The City That Never Sleeps

Feeling Lucky! Vegas has it all. If you think that your luck is on a roll, then there isn't any best possible place than Las Vegas for you. Vegas the city that never sleep and parties are served as an exquisite speciality; where one can get married legally at any time of the day. Here at Vegas every one is welcomed with amount of closure they want. It is one of those tourist hubs that you just don't want to miss. The Top Five places to visit in Vegas are:

Fountains Of Bellagio:
WELL. Who could have ever guessed that watching water dazzle rhythmically under the lights in awesome music could have been so much fun. Watch the water spew for half an hour during the evening in the awesome light show and tantalise your senses. One of the must visit places in Vegas.






Eiffel Tower, Vegas:
All those love buds out there looking out for a chance to head Paris for the most famous romantic destination THE EIFFEL TOWER, Vegas just might have a good news for you fellas. In the middle of the Vegas Life lies a replica of the Eiffel Tower which is not only a sight worth seeing but it also has a number of hotels, casinos and well known restaurants residing nearby. The top floor of the tower gives you an exquisite view of the city. Not only that the tower has it own 24-hour Wedding Chapel, so guys if you are waiting up for the perfect romantic moment to propose her just head Vegas.


Caesar's  Palace:
Casinos is probably the biggest reason Las Vegas is famous for and well Caesar's Palace is one of the best casino you could find find in Vegas. Caesar's Palace is one of its kind resort; with all sorts of luxuries, from high class dining to state of the art spas, from exclusive cabaret's and live shows to a casino of the highest quality; Caesar's Palace is a place that will surely make your stay at Vegas memorable at the best possible price.Official Caesar's Palace Website    

Red Rock Canyon:
For all traveller's who are looking up for an exciting desert facebook profile picture then pack your gear up for breathtaking scenic views near Las Vegas. Just 15-20miles away from the Vegas Strip(The Vegas Boulevard) lies The Red Rock Canyon. Get exciting tours by guides and get to know the amazing stories of The Red Rock Canyon and its origin. Tours are available for hiking and even by air. For tours visit: http://www.grandcanyontourandtravel.com/hikerr.html


Luxor:
If you are travelling by air and you see a strong white beam of light being emitted from PYRAMID then don't confuse yourself that you must dreaming of travelling over The Egyptian Deserts; Welcome people you are in Vegas and the Pyramid you see is The LUXOR Resort itself.  Rated among the top resorts of Vegas, Luxor is an all in one place. The shape of the resort is an attraction itself making itself one of the landmarks of the Vegas. The Luxor has every thing from high class hoteling to the best night-life experience in Vegas; from King Tut Museum to exciting cabarets, art galleries and live shows, from fine dining experience to exciting pool parties, spa's and casino, LUXOR has it all. It is a place that is surely irresistible to get out from. Official LUXOR Website       

Charismatic Austria

Austria is known as the Republic of Austria. It is a country in central Europe and it is a landlocked country. Austria shares its borders with Germany and Czech Republic in the north, Slovakia and Hungary in the east, Switzerland and Liechtenstein in the West and Slovenia and Italy in the south. In order to travel to Austria, it is better to have a brief overview regarding Austria. 


Best time to visit Austria 
Austria is a mountainous region as it is located in the Alps. The northern, southern and central eastern Alps are partially located in Austria. The Austrian granite plateau which is the second highest mountain is also located here. Apart from these, there are many other mountains in the region. Austria has a photogenic beauty which is worth mentioning. 
The climate of Austria is cool and temperate in most of the regions, with warm humid winds. As most of the country is predominated with mountains, temperatures are generally low with less rainfall. Avalanches are very common during spring. Be careful of the sun in high altitudes. 
Austria is very cold in winter but summer has warm temperatures. It is advisable to visit Austria during summer, in order to enjoy your stay. As Austria is a hilly region, it is better not to plan your trip in winter as it is very cold. You can also visit during April and October. On the other hand if you want to plan your trip in the city, then it is advisable to visit during June and September. 


