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2015-48/1021/en_head.json.gz/14136

Travel Hong Kong: 5 free things for visitors to do Updated January 22, 2013 12:56 PM By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Reprints With its bustling harbor and glittering, neon-drenched skyscrapers set against a backdrop of verdant, towering peaks, Hong Kong is undeniably one of the world's most scenic cities. (Jan. 24, 2012) advertisement | advertise on newsday HONG KONG - The former British colony of Hong Kong has become an increasingly popular destination for wealthy visitors from mainland China, many of whom come just to shop. In Hong Kong's main tourist districts, Louis Vuitton and Gucci boutiques have crowded out middle-of-the-road retailers to cater to the big spenders. Trendy, expensive restaurants and bars have replaced mom-and-pop shops. One could be forgiven for thinking there's nothing else to do in the Asian capital of commerce but spend money. But Hong Kong still has a wealth of non-retail activities for visitors, and many are free. 3 fall hikes every LIer should take SeaWorld to end orca shows in San Diego by 2017 Air France offers 'Star Wars' deal Save on winter travel with these hotel deals Wild West towns: A travel guide With its bustling harbor and glittering, neon-drenched skyscrapers set against a backdrop of verdant, towering peaks, Hong Kong is one of the world's most scenic cities. Start at Tsim Sha Tsui on the tip of the Kowloon waterfront. Join other sightseers snapping shots of Hong Kong Island's legendary skyline. While the views are free, the ferry to Hong Kong Island and a tram ride will cost you, but not much: Tickets at most are about 44 U.S. cents. Walk along the promenade toward the clock tower to reach the pier, where you can catch the cross-harbor Star Ferry, a Hong Kong icon that has been running for more than a century. Once on Hong Kong Island, take the footbridge to the tramway. Hop aboard the century-old tram system for an old-fashioned ride through neighborhoods along the island's northern edge. Grab an upper deck seat to watch streetscapes slide by, from the ultramodern financial district of Central to the crowded Causeway Bay shopping district to less glamorous neighborhoods. Some trams fork off to the Happy Valley horse racing track. Martial arts legend Bruce Lee died in 1973 at age 32. Forty years later he arguably remains Hong Kong's most famous movie star, yet there are only a few landmarks for his fans. A bronze statue of the actor was erected in 2005 on the Kowloon waterfront promenade, showing Lee in one of his characteristic fighting stances: knees bent, leaning back on one leg, hands at chest level, ready to strike. The statue is on Hong Kong's Avenue of Stars, the city's version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Lee and other Chinese stars are memorialized with plaques. Fans have been pushing for Lee's childhood home in Kowloon Tong to be turned into a museum but talks with the businessman who owns the property, which has been used as an hourly love hotel, have dragged on for years. The intrepid can still pay a visit to the residence at 41 Cumberland Road. The truly devoted can hunt out even more obscure Bruce Lee sites by following walking tours developed by fans, like this one: http://orientalsweetlips.wordpress.com/2009/09/07/bruce-lees-hong-kong. Hong Kong's hyper-urban highlights might not be everyone's cup of tea. But it's easy to get away from the crowds. Numerous parks offer hiking trails, many with scenic panoramas. One favorite is the Dragon's Back on eastern Hong Kong Island. The trail starts in a shady, quiet bamboo grove before emerging onto a hillside leading to the Dragon's Back, a winding ridge with sweeping views of the South China Sea. TravelTravel photographs from around the world Victoria Peak is a must, but don't stick just to the kitschy Peak Tram terminal and tourist complex. Instead, take the Hong Kong Trail that circles the mountaintop. Look