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The Greek Island of Corfu has played an important role in the country’s history and its significance to Greek culture dates back to the ancient period. It has had role in major political struggles and various battles. And while it has seen its share of turmoil and struggle, the island today is most reminiscent of its romantic mythological stories that were based their in ancient times. And while accessing the island in historic periods may have been more difficult and primarily used for political purposes, today there are numerous ferries and an airport that transports tourists to and from the island on a daily basis.

Guests in one of the beautiful beach Corfu hotels have some of the most spectacular views of the Ionian Sea . Though for many of them their luxury accommodations are not the first chance at a great view they’ve had. Most of the ferry trips to and from the island include gorgeous views and are themselves a favorite aspect of the trip. There are some traditional ferry services as well as specialized high tech hydrodynamic airflows that allow for high speed ferry service. These are typically called the flying dolphin ferries. Regardless of the ferry that transports guests to the island, many claim its like passing through time and feel they enter the mythological paradise that enchanted the gods of ancient times.

Many of the traditional holidays that are celebrated in Mexico are also recognized as important cultural traditions in the United States. Dia de los Muertos, interpreted as Day of the Dead, is a perfect example of this. It is an extremely symbolic and important holiday in Mexico and it is celebrated by Mexican Americans living in the United States, as well as residents from other ethnic backgrounds. And in addition to the specific rituals that occur in association to the holiday there is an entire genre of art that is dedicated to it and the art is appreciated by people from all over the world.

Day of the Dead officially takes place on November 2nd of every year and coincides with the Catholic holidays All Saints Day and All Souls Day , which take place on the first and second of the month respectively. This is a day of honoring and families get together to pay their respects to loved ones who have passed on. This includes bringing gifts, ones that would be appreciated by the ancestors if they were alive, such as food, beverages and flowers. The Grateful Dead , an American rock band that formed in the 1960s is partially credited with popularizing the holiday in America and introducing the art genre associated with it. Many of the five star Mexico hotels will have special events and parties planned for their guests in celebration of this holiday.

Sydney is famous for its beach-side suburbs, which include Bondi, Manly and Cronulla. During the summer months, these beaches a jammed packed with swimmers enjoying the sandy beaches and soaking up the sunrays. Just like Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro, Sydney is just as unique in that it’s a huge metropolis surrounded by beautiful beaches making it an excellent vacation destination.

Sydney is also a great destination point for tourist because it’s so convenient to get around. Sydney’s trains, buses and ferries make for a perfect combination of getting from one place to the next. Rental cars should only be considered if driving out of Sydney to see the other wonderful places Australia has such as Melbourne or the nearby Blue Mountains. However, within Sydney itself, public transportation is actually faster than driving. With Sydney’s integrated ticketing system that permits travel across trains, buses and ferries, locals and especially tourist find this mode of transportation to be the best way to get from their Sydney hotels to an attraction or to the beaches.

The best trip visitors can take while in Sydney is to take the ferry to Manly, which offers a great view of the Sydney skyline and Sydney’s beautiful harbor. A Ferry will take only a half-an-hour to travel from Circular Quay to Manly. It’s a refreshing way to see Sydney. In order to catch the Manly Ferry, head to the terminal at Circular Quay, it’s easy to find, right in between the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge .

If you’re on a tight budget when visiting Seattle and you love sushi, then you need to check out ‘Hana Japanese Sushi Restaurant’, located at 219 Broadway E. You may not be impressed with Hana’s d ©cor but for the best inexpensive sushi in town, Hana’s your place.

Hana is not only inexpensive, it’s trustworthy and bountiful. The bento medleys provide a huge assortment of fresh, colorful and nutritious dishes. Hana continues to be a favorite among locals who know a good thing when they experience it and a ‘must-return’ to restaurant for out-of-town visitors staying at a nearby inexpensive Seattle hotel .

Hana Bento, will only cost you $12.25 and it’s build around a centerpiece of sushi, chilled and mellow salmon and tuna, plus a perennially unnecessary California roll; a small, artful piece of salmon teriyaki provides a nice accompaniment, alongside the predictable and yet pleasing tempura-battered pork, shrimp and oysters, then a dainty pile of cucumbers provides a wonderful taste from the world of plants, which is sometimes under appreciated. To top off the bento dish, a huge bowl of miso soup and a huge bowl of steamed rice border this grand menu selection. If you order the Sister Sashimi Bento, for only a dollar more, you’ll get yellow tail tuna, octopus sashimi, salmon, copious chicken teriyaki and prawn and vegetable tempura.

Hana has maintained their authenticity and atmosphere through all the changes and growth Seattle has experienced these last few decades. When you stop by, you’ll be eating with all the regulars that have been coming to Hana’s for years; you’ll be in very good company!

Phoenix, Arizona is an incredibly interesting and diverse city. Not only is it the state capital, it is also one of the largest cities in the country. And the main institution of higher education, Arizona State University , is the largest school in the country, when considered with all of its campus. Meanwhile, Phoenix is different from all other major cities and urban centers in the country. One of the noticeable aspects is that it is one of the few cities that shows a significant drop in population during the summer. And while Phoenix enjoys a strong tourist population and there are larger numbers of vacationers in any of the luxury hotels Phoenix , they do not balance the population loss that occurs.

It’s important to keep in mind that Phoenix is located in the Sonora Desert and it gets hot there, very hot. And it stays hot for almost half of the year. There is a large percentage of the population that lives in Phoenix during the cooler half, which is typically November through April. And all of those people pack up and leave the city when it starts to get warm. This actually benefits the summer tourist population, who typically don’t have to deal with extremely large crowds, horrible traffic and other population oriented factors.

