Downtown Hotels and Events

PEOPLE PLACES PHENOMENONS

Cleveland : Fiddlin in the Forests and Living It Up

Posted by admin on Aug 29, 2008

For all its politics and working-class ambiance Cleveland remains a great city. Its great because it can look straight into the future while staying put with the basics. Frank G. Jackson, the 56th Mayor of Cleveland endorses well laid plans that will turn rust-city to the envisioned green city on the blue lake. Its a city that looks inwards at a time when everybody wants to follow the boom. Its back to the roots here and the season favors exploring your own backyard.

Cleveland is a happening city that is also concerned about its bike paths and clean waters. While bidding goodbye to an industrial past it is coming to terms with a future full of hope and new possibilities. It is attempting to keep the simple things in place – clean air, clean water and clean forests. And most importantly keeping the community feeling alive and kicking. With happy events like the Summer Flower Display, Taste of Cleveland and the Cleveland National Air Show regulars and home towners create an inbound traffic each summer. The much awaited Ohio City Blues and Brew Fest are also in the offing just before summer wraps up.

What one might like best about this city located on the shores of Lake Erie is that it has a wide variety of entertainment options. Best of all everything seems to be within easy reach being close at hand. The professional sports teams, the museums, the restaurants- all can be done without much ado! Well known for its association with rock music it sounds a real fun destination. Why just booking into Cleveland’s coziest accommodations can be easily accomplished at a simple click on the Downtown Cleveland hotel site. Viola – all your travel plans get coordinated beautifully.

Summer is a good time to explore your naturalist tendencies around Cleveland. It offers one of the most family-friendly vacations. Nature buffs are sure to enjoy the scenic and relaxing trip aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad along the Cuyahoga River and dip in and out of beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. Getting off the train you can hop onto a mountain bike from Century Cycles in Peninsula and ride the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trails. Away from the hustle and bustle of city skyscrapers you and your family can enjoy life in the slow lane for a change. Another great place to enjoy the land and its bounty is the Lake Farmpark thats all about agriculture and is sure to make you feel naturally tranquil. Kids will just love it.

Actually Castaway Bay at Cedar Point is what they may probably like even more. The indoor waterpark resort is a summertime haven with its wave pools, water slides and water obstacles. In fact the Carribean environment has the whole family swishing out together. You can have the same fun at Kalahari Waterpark Resort that is the world’s largest indoor waterpark with more than 173,000 square feet of super soaking fun. The rides here for the kids are super duper.

Some interesting in-house attractions of Cleveland are right besides the shores of Lake Erie. You could check out the North Coast Harbor Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, Great Lakes Science Center, and Cleveland Browns Stadium. Families will just love the museum dedicated to music that they enjoy together. Or dive into more than 400 hands-on science exhibits and watch thrilling life-like movies in a six-story-high IMAX theater at the Great Lakes Science Center.

If you are a true outdoor freak then you will love the Cleveland National Forest, thats a wonderful play ground for wildlife and wild life lovers. The Forest Centennial Year is celebrating its hundred years of conservation with a lot of fanfare. Among the events planned here The Fiddlin’ Foresters Concert in Ramona at Palomar District Ranger’s Office is sure to take you into another world. The Living History Weekend would see re-enactments of turn of the century life on the mountains featuring the life of Native Americans, mountain men, cowboys, farm families, the first forest ranger, and gold miners on Laguna Mountain. Cleveland is celebrating life and living this summer and everyone’s invited. “Let’s get to it”.

Chicago : The Last Fling And All That Jazz

Posted by admin on Aug 27, 2008

America’s second city is big and quite expansive. The metro population is 9,157,540 and the the city population is 2,896,016. Add to this the summer rush of inland visitors and the vacationers from Europe and Asia. You have to contend with not only big big crowds but also the hot muggy weather. Thankfully Chicago’s motto Urbs in Horto gets taken quite seriously and so it remains the City in a Garden.

The Chicago Park District consists of 552 parks with over 7,300 acres of parkland as well as 33 beaches, 16 historic lagoons and 10 bird and wildlife gardens. Lincoln Park the largest of these parks has over 20 million visitors each year, making it second only to Central Park in New York City. In addition to ongoing beautification, more new parks have been added in recent years. The Ping Tom Memorial Park, DuSable Park and the outstanding Millennium Park are on the list. The wealth of greenery afforded by Chicago’s parks is further augmented by the Forest Preserves that create the network of natural areas conserving open spaces around the city peripheries. The Chicago Botanic Gardens and the Brookfield Zoo are located here.

Summer is the time for family holidays and summer fun. With children out of schools it is the perfect time for family vacations. The Downtown Chicago hotel site will get your reservations done in a jiffy. Chicago the largest city in the Mid-West is a great place to visit. One of the first things you might do here upon arrival is to visit the The Sears Tower for the panoramic view from the 103 floor where you can see four states! Looking over the towers you understand the importance of the city as a dominant center of finance, industry and culture in the region. Legends of notorious gangsters fly away as you look around and get the birds eye view of a city ruling the roost. Yes the city is home to Barack Obama, as it is for the talk show queen Oprah Winfrey.

Chicago’s skyline is as tall as some of the world’s highest. Forbes has listed the 60602 zip code as the hottest in US because of its upscale buildings. The Heritage, Waterview Tower, The Legacy and Momo to name but a few. Chicago’s Downtown area around the Loop has commercial, cultural, and financial institutions. The city’s waterfront allure and nightlife attracts tourists like a magnet. With its many upscale dining establishments as well as many ethnic restaurant districts tourists enjoy the range of cuisine here. Whether its the Mexican La Villita, Greektown, Little Italy, Chinatown, Little Seoul, or Vietnamese and Indian restaurants – you get culinary delights from around the world.

