best during this special time of the year, whether you call it Christmas, Hanuka, Kwanzaa, Solistice, or else.


Lots of happiness and new travel ideas for the upcomming New Year 2010 for all of you! :)

Arabian Holidays - An Introduction

Arabian Holidays - An Introduction

by David Price

The Middle East has become one of the most exciting tropical holiday destinations during the recent decades. Holidays to the Middle East are exciting because the geographical area called the Middle East combines the age-old civilization with the most modern of cities. It boasts some of the greatest modern structures like the Burj al Arab. This part of the earth has a rich historical as well as mythological background. This article aims to review the major holiday destinations in the Middle East.

Photo by twocentsworth

Major Middle East Holiday Destinations

The major Middle East holiday destinations include Oman, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc. All of these places have excellent infrastructure for visitors to make the most of their holidays there. If you are planning a holiday to the Middle East, you can go through the following review to learn what each of these astonishing places offers.The major Middle East holiday destinations include Oman, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc. All of these places have excellent infrastructure for visitors to make the most of their holidays there. If you are planning a holiday to the Middle East, you can go through the following review to learn what each of these astonishing places offers.


Oman

Oman, the most traditional country of the United Arab Emirates, offers everything from rugged coasts, to the peak of Jebel Akhdar at 2980m, to the salt flats and deserts. If you go to Oman, the beautiful and varied terrain of the country will amaze you. Here you will meet an Orient that has a vibrant fusion of cultures taken from India, Africa and the ancient Orient. If you are in Oman, do not miss a tour to the capital Muscat, which is rich in gold and silverware, Bedouin rugs and antiques.

 Photo by By: Andries3

If you want water fun, you can have it in the north of the country where lies the dazzling beaches of the Batinah coast.Oman, the most traditional country of the United Arab Emirates, offers everything from rugged coasts, to the peak of Jebel Akhdar at 2980m, to the salt flats and deserts. If you go to Oman, the beautiful and varied terrain of the country will amaze you. Here you will meet an Orient that has a vibrant fusion of cultures taken from India, Africa and the ancient Orient. If you are in Oman, do not miss a tour to the capital Muscat, which is rich in gold and silverware, Bedouin rugs and antiques. If you want water fun, you can have it in the north of the country where lies the dazzling beaches of the Batinah coast.


Qatar

Qatar is another destination for a typical Arabian holiday. The country combines the charms of old Arabia with exciting modernity. If you visit the country, you will get a fantastic travel experience. Here you will be able to visit the historic forts, expansive desert landscapes, and beach resorts. In Qatar you will also meet a rich, cultural heritage. There are some finest hotels and the world-class shopping centers for the visitors.

Photo by Shenghung Lin


The capital of Qatar is Doha, which has some interesting places like the city museums
and the Doha Fort.Qatar is another destination for a typical Arabian holiday. The country combines the charms of old Arabia with exciting modernity. If you visit the country, you will get a fantastic travel experience. Here you will be able to visit the historic forts, expansive desert landscapes, and beach resorts. In Qatar you will also meet a rich, cultural heritage. There are some finest hotels and the world-class shopping centers for the visitors. The capital of Qatar is Doha, which has some interesting places like the city museums and the Doha Fort.

Dubai

During the recent years Dubai has become the most popular holiday destination in the Middle East. Almost everybody knows about the country’s finest hotels. Apart from this there are also amazing shopping opportunities in Dubai. There are plenty of water funs in Dubai. So, experience Dubai with its beautiful beaches, friendly people and markets. During the recent years Dubai has become the most popular holiday destination in the Middle East.


Photo by Wintersun24/7

Almost everybody knows about the country’s finest hotels. Apart from this there are also amazing shopping opportunities in Dubai. There are plenty of water funs in Dubai. So, experience Dubai with its beautiful beaches, friendly people and markets.

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is another wonderful place for your holidays and vacations in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Middle East. Thousands of visitors flock Abu Dhabi each year round from all parts of globe. Abu Dhabi offers large gardens and parks, green boulevards lining all the streets and roads, and sophisticated high-rise buildings.



Photo by: Jon Rawlinson


You can also enjoy tranquil beaches, oasis, and sunny weather in Abu Dhabi. So, come to Abu Dhabi anytime of the year and experience the charm of this magical city. Thus, plan your holidays to the Middle East anytime of the year and experience the magical charm of this part of the world. The holiday packages to the Middle East are available throughout the year. There are many travel agencies who organize the holiday packages. You can select your own Middle East holiday packages according to your time and budget.

About Author: David Price writes about Arabian holiday. For more information on Middle east holidays visit http://www.bestatarabianholidays.co.uk/

Photo source: flickr.com

Time-lapse video of Mt Fuji, Miyajima, Iwate

The latest time-lapse video by Tokyo-based photographer Samuel Cockedey features captivating views of Mt. Fuji, Miyajima (Itsukushima Shrine), and Iwate prefecture.

(autumn) from Samuel Cockedey on Vimeo.

January in New York City

January in New York City  

by  Rosalie Scott

From cheaper flights and hotels to discount shopping and dining, travelling to New York after the holidays is a perfect way to see the city for a fraction of the regular price. It may be windy and cold in January, but the culture and excitement of New York City is always hot!

Ice Skating in New York City

When you think about lacing up your skates and gliding around a New York City skating rink, the iconic image comes to mind of skaters circling the rink at Rockefeller Center. But if you are curious to try something different and explore other New York City skating rinks, check out the Pond at Bryant Park. As the only free outdoor skating rink in New York, the Pond is a popular winter destination nestled in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Skate rentals and lockers are available.

Other outdoor venues for ice skating in New York City are located in picturesque Central Park at the Wollman Rink (east side between 62nd and 63rd Streets) and the Lasker Rink (between 106th and 108th Streets.)

NYC Restaurant Week

Curious about Cafe Boulud, Mesa Grill or Gramercy Tavern? NYC Restaurant Week is the best way to eat at some of the most renowned restaurants in New York City without breaking the bank. This week of delicious dining on a dime takes place twice a year and visitors travelling to New York City in January should plan to take advantage of this wildly popular event.

Photo by plate of the day



Participating restaurants offer a set menu for lunch and dinner at a fixed priced, typically offering customers two or three choices for each course. This event allows foodies a chance to try out some of the most talked about eateries in the city, including many helmed by celebrity chefs, at far less expensive prices.


Reserving a Table During NYC Restaurant Week
For information on participating NYC Restaurant Week eateries, their special Restaurant Week menus and dates of the event, visit www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek. Call your dining destination of choice well in advance to reserve as tables book up very quickly. Reservations can also be made for several of the restaurants at Open Table, which is a free site where diners can book their reservations online. With each reservation made, points are accrued towards gift certificates at participating eateries.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day in New York City

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. holiday commemorating the great civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968. Each year the holiday falls on the third Monday of January, close to his birth date of January 15th. There are numerous celebrations, events and tributes organized throughout the five boroughs of New York City on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Every January, thousands of community service projects take place across the U.S. in honour of Dr. King’s teachings on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The slogan of this national day of community service is “Make it a day ON, not a day OFF” and the goal is to empower individuals to work together to strengthen their communities.

Photo by kugelfish

There is plenty to see and do in New York City in January, so bundle up and enjoy!


About the Author: http://NewYorkJourney.com will give you a comprehensive look at several hotels, attractions, shops and more in the Big Apple. Get the information you need to know before you travel and make sure you get to see and stay at the best of the best in New York City.
Article Source: ActiveAuthors.com
Photo Source: flickr.com , wikipedia.org

Amazing Tilt-Shift Video of Swiss Landscape and Trains

Some of you, amateur world photographers, have probably heard about "tilt-shift" photography. It's a special technique, which allows you to focus only on specific parts of the picture, to emphasize its particularity. And the results, well - you can see an amazing example here:

First time I saw it, I thought: "Hey, those are toy trains!" and I bet I'm not the only one to think this way.
The truth is, this is a photo of a real train made using the "tilt-shift" technique.