for signs pointing to the path, which follows Lugard and Harlech roads. The hour-long walk is gentle and flat, providing a bird's-eye view of upscale homes nestled amid the lush green flanks of the mountain and the city's skyscrapers beyond. Watch out for the occasional car trying to squeeze past to get to one of the posh homes along the route. Details at thepeak.com.hk/en/1_3.asp. If you visit Hong Kong at any time except winter, you'll likely encounter sweltering weather. To cool down, head to the beach. Hong Kong Island has several, including Big Wave Bay in Shek O or the beach at tony Repulse Bay, but they do get crowded on weekends. You can escape the masses — though you'll have to pay for transportation — by taking the ferry to Mui Wo on Lantau Island and then bus or taxi to Cheung Sha beach. The stretch of broad white sand is one of Hong Kong's longest beaches. At one end, there's a public changing room, lifeguard station and two restaurants serving Thai and South African food. Watch out for feral cattle and water buffalo roaming rural and sparsely populated Lantau Island. In the past decade, Hong Kong's art scene has mushroomed thanks to soaring numbers of wealthy mainland Chinese and other Asians who have developed a taste for collecting. Big names like London's White Cube and Larry Gagosian of the U.S. have opened local outposts of their art dealing empires while numerous lesser-known galleries have also sprouted up over the past decade. Many are located on or near Hollywood Road in the Mid-Levels neighborhood. TravelTravel gear and gadgets If you get tired of looking at art, you can also watch people spend lots of money buying it. Hong Kong has become one of the biggest auctions hubs worldwide and is one of the biggest markets for the Sotheby's and Christie's auction houses. In spring and autumn, you can watch their twice-yearly sales of art as well as jewelry, watches, wine and furniture held in a cavernous exhibition center in Wan Chai. Dress nicely and the security guards may let you past the velvet rope to take a seat in the bidding room. Watch the British-accented auctioneer call out bids in both English and Chinese as nouveau riche mainland Chinese and others bid up prices of coveted works into the stratosphere. More coverage Asia travel guide Family travel guide

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Digital Tallinn Tallinn's medieval Old Town is known around the world for its well-preserved completeness and authentic Hanseatic architecture. Enchanting atmosphere, rich cultural scene, beautiful surroundings and plenty of galleries, cafes and restaurants to choose from: there is something for everyone in Tallinn. Spend a day in a true medieval milieu and you will soon understand, why so many have described Tallinn Old Town as mystic, addictive and mesmerizing. Unlike other capital cities in Europe, Tallinn has managed to preserve the completeness and structure of it's medieval and Hanseatic origin. Most of the cobblestone streets and properties, important state and church buildings, citizens' and merchant's residences, barns and warehouses dating back as far as to 11th century, are preserved in their original form. Powerful defensive structures have protected Tallinn from being destroyed in wars, and its lack of wooden buildings has kept the fire damages low. But it is also crucial that Tallinn has not been massively rebuilt or "improved" in the interest of dispensing with the old and modernising the town. 1997, Tallinn Old Town became a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and is often referred to as the "medieval pearl of Europe". In 2011, Tallinn takes on its role as European Capital of Culture, giving the city a chance to showcase the best of its creative spirit to the rest of the world. Digital tallinn - city guide offering a brief description of the city, photo tour, works of Estonian artists and an intercative virtual tour (QTVR) of the Old Town. Webcamera shows a realtime video feed.