Chicago attracts more than 40 million people annually and is the third-largest convention destination in the US. Most conventions are held at McCormick Place. Everyone loves to converge to Chicago probably because of its ideal mid US location. Its a city that breathes efficiency as can be evinced by the fact that within six weeks of the great fire in 1871 that devastated the city, the people had gotten together to begin rebuilding. The spirit of moving on and ahead is part of the psyche of the city.

Amongst its many famous landmarks one that stands out is the Buckingham Fountain. Its the world’s largest fountain bearing four seahorses and holds about 1.5 gallons of water that shoots off a jet 150 feet into the air every twenty minutes. In the evenings the spectacular lights and music adds to its ephemeral appeal having tourists strolling around for the love of being around it. Its the highs and the lows of the city that have you enjoying its extraordinary attractions. All through summer the 29 miles of shoreline offer fantastic Chicago beaches. Best of all are the Oak Street Beach and the North Avenue Beach that have great restaurants and pleasurable shopping around the area. Besides sun bathing and enjoying the sand & surf you could try your hand at a game of volley ball.

To my mind the best things to do in Chicago are visiting Sears Towers, John Hancock Building, the Art Institute, walking the Magnificent Mile and enjoying Chicago Pizza, Double Cheeseburger or even a Chicago Hot Dog. The Magnificent Mile contains a mixture of upscale department stores, restaurants, luxury retailers, residential and commercial buildings, financial services companies and hotels. It caters primarily to tourists and the affluent. If you really want to get a feel of the place then you could check out the many small neighborhood festivals that take place annually here. The good thing about Chicago is that you will never run out of things to do here at any point. Entertainment is a way of life and you need only check the city’s calendar of events. Summers offer a vast selection of special events and outdoor activities.

A lot many surprises are packed in for the summer fun that includes the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival at Grant Park, the free Chicago Jazz Festival and the Randolph Street Market Festival. The Last Fling has four days of live music, carnival rides, festival fare from vendors, a beer garden, Big Wheel races, bingo, a car show, a spaghetti-eating contest, square dancing, Labor day Parade and kids’ activities besides much more. The fifth annual Labor Day weekend celebration at Wabash Avenue features local artwork, signature fare from area restaurants, live music and kids’ activities – all at the Bash on Wabash. The Taste of Polonia will have you dining on such dishes as pierogi, Polish sausage, sauerkraut, kabobs, pizza, hot dogs and beer at this annual cultural celebration of Polish traditions. Get ready for the Polish and American bands that will be playing everything from rock to blues to polka music. Enjoy America as never before.

Baltimore : Australian Animals in the Aquarium!

Posted by admin on Aug 26, 2008

Baltimore or Ballmer or even B-more as its often called turned out to be a really friendly place. What drew me out here was primarily the fact that the city is now in the hands of its first woman Mayor, Sheila Dixon who if all reports are to be believed is trying to turn the city around. Well actually this port town has continually reinvented itself to go on to become a city of many firsts. Besides its idiosyncratic past and its quaint accent, it thrives on unique Bawlmorese charms not the least of which are its distinctive neighborhoods.

As the largest city in the Maryland area its located about 40 miles north of Washington DC, close to the Chesapeake Bay. A quick Amtrak hop brings you here. This independent city has been a major seaport on the East Coast since ages. With its proximity to the Atlantic and the Patapsco River, summers here are bound to be humid. Additionally you may have to take in the afternoon thunderstorms. But if you plan well and spend the time inside the many many museums, you can avoid them.

The city gets casually divided into East or West using Charles Street as a dividing line, and into North and South using Baltimore Street as a dividing line. The Central region is the downtown area that’s Baltimore’s commercial center. Home to the Harbor Area, Camden Yards Sports Complex, Convention Center and the famed National Aquarium, downtown is rife with nightclubs, bars and restaurants, shopping centers and lots of attractions.

Baltimore’s Mt. Vernon is the traditional center of cultural and artistic life of the city. The famous Washington Monument atop the hill is the precursor to the other monument in Washington, D.C. Baltimore exhibits some wonderful architecture of earlier periods preserving the works of many famous architects. As you explore around you realize its a vibrant city where you will find something new around every corner. The ever increasing tourist influx has new hotels coming up along with other many other attractions as well. As I found out my destination was full of exciting prospects and things to enjoy, that included its fine cuisine.

Baltimore’s world-renowned Inner Harbor is surrounded by historic neighborhoods where you will find city living at its best with unique shops and restaurants for every style and taste. Just take a quick turn into an inner road for an enchanted neighborhood experience. Feel the pulse of the city. Well Baltimore also has you enjoying a colorful arts scene that embraces its history and influence on American culture.

You’d be more than happy to explore Baltimore’s Inner Harbor’s top attractions with the Baltimore Harbor Pass. It got me to see the most popular attractions at a discount. Being a frugal tourist I had also opted for the Heritage Pass that not only helped me save on admission but also brought me good discounts in the neighborhood restaurants and shops. While on the subject let me inform you that the online Downtown Baltimore hotel site is definitely worth a hit if you are on the lookout for some happy benefits.

What held my attention the longest was the Baltimore Aquarium. And why not. A staggering 1.6 million visitors come here every year! As the leading tourist attraction in all of Maryland you get to enjoy the dolphin shows as much as the jellyfish, lizards and other aquatic denizens. Housing more than 16,000 creatures, the Baltimore Aquarium exhibits a variety of species in their naturalistic habitats. You’ll find animals such as stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, bullfrogs and phytoplankton among others. Educational shows present exotic worlds you may never have even heard of. The Animal Planet Australia: Wild Extremes show that is currently on offers a spectacular river gorge depicting Australia’s Northern Territory. With a 35-foot waterfall, free-flying birds, free-roaming lizards basking on rocky cliffs and freshwater crocodiles behind acrylic barriers – the experience really takes you down under.