Economy in Austria 
Austria has highest GDP and it is the 12th richest country in the world. Austria has a very well developed industry but tourism industry is the prime revenue earning industry in Austria. 


Art and Culture in Austria 
Austria was a part of European culture and its reflection can be seen both in art and culture of Austria. Europe has a lot of contribution in shaping Austria's art and culture. Many famous composers were born in Austria like Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss, and Joseph Hayden etc. 


Famous Places in Austria 
Travel to Austria is incomplete without visiting different places and sightseeing. Few such places are mentioned below:

Vienna
Hallstatt
Arlberg Region
Innsbruck
Salzburg
Krimmi Falls
Linz
Tyrol's Valleys
Graz
Villach

Bienvenido a Espana

Hola seniors! “Bienvenido a Espana” (Welcome to Spain). 
Spain, which is currently world’s biggest football hub after Brazil and is booming in almost every field around the world, is a beautiful place to be in. It mainly attracts the football fans to visit and watch their football icons playing a game certainly worth watching like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo etc.



Costa Blanca
Near Valencia is another scenic beauty called ‘Costa Blanca’. It is an extensive coastline filled with parks and small villages. The view from each village is different from the other. Few beaches on this coast are quite famous like ‘Benidorm’ as well as the village areas of ‘Denia’ and ‘Calpe’. 



Sagrada Familia
When visiting Spain, a tourist should begin its tour from Barcelona where ‘Sagrada Familia’ is a historical church and its construction began in 1882. After visiting the church, the magnificent artwork in ‘Park Guell’ and breathtaking views of the ‘Mountain Montuijc’ await the traveler. This mountain also marks an end to the ‘must see’ places in Barcelona.


Falles Museum
About 2 hours in north of Alicante, is Valencia where ‘Falles Museum’ is famous for the exhibition of its traditional culture. In the mid-week of March, a grand event is hosted here which is said to be the greatest tourist attraction at that time in the world. It is this part of the year which fills the streets of Valencia with parades and other street celebrations. Places like Seville, Granada and Cordoba, Andalusian cities also show the Arabic influence that Spain has had in the past.


Granadas Alhambra                    
The greatest and the biggest attraction of Spain is ‘Granadas Alhambra’. It is a Palace and a fortress which was built in 14th century by the Roman King and is located on a hill. Its interior is filled with exotic stonework on the walls and ceilings. It was built in the style of Muslim Art and portrays it in a glorious way. The luxurious rooms and courts exceed the human brain.
                                                            
Pamplona Bull Run
Besides the monumental and scenic attractions, Spain is also rich in its culture and engrosses many people due to its fascinating festivals. For some, these festivals are a source enjoyment while some say that they are nothing but a ‘ticket to the next world’. One of the most famous one is the ‘Pamplona Bull Run’ held in the city of Pamplona. In this event, people run in front of wild bulls in order to save them. The people running in front have all volunteered but not dragged by force for participation. Another such festival is ‘La tomatina’. This festival is nothing but an organized fight between people and their only weapons are TOMATOES! This fight is organized in a small town of Bunol which is near Valencia. In addition, the yearly celebrations of Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Spain are also famous worldwide.
                                                       

Exquisite Germany

Germany can be segregated into 3 regions, namely, Mittelgebirge or Central German Uplands, North German Plain, and Southern German Highlands. The country is located in central Europe. It has a population of 82, 329, 758 (as per estimates 2009). The total area of Germany is 137, 846 sq miles or 357, 021 sq km. 

If you are planning to travel to Germany, make sure you visit some of the largest cities in Germany. They are Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne, Munich, Dusseldorf, and Stuttgart etc. And interestingly, every city has its own set of tourist attractions and has been able to appeal to tourists for its picturesque landscapes and other places of tourist interest. 

Depending on how much you are willing to shell out, you can opt for tailor-made travel packages which are offered by travel agents. You can compare the packages and services offered by these travel agents online and settle for the one, which you think will help you to enjoy your vacation thoroughly. 