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2015-48/1021/en_head.json.gz/14492

Cruising through history: Danube River cruise offers time for exploration, examination | Times Free Press Local Cruising through history: Danube River cruise offers time for exploration, examination by Roger Smith in Life Entertainment A castle overlooks vineyards and a small village along the Danube River in the beautiful Wachau Valley in central Austria. Photo by Contributed Photo The Wurstkuche, or Sausage Kitchen, in Regensberg, Germany. The restaurant still serves beer and bratwurst to customers today as they did for workers building a nearby stone bridge across the Danube in the 12th century. The Wurstkuche, or Sausage Kitchen, in Regensberg, Germany.... Our Hamilton County home is our 20th residence in 36 years of marriage, so it's understandable that my wife and I often feel like a couple of Bob Dylan's "rolling stones." Remember the words? How does it feel, to be on your own, with no direction home, a complete unknown, like a rolling stone? As I write this article, I'm listening to a Dylan album somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean on our flight home following a cruise on the Danube River from Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary. Dylan's lyrics and reflecting on the experiences of the last 10 days make me think it's not just my wife and I who are rolling stones; maybe the words describe the plight of humanity. Let me explain. The cruise was almost a surreal experience. As we floated peacefully past Roman ruins of cities built centuries before Christ, medieval castles, indescribably beautiful cathedrals and abbeys, impeccably manicured vineyards and fairytale villages nestled deep in steep mountain valleys, I was also immersed in reading "New South Old Money: The Spirit of Chattanooga." Everything I saw along the Danube seemed succinctly orderly and firmly built upon centuries of Celtic, Roman, medieval and "modern" history. By comparison, it made the less than 200 years of recorded Chattanooga history seem relatively shallow. Yet, even though we are a young civilization, Americans display just as much confidence and pride in our roots as those folks along the Danube whose countries endured titanic political, economic and social upheavals throughout their history. So, in the bigger picture, who is not a rolling stone? Like our own Tennessee River, the Danube is an ancient highway through an ancient land. Composer Johann Strauss wrote a symphony titled "Blue Danube" 150 years ago and, from it, many imagine the Danube as a peacefully flowing, idyllic river through the heart of a majestic landscape. During an evening excursion from our boat, The Amadeus Royale, we sat spellbound as an orchestra in a beautiful Vienna symphony hall performed the masterpiece; however, I can assure you the Danube is neither blue, nor does it flow in graceful harmony like Strauss' notes through a peaceful land. It is a grey-brow, forcefully flowing body of water that can quickly transform into a fearsome torrent that has claimed many lives. Furthermore, despite the peaceful veneer of the land today, the river cruise uniquely tells the story of a constantly embattled land and leads one to ponder the historical lessons from centuries of war. River cruises are gaining popularity for several reasons. First, they are relaxing. We've taken a number of cruises on large ships in Alaska, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. While their large-scale dining and entertainment may be appealing, the constant bustle of several thousand people, the process of entering and exiting the ship, and the Venturi effect of thousands of your shipmates trying to see and do as much as possible during short shore visits can be tiring. River cruises offer a more laid-back alternative. You set your own pace, and the scenery constantly changes so the journey becomes part of the vacation itself, not a temporary conveyance to another place. Additionally, because the pace is slower, it attracts a different crowd. If you are looking for glitzy singles clubs, gambling casinos, non-stop food service or Las Vegas-style shows, I would not recommend a river cruise. Our fellow passengers were experienced travelers who wanted to learn, to relax, to enjoy fine cuisine and music and to make new acquaintances. As we progressed from the Alps in Bavarian Germany and Austria through Vienna - sometimes referred to as the "door to the Orient" - to the eastern