Its kind of hard to say what exactly it is about Baltimore that captures your mind. It could be the history, the closely knit neighborhoods, the celebrated water front or even the many tasty restaurants, unique shopping, famous museums, live entertainment and local pubs and taverns. Everything appears to made just for your enjoyment. You even end up catching up with the sports action that gets you into the spirit and fun of the city. The summer calender of events is full of excitement making it impossible to decide what you would like to do while here. Some things that caught my fancy were the Free Heritage Walk and Mount Vernon Cultural Tours, Kianga Ford’s Charm City Remix and the Live concert shows at Pier Six Pavilion.

The city stands proud by its motto as “The Greatest City in America”. With the first Catholic Cathedral, the first Public Library and now the first Woman Mayor, Baltimore appears to have come full circle. You can actually end up spending an entire summer here. Walk about for the sheer pleasure of being in truly democratic America. Balmoreans, known for enjoying life to the fullest do not hesitate in making you part of their lives. It’s true.

Memphis : Summer Music Festivals

Posted by admin on Aug 23, 2008

Browsing through a copy of LIFE’s Dream Destinations listing 100 of the world’s best vacations I was smugly pleased to see Memphis listed under best family holiday destination. And why not I thought to myself. Certainly all over the world people have heard of Memphis as home to the legendary Kings of music where both rock and roll and rhythm and blues go hand in hand. Whether its the oldies generation or Generation Y – Elvis Presley and BB King remain iconic figures intriguing them all alike. Yes, the families that swing together stay together!

Memphis remains the music mecca with its year-round festivals bringing in crowds from near and far. Two widely acclaimed of these are Memphis in May and the Beale Street Music Festival. This decidedly is a must-visit destination for music lovers. It offers authentic musical renditions of the rock n roll era along with country, blues, jazz and soft rock. And so families that have grown up on such legendary music are bound to be inbound traffic to River City.

The city located in the south eastern corner of Tennessee state is really quite small. Still smaller is the Beale street strip showcasing nostalgia of the past with blithe spirits holding beer go-cups moving about the three blocks or so with perhaps strains of “That’s how I got to Memphis, that’s how I got to Memphis…” ringing in their ears. Yes the place offers you an authentic and vibrant feel of the music of yester-years. However its the sensationally nostalgic nightlife of Beale street that draws people here all the time.

With blues music probably the sole reason of their visit to the city, visitors do have other experiences to have here that adds to the holiday spirit. Elvis Presley’s Graceland takes you back to a fantastic era showcasing the times and lifestyle of the legendary music icon. Graceland is now statistically the second most visited private residence in the United States, after the White House! The unpretentious Sun Studio along with performing arts and alternative rock music offers its timeless allure. Other than this the ornamental metal museum, the Memphis Zoo, Northwest Passage, Heritage tours and the Mississippi River views are things that families usually love doing around Memphis. Of course the mouth-watering cuisine and traditional barbecue spreads could be reason enough to relish the city with equal zest. After all it is home to the famed South Soul food. Lively festivals, intriguing galleries and museums also fascinate tourists that show you the other side of Memphis.

The Mud Island trip takes you to enjoy the river from a cable car that takes you out there. Sitting beside the Mississippi is quite relaxing but if you feel like moving around then the miniature river walk is a refreshing diversion. As is the famous Duck March, a regular tourist attraction and part of the customary tradition at the Peabody Hotel. The Peabody has stood its ground for eighty years now and while completely modern retains a certain poignant past alive. Talking of hotels it would be handy to make reservations with Downtown Memphis hotel site when you plan to visit Memphis. You are never quite sure about the tourist traffic to the place and you can avoid some Hotel Heartbreaks. Why take chances anyway.

Coming attractions at Memphis include all the things you can know of by looking up the internet. While checking out the funky shops, back-alley barbecue joints, designer malls and quirky downtown Memphis shops you can also browse the organized calender of events. The city regularly organizes pro and college sports, acclaimed art exhibits, touring museum shows and mega shopping extravaganzas. Memphis does its stuff no matter what the season.

Added attractions this summer are the Stone Soul Picnic, Delta Fair & Music Festival, Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, Southern Heritage Classic, “A Salute to Broadway”, Cooper-Young Festival – all through August and September. For some unusual fun try out the International Goat Days – barbecue and cuisine show on September 7, Southern Home & Garden Expo on September 12 and the Zoo Rendezvous organized for September 13. The Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, this city dances to its own tune and can actually give you a Bad Case of Love…Stay Attuned.

Las Vegas : Beatles’ LOVE Concert

Posted by admin on Aug 22, 2008

I knew I needed a break. The kind of break where you loose it all. So I decided to pack my bags and head to Sin City, Las Vegas. But not before I had taken a good hard look at the virtual city on Google Earth. I remember having heard that the Las Vegas lights can be seen from outer space! So I zoomed out from outer space to have a peek at Las Vegas. The incredible detail pumped up my tempo to go all out for a purely recreational vacation.

The weather in Las Vegas was the least of my worries. A zillion degrees could not deter me on my chosen destination. The oh-so-clear skies and the prospect of fun and fun alone spurred me on. As I walked out of the airport I was looking forward to all the hot excitement that would pale the temperature in comparison. To be sure, I had been putting off a proper vacation for quite sometime and was not going to forgo any of the promised pleasures that Las Vegas had to offer.