This movie project is particularly interesting - it's all about beautiful Swiss countryside (villages of Sisikon and Göschenen) and its magnificent, legendary trains. If you had any doubts whether you should visit Switzerland and take a ride - I think the short movie below might be a nudge in the right direction for you. it is a project filmed by Andi Leemann and Jeri Peier (if you're interested in technicalities: they used two EOS 5D Mark II cameras, a Canon 90mm TS-E f/2.8 and a Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 combined with a 1.4x converter, woohoo!).


And now, sit back and enjoy the amazing views of Swiss Trains from an amazing perspective:

gottardo nord from fb1 visuals on Vimeo.

Hope you like it as much as I do :)

Source: http://www.geeksaresexy.net/

Paris

Not much is going on in Paris. But Paris is Paris. The best shopping district is still Avenue Montaigne, François 1er and Avenue du Faubourg Saint Honoré (All in walking distance).
We used to stay at Pershing Hall near the same aera. However, this will be the last time. We do not agree with the new principle "Pay more Get Less". You pay George V prices get no service at all. Forget the Boutique hotels in Paris  , go for  5 stars:
Hotel Barriere Fouquet or Georges V. Just make sure you book the one in the location you like and which attract guests in the same tribe as you.
Restaurant: Avenue Montaigne is still a must
Pinxo owned by Chef Dutournier is very a good choice also for lunch. Stick at the bar.
Go for the Michelin stars restaurants you should not be disappointed. Or for the real fashionita Parisian experience Avenue , they are all there

London

I need to update my list of restaurants in London. On paper , London is not the capital of Gastronomy it is Tokyo with 11 , 3 star Michelin restaurants , then it is Paris with 10. However, London is a city where there is always something is happening and a lot of new restaurants  , they just pop up.
So far my favorite restaurant is UMU,  a Japanese michelin star restaurant. Eating at the bar is always more fun, you can enjoy the talent of the sushi chef. Do you know thee guys  need at least 7 years of study to be a master sushi chef , as much as a doctor ! This is art on the plate, I never have enough of it. They also offer cooking classes on Saturday...on my list of things I want to do

Since Joel Rebuchon opened his restaurant L'Atelier , the big trend in London is the tapas type of food served at the bar. An excellent one surfing on this trend ,  located in Soho is Barrafina. Which I will define as fine Spanish tapas.

From the same owners Sam and Eddy, in the same district you should also try QUO Vadis, an excellent  restaurant. The menus change often. The dishes are fresh, tasty and delicious! If you know the right people you can enjoy a cocktail upstairs at their private club.

Cipriani is still on the circuit of rich and famous. Scotts and Cecconi's are on the list also. Scotts is good for seafood and Cecconi is a good place for breakfast.

Hix just opened in Soho, good service, good english food...good place for oysters.
Aqua from Hong Kong just opened two restaurants , but I have not be there yet.

Despite the financial crisis there have been many new openings in Canary Wharf area: Roka just opened another place there and Jamie Oliver opened an Italian restaurant also.

What to do in London:

Don't miss Anish Kipoor at the Royal Academy of Art (until december 11) especially is work on wax!
National Portrait Gallery: Beatles to Bowie exhibition
Saatchi Gallery
Also some very interesting private galleries near Bond Street
and of course the Xmas lights !

Nails & Amp; Nail and eyebrow Champagne bar at Harvey Nichols: try this Indian technique a bit painful but quick and efficient.

Boston

I have to say Boston was not on my top list of "I really have to go place"!

First of all, I was not excited to fly to the USA via Newark. Despite them  taking all of your 10 fingers print and your picture, they are quite friendly nowadays! No big queues at customs like it use to be! No more grumpy staff! Clean an refurbished airport! Good Start.

So Boston, autumn is a great time to visit this city. I found it very clean and polished, very WASPy, quite pretty , also with all those old very well preserved buildings. You really have a feeling of safety. On the contrary nothing is happening there.. this place is absolutely not where the new trends are emerging.

In fact it is a nice place to visit, you can find good restaurants, walk in the park and play with the squirrels (on of my favorite moments). Shopping is good, there is three american size malls ,  all connected plus two shopping streets with most of the high end brand.

Go to the hair dresser, I suggest MISO an all white modern corridor.

And finally walk on the waterfront , visit the Aquarum, and of course take the three hour trip to watch the Whales. We saw at least 20 of them, loads of different species, absolutly magic!

Stay at the Mandarin Oriental. Great bar for a glass of Champagne
before and probably after diner. Great location, right in the center and walking distance to all the shops and squirrel park!

Restaurants :G Oysters, we tried the oysters plateau with 6 different kinds of North American oysters, we recommand also the Clams and Scallops. Eaten at the bar is the best! If you are more of a carnivore you can try the restaurant opposite owned by the same person ,  the Butcher.

O YA Japanese restaurant: the modern sushi is excellent... normal sushi tasted so borring once you tasted the modern!

CLIO, also a very good restaurant

We also went to  to L'Espalier, but honesly I don't recommand it, it is too up itself to be good.

What to do in Grampian Scotland

What to do in Grampian Scotland  

by  Stig Johanson 

Have you been pondering lately the possibility of maybe taking a trip to a foreign country? If so, I would highly recommend that you look into going to either Grampian, Scotland or Aberdeen, Scotland as there are so many fun things to see and do there!

 For starters, while staying in the Aberdeenshire area that encompasses the cities of both Aberdeen and Grampian, you should definitely look into going on one of their hot air balloon rides! This is a fantastic experience that you will not soon forget! Do you love castles and all things having to do with royalty? If so, I’m sure you will be thrilled to hear that famous landmarks such as Crathes Castle and Castle Fraser are just a few of the gorgeous sights that you can expect to see while on your ballooning trip!





Also, are you a big fan of the performing arts? If so, I would highly recommend that you check out His Majesty’s Theatre while visiting Scotland! Every night, there are top notch actors and actresses here that put on a great show doing everything from opera, pantomime, and musicals, just to name a few.

If you happen to visit Scotland during one of their warm seasons, going to Codonas which is located at Beach Boulevard would be great fun for the whole family! At Codonas you will find an outdoor amusement park that offers not only rides such as roller coasters, but they also offer arcade machines, bingo and ten pin bowling!

Photo By: Divv3k

Another great activity in Grampian is quad biking. This can be enjoyed by anyone over the age of 16, this is for insurance purposes. Whilst better in the summer with dryer weather it can be done all year round. For the speed freaks amongst us, this is a lifetime must do. With the freedom of the track and in the company or your friends this is an great way to spend an afternoon or morning. I say afternoon or morning because youd have to be super fit to do a day of it, its very tiring. Do a search for Howie Irvine or House of Mulben. Both centres offer quad biking.

If you are an animal lover, and do you especially love marine animals? If so, you will be sure to enjoy going on a dolphin watching cruise trip through Aberdeen Harbour during your stay in Scotland! The view of the harbor is simply spectacular, and the dolphins themselves are quite stunning! Watching the dolphins play together as they swim near the boat is not only fun to watch, but it is also a very relaxing experience. Many times, the dolphins will even decide to do some acrobatic tricks which really are a fantastic sight to behold! Also, if you look closely during your dolphin watching cruise, don’t be surprised if you happen to spot a few other marine animals such grey seals and possibly even a minke whale!

Photo by: Almac555

I wish you the best of luck, and I hope that you and your family have a wonderful time while vacationing in Scotland!

About the Author: http://www.kirktowngm.co.uk
Article Source: ActiveAuthors.com
Photo Sources: flickr.com, visitscotland.com

Sweden: A Mythical Lesbian City

There is a wide range of reasons to visit Sweden: beautiful nature, friendly people, mooses and other wild game... the list is unending. But there is another, and a very curious one, reason to visit this Viking country: a hidden city of Swedish Amazones!

 If you are a tourist planning to visit Sweden, you shoud be aware of this story. There have been rumors of a city dwelled by 25,00 lesbians somewhere in the northern parts of the country. The Swedish tourist authorities (not to mention the Internet queries) are being swarmed with questions about this intriguing topic.