When should you visit Germany?

The period between May and September is the best time to visit the country. However, visitors don't restrict themselves only to this period. You will find tourists visiting even during March through October. During April and May, you will find flowers that are in full bloom. 

Tourist attractions in Germany

There are several places you can visit if you travel to Germany. However, it doesn't just stop there. There are a number of festivals that people from different parts of the country enjoy. Check out the festivals which draw thousands of tourists. 

Festivals and Celebrations: 

• Fasching or Karneval
• Rhein in Flammen
• Walpurgisnacht
• Maifest
• Love Parade
• Christopher Street Day 

Places of interest in Germany

There are various tourist sites you can visit and explore the many facets of the country. Some of the places you can visit when you travel to Germany include the following - 

Bavarian Alps

Commonly referred to as Bayerische Alpen, it is one of the attractions that have drawn hundreds of travelers. It is a beautiful natural divide that runs along the Austrian border. 

Lake Constance

The Lake is quite big and in some places portion of the lake shares a common border or flows into other countries and regions like Austria and Switzerland. It is often known by the name "Swabian Sea". At a distance are the Swiss peaks that are covered with snow. It offers a picturesque and breathtaking view. 

Hohenzollern Castle

Hohenzollern Castle is situated at the summit of a Swabian hill overlooking the small town of Hechingen.  This idyllic castle looks like it was taken straight out of a fairy tale:  with its tall towers and seven successive gates. 

At the nucleus of the castle lies a tiny chapel dedicated to St. Michael in 1061.  Over successive centuries, local German princes constructed a castle around this chapel.  While its foundations are a millennium old, the castle has been assaulted, torn down, built, and rebuilt.  Over its first 400 years, the castle fell twice in furious bombardments from catapults, archers, and swordsmen.  Then in 1453, the castle was leveled to the ground.

In 1850, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia and his cousin Prince Karl Anton von Hohenzollern began construction of a new castle atop these 400-year-old ruins.  The castle was finished in 1867 and soon became a symbol of the new rulers of southwest Germany.  The statues at the castle's base portray many Prussian kings and noblemen.

What you may need to know about Dubai

Travel agencies, hotels and airlines all have 1 thing in common when it come to inquiries about Dubai: They lie to you.
So here is the TRUTH about the REAL SUMMER TEMPERATURES
& the truth about REAL LIFE during RAMADAN:
--> Trust me, I've lived here for 12 years and the city is on the edge of a desert after all... it gets HOT!!

1. SUMMER
If you are planning to spend lots of time perfecting your tan, dune-bashing in the desert & seeing the city, then summer is definitely NOT the time to visit.
Hotels & airlines will try to "lure" tourists with cheap flights & hotel packages, but that doesn't mean that you will enjoy your holiday.
From June onwards, daytime temperatures are always around 40 degrees Celsius = 104 F, and July is the hottest month with temperatures hovering around 45 C = 113 F, even reaching 50 C = 122 F!!! Average humidity is between 70 - 90% during the day, with September being a slightly cooler but the most humid month, with a regular 100% humidity. Because of the high humidity, some people (especially the elderly) may experience difficulty breathing.

2. RAMADAN (in Year 2011, approx. Aug. 1st - Aug. 29th)
(again, cheap hotel offers lure tourists)
During the Islamic Holy Month, Muslims fast during sunlight hours (no food, water, smoking, chewing gum etc ). At sunset they break the fast ('Iftar') & usually stay up very late & nap during the day.
Note: During the day, cafes/restaurants are closed (but supermarkets are open). Hotels will keep at least 1 indoor restaurant open for guests. Shopping malls/Souks open later in the day, but still serve no food/drink until after sunset. The Museum is also closed. No eating-drinking allowed in public (hotel beaches are usually ok though). No alcohol is served anywhere during the day. At night, pubs are open serving alcohol but no live music & no dancing. And remember that people may get a bit grumpy towards the end of the day, low blood sugar level or desparate for a cigarette!