This internationally acclaimed resort city is widely known for gaming, shopping and entertainment. In fact it has earned the sobriquet entertainment capital of the world. Famous for the countless spectacular casino resorts and awesome entertainment it guarantees the mostest fun one could ever have. Extravagantly lit outdoor-lighting displays beckon out to the whole wide world. It truly is the brightest spot on earth. Its true the lights never shut out outside the casinos all night long.

Daytime shows you a different side of the city. Located on a dry basin it is surrounded by mountains that come alive in varying desert colors. The terrain is largely dusty and rocky. The city has been planned to harbor greenery and so parks and foliage are a part of the effort to project it as an oasis in the desert. The hotels and restaurants are ostentatious and hospitable to pander every desire that makes for an unforgettable experience.

It has been the city’s gambling economy that has made Las Vegas what it is today. What started out as an exclusive location for casino games thanks to the convoluted inspiration of the mafiosi has now turned out to be the hottest place for card game lovers. Macau or no Macau, the Las Vegas Boulevard or the Las Vegas Strip as its popularly called attracts visitors from all over the globe. Hotels too are catering exclusively to the gaming industry besides the many notable casinos located here. One night is enough to hook you here. The Fremont Street Experience provides you with a birds eye view of the multi faceted entertainment thats part of daily existence.

You have Golden Nugget, Four Queens, Fremont Casino, Las Vegas Club, California Hotel, Plaza Hotel and many many more that take you into the world of poker, blackjack, dice and dominoes to cast a spell that makes you take chances and chances. Lucky or not – you end up in the wee hours looking forward to another night of gaming. Its not just the games. Its the entire ambiance that gets to you. I had a good time gambling the night away.

Oh, but there’s lots more besides gambling here. Any one who has been here will know what I am talking about. Its a well planned entertainment menu thats been put together to make you laugh and have fun all the time. Visiting Las Vegas is an experience to cherish. Even as you walk on you just might stumble upon Michael Jackson! Impersonators, other than the King do equally well here adding to moment. Here was Michael having the tourists screaming in frenzy. What a riot! Everyone was laughing and calling out together.

I got lucky I happened to be here on a First Friday. The first Friday of each month has celebrations that exhibit the works of local artists and musicians in a section of the city’s Downtown region now called the “Arts District”. It was the musical soirée here that led me on to enjoy once again the Beatles’ LOVE by Cirque du Soleil showing at the Mirage. And again I was awed by the quartet’s amazing show. Since I was here on an extended stay I observed that the mid-week Vegas experience is a bit more relaxed. With the week end merrymakers gone its less chaotic and you have more space from the gaming rooms to smoother traffic on the road.

I went on to enjoy other attractions as well. The organized Tandem Skydiving Jump was one of the big moments of my life here. Something that I had only watched on the TV and had always wanted to do. I was glad of having signed on to this event thats been all properly recorded on DVD to keep the memory alive forever. The helicopter rides that they give here are another thing all together. In all honesty it was difficult for me to decide what I liked better – the Grand Canyon during the day or the Night Strip Lights. They are both actually out of the world experiences. One crafted by nature and the other by man.

There are other typical Vegas excursions that interest the outdoor kinds of people- you can do the dune buggy tour to Amargosa sand dunes, see the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead or even decide to check out fascinating Death Valley. All of these are wonderful add ons for a truly great Vegas experience. I had come prepared to see the sights and sounds here and experience it all. As much as I rolled the dice I was not going to miss out on the cacti-desertscape and treading the road down the agave foliaged land.Las Vegas had all my attention down to the last detail.Of course all of it was possible because I had the foresight to checkout the Downtown Las Vegas hotel site. After all you do need a place to hang your spurs! And the food and drinks here are all together inspirational to say the least. Yes you can loose it all here!

Montreal : Celine Dion Forever

Posted by admin on Aug 21, 2008

Montreal, the worlds second-largest French-speaking metropolis proudly proclaims that life’s to be lived in the fast lane! Quaint cobbled streets and antiquated structures of old Montreal that appear quite European never really make you think of it so. The downtown kaleidescope of modern glistening skyscrapers, avant garde living and high-browed entertainment outshines the city’s historic past. Notwithstanding its chequered background the cosmopolitan city exudes an amicable bilingual ease.

The buoyant city is packed with confidence and throbs with happy revelry. This becomes quite evident by the number of summer celebrations that are lined up for anybody to join in with the festivities. It becomes really hard to resist the heady effervescence that spills out ceaselessly to the cafés and bistros, in to the multi- storied super clubs and on to the beaches. With summer in the air, enjoyment of the senses is a way of life.

Residents take summers very seriously that comes alive in a riot of activities after the short spring preceded by long cloistered winters. Summertime is the most sensual of seasons here – no holds barred. Montreal revels in nature’s joyous offerings of a clement weather and makes up for it in more ways than can be thought of. Its gaiety emanates all the way down, from the aromas of delicatessens, flowering gardens and redolent summer city heat of a glorious golden green summer.

The joie de vivre in Montreal is unmistakable. The French backdrop provides a fitting ambiance to this cosmopolitan port city that has risen up to trendy new times. The city is named after the famous geographical landmark, the three-head hill - Mount Royal, located at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. Downtown Montreal lies at the foot of Mount Royal as a major urban park, falling in the entire Ville Marie borough showcasing its fantastic skyscrapers.

Like most established cities there is the old Montreal and the new Montreal. The former retains the architecture and ancient streets that have tourists doing the rounds in horse-drawn caleches. The area houses restored buildings that are attractions in their own right. Montreal City Hall and Notre-Dame de Montreal Basilica are worth strolling by. Even so it is the lively downtown that has the more recognized structures etching out the Montreal skyline.

But what takes the cake is the amazing extension created all over downtown as an underground city. With over 32 kilometers of tunnels spread over more than twelve square kilometers the entire area connects shopping malls, hotels, banks, offices, museums, universities, seven metro stations, two commuter train stations, a regional bus terminal and the Bell Center amphitheater. You really feel as if you are doing two cities in one! It is best to find accommodation in the downtown area that will have you close to this double fun. The Downtown Montreal hotel site will cater to all your requirements as you want them for a hassle free vacation.

Montreal swings to its own music. Touche! Well you actually have four Celine Dion concerts lined up in the second fortnight of August, and as the summer closes in its loaded with exciting activities for locals and visitors alike. Summer months also witness the spectacular Montreal International Fireworks Festival. The city boasts of the highest number of restaurants in the world. The city’s museums have some interesting offerings this summer. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ is showing works of Yves Saint-Laurent whose recent demise has added a certain poignancy to the clothing event that’s on till September 28.

Montreal is a city you dont ever get over with. Other cities probably come just this close. Once you are under Montreal’s spell you happily succumb to its allure. Sports lovers will be bowled over by the Formula Racing and the Montreal Allouettes football events. There is so much more to do and enjoy here. Uber cool restaurants, pubs, clubs and trendy hang outs will make you eat, drink, dance, play and enjoy the music of life as you may have never done before. The second largest city of Canada actually shows you how to enjoy a holiday with charms untold that are hard to resist. C’est magnifique!

Manhattan : Bare Foot in the Park

Posted by admin on Aug 20, 2008

Manhattan elicits a jaw dropping reaction. Literally. And I do mean literally. Standing on avenues and gazing up at the towering skyscrapers on all sides it is the most predictable response of most first-timers. Even otherwise no one remains immune to the city lights that illuminate the Manhattan skyline with that heavenly incandescent glow. Manhattan, one of the five boroughs of New York City is the quintessential New York. Residents of the other boroughs too refer to a trip to Manhattan as going to the city.

As for me I got goose bumps standing in the vicinity of the Times Square. A sense of deja vu envelopes you as you take in the locale experienced previously only on celluloid, TV and fiction thats left indelible impressions on the imagination. I could not believe it. I was actually standing in Times Square! The moment got gratefully captured in a caricature, adroitly sketched by a Chinese street artist. Manhattan is synonymous to its intrepid gushing energy criss-crossing the 22.96 square miles of prime land in eclectic New York.

O yes. The people are everywhere. Constantly streaming out of the subways and on to the streets and buildings. Its a great human junction. You will find people of all nationalities and races here, a thronging conglomeration following their calling in life. Financiers, dealers, wheelers, humanitarians, musicians, artists and the man on the street - all occupy one of the most densely populated counties in United States - 70,595 residents per square mile! Unbelievable as this may sound it is true! It is also one of the most wealthiest spots in the US. It has the largest central business district in the United States and is the site of both the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ apart from housing the largest number of corporate headquarters. With out a doubt Manhattan is a major commercial, financial, and cultural center of the world. Home to the head quarters of the United Nations, it has major multi-nationals and business houses flaunting their elitist addresses.

Manhattan’s efficient public transport has nullified the need for privately owned cars. As the indisputable hub of New York City it generates a lot of intense traffic from all over. With many famous landmarks, tourist attractions, museums, and universities, it attracts people from all over the world. The theater district around Broadway at Times Square, New York University, Columbia University, Flatiron Building, the Financial District and Wall Street, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Little Italy, Harlem, China Town, and Central Park are all located on this densely populated island.

The downtown neighborhood of Chelsea is a popular haven for art. Widely known for its galleries and cultural events, it has more than 200 art galleries that are home to modern art. The Broadway Theater is considered the highest professional form of theater in the United States. Plays and Musicals are staged all the time in the 39 larger professional theaters, almost all in and around Times Square. Lincoln Center nearby is home to The Metropolitan Opera, one of the world’s most prestigious opera houses.

The 843 acre Central Park is a veritable oasis from the maze of tall structures, offering a pleasant respite along its walking tracks, ice skating rinks, flora and fauna, hidden sanctuaries and grassy spaces used for playing around. Its a happy sight watching children frolicking and families enjoying picnics here. The sporty kinds can get their workout in the wide open areas. The park is a popular habitat for migrating birds which in turn attracts the bird watchers. The 6 mile road circling the park is popular with joggers, bicyclists and inline skaters. While much of the park looks natural, it is almost entirely landscaped and contains artificial lakes too.

No written account of Manhattan could ever possibly depict the feeling of actually experiencing the sanctum sanctorum of New York city. The city stimulates the senses like no other to create unforgettable memories. People jostling along and the spectacular sights bespeak the throbbing hum of life in the fast lane. Simply walking the streets of Manhattan will have you in a happy frame of mind.

Great things happen here all the time. All you have to do is go online and checkout the Manhattan Events Calendar that showcases all the brilliantly planned events. You will find book readings, beer fests, wine tastings, restaurant weeks, theater shows, musicals and a whole lot more that will make you enjoy the vibrant heterogeneous culture exhibited in the city on a regular basis. August events have the famous India Day Parade besides the organized Street Fairs and Morning Concerts. Summer is also being graciously celebrated in Central Park with Summerstage 2008, Shakespeare in the Park and the Film Festival. Bryant Park is also showcasing a summer film festival while Lincoln Center is having the grand Mozart Festival. And to beat the heat the city organizes the River Festivals, Summer on Hudson Festival and the New York City Waterfalls Show.

With so much going on here you will want to prop yourself up good and proper. Just log on to Downtown Manhattan hotel site and when you are comfortably settled call room service and in your recently acquired New Yorker intonation say – Make mine a Manhattan!

Washington DC : Culinary Ties with Kabul

Posted by admin on Aug 19, 2008

Washington DC just happened by the bye. Stationed at Woodbridge, Iselin an extended weekend offered the prospect of visiting the capital of US, a proposition hard to resist. Well to be in close vicinity and not to the grab the opportunity, we decided would be foolish indeed. A quick comfortable Amtrak journey took us to the city. We had been warned that driving around in Washington was easy enough but finding parking space the more difficult of the task. So we decided to make use of the expedient subway.

As the train rolled into Union Station, the ceremonial entrance to Washington DC, the sheer elegance and grandiosity of the architecture prepares you for everything else in store. The vaulted ceiling, the arches and the classical designing in marble, granite and gold embellishment lead you out to the enormous white porticoes where you get ushered into waiting taxis in seconds. In a blink of an eye you are racing down broad avenues affording glimpses of the famed dome of Capitol Hill. You feel exhilarated. Yes you are in the National Capital.

Spreeing down one of the many bridges, the cab driver informs us that there are three natural flowing streams - the Potomac River and its tributaries - Anacostia and Rock Creek that flow across the city. It is not really as crowded as we had expected. Being summertime there is a general lull in the august circles we are told by our affable Afro-American driver. The centers of all three branches of the federal government of United States are located in the District. Perhaps the warmth of the summer tinged with the humidity drives everyone away. It really was quite warm.

DC, as it is generally called, is a fine city laid out so well that its easy to do it all. Beginning with the White House, we worked our way up to the LIncoln Memorial, and then down the National Mall to the Washington Memorial and finally Capitol Hill. The sights really are fantastic and more than impressive once you see them for real. The Needle really stood out. Afternoons were marked for checking out the museums that line up the Mall. The Natural History Museum, the American Indian Museum and the National Air and Space Museum were all really interesting and worth the visit. More so when they are all free.

It’s really a planned city where its possible to walk if you are so inclined. The skyline remains low and sprawling, in keeping with the plan to make Washington an American Paris having low and convenient buildings on light and airy streets. The Washington Monument remains the District’s tallest structure. With several national monuments and museums, there are a 172 foreign embassies. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are head quartered here. The Smithsonian Museum remains the most visited museums in the world and looks great when all lit up. Simply walking by the structures feels great.

The sparkling subway system takes you everywhere. We spent entire evenings walking the upscale neighborhoods of Dupont Circle and Logan Circle for a true Washingtonian experience. Its a beautiful area with lots of bars, restaurants and nightlife scenes.With summer in the air we were already aware of the inside scoop regarding the best experiences that could be had. DC’s summer calendar is tight with cultural festivals, free concerts and performances. As also the must-see exhibitions. There is more than just monuments and structures to Washington as we found out. The beautiful parks and recreational facilities are spread out all over and in the suburbs. It becomes quite a job to decide what to see and what to miss. Even a simple stroll along the canal or paddling down Tidal Basin appears to be part of the lure of the city.

Washington DC is an incredible place full of free cultural attractions and lively entertainment. It offers good shopping and dining too. It was a good thing that we had made reservations through Downtown Washington DC hotel site that made sure of placing us close by to the attractions that we wanted to visit. It had also been a good idea to check out what events would coincide with our visit. Our accommodation was conveniently located near the Penn Quarter allowing us lots of options to sample restaurants and experience the Washington night life. Merrymaking is in the air in the summers. Walking right up to the Mall makes you feel you are in the bang center of the universe!

Inexpensive taxis are ever around to drop you off at the nearest Metro stop. In fact it was the young Afghani cab driver who informed us of the Silk Road Celebration, an exhibition on Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul. It sure was a real treat with culinary and cultural shows thrown in. We also heard that the DC Restaurant Week was getting extended right up to September. Besides the history, architecture and the cultural centers it is the feel and atmosphere of the city that also gets to you. A relatively small city it remains abuzz with the excitement of politics and governance with the Capitol Hill, a constant metaphor for all things politique! Which is why security is a big issue here and visitors have to pass through metal detectors and bag checks everywhere. The Metro strictly enforces its rules for not allowing smoking, food and drink on trains. You learn to take it all in your stride.

A long weekend in Washington DC is not enough to do everything properly. Four days is barely enough to manage it all. We promised ourselves to plan our next trip so we can see more at a leisurely pace! Although not here very long but we did see a whole lot and enjoyed it too. Though in all honesty the time was much too short. Definitely the next visit will see us covering the historic Georgetown district and the University there. Rushing back to board the train back home, once again the marvelous Union Station reminded us of the splendor that is part and parcel of this captivating capitol city.

Meandering In Manila

Posted by admin on Aug 18, 2008

Manila. Maynila. Metro Manila. I experimented the name whimsically several times to myself to get familiar to the phonetic resonance of this far-off place that had captured my imagination for quite some time. Doing Manila had been on my to-do-list ever since the aquamarine waters and emerald islands had caught my imagination in the travel magazine sitting patiently on my bureau. Time was passing by and I had to live my turquoise dream.

The nila in Manila is actually Sanskrit for blue and perhaps the indigo business of yore has something to do with it, I guess. With my itinerary set it was a comforting thought that I would generally be around the Roxas Boulevard that overlooks Manila Bay, close to the districts of Ermita and Malate. The International Airport just thirty minutes away from my hotel, sounded good to me, just as much as the fact that English is the lingua franca! I had bookings and other reservations done through Downtown Manila hotel site to make sure I would be on familiar ground. Even so I memorized the phrase - Hain iton… or where is, always to be rewarded by a friendly finger pointing in the right direction.

The City of Manila is the chief seaport in Philippines and the Port of Manila is an important base in South East Asia. Metropolitan Manila is located on Manila Bay in the South China Sea with the Pasig River flowing through it. Manila is as modern as any contemporary city with a past that has a unique history - three centuries of Spanish rule thats evident to this day! The main roads of the Metro are organized around a set of radial and circumferential roads that radiate and circle in and around Manila proper. Roxas Boulevard, the best known street here lines the southern shores of Manila with Manila Bay.

There’s nothing quite like watching the sky turn from blue to orange to pink to purple, with the sea reflecting all the hues, that I get to see from my hotel room. A stroll down the bay walk will have you marveling this everyday vision that people enjoy here. Manila has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and great cultural diversity. This openness is mirrored in the freedom of worship that allows the diverse population to follow their religious inclinations. And so you have Christian churches, Buddhist temples, Jewish synagogues, Hindu temples, Sikh Gurudwaras and Islamic mosques.

The city is filled with museums, shops, parks and churches, plus a nightlife that remains lively until the wee hours. I started with the popular walled area called Intramuros, that had been the capital during Spanish times. Intramuros retains some old dungeons and gunpowder rooms but has ingeniously added art galleries and theaters. This area is most magical in the afternoon light, when taking a leisurely tour on foot can be a very rewarding experience. More so, if you get aboard the old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage that appears very romantic.

As I moved about I discovered that Philippines has large unexplored destinations. It appears to be an ideal place for those wanting to avoid the mass tourism of other over-hyped resorts. Here I found unspoilt terrain lapped by the tropical waters of the warm and clear South China Sea. I was happy that I made it here before it all became maddeningly popular and crowded.

The islands are home to beautiful and undamaged coral formations with incredible marine life. The inland areas have dramatic landscapes of rainforest and mountainous regions housing rich varied wildlife. Philippines has a rich culture and the people here are very hospitable and incredibly welcoming. Although the rich poor divide is fairly obvious, even so the bustling atmosphere fascinates visitors.

There are colorful, vibrant markets, parks, bars and restaurants in Manila. While here, I got into the habit of starting my day with Chinese breakfast consisting of congee - rice porridge soup and dimsum. Very fulfilling indeed! I was glad of the many affordable restaurants and bakeries around as also the fruit vendors offering fresh fruits. However it was the Indian strip near the Sikh temple that allowed me to sample some of the best lamb curry I had ever tasted. The savory dish had me scouring the place for the aromatic spices on sale here.

A trip to Manila is quite incomplete without visiting some of the lovely islands located near by. Boracay boasts of sparkling white beaches, and is one of the best spots for sailing, wind surfing and snorkeling. Cebu island has historic significance with Fort San Pedro and the Santo Nino Church from the 16th century, and Magellan’s cross standing tall in testimony to the Spanish conquest. The Mindoro Islands with extensive sugar cane plantations and forests are noted for their white beaches and crystal clear water and multi-hued coral reefs. A popular diving spot is near Puerto Galera on the northern coast.

However for the best diving spots in the Philippines, one should head for El Nido on Palawan Island. Apart from good diving sites, a visit to the St. Paul Subterranean National Park is an amazing experience with its underground river, that is actually a long meandering network of caves. Also on my itinerary were the Chocolate Hills on Bohol Island, that got the name due to the fact that the perfectly rounded hills look like large chocolate drops in summer. Pangalo Island nearby has good resorts and beaches, while Bantayan Island with its untouched beaches is a better choice for loners.

If you’ve heard of the pithy saying that when life hands you lemons you learn to make lemonade, it has never been truer than in the case of Philippines. It has started a new trend – Volcano tourism. The hottest tourist destination in Luzon are the eco-tourism groups visiting the devastation around Mt Pinatubo. Actually it is the Mayon volcano thats more beautiful but it still has minor eruptions. So be warned! Yet the hiking and camping in green forests is great and there are tourist places near the volcano itself. It makes for a great story to carry back home that you actually climbed up a volcano!

Modern day Manila faithfully retains pockets of its colonial past. The rich tapestry is clearly evident through the 16th century monuments and Churches and the museums reminding you of its Spanish influences. But what really amazed me were the Jeepneys, the most popular means of public transport in the Philippines. Originally US military jeeps left over from World War II, they are now dashingly decorated to run helter skelter with overflowing passengers. They can leave you aghast but I really found them symbolic of present day Philippine culture.

Nothing is cheaper than shopping in the Divisoria Malls. Here you will find everything imaginable at incredibly low prices. Although you should be prepared for big crowds and the occasional pickpocket. Days-end are best enjoyed on the streets of Manila. I would often hit the local streets and restaurants at Malate. For a taste of some local flavor nothing like mingling on the streets. Life is Short! Traveling, meeting people and enjoying experiences on the road enhances a trip like nothing else. Go for it – Manila gives you a splendid time – both the hustle and bustle of a city and the tranquility of the Islands. Maraming Salamat! Thank you Manila.

Myrtle Beach : “Best Family Beach”

Posted by admin on Aug 14, 2008

All This and Heaven Too - South Carolina Coastline - Courtesy Google images

I’m lying supine, fingers clasped under my head, stretched out on warm white sand under warmer August skies that go from sunny to cloudy and again sunny. The distant black clouds spell a thunderstorm. It just might rain! The Atlantic changes its hues from azure to cerulean to cobalt on the sun dappled expanse, yet never far from the promised limpid blue of the waters under the luminous vault. As I breathe in the ancient smell of the sea laced with the balsamic odor of the myrtle I am engulfed in the timeless music of the breakers oblivious to the crowds around me. You know the kind of feeling you get when you go underwater into sensuous nothingness.

The beach is the only reason why I am here. The legendary South Carolina coastline is best enjoyed at Myrtle Beach. The area stretches south from the South Carolina state line at Little River to Georgetown. None of the assembled attractions here can really ever detract from the Neptunian palette of tones and timbres proffered so generously in this part of the world. The lush wax myrtle growing here in such profusion is a case in point. In fact, it was in honor of this local shrub that the town was named Myrtle Beach.

Weather is one of the main reasons that people choose to vacation in Myrtle Beach and along the Grand Strand. The mild winters and warm summers are just right for enjoying the beach. Having turned into a year-round destination, it now has added attractions, that offer wide variety of family amusements and entertainment. People also come here for golfing, sightseeing, and live theater that are major draws. The Travel Channel votes it the “Best Family Beach.”

It’s been estimated that Myrtle Beach receives ten million tourists every year. Besides the coast line, it is the golf courses, amusement parks, the aquarium, theater, and now the grand new Rock Center that is bringing visitors by the droves. The place is home to scores of hotels, many of which are beach front hotels. And so a word from the wise. Get online on to Downtown Myrtle Beach hotel site to organize the logistics for an untroubled holiday. Other attractions here include fishing, visiting the State Park, browsing the larger than life shopping complexes (check out the Broadway at the Beach or Coastal Grand Mall), enjoying a movie night out at the IMAX theater or experimenting the cuisine.

Being a nature freak heading to the Myrtle Beach State Park was just a natural inclination. It is a small state park located nearby with several miles of forest and stretches along the Atlantic Ocean. The wide open beach and the fishing pier are an angler’s delight. Campgrounds in the oceanfront woods create a spell of their own and this natural retreat in the middle of Myrtle Beach takes you to a pristine time. It remains the last of easily accessible oceanfront maritime forest. I learned about dolphins, sea turtles and the abundant bird and plant life that grace the woodlands.

For the likes of me the Huntington Beach State Park offered greater respite. Its a large sandy beach featuring several species of birds of the southeast coast of the United States. With fewer beach goers, you get to see all kinds of ducks and waders in the marshes. A small jetty attracts ocean birds like gannets, loons and scoters who assemble here. The occasional razorbills and murres also pass by HBSP as the park is addressed by local birders. Its rightfully a bird watchers haven. Sadly there were no shells on the beach around here.

Myrtle Beach is a synonym for golf! It is decidedly the Golf Capital of the World with 120 golf courses and a record 4.2 million rounds played. To top this there are as many as 50 miniature golf courses. A whole lot of the golf courses open to the public are set amidst unique and magnificent coastal settings. The community settled here enjoys hitting the dimpled ball as much as it loves following the action of legendary players who come here to play regularly.

Blessed with year-round sunshine and balmy ocean breezes, Myrtle Beach offers premier opportunities for recreation – whenever you visit. A comprehensive list of exciting options await you here. Arts and crafts fairs, cultural celebrations, professional baseball games or just to enjoy a soulful concert under the stars.

Myrtle Beach is part of the Grand Strand spread out on sandy white beaches along the beautiful blue Atlantic Ocean. You can make it your destination for some good old fun and relaxation. You get the finest in entertainment and dining establishments stretched out all the way.

While here you may check out the concert scene thats part of the town’s repertoire for entertainment. The Carolina Opry theater has three shows every week and is celebrating Gilmore’s Good Vibrations featuring the music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, along with comedy from the era. Its turned out to be huge draw that every one’s been taking about getting rave reviews in national press!

A stunning new attraction is the Hard Rock Park that has families rollicking to the beats of rock music. Apparently the family that rocks together stays together. The 55-acre amusement park is a place where the music is everywhere and besides defined sections, rides and live music has the synergies of best rock legends – Eagles, Moody Blues and Led Zeppelin pitching in for some rocking times. Intriguing nostalgia here.

The 2008 Sun Fun Summer Concert Series at the Grand Park goes through all of August to feature - The Tams Beach music with the Legends, Key West Band – Tribute to Jimmy Buffet and the grand finale with Still Cruzin´along with the Beach, Boogie & BBQ Festival. Also, Plyer Park and Ocean Boulevard will have street performers and musical concerts every Tuesday and Saturday, celebrating the summer with entertainment and fireworks throughout August. In fact downtown fireworks are scheduled every Wednesday at the Second Avenue Pier making for some awesome experience at dusk.

Ocean water lovers are going to love jet-skiing, para sailing or taking dolphin cruises that allow them to explore the Atlantic. Foodies can explore the umpteen restaurants offering both casual and specialized dining – what ever suits the mood. You have Bovine’s, Bubba’s, City Bar, Latitude 22, River City Cafe, Benjamin’s and Wahoos that you can experiment one by one to discover a host of specialties. Find your spot to satisfy your senses for a quick getaway or a long deserved holiday. There is much to do and enjoy here – from simply breathing in the air, to strolling or to living it up! You may even enjoy leisurely shopping experiences at the unique malls or local markets.

Do remember a few essentials though. Don’t forget your sun block. Nor your water bottle. The public beaches such as Surfside Beach and Garden City Beach are free. But be warned most beaches here do not have life guards - so stay alert. Pet dogs are allowed on the beaches in summer time only during early morning hours and late evenings. Summer sure does have an attitude – at Myrtle Beach. Live up to yours.