European culture of Hungary, the gentle pace of the cruise allowed us to clearly understand the history and cultural changes far better than I anticipated. River cruises also allow you to easily see more places, especially in Europe. The fall of the Iron Curtain that divided the continent, along with the ease of crossing political borders and the use of ATMs and a common euro currency (in most countries), make the logistics of traveling not nearly as complicated as it was a few years ago. Additionally, the relative drop in the cost of international air travel and the ability to make one's own arrangements via the Internet are appealing. There are a variety of river cruises and companies on almost every continent. Gate One, the company we sailed with, has cruises in North and South America, Africa, Asia and Europe. Our director, Mick Josa, explained to me that the Gate One motto is, "Delivering the best of the world for less." They certainly lived up to our expectations. The cabins were clean and comfortable, and the view from our balcony was awesome. The meals were delicious and the food presentation and service were outstanding; the casual, flexible seating at meals allowed us to get to know most of the 150 of our fellow passengers, who were all from North America. Finally, both onboard and on-shore lectures and tours were informative, never boring and always allowed ample free time to explore on our own or to return to our cabin and relax. For instance, in Regensberg, Germany, we got off the beaten path and had bratwurst at a small outdoor café that has served sausages and beer since the 12th century, when workers ate there while constructing the Steinerne Brucke ("Stone Bridge"), which is still in use. As we return to our home in the Tennessee River Valley, we realize we may be rolling stones in some ways, but we are hardly alone as voyagers in the long journey of life. The ancient Celts in Central Europe gave way to the Romans 2,500 years ago, who gave way to the Huns and Magyars 1,500 years ago who, in succession, gave way to various medieval kingdoms to totalitarian regimes like Nazis and Communists and, eventually, to democratic nations. Likewise, our own ancient lands gave way to a plethora of native American civilizations, European pioneers, the states of Franklin and Tennessee, and the United States. We are part of a grand adventure, and life is truly more of a mystery to be lived than a problem to be solved. Vacations are supposed to make you escape from the routine and think such esoteric thoughts. Mostly, it makes me glad this rolling stone came to rest in our little corner of the world and in the greatest country on earth. Art in 'Constant Motion' - Colorful exhibition on display at River Gallery Greater Chattanooga area good-cause calendar

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Location: Within 50 Miles of Easter Meikle Fardle Gradings Blairgowrie Blairgowrie is one of the largest towns in Perthshire, sitting to the north of the city of Perth on the banks of the River Ericht. River Isla Type Rivers and Canals Gradings Glen Isla Website A tributary of the River Tay, the River Islay runs for 46 miles through Angus and Perthshire Den Of Alyth Type Forests & Woodlands Gradings Alyth Website The Den of Alyth is a wooded glen situated on the outskirts of the Perthshire village of Alyth, five miles from Blairgowrie. River Ericht Gradings Blairgowrie Website The River Ericht in Perthshire runs close to the centre of Blairgowrie and takes its name from the Scots Gaelic word for `beauteous`. Meikleour Beech Hedge Gradings Meikleour Website The Meikleour Beech Hedge, four miles south of Blairgowrie is the longest hedge in Britain and the highest of its kind in the world. Ben Gulabin Type Hills & Mountains Gradings Glen Prosen Email enquiry Ben Gulabin is classified as a Corbett (mountain over 2500 ft) and provides an attractive backdrop for the settlement of Spittal of Glenshee. The Birnam Oak Gradings Dunkeld The Birnam Oak is an iconic tree on the outskirts of the Perthshire village and celebrated in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Gradings Dunkeld The lovely village of Dunkeld sits on the banks of the River Tay. Niel Gows Oak Gradings Dunkeld Website Niel Gow’s Oak is a large oak tree and part of the Craignvinean Forest which runs along the south bank of the River Tay. Dating from the 18th century, this National Trust for Scotland-preserved site sits on the banks of the River Braan in Craigvinean Forest.