So if you want to really experience Dubai during your holiday, Ramadhan is not the time for you.
Unique Suggestions: 1. SUMMER - You can survive a summer holiday up to your chin in a cold pool or at Wild Wadi Waterpark (the water is usually very cold there), but otherwise all you can do is sit in airconditioned shopping malls. It's far too hot and uncomfortable to really enjoy a holiday in full.

3. RAMADHAN TENTS
Around town, there are many nice & pretty Ramadhan tents where you can eat typical Arabic dishes, smoke Sheesha and relax. It's a very traditional atmosphere and nice to experience.
TIP: If you want both action & tradition, why not visit Dubai just before or just after Ramadan? That way, you have a few days of quite, cultural days and a few days of night-life & action!
Fun Alternatives: 
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In terms of seasons/temperatures, to really enjoy the beaches and desert
the best time to visit Dubai is from October to May. June to September is really very, very uncomfortable, hot and humid. Apart from all humid and hot climate Dubai  too has some wonderful place to visit. Shopaholics may too find it interesting as it organizes some of the largest shopping festivals. It also has some of the most wonderful and exquisite Malls, Hotels and resorts such as Mall of Dubai and Burj-al Arab. Dubai is also famous for its beaches.
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Note that in December & January, it can get quite chilly in the evening and you may need a cardigan/light jacket. Also, Dubai is most likely to experience RAIN in January. For the past for example (2005-2008) we had many straight weeks of rain in December & January... you can imagine that the tourists were not impressed... ;-)

Indulge at San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge (pics 1-2) is by far the most famous landmark of SF. It was built in 1937 to connect San Francisco and Marin County and it is 1.7 miles long (at that year it was the longest suspension bridge in the world) and its located at the opening of the San Francisco bay onto the Pacific ocean. Every one can recognize the bridge because of its red color and elegant design. Some days you may see it covered by fog which is also nice, actually only the towers can be seen then. And it’s almost always windy and cold up there, even in summer. You can walk along the bridge on a pedestrian lane (at specific hours) or use the bike lane.
You may ride the bike path over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito/Tiburon and return via ferry! Blazing Saddles is a bike rental company that has a kiosk at Pier 39 (pics 3-4). It’s really easy and nice to ride from the pier to the bridge and then use the bike lane, so no hassles before you go downhill into Sausalito. At the end you can catch the ferry back to SF or continue along the Bay to the picturesque town of Tiburon (there’s also a ferry there). The prices depend on the type of the bicycle, a standard mountain costs $28 while a comfort mountain $32. They also have guided tour but they cost more of course and the don’t take you after the bridge (you can keep the bike and continue on your own though) A lot of suicide jumpers seem to prefer this bridge too


Lombard Street
Lombard Street (in the Russian Hill district) is the crookedest street, not only in San Francisco but in the whole of America. This steep street was created in the 1920s with eight sharp curves (or switchbacks) to enable vehicles to travel down the one-way, 40-degree hill. The street, which is paved with bricks, is an amazing sight and seems constantly busy with traffic throughout the day.

Some of the most expensive properties in San Francisco exist on Lombard Street, even with its seemingly endless traffic of tourists. During Spring and Summer, Lombard Street comes alive with colour from all the flowers in bloom.

The best place to photograph Lombard Street is from Leavenworth Street, at the bottom of the hill looking up. You will see cars heading down very slowly, whilst tourists walk up and down the sides.

Chinatown
Chinatown in San Fran is the oldest in North America and has the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. The Chinese community, local San Franciscans and tourists give the area its bustle and charm. Spend a full day roaming its streets and see the lovely architecture and the pagoda roofs, similar to authentic Chinese pagodas, which lend to its appeal. Grant Ave. and Bush Street is where you'll find the famous Dragon Gate. Visit Portsmouth Square, where you'll see many Chinese locals performing Tai Chi or playing Chinese checkers. Take a walk down Stockton Street which isn't frequented as much by tourists. Here it presents a feel reminiscent to Hong Kong with many produce and fish markets. Maybe you'll get lucky on your visit to Chinatown and catch a dragon parade, there are many throughout the year.
The boundaries of Chinatown include Columbus Ave.and the financial district in the east, Union Street and North Beach to the north, Bush Street and Union Square to the south and the San Francisco Bay to the west.
The majority of businesses are shops selling souvenirs and restaurants and many are quite inexpensive. There are also quite a few herbal shops and I even saw a couple of massage parlors.



Golden Gate Park
Looking at backsides from a stroller all day gets old in a hurry so give the wee folk (and yourself) a break at the Koret Children's Quarter. This awesome kid's heaven has been a park fixture since 1887 and is said to be the nation's very first public playground. The equipment is thankfully not original - it's been recently updated with everything a tot could desire: swings, slides, stuff to climb on, jungle gyms, playhouses, sand piles and water-play area. Large parts are also covered with a soft, cushioned surface to reduce skinned knees. Restrooms are nearby - nice for the recently potty-trained set. Most of the activities are geared for kids 3 and up but there's enough to keep the toddlers busy too.

There's a small concession stand for drinks and snacks, and a fabulous carousel; not free but only $1 for kids 6-12, and $2 for a grownup with a little one under 5 and under.

Bring a picnic for lunch on the lawn, bandaids, wet wipes and a dry, clean change of clothes for after enthusiastic play in the puddles. And do keep a sharp eye on them - this is not a secured (fenced) area so make sure they don't wander away or are approached by strangers.

What to do at New York City 3

Natural History Museum 
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world and my favorite. The Museum comprises 25 interconnected buildings that house 46 permanent exhibition halls, research laboratories, and its renowned library. The collections contain over 150 million specimens, of which only a small fraction can be displayed at any given time. The Museum has a scientific staff of more than 200, and sponsors over 100 special field expeditions each year.

Most of the Museum's collections of dinosaur fossils remain hidden from public view. They are kept in numerous storage areas located deep within the Museum complex. Among these, the most significant storage facility is the ten story Childs Frick Building which stands within an inner courtyard of the Museum. The predicted great weight of the fossil bones led designers to add special steel reinforcement to the building's framework, as it now houses the largest collection of fossil mammals and dinosaurs in the world. The great fossil collections that are open to public view occupy the entire fourth floor of the Museum as well as a separate exhibit that is on permanent display in the Theodore Roosevelt Hall.

The Museum boasts habitat dioramas of African, Asian and North American mammals, a full-size model of a Blue Whale suspended in the Milstein Family Hall of Ocean Life, a 62 foot Haida carved and painted war canoe from the Pacific Northwest, a massive 31 ton piece of the Cape York meteorite, and the "Star of India", the largest star sapphire in the world. The circuit of an entire floor is devoted to vertebrate evolution.

The Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals houses hundreds of unusual geological specimens. It adjoins the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems showcasing many rare, and valuable gemstones. On display are many renowned samples that are chosen from among the Museum's more than 100,000 pieces. Included among these are the Patricia Emerald, a 632 carat, 12 sided stone that is considered to be one of the world's most fabulous emeralds. It was discovered during the 1920s in a mine high in the Colombian Andes and was named for the mine-owner's daughter.

The Museum has extensive anthropological collections: Asian Peoples, Pacific Peoples, Man in Africa, American Indian collections, general Native American collections, and collections from Mexico and Central America.

The Hayden Planetarium, connected to the Museum, is now part of the Rose Center for Earth and Space, housed in a glass cube containing the spherical Space Theater, designed by James Stewart Polshek. The Heilbrun Cosmic Pathway is one of the more popular exhibits in the Rose Center. The new building consists of a six-story high glass cube enclosing a 87-foot illuminated sphere that appears to float — although it is actually supported by truss work. James Polshek has referred to his work as a "cosmic cathedral". The Rose center and its adjacent plaza, both located on the north facade of the Museum, are regarded as some of Manhattan's most outstanding recent architectural additions. The facility encloses 333,500 square feet of research, education, and exhibition space as well as the Hayden planetarium.

The gift/book shop is just incredible; a fabulous place to get a gift for anyone. The cafeteria in the basement caters to most with a grill, sushi bar, pasta station, salad bar, and entrees. There are smaller gift shops & cafe's throughout the museum



United Nations
The complex includes a number of major buildings. While the Secretariat Tower is most predominantly featured in depictions of the headquarters, it also includes the domed General Assembly Hall, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, as well as the Conference and Visitors Center, which is situated between the General Assembly and Secretariat buildings, and can be seen only from FDR Drive or the East River. Just inside the perimeter fence of the complex stands a line of flagpoles where the flags of all 192 UN member states, plus the UN flag, are flown in English alphabetical order.

It is located in the Turtle Bay neighborhood, on the east side of Midtown Manhattan, on spacious grounds overlooking the East River. Though it is in New York City, the land occupied by the United Nations Headquarters is considered international territory [1], and its borders are First Avenue west, East 42nd Street south, East 48th Street north and the East River east. FDR Drive passes underneath the Conference Building of the complex.

Guided tours of the United Nations operate daily from the General Assembly Public Lobby. An international staff explains the work of the United Nations and its related organizations, while taking visitors to some of the main Council Chambers and the General Assembly Hall. The tour also features art and other objects of interest donated by Member States. At the Public Inquiries Unit, located in the public concourse, visitors can obtain additional information materials relating to the United Nations and its agencies. The United Nations postal counter - where visitors can buy UN stamps - a UN book store, gift shops, and a coffee shop are also located in the public concourse.



Guggenheim Museum
There are buildings, which attract thousands of visitors not merely by their values which can be found in them, but rather because of their astonishing, amazing exterior.

One of them is the most special building of New York, the building of the Guggenheim Museum looking out on Central Park.
The American master, Frank Lloyd Wright gives the visitors not a daily architectural experience.
Curved lines border it, inside a spiral ramp curling around the central atrium defines the route of the visit. Entering the seashell we may be ready for a journey moving downwards.
The museum lacks the traditional exhibitor walls, they are replaced by a single continuous curved wall.
The building also has a huge glass dome, which is pouring plenty of light into this round museum, which hosts a very beautiful, modern artistic collection.


Coney Island
The New York Aquarium first opened on December 10, 1896, making it the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States. The Aquarium currently occupies 14 acres by the sea in Coney Island, and boasts over 350 species of aquatic wildlife. We enjoy the beluga whales, the shark tanks and the interactive shows with seals and sealions.

Between about 1880 and World War II, Coney Island was the largest amusement area in the United States, attracting several million visitors per year. At its height it contained three competing major amusement parks, Luna Park, Dreamland, and Steeplechase Park, as well as many independent amusements. Today it looks a bit sad and rundown, but we still had a lot of fun. The Wonder Wheel was built in 1918 and opened in 1920, this steel Ferris wheel has both stationary cars and rocking cars that slide along a track. It holds 144 riders, stands 150 feet tall, and weighs over 2,000 tons. At night the Wonder Wheel's steel frame is outlined and illuminated by neon tubes. The Cyclone roller coaster, built in 1927, is one of the nation's oldest wooden coasters still in operation. The Cyclone includes an 85-foot, 60 degree drop. The Parachute Jump, originally the Life Savers Parachute Jump at the 1939 New York World's Fair still stands.

Coney Island still maintains a broad sandy beach that is served for its entire length by the broad Riegelmann boardwalk. A number of amusements are directly accessible from the land side of the boardwalk, as is the New York Aquarium and a variety of food shops and arcades. The position of the beach and lack of significant obstructions means virtually the entire beach is in sunlight all day. The beach is open to all without restriction and there is no charge for use. The beach area is divided into "bays", areas of beach delineated by rock jetties, which moderate erosion and the force of ocean waves. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is a group of people who swim at Coney Island throughout the winter months, most notably on New Year's Day when additional participants join them to swim in the frigid.