Source: anthromodernity.com 


The story has been spreading in Asia - in Chinese media, for example, you can find some information about a city called "Chako Paul City", supposedly founded in 1820 in northern Sweden by a wealthy man-hating widow who banned all males from entering the settlement. After some time, all of the women were to become lesbian, “because they could not suppress their sexual needs,” reports China’s Harbin News service. The city can be recognized by an medieval castle built there to protect the city, as well as tall, blonde and strong women guarding the premises.

 Needless to say, the Swedish tourist authorities are as surprised as the rest of the nation. Claes Bertilson, the spokesman for SALAR, says: “I've no idea where this came from, but it's not true. At 25,000 residents, the town would be one of the largest in northern Sweden, and I find it hard to believe that you could keep something like that a secret for more than 150 years.”

 Mountains in Lappland, Sweden.   

(Wikimedia Commons/Alexandre Buisse (Nattfodd)/"GNU Free Documentation License")

Although Per Wilhelmsson of the tourist office in Umea in northern Sweden said he had never heard of Chako Paul City, he did confirm that tourism in the area is bustling.
“Our tourism industry is doing quite well, among the best in northern Sweden,” he said.

He also confirmed that no “women-only” city existed in northern Sweden, but the story reminded him of an 30-year old stunt carried out by Pajala, a northern Swedish town suffering from a different problem:
“They arranged for bus loads of women to come up to this town because there weren't enough of them,” he explained.

When asked what else might be drawing tourists to northern Sweden besides the chance to visit an isolated town filled with sexually frustrated females, Wilhelmsson had a theory of his own.

“It’s hard to say for sure, but I think part of it might be increased interest following our designation as Europe’s Cultural Capital for 2014,” he said.


Source:   
http://www.newser.com/

http://www.thelocal.se/22476/20091005/

14 Breathtaking Castles - A Must See!

In my journeys, very often I like to plan the route considering the castles or palaces I can find along the way. Some of them are hidden in old forests or placed on top of a hill mysteriously covered with fog. Others - built on islands - seem to float on the water, guarding the city nearby. All of those spectacular buildings, most of them still remembering the medieval times, are certainly worth seeing. Each of them has their own story to tell, filled with mystery, ghosts and treasures...

Mont Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel is is a rocky coastline island located in Normandy, France. This majestic castle is one of the first places to obtain UNESCO World Heritage listing. It is also one of the most frequently visited castles in France.


Source

Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is one of a kind in the world. It was built in 19th-century in Bavaria, situated on a rocky hill near Hohenschwangau in southwest Bavaria, Germany. You can see that the design of this castle is breathtaking: arched portals, all the arcade windows and high towers, columns and pinnacles. It looks like a fairytale castle. Rumor has it, that it has been an inspiration for Walt Disney and the famous castle in Disneyland.


Source


Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle is one of the unique four japanese castles, which are listed as national treasures of Japan. Next to Himeji-jo, Matsumoto-jo, this was the next best existing castle donjon (a tall and sturdy defense and observation tower) in Japan. Built by Ishikawa Kazumasa and his son Yasunaga in  the year 1590.


Source

Castle of Coca
Castle of Coca was built in the 15th century for Archbishop Alonso de Fonseca I. It is considered as one of the best castles in Spain, definitely worth seeing. The castle's characteristic turreted structure of plaster and red brick is surrounded by a deep moat. In spite of this defensive traits, the Castle of Coca has been more of a palace than a castle.


Source

Isola di Loreto
Isola di Loreto is a neogothic castle, which has been rebuilt around 1910, being based on the fortified structure of the castle dating further back than 15th century. This castle was built on island L’isola di Loreto, the smallest island of the lake Iseo. It is located on the north side of Montisola, Italy.


Source

The Potala Palace
The Potala Palace is located on the Red Hill of Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. It was originally built in the 17th century by King Songtsen Gampo. The Potala Palace was a winter palace and the main residence of the Dalai Lamas until the 14th Dalai Lama had to escape to Dharamsala, India (he resides there until now).


Source

Predjamski Grad
Predjamski Castle is a suprisingly placed renaissance castle built within a cave mouth in southwestern Slovenia, with lots of natural tunnels and smaller caves existing underneath, being a safe haven for many centuries for people living nearby. It is located approximately 11 kilometres from the famous Postojna Cave.


Source

Hunyad Castle
Hunyad Castle was originally built as a fortress in 1212. Many believe that this castle is the place where the unfamous and terrifying Count Dracula was held as a prisoner for 7 years after he was overthrown in 1462. The castle is situated in Hunedoara, Romania.

Source

Malbork Castle
The Malbork Castle’s construction began in 1275, along the river Nogat in Poland. This castle was made from red brick and became the world’s largest brick gothic castle. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997. Today, it is well-preserved medieval gothic castle and a museum.


Source

Prague Castle
Prague Castle is the Czech Capital City's premier tourist attraction. It was largest medieval castle complex in Europe and the ancient seat of Czech kings throughout the ages.

Source

Eltz Castle
Eltz Castle is a medieval castle placed in the hills above the Moselle River between Koblenz and Trier, Germany. This castle is still owned by a branch of the same family (for 33 generations!) that lived there in the 12th century.


Source

Palacio da Pena
Palacio da Pena is one of Europe’s most magnificent and uniquely designed palaces. It was built on the top of a hill above the town of Sintra, Portugal.


Source

Löwenburg Castle
Löwenburg Castle was built around 1800 as a country residence for Count Wilhelm IX (Germany). This castle was intentionally designed to look like a medieval castle.


Source

Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle is a quadrangular castle, surrounded with a huge moat, located in East Sussex, England. It was built in the late 14th century by a veteran of King Edward III’s wars with France. The purpose of this castle was to be a strategical point of defense from a possible french invasion and also - a peaceful and quiet homestead for its owner.


Source


If you find any other castles you've seen or feel they should be mentionned here - write a comment, please! :)


Source: http://pixzii.com/

Monday 18 to the 23 October

Sailing the Nile , from Luxor to Aswan just like in the 19th century on the Geand Tour, in a dahabieh.

I have to admit when we booked this trip I was not so sure about it.
A week on a sail boat on the Nile sounded a bit boring. Not at all ! It is very relaxing and peaceful.
We booked this special cruise on a replica of an old Egyptian sailing boat
http://www.nourelnil.com/ which is the best way to do it.
The boat is gorgeous, very well decorated, low speed as expected , to enjoy every thing going on on the Nile : birds, fishermen, donkeys, buffalos...all on the sounds of mosque 5 times a day.
The staff  are very friendly , smiley and efficient.
The organisation is perfect.
The peaceful cruise is punctuated by visits of temples, tombes, swimming and walks. All executed with  incredible timing , we saw great sites but almost no tourists in all of these usually over crowded spots
In between, we had very good meals, tea and fruit juice.
We treated ourself to a panoramic suite , which is a good choice as we spent , some time on the deck but also in your room reading, watching or just relaxing.
The maximum number  of guests on a boat is around 20 , with a 15 staff members, there were only 8 of us which felt like we had a private boat

In Luxor, we recommend the Winter Palace hotel
In Aswan, until the renovation of the Old Cataract is finished, we recommend the Movenpick hotel.
For dinner the top of the Movenpick tower is the best choice. The view is just amazing from there.

Stone Tree Forest - Yakutsk, Russia

I'm sure that after looking at those magnificent pictures, you will aggree with me when I say that this stone forest (called locally "Lena's Stone Forest") is one of the most amazing places on our planet.

Photo: A. Butorin

These magnificent natural stome formations are placed near a city of Yakutsk, located in the Asiatic part of Russia. It's a breathtaking experience to see them with our own eyes, so the place is very popular among scientists (geologists, paleontologists) and tourists alike. One "tiny" problem with this place is its location. It takes about four days to get there from Moscow: a very long flight and then a three-day-long boat ride, which costs "only" $500 if you're lucky. But once you get there - it's certainly worth seeing.

Photo: V. Grigoriev

 

You can check the location of the Stone Tree Forest on Google Maps - here.

Source:  English Russia
Photo Credits: A.Butorin, V.Grigoriev