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Old ELF site eyed for state...» Trip to Eben Ice Caves made more enjoyable John Pepin - Journal Staff Writer (jpepin@miningjournal.net) Save | EBEN JUNCTION - For decades, hundreds of people each winter have visited the Eben Ice Caves that are in the Rock River Canyon Wilderness north of Eben Junction in Alger County. Over the past two winters, owners of adjacent property have added amenities to their land, making the hiking trip to the glistening ice formations that much more enjoyable. To reach the place where water trickles over a concave sandstone cliff face and freezes, creating the captivating attraction, hikers walk about three-quarters of a mile, beginning with a trek across an open field where two 40-acre parcels come together along a two-track road. Article Photos The Eben Ice Caves have been drawing visitors for years during the winter to see the magnificent ice formations, such as the ones shown above. (Journal file photo) That land is owned by Tim and Heidi Swajanen and their family members. For years, the family has granted access across the field to the public. Last year, the family worked with a private contractor and the Alger County Road Commission to create a 30-vehicle parking area off the North Eben Road. "We paid for the gravel," Heidi Swajanen said. This winter, the Swajanen's have provided portable toilets near the parking area and a concession stand. "People don't know it's there, (but) they're starting to find out," Swajanen said. Since Jan. 5, the stand has been open from noon until dark Saturdays and Sundays. The stand has hot dogs, coffee, hot chocolate, soda pop and chips available. Money raised at the concession stand will be used to offset the cost of providing the toilets. "If I can pay for them this year, we'll continue this," Swajanen said. "So far, this is coming out of our pockets." The stand will be open each weekend until at least St. Patrick's Day, and after that if the weather contributes to keeping the ice cave formations in good shape. Swajanen said larger numbers of visitors have been coming to the ice caves over the past few weeks, with February typically the best month to experience the trip because it is usually the coldest. "It (visitation) is starting to increase a lot, even with the crazy weather," Swajanen said this week. "There was over 300 on Saturday." Once hikers cross the Swajanens' field, a pathway leads through a hardwood forest, past a U.S. Forest Service gate and then descends down along the face of a river canyon under towering hemlocks. Along the right side of the trail, trickling rivulets flow over the sandstone and snake through the snow toward the river. A climb back up the side of the canyon from the trail reaches the base of the ice caves. On one side, a rope helps hikers climb to the top of the formations. Water is heard dripping, even in the coldest temperatures, from the roof of the ice curtains, which can be walked behind and are often whitish, greenish, bluish or yellowish in color. Swajanen said the current trail to the ice caves is the shortest, compared to other routes available in the past that have since been closed. A two-track access route from the Rock River Road was blocked more than 20 years ago and another two-track road, which gave hikers a roughly 2-mile walk, also closed about two decades ago. The Rock River Canyon Wilderness, which encompasses 4,460 acres, is located about 15 miles west of Munising within the Hiawatha National Forest. Other natural features in the wilderness include the Rock River Falls, Ginpole Lake and Silver Creek. The wilderness was created in 1987 as part of the Michigan Wilderness Act. Two years later, the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Hiawatha National Forest was amended to add the wilderness area into the National Wilderness Preservation System. To reach the Swajanen parking area, take M-94 to Eben Junction and then head north along the North Eben Road. Rangers estimate about 1,700 people visit the area each year. John Pepin can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. His email address is jpepin@miningjournal.net. © Copyright 2015 The Mining Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Weird NJ Weird US Your Travel Guide toNew Jersey's Local Legends andBest Kept Secrets StoriesLatest Weird NewsUpcoming Events Weird NJ TV The Haunted Burlington County Prison Museum, Mt. Holly Posted on July 30 2012 by Mark and Mark By Kate Philbrick They say Burlington County Prison is haunted. And I agree. It would be out of the ordinary for a place like this to NOT be. Besides, there’s photos, videos and audio tapes to prove it. Currently operated as a museum, this impressive stone structure sits on High Street in Mount Holly and waits as patiently as a spider for visitors. It has been investigated by ghost hunters, and also featured on TV, when such a group explored after hours. Orb photos and EVPs (disembodied voices recorded on tape and only heard when the tape is played back) indicate that something still walks the prison halls. I have worked there as a volunteer and have my own stories to tell. But first, the obligatory historical background. Built in 1811 by the young architect Robert Mills, the Prison was one of his first designs, and was considered state of the art. Mills went on to direct the design and construction of the US Treasury Building, the US Patent Office, and the US Post Office, as well as the Washington Monument in Baltimore, and the National Monument in DC. No small potatoes. The Burlington County Prison was in constant operation from 1811 to 1966. At the time of its closing it was the oldest continually used prison in the United States. Among its “alumni” was a man named Albert DeSalvo, who was passing through Jersey and arrested on lewd and indecent exposure charges. He later ‘graduated’ to notoriety as The Boston Strangler. Reading the old volumes of arrest records is entertaining. There’s a colorful lot of prisoners, crimes, and punishments to peruse. Another character to have made his mark in Burlington’s, and New Jersey’s, history was the excellent detective Ellis H. Parker—who sounds like a Sherlock Holmes. Mike Reilly, chief guide at the museum, can fill you in on the details of Parker’s exciting life. The early laws of NJ required that prisoners convicted of capital crimes had to be executed by the county in which they were convicted. Except for two of the earliest executions in the 1830s (one of which was a woman, the other a young man named Joel Clough), public hangings took place in the prison yard, on gallows erected for each event. The first two mentioned were carried out on public lands at a crossroads a few miles from the prison, and from contemporary accounts, drew quite a crowd. According to records, Joel’s body was later buried in the prison yard in a corner where a large tree now grows. It is believed his ghost is the principle haunt. Besides the executions, other violent deaths took place at the prison. During the 1920s some inmates managed to escape, making their way through the lowest level. They encountered a trustee near the kitchen and murdered him. A few decades later practically the same scenario occurred, with a second guard being killed in the same corridor. The last execution to take place at Burlington County Prison was a double bill in March of 1906. Two men, Rufus Johnson and George Small, were executed just two months after their crime. They had murdered an English-born governess at a refuge for homeless children in Moorestown. Consequently, the crime had been solved within days by the aforementioned Detective Parker. Joel Clough had been arrested and convicted of the stabbing death of a woman in Bordentown—apparently she had jilted him. Though he managed to escape, the 29 year old Clough was quickly recaptured and confined to the Death Cell on the upper floor of the prison. A brochure given out at the museum describes the maximum security cell this way: The “dungeon”, or maximum-security cell, was in the center of the top floor. That location was carefully chosen to prevent escape by digging, to minimize communication with criminals in the cell blocks, and to ensure constant surveillance by guards making rounds. This was the only cell without a fireplace. It is flanked by niches for guards or visitors and has one very high, very small window and an iron ring in the center of the floor to which the prisoner could be chained. As one might expect, tradition states that this cell is haunted. Policy of the time was to chain the condemned to a ring on the floor, naked. Accordingly, Joel’s spirit has been heard moaning and languishing there, and electro-magnetic indicators (used in ghost hunting) routinely register a “hit.” The Death Cell, complete with its metal ring, and all the “accommodations” at the prison, welcome inspection, and in many cases prisoner graffiti has been preserved on the walls. My own experiences with ghostly doings at the prison have been interesting. Besides the occasional creepy sense of being watched—when I am the only (living) person on a particular floor or wing, I’ve captured some orbs and anomalies on film. But of particular note was the interference encountered when I visited on July 26th, the anniversary of Clough’s execution. I set my tape recorder under the large tree, at the far corner of the prison yard, hoping to get some EVP activity, at Joel’s reported burial site. After four minutes sitting in silence and reading, there was a loud click. The machine had turned off by itself. I examined the recorder, which had never done this before, and started it again. Three minutes later, it turned off again. Despite checking batteries, which were fresh, and loading a new tape, I encountered the same problem three more times, at intervals of 2-4 minutes. It started to drizzle, so I gave it up and went inside. Consequently, in all the time since that event, I have never had any further trouble with the machine. The Prison Museum is an ideal place to spend an afternoon, and a dismal rainy day is perfect. There are interesting artifacts on display, and helpful guides to fill you in on prison life. Sometimes a former resident (one of those still living) takes time to stop in and reminisce. It’s an interesting chunk of slightly morbid New Jersey history worth a look, and while soaking up some education, you could just run into a ghost or two. Give Joel my regards! For hours of operation, call the Burlington County Parks Department, (609) 265-5858. We are very proud to announce the release of Weird NJ’s very first true eBook, “Home State Hauntings: True Stories of Ghostly Places in New Jersey” for your iPad, Kindle and Nook tablets. This Internet story is only an excerpt of the information we have published on this subject. For the full story we suggest you refer to past issues of Weird NJ Magazine. To keep up to date on this story and all the other weird goings on in the state subscribe to Weird NJ and we’ll deliver it to your door. If your local book seller, newsstand or convenience store doesn’t carry Weird NJ, just tell them to call us toll free at 1-866-WEIRDNJ and we’ll be happy to stock your favorite store for you. This entry was posted in Garden State Ghosts and tagged burlington county prison, ghosts, hauntings, jail, Mt Holly. Bookmark the permalink. Search for: Ancient Mysteries Bizarre Beasts Cemetery Safari Fabled People and Places Fringe Touring: NY/PA/DE/CT Garden State Ghosts Local Heroes and Villains Mystery History Personalized Properties Roads Less Traveled Roadside Oddities The Weird Index StoriesLatest Weird NewsUpcoming Events Store About Weird NJ All Content © Weird NJ.