When you come to a great Hawaiian vacation spot you’re going to find lots of fun things to do. Many people start out their vacation with a drink in their hand, sleeping on the beach in the warm sun. After a couple of days regaining energy from a stressful life they start to get more energized to see the local sights.  

One of the first things to do is to put on a snorkel, mask and flippers and dive into the underwater world. If you have time to get a diver’s license than go for it. Spending time several feet under water is like being on a whole other planet. You become quite the curious visitor in a totally different world. You are going to find what you need to snorkel or dive at Aaron’s Dive Shop . They even offer up some divers courses that you could take. You don’t have to be certified to dive but you will want to learn some safety skills before heading out into the water with a tank on. The staff here can get you on your way.  

Speaking of learning something new. How about getting into town and heading over to the Island Glassworks . You have seen the amazing vases and other artifacts that are made out of blown glass and this studio offers up some classes. It could be a great opportunity to see if you have found another passion in life. There are always some great works of glass art for sale and if you have the opportunity to make a real masterpiece they will ship it home for you.  

Take a spin on the boardwalk with a bicycle rental. This is always a fun way to get around a new place. The Bike Shop has some great equipment and lots of maps to navigate the area. The staff are all experienced bicycle racers and know the area well. They can get you sized with the right bike and headed in the best riding area for your experience. All you need now is a ride from one of the hotels kailua is known for and enjoy something new.

Many people find the most comfortable place to stay is at boutique hotel. Washington, USA has a wide variety of these scattered throughout the city with a variety of themes to fit the flavor of your visit to our nation’s capital. Some, though not all, of these hotels even contain their own hot night clubs.

When exploring the night spots in a new city keep in mind that the hottest places to go usually have a line and no guarantee you’ll make it through the door so if it’s a chilly night bring your coat and use the coat check, you don’t want to look silly in a mini skirt shivering in the cold. DC even offers some all ages clubs though keep in mind if you’re in the city and let your teen go out clubbing that there is a Curfew and in the case of the Black Cat club patrons 17 years-old or younger must be out of the club by 11:00pm on week nights and at 12:00am on Friday or Saturday, unless accompanied by a parent. It’s a live music venue so be sure to check who’s playing when you make your travel plans

Fur is another wonderful club lighting up the Washington DC night. this club has multiple levels and provides a little something for everyone. Fur has a cozy lounge for those who aren’t as keen on the pulsating music and crush of bodies on the dance floor and don’t want to have to talk over the music. There is also a non-smoking balcony available for those seeking fresh air and if you have special plans, or are setting up a party, Fur offers private rooms for rent complete with a dedicated cocktail waitress.

These are just a sample of what you can find to occupy your time after the sun goes down on capital hill. If you’re not one to take a taxi or rent a car,or you plan to party hard enough not driving is wise, you should look at the areas with the clubs you most want to indulge and book a room walking distance from them.

Key West, Florida is one of the top vacation destinations in this country. People of all ages and from all walks of life enjoy visiting this incredible city and it is also one of the standard spring break destinations. There are so many beach and water oriented activities that you can spend your entire vacation outside and always be doing something new. There are also some fabulous cultural attractions that may draw you in for a couple of hours during the day or evening. The bulk of Key West’s economy is based on tourism and for this reason the city is set up to best accommodate guests. In addition, a large amount of the area businesses were established simply for the fun and enjoyment of tourists. This and the beautiful geography in and around the city make your choice to stay in a luxury hotel Key West a win, win situation.

One of the great things to do while you’re in Key West is to take one of the city or water exploration tours. There are more than one available and some are focused more on the scenic elements and beautiful views available, while others emphasize various ecological elements. There are speed boat tours and party cruise adventures, among an assortment of other options. One of the favorite tours is the Dolphin Eco Tours, which allow people to watch and enjoy the behaviors of the popular bottle nose dolphin in their natural surroundings. These amazing mammals are loved by children and adults of ages and seeing them in person is an amazing experience and is frequently life changing. It is certainly something you will never forget.

There are two types of dolphin tours available and one includes guided interaction with them with a trained professional. This is available for the entire family and group packages are an option. The other type of tour is the Wild Dolphin Encounter and it explores the dolphins in their natural surroundings and behaving how they would if no one were around to watch. Of course dolphins seem to have a natural connection to humans and will sometimes play with and follow boats. The dolphin tours in Key West provide a once in a lifetime experience and are a favorite attraction for many tourists.

For world travelers, Scottsdale, Arizona has a particularly potent reputation for attracting visitors who are looking to experience the finer things in life. A suburb of Phoenix that has always maintained a strong presence in local culture, it is one of the best places to enjoy world-class nightclubs, and it’s pretty hopping any time of year. It also boast some of the valleys finest restaurants, and has a knack for design and innovation in luxury hotels. Scottsdale is a vibrant part of the city’s scene.

With access to some of the most gorgeous parts of the desert here, it is also famous for its resort mentality, inspiring the desire to relax and enjoy some very healthy decadence. Health clubs and spas are plentiful, and there’s a full menu for things to do at night. If you want a break from the club scene, there is a surprisingly active art community here. The galleries in Scottsdale are excellent, offering plenty of new works of contemporary art. One of the best places to see what’s in town, however, is the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art .

Opened in 1999, they present themselves as an educational institution, introducing people to the newest trends with their exhibitions and educational programs. Almost every arts organization and institution in town has some relationship with SMoCA, an their commitment to the communities is superb.

Visitors can see what artists in the Southwest are up to these days. There are the usual offerings that one would expect in Arizona, with scenes of mountains and washes, and archetypal figures of the old west, but there are also some stunning works by artists who happen to live here. The recent exhibition of Sue Chenoweth ‘s work is the perfect example of a local artist doing work that embraces an international outlook. Deeply moving, provocative, and often humorous at the same time, her work is otherworldly, showing a vision that is accessible but deeply felt and deeply lived.

It’s easy to dream, but hard to find, and almost impossible to live, but the ones who seem to fall in love in Paris are the ones who are already from there. It doesn’t hurt, however, to hear stories of grandparents who come from different countries, sometimes Costa Rica, and nearly always Poland, and fall in love there. It’s happened more than once, and even once is reason enough to book a Paris hotel and take one’s chances. The summer is coming, and everyone who falls in love, falls in love in the summer.

Or sometimes the fall is the best time, followed by winter and spring. Paris comes alive at all of these times, which is to say the obvious. It’s not a city that’s afraid of living up to its reputation, and it’s never afraid to show there are multiple sides to it, either. There are sections of unimagined beauty, but it’s large enough to contain its opposites as well. Sometimes opposites attract, but in the case of De Beauvoir and Sartre , it’s more likely a combination of similarities that were altogether enchanting. The best philosophy students of their time, they were charmed enough by each other to spend a life together. Then they became the most important philosophers, or perhaps, as many suggest, their love child was existentialism.

Whether or not existentialism has made the world better is a matter of choice, and whether or not their curious pact served as a model or a warning is also a matter of choice. But whether the issue of mind of matter is solved is a matter of mind, and in this regard, the best love stories are filled with fire and passion, but also filled with long conversations. For any lover who ever spent an evening drinking wine, or sparkling cider, with a partner, engaged in a passionate discussion that was heard by the rising sun, De Beauvoir and Sartre were there, and the ghosts that haunt Montparnasse cemetery are still together, arguing about whether or not love is a choice.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is one of the city’s primary cultural establishments and also one of its impressive and prestigious professional arts companies. In addition to the great concerts it has, which frequently feature top professional and well known guest artists, there are other programs and events that it hosts and sponsors throughout the year. The various educational programs are some of the most respected of their kind and as is true for most quality music institutions, there is a strong focus on the new generation of musicians. Attending a symphony concert is one of the common agenda items for many of the guests in the Atlanta hotels and program schedule information is frequently available at the front desks.

One of the special events provided by the Atlanta Symphony is the Symphony Socials, which are incredibly popular with patrons. These events allow attendees to experience great music by the orchestra and also to mix it up with other young professionals. In addition to all of the great special programs and educational offerings provided by this orchestra, the season itself is incredibly exciting and enough to keep audiences entertained, inspired and coming back for more.

The performances of Love Blooms: Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto 2 with Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite came to a close this weekend, however the season is far from over and there are many great events remaining on the schedule. Included with this month’s future offerings are Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. One of the performances of this amazing work will also offer the popular Inside the Music Pre-Concert Talk. This educational and interesting talks are free to ticket holders and offer insights into the music they are about to hear. Beethoven is well known and to this day loved for the incredible passion of his music and the tremendous feelings they continue to inspire. This can be even more meaningful to listeners when they have more of an understanding of the work they are listening to.

Perhaps you’ve rented a DVD copy of the movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun,” and taken a look at the beauty of Positano, Italy, a small city whose history stretches back into Medieval times. In those days, the city was a port for the Amalfi Republic, and the town did well, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries, but by the middle of the 1800s, the town faltered, with half the population emigrating largely to Australia.

In the early part of the 20th Century, Positano was a simple fishing village, but after American author John Steinbeck glowingly wrote about the town as “a dream place,” the Positano hotels became a destination for tourists; it’s a spot where artists and celebrities have gone to vacation. It was home to singer-songwriter Shawn Phillips , who helped define what folk rock was in the 1960s and also developed progressive new age rock in the 1970s. Most of his best songs were written here. Even Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones wrote here, composing “Midnight Rambler” in the town’s cafes. Today, the town is known primarily for tourism, with charm as the principle draw.

If you decide to escape from the rest of the world and relax on Positano’s beaches or sip espressos in its cafes, take a look, too, at the Church of Santa Maria Assunta , which contains a dome made of majolica tiles and an icon of a black Madonna created in the 13th Century.

The legend in Positano regarding the icon tales a tale of theft, where pirates stole the icon from Byzantium and brought it across the Mediterranean sea. When a horrific storm hit the boat near Positano, the scared sailors heard a voice onboard that repeated the word, “Posa,” or “Put down!” and so they took the icon and carried it to the fishing village. Once they did, according to legend, the storm stopped. Chances are good that the skies will be clear and the seas calm when you’ve arrived, too, enabling you to take full advantage of this engaging place.

Well many people are so focused on the new and exciting side of New York City. They want to be apart of the action with their tickets to a Broadway Show or to be in the audience of one of the many television show tapings like Saturday Night Live . They want to work their way into some hot dance club and they want to see some celebrity dining at the classic places like the Russian Tea Room . But there is so many layers of years of history that can still be found around all areas of New York.  

After living in the fast lane, get up in your great New York hotel such as this and keep an eye out for the sites of real colonial history. Many of these sites are on the path of other areas of interest. If Wall Street is on the list of things to see than one wont miss the Federal Hall National Monument . Thou the building that stands there now is a rebuild, the site itself has a building were George Washington was given the oath of office on the balcony in 1790. The establishment of freedom of the press was started here after John Peter Zenger was acquitted for charges of sedition against the king in 1735.  

Speaking of George Washington. The St Paul’s Chapel was were President George Washington would come to pray. The building was erected in 1766 by the Trinity Church with a Georgian style of architecture. There is still the pew that the president use during his visits. Washington was also at City Hall Park on July 9th 1776 for the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. One can see the beautiful fountain on Chambers Street, Park Row and Broadway.

Well Manhattan is really the same place as New York City. They also call the area the Big Apple as well as more than 80 other names they like to use in reference to Manhattan. Every industry has their name for the Manhattan like  the Financial Capital of the World or the Financial Hub which refers to the huge financial influence this city has nestled in among the many tall buildings. Then there is the many fashion biggies like Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s that are only two of a great fashion and shopping experience that are the end result of the city being called The Fashion Capital of the World. There are many designers that live and work out of New York so it is surely fitting. Pun intended. After Rudy Giuliani cleaned up the city in the 1990s they can truly say they are the Cleanest Big City in the World. When one checks onto a great Manhattan hotel and spend time exploring the city they will find that it could be the America’s Leading Tourist Resort or the Entertainment Capital of America. It is definitely the City of Skyscrapers because it does have some of the tallest buildings in the country with the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building and others. Visitors will just have to decide for themselves if they think Manhattan can claim to be the Friendly City or the Fear City. I am sure they could agree that it is the Fun City. and possibly the Greatest All Year Round Vacation City. There are so many things to do all year round that the city does put on the charm for every occasion. For all the dreamers who move here and all of the foreigners who migrate here it could be considered the Crossroads of the World or the Biggest Gateway to Immigrants. Most people who love big cities would agree that Manhattan is truly a the Wonder City.

Reality T.V. is at its peak. MTV and Lifetime were at the forefront of this phenomenon. Soon, other major networks caught on. Now you can find reality shows on prime time and almost anytime. A&E has jumped on the band wagon and has its own line up of reality t.v. shows. Headlining for A&E is Dog the Bounty Hunter.

Duane Chapman, a.k.a. Dog, is a bounty hunter in Hawaii. He owns Da Kine Bail Bonds. Da Kine is a family business. His business partner is his wife, Beth, and they are joined by their two sons. they have offices in Hawaii and Colorado. His Hawaii office is located across from Queen Emma Square in downtown Honolulu. Honolulu is fabulous for business and pleasure. When they are not at work the Chapman’s have a home in nearby Kahala . It is a relatively private area on the island. this is where the family goes to relax and reconnect with each other. As the stress from the job can sometimes get overwhelming, it is important that they have a safe haven to retreat to. Take a family trip and live like the Chapman’s. On the island are many luxury honolulu hotels for you and your family to enjoy.

Like most families, the Chapman’s’ have had their ups and downs. In season four, the family faced a very controversial incident. With the support of fans and many community member, the show returned to the small screen. At the end of season 7 it was rumored that the two sons were leaving the show due to conflicts with their mother, Beth, over a clothing line they had started. no confirmation of the rumors was ever obtained, but the boys are definitely back. While Dog has had his business for many years, March 10th marked the beginning of its 8th season.

There are a lot of songs about New York that speak to the spectrum of human emotions.  The city is a fascinating place, and it’s often very exciting, with so many interesting things to do and see. It’s very easy to get caught up in the lights and the magic, and also easy to forget about the way that it’s also extremely challenging.  For people who live here, there are daily struggles that really don’t exist anywhere else.  Tourists won’t worry about the daily grind so much, because there are fabulous hotels, and the whole array of tourist attractions.

Paul Simon has written a song here that speaks to a very particular part of the human experience.  There are many who interpret the song as being an inspiration for those who struggle against all the odds and come out winning, but a close look here doesn’t reveal a win on the part of the main character telling the song.  He goes through hard experience, and he is changed.  He doesn’t live through the difficulties by learning how to face them, in fact, he leaves.  This is a very important distinction, because it reflects a sentiment that would fall under the anti-hero umbrella rather than an underdog story.  It speaks to a feeling that an entire generation had in common, and one that resurfaces again when the stakes are high, but the value of the fight is in question. 

This is the weekend when I decided I would lock myself in and write the poem of the century.  I had been stuck in a dayjob for years, and the past three months has been about overtime.  I haven’t seen the inside of my own apartment, or my own head, for a lot of hours in a row, and I knew there was something in there.  Usually, I try to work just enough to keep food and lodging, so I can spend some time every day working on my craft.  It happens sometimes, what they say, where you start to work, and the money is not bad, and you start to get used to that, and suddenly you’re no longer a writer.

I’ve seen it happen to close friends, and it always strikes me as a great loss.  It’s not just because there’s another dream deferred, and a kind of personal happiness that’s compromised, but also because that work that was supposed to come and live on the planet has been abandoned.  With that spirit then, I checked myself into a cool hotel, and prepared myself to write all weekend.

It starts off slow, this writer’s block, and it always starts the same way, and I always convince myself it’s not started.  The distractions in the world that make it hard for a dog to watch tv start to affect me, and I’m soon deciding to meet a friend in the Village, because it’s been so long.  I scribble a few words just so I don’t feel totally guilty while I’m out.  While I’m out, we’re having a great time, and those few words grow in significance in my mind, and I start to remember them as being the beginning of that poem.  It’s almost an entire verse, and that’s quite a bit, and I’m very optimistic.  By the next morning, however, the few words are really only two, and one of them is “the,” so I decide to sit down, and stay in the room even if there’s a fire.  I write about the Village, and suddenly I remember why I came here.

My cousin Vinnie, and yes that’s really his name and yes he really is my cousin, invited me to go with him on a road trip that would span Oregon, Washington and lead us into Canada. He wanted to take a whole month last summer to do this and at first I had hesitations. After all, I’m a working man, I have a job and responsibilities. So naturally I said yes. Vinnie and I grew up together in Northern California. My family lived in Pleasant Hill and his family lived in Albany. Both of these cities are on the East Bay and when we were teenagers we began taking BART into San Francisco and always had a great time. Vinnie is almost exactly one year older than I am and he is pretty much the one that determines what we’ll do. I’ve always just sort of relied on him for this and he always comes up with great ideas. I figured his road trip to Canada last summer would be nothing less. And I was right. It was just the two of us and we had an amazing time.

We stopped in Ashland, Oregon at the Shakespeare Festival. It’s something both of us had always wanted to do and just never made it up there. Moving on we stopped in Portland for a night and then headed out early the next morning and didn’t really stop until we made it Seattle. I know this is cliché but one of the first things I wanted to do was stop and have a great cup of coffee. We happened upon a place called Cherry Street Coffee and though this might sound stereotypical, it really was a good cup of coffee. Maybe the fact that there was a nice drizzle outside and it just all sort of felt right regarding Seattle expectations contributed to the overall effect, but still it was good coffee. Next we headed over to Pike Place Market and hung out for a while. Vinnie and I liked Seattle so much that we decided to stay the night and found a quaint little inn in which to rest our heads. The rest of the trip was just as amazing and I forgot to mention I have a great story about crossing the Canadian boarder. I’ll have to save that one for next time.

What if you could bring home CNN anchor Anderson Cooper to live with you?  You might think he would object, especially if you’ve never met.  However, for a price, you can bring back Cooper to wherever you live after you visit the CNN gift store at the Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. over on 190 Marieta Street in Atlanta, Georgia.  Okay, it’s not actually Anderson Cooper, but a life-size cardboard cut-out of him.  The gift shop, though, shouldn’t be your only goal if you visit the TBS headquarters; instead, you should aim at the CNN Studio Tours, which are available from nine in the morning to six in the evening, Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday).

The tour lasts about fifty minutes, with a friendly and expert guide.  You won’t be able to take pictures during the tour, but you’ll be able to see how CNN puts together the news and you may even get the opportunity to play news reporter for a few minutes.  The cost of all this?  Around thirteen dollars for adults and ten dollars for a child (the good news is that a child is considered anyone from the ages of four to eighteen — and if you have a Triple A or an AARP card, it may be less).  The CNN tour is actually a destination spot for locals to bring their guests, which really gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the news and the morning shows offered on CNN.

If you hadn’t yet considered a CNN tour as part of your itinerary, I’d certainly put it on the list.  I would grab a hotel room, and make a call or on-line visit to CNN and reserve a spot on the tours.  You can have your choice of a number of shows.  There’s the Morning Express Tour with Robin Meade, or Inside the Conversation Tour with Rick Sanchez, as well as the CNN Studio Tour.  And while, like any tour anywhere, CNN does deposit you into the gift shop at the end of fifty-five minutes, that’s where you can pick up the cardboard cut-out of Anderson Cooper.

Okay, so I’ve been to Los Angeles quite a few times. Actually, having lived in Phoenix, Arizona for most of my life, this is an easy thing to do. In fact I’ve had some really great times in Los Angeles and while I was a student at ASU my best friend’s and my favorite thing to do on the weekend was take off and go to LA. The only thing I could say about LA that I’m not a fan of, and this won’t win me any points with people from Los Angeles, but I do not like the Lakers. Keep in mind I’m from Phoenix and I am a big Phoenix Suns fan, so it should make obvious sense why I do not like the Lakers. In fact, I’m willing to bet that the majority of tourist you could find in any of the rooms in the Los Angeles hotels won’t be Lakers fans either. But enough of that, I want to talk about the great things about the city. Okay, and the truth be told, the Lakers are a great team, right now.

Anyway, here’s another thing I’ll admit that won’t win me any favors with locals but one of the best times I had in LA happened a few years ago when I met my good friend there on a business trip. It was her business trip, I was just along for the ride. We stayed in a great room in the Pacific Palisades and had so much fun while we were there. She had only been there once before I think and wanted to do all of the silly things that tourists do and I was just along for the ride so I agreed to just about everything. You see how I’m not taking any responsibility here?

Anyway, we went to places like Hollywood Boulevard and we walked all along street looking at prints and signatures of some of the biggest stars ever. We also spent time looking at all the crafts and jewelry that was available from venders around the Kodak Theatre. That place is even glamorous when nothing is going on and to be honest it was fun walking around in the area. I bought a really pretty jade necklace. So of course we also drove down Sunset Strip and we spent an afternoon on Venice Beach. That was nice, and dang it was interesting. Muscle Beach wasn’t as active as what it’s legend prepared me for, but it was still fun. This touristy trip I took with my friend honestly was one of the greatest times I’ve had in LA.

Here’s my Grand Rapids travelblog entry, I know, I don’t need to state that this is a travelblog, but for me, this is almost the same as showing slides to all your friends and thoroughly bore them to death. So, here is my writing slid-show, and it will bore you.

One place I visited is the Fish Ladder, this is where the salmon and stellhead’s find their first hurdle upon their momentous journey to spawn upstream from Lake Michigan to Lansing, which is located in mid-Michigan. Another place of interest is the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Inside, there is tons of activities for children; I wish I had something like this when I was growing up. The Grand Rapids Public Museum, which has an old-fashion carousel indoors and 3 stories of interesting things. The Grand Rapids Art Museum, which not only carries some famous painting, but also features local artists as well. I only toured the Grand Rapids Symphony, I didn’t have time to see a concert, but the Symphony includes a ‘Lollipop’ series for young children, which the tour boast to be extremely popular and successful.

I found, which I didn’t think possible, that Grand Rapids really does have a lot to offer travelers and visitors. I’m a little spoiled when it come to the arts and entertainment, coming from Chicago, but I was totally pleased with the amount of things to do here. I only spent two days here at this really nice hotel that I found on-line: hotelgrandrapids, which was conveniently located in the downtown district.

I really liked the Meijer Gardens, it really is worth a visit if you ever come to Grand Rapids, there was quite a lot to do and see. As I reflect about my two days visit, Grand Rapids really does offer a great deal of culture for children. I think, if I wanted to raise a family, I’d choose Grand Rapids.

When you visit a city the never sleeps, sometimes all you want is a really good nap. But, here in Manhattan, there’s not even a chance of that, there’s too much restless energy going through your pores and pumping your very being into a jumble of thoughts that can lead you to the brink of insanity. You feel you have to do everything that there is possibly to do in Manhattan.
 
Escaping the city is another possibility, seeing the forest for the trees, feeling the mountains ruggedness under your feet, finding sand in every parts of your body after playing in the ocean or encompassing the vastness of space. I love this city, I love my room at one of the New York top hotels, it’s like icing on top of a cupcake, but I’m so over-stimulated and frazzled.
 
At first glance, New York does overwhelm the senses, stimulates the possibilities, brings about a zest for life, and sparkles like diamond for the taking, but then it hits you and suddenly the urge to sleep or run pours in like Niagara Falls. I need calm, I need warmth, I need a friendly person to talk to, I need sleep.
 
I couldn’t sleep, so I took a walk to Central Park, I haven’t been there yet, so maybe, just maybe I find solace. I braved the park at twilight and with a threatening sky; as I entered, my first thought was: I found escape. The peace, the tranquility flowed through my garbled soul. The air was pungent with the scent of Night Jasmine, the horse-drawn carriages echo down the cobblestones. I felt sleepy and calm. Why didn’t I come here sooner? Central Park is an oasis in the concrete forest, it’s a balm on an open wound and saviour that grounds home a sense of being whole again.
 
I think I can once again take on the hustle and bustle of this spectacular city.

Year round, the city of San Antonio celebrates its history and holidays.  No matter what season you arrive and book a hotel, chances are good that there will be a place to enjoy yourself. 
 
Starting out in January, San Antonio rings in the New Year on South Alamo Street, across from HemisFair Park.  You’ll find here music and food as well as an amazing fireworks show blasted off from the heights of the Tower of the Americas.  This is followed by the Michelob ULTRA River Walk Mud Festival, which honors not a new year, but the annual maintenance of the River Walk, which is done by draining a portion of the river.  The festival, which includes a Mud Parade, an art festival and a Pub Crawl, also honors a newly crowned Mud King and Queen.
 
In February, there’s a sixteen day event known as the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo held at the Freeman Coliseum and AT&T Center.  In April, there’s a ten day festival held all over the city in order to commemorate the heroes of the Battle of the Alamo, as well as the Battle of San Jacinto.  This is all about the independence of Texas from Mexico, and there’s over one hundred events taking place at this time.  This particular festival goes back to 1891 when the festival was just a parade of ladies in carriages tossing the blossoms of flowers at each other.  In 1895, this parade had grown into a week long celebration, now known as the Battle of Flowers Parade.
 
Around Easter, you’ll find a Passion Play performed at the Cathedral of San Fernando, which happens to be the oldest cathedral in the country, and this production has happened every year for the last two hundred and fifty years.
 
In May, of course, Cinco de Mayo festivities occur in Market Street.  In June, you’ll find there’s free theater at the San Antonio Botanical Garden with Shakespeare in the Park.  There’s also a Texas Folklife Festival, four days that bring together forty ethnic groups in Texas to display food, music, crafts and folk dancing. 
 
In November, you’ll find the Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony which is held the day after Thanksgiving, which lights up the River Walk for the holidays with over 122,000 lights.  In addition, there’s floats that move down the river, concluding with Santa Claus and Pancho Claus, the Latin variation on the mythic Christmas elf.  In December, you’ll find the amazing Fiesta de las Luminarias along the River Walk, where people put out seven thousand luminarias; this ceremony is part of a tradition with Mexican-American roots and will continue over nine nights.  This particular procession has been going on for over forty years here.
 
This brings us back to New Year’s Eve and another round of festivals begins.

Fort Lauderdale has much to offer in the ways of fun and good times in the sun, on the beach and in the water.  However should you need a bit of time away from the sun and the sand there are three museums in the city that are well worth a visit.  As mentioned in the travel pamphlets provided by the staff of most of the luxury hotels on the beaches of Fort Lauderale is rich with history, art and science.  The African American Cultural Center celebrates and offers the public, a look into the lives of the residents of African heritage.  The library located at the center draws researchers from around the world, as their collection of books numbers close to 80′,000.  Many rare or out of print books are to be found in the library as well as an extensive collection of African American writers and the museum contains a rich collection of paintings and sculptures.

The Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art is also filled with works of art, on canvas or in stone and bronze, with as well, a vast collection of locally produced textiles and craft-work.  There is a wide variety of famous works housed in the museum, and the touring exhibits change frequently.  This is one of the museums you will wish to set aside the entire day for, as there is much to see, and much to photograph.

As with the previous two museums, the Museum of Discovery and Science (http://www.mods.org/) offers fun for the entire family, in fact it is one of the best attractions for children in the city.  There are more than two hundred interactive displays and exhibits.  There is even a small section of the museum which houses and cares for alligators, snakes and bats.  There is a large nature trail filled with the fauna and the flora of the region, as well as the different levels of the Everglade forest.  And, as with the bringing of the animals and reptiles inside, the museum houses a shark exhibit, which contains along with the sharks, the largest coral reef to be in captivity.  From land to sea to the sky, the space exhibit will top off your trip.  These are great places to escape the heat of a humid day, and great places to learn while having fun.

The history of the area surrounding fine hotels located in Greensboro, North Carolina is long and plentiful. There are many stories that can be heard from the Civil War times and into the more modern African-American Civil Rights Movement. Some freedoms were won in the early 1860 but the battle continues on for some areas of America. In the 1940s,50s and 60s African-Americans continued to fight for their place in America. They had a vision of everyone who lived in this country should be able to live, eat and be where ever they wanted. There were plenty of people who didn’t want that to happen.

In early 1960, when segregation of public facilities was still in full force, four black freshman from a North Caroline University decided to walk into a segregated Woolworths cafe and asked to be served. They felt that if they were going to spend money at the local Woolworth store on products, then they should also be able to sit in the stores cafe and be served lunch. The restaurant refused to serve them so they sat there until the store closed. For the next five days these same young men came in and sat at that lunch counter. Each day more and more protesters showed up until there were hundreds of angry protesters creating a scene outside. The efforts they made did lead to the desegregation of the F.W.Woolworths cafe counter. The store in Greensboro was eventually forced to close its doors but the chain is still active and has made its way online.

These young protesters were the first to start the sit-in movement, which was led by a group called CORE, in an effort to make peaceful protests to push the point that they deserved to be in the same pools, restaurants and other public places along with the white men and women of the country. Groups of African-Americans were to go to lunch in a white mans cafe, sit down and order. They were not to leave until after they were served. However, they had to follow a few rules. They had to be friendly at all times while sitting at the counter. They had to sit up straight and face the counter. They were not allowed to talk, laugh out loud or strike back at any attack that may come at them. The were also not allowed to block entrances. This movement turned into many other forms of non-violent ways of protesting to come.

Manhattan is best for non-particular meanderings; no plans are necessary. I just walked and explored the city, she reveals exactly what I need at just the right moments. Like my quest for a ‘good’ cup-o-coffee, not what’s being served here at every corner and calling it coffee, but an actual great cup of coffee. Through my meanderings, I stumbled across ‘Stumptown Cafe‘. It’s the first in New York city and is the brainchild of a completely obsessive coffee addict spouting that the bean varietals as just as important as the grapes used for wine.

Stumptown coffee is Superb! It takes me back to my roots in Melbourne. I feel like I’m now ready for anything New York City wants me to explore. There is nothing better for one’s spirits than a Superb cup of coffee! Nothing! Not even alcohol, nothing. With my latte in hand, I let a new days adventure begin. I traveled through some previously ignored boutiques, boutiques busting with originality! See how a good cup of coffee leads to an eye opening experience? I found one boutique where people watching was just as quirky as the clothes price-tags were.

My next day, was just as random as all the previous days, except for a quick stop by Stumptown. Fortunately, the top hotel I booked on-line from this site: http://www.topnewyorkcityhotels.com, to stay at during my trip wasn’t too far away from Stumptown, which is located on 29th and Broadway. It was Sunday and Sunday led me on a wild cheese-burger and fries chase through the Lower East Side. A place named ‘Pianos’ was spotted, so I went inside. I found it to be somewhat of a California atmosphere of laid-backness-beach-house type of bar. I sat up at the bar and ordered a cheese-burger with fries. Boy!  Saying that was the best burger I’ve ever had is an understatement!

One of the best parts of being plan-free, is the truly unexpected happens, like as I was taking photos of myself via Iphone, Sarah Jessica Parker passed by me laughing! I quickly turned the camera phone around and managed to get a shot of her as she stepped into a taxi! So, next time you’re in New York City, don’t plan anything and be random and free. You’ll get to see a part of New York that isn’t on any tour package.

When it comes to estuary’s the largest one in the United States is Chesapeake Bay of the coast of Virginia. Any of the hotels Hampton has to offer is a good place to start your exploration of the Bay. This bay is shared with Virginia and Maryland along the Atlantic Ocean and each state has a few cities along the waters edge. It has more than a hundred and fifty streams and rivers mix in with the Atlantic Ocean everyday. The area of the bay runs about 200 miles long starting from Susquehanna River down to the Atlantic. You could spend days boating in the bay in order to see most of it. The narrowest part of the bay is between Plum Point and Romney Creek and spans about 2.8 miles. The widest section of the bay is about 30 miles wide and is near the Potomac River. The bay varies in depths between 46 feet to 208 feet. It also has a few bridges built over it. One bridge is in Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and it crosses the bay from Sandy Point to Kent Island. The other is in Virignia, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel will get travelers from Virginia Beach to Cape Charles.

There are many thing to do on the Chesapeake Bay. Boating and fishing are very popular. In fact, the seafood like blue crab, oysters and clams were the well known harvest of these waters. There is even a famous boat that is the state boat of Maryland called the shipjack. The shipjack is a sail powered work boat and the only one of its kind in the United States. The waters are not quite as plentiful with shellfish as it once was but there is still some a good business being run there. Visitors can even get out and to a little fishing and crabbing. It is still a great tourist attraction.

There’s something about the nature of fame that makes people want to be near it, sometimes even more so once that celebrity is gone.  Because of that, in Los Angeles, even cemeteries are famous, such as Forest Lawn, but if you were to ask most people where a movie star, such as Marilyn Monroe, has found her final resting place, they couldn’t tell you.  What about Dean Martin?  Or Natilie Wood?  Or Roy Orbison, to name just a few.  Many writers, producers, movie stars, directors, and comedians have all finally come to a spot so hidden, so exclusive, that literally you could spend years in L.A. and never know you were so close.  For the first ten years I lived in this town, I would walk by, even attend movies at local theaters and not know that if I crossed a side street, walked down an alley beside a parking garage, to my right, I would find memorials for much of Hollywood.  It’s almost as if it’s one of the town’s best kept secrets.  But if you want to pay your respects to these lives who captivated us on the screen and page, then follow these simple directions.

First, go to Westwood, almost to the intersection of Westwood and Wilshire, at the beginning of Westwood Village, next to UCLA.  A short distance south of Wilshire, you’ll find on the east side of the street, the Majestic Crest theater, a magnificent independently run old movie palace.  Behind the theater, there’s a side street.  On the east side of that street, there will be a parking garage.  On the north side of the garage, there’s an alley.  Pull into the alley and drive past the parking garage (or walk in; there’s not a lot of space for cars in this small memorial park), and the gates will be to your right: You’ve found the Pierce Bros Westside Village Memorial Park.

The next time you’ve arrived in Hollywood, and you’ve checked into a fine Los Angeles cheap hotel, and are looking for a way to spend an afternoon, but not spending money, taking a walk by the markers and memorials of great writers and stars of the past may make for an unforgettable time.  It’s not for everyone, of course.  But you’ll find a trip there could well be surprising as well as humbling, and  even amusing.   Among the notables, including Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Eve Arden, Eva Gabor, Truman Capote, Cornel Wilde, and Donna Reed, the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield has written on his tombstone, “There Goes the Neighborhood.”

While the town of Sitges, a few miles away from Barcelona, offers beaches and a lively night scene, there are at least three museums in town that shouldn’t be overlooked.  If you’ve checked into one of the hotels Sitges offers, consider also checking out one of the following three museums: The Museu Romantic (“Can Llopis”), the Museu Cau Ferrat, and the Museu Maricel.

The Museu Romantic (“Can Llopis”) explores the 18th and 19th Centuries by recreating the world of a land-owning family in Sitges.  You’ll see the furniture of the time, objects of the house, and rooms the family in which the family lived.  Upstairs, you’ll find a collection of antique dolls, while downstairs, you’ll find the wine cellars, showing off the life of the family from child to adult.

In the Museu Cau Ferrat, you’ll find two cottages from the 16th Century, which the Santiago Rusinol, a Catalan artist, joined together to create the home in which he worked and lived.  He willed the home and its art collection to the the town of Sitges when he died in 1931.Rusinol’s house and art work are one of the chief reasons Sitges is such a favorite resort; this former home includes small Picassos, as well as The Bullfight, and a couple of paintings from El Greco.  And, of course, Rusinol’s own work is exhibited here.

Finally, we have the Museu Maricel.  The King and Queen of Spain opened this particular museum, and it displays art which Dr. Jesus Perez Rosales donated.  Originally built after World War One, or the Great War, the building was owned by American Charles Deering; it’s a palace in two parts, joined by a little bridge.  You may wish to visit this museum for the palace itself as well as three works by Santiago Rebull, as well as art work by Jose Maria Sert, whose painting is an allegory of World War One itself.

There is no denying that Baltimore, Maryland has great art.  There are so many museums and galleries located within the city and in the surrounding neighborhoods that it is often difficult to decide just where to go next.  Two women put together and incredible collection, that was fifty years in the making.  Etta and Claribel Cone lived their entire lives in side by side apartments in the city, and throughout their years and their travels and their friendships acquired one of the most inclusive and important collections of modern art in the world.

The two became friends many years ago, with artists who either gave them the pieces as tokens of friendship, and the sisters purchased many pieces in order to support the work of their friends.  The collection contains more than five hundred pieces by Matisse.  They also have quite an extensive collection of sculpture and paintings by Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.  They not only have one of the best collections of today, but they played a role in the evolution of modern and contemporary art.

The Matisse collection alone spans his entire career and offers insight to his evolution as a painter.  The two sisters lived well off of a family trust, so they took to traveling and collecting art.  They often visited Paris, and this is where they met and became friends with these master painters.  Some of Picasso’s drawings they purchased for a couple of dollars.  They would then come home and open their doors to show the public the art that they had purchased.

At the time, these painters who are now widely famous, were unknown and not yet accepted.  But the sister had an eye for what would become some of the most priceless pieces in the history of art.  The collection is part of the permanent display at the Baltimore Museum of Art, located to any fine Baltimore restaurant in the downtown area.  This is a bit of the history of art, a big bit, and one must stop here when in the city, at least for just one day.