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Revision as of 09:48, 21 July 2013 by GiulioC (Talk | contribs) By bus Hop-on-Hop-off Bus By ferry By seaplane By charter boat Do Dive Christmas in Malta Buy Costs 410,290 (2007 est.) Maltese (official), English (official) Roman Catholic 98% 230V/50Hz (UK type plug) .mt Malta is a small, island country in the Mediterranean Sea that lies south of the island of Sicily, Italy. Malta is an archipelago, but only the three largest islands of Malta (Għawdex), Gozo and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited. Although small, Malta has a rich history, with evidence for habitation going back to the Neolithic era (4th millennium BC). The country has some of the world's most ancient standing buildings (the Neolithic temples), and its strategic location and good harbours in the middle of the Mediterannean have attracted Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Crusaders, the French and finally the British, with the colonial period lasting until 1964. The Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as the Knights Hospitallers and Knights of Malta, took over sovereign control of Malta in 1530, and by 1533 the Order had built a hospital at Birgu (one of the Three Cities) to care for the sick. In 1565, Suleiman the Magnificent, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, mounted a great siege of Malta with a fleet of 180 ships and a landing force of 30,000 men. In response the Order, with only 8,000 defenders, drove the Ottoman Turks away after a hard siege of several months. After this siege, the Order founded the city of Valletta on a peninsula, and fortified it with massive stone walls, which even withstood heavy bombing during the Second World War. By 1575 the Order had built a new large hospital known as the Grand Hospital or Sacred Infirmary in order to continue with its primary mission of caring for the sick. In 1798, the French under Napoleon took the island on 12 June, without resistance, when the Grand Master of the Order capitulated after deciding that the island could not be defended against the opposing French naval force. French rule lasted a little over 2 years, until they surrendered to the British Royal Navy, under Admiral Nelson's command, in September 1800. Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars. The island was awarded the George Cross for its heroic resistance during the Second World War. An image of the cross is displayed on the flag. Independence 21 September 1964 (from UK) National holidays Freedom Day, 31 March (1979); Sette Giugno, 7 June (1919); Feast of Our Lady of Victories, 8 September (1565); Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974). Malta remained in the Commonwealth of Nations when it became independent from Great Britain in 1964. It is still a member. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has become a freight trans-shipment point, financial centre and tourist destination. Malta gained European Union membership in May 2004. Malta's climate is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea and is similar to other Mediterranean climates. Winters are wet and windy. Summers are virtually guaranteed to be dry and hot. Mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains, with a coastline that has many coastal cliffs and numerous bays that provide good harbors. Highest point Ta' Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli) Map of Malta with regions colour-coded Malta Island by far the largest of Malta's three islands which sees the most visitors by a huge margin Comino tiny island with a real feel of isolation; most of it is a nature reserve Gozo known for its scenic rolling hills and rich history Valletta — the capital, named for Jean Parisot de la Valette, a French nobleman who was Grand Master of the Order of St. John and leader of the defenders during the Turkish siege of Malta in 1565. Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site for the massive number of historical buildings found in a tiny space. Cottonera (Three Cities) — The name used when referring to the three historic and ancient cities of Birgu (aka Vittoriosa), Isla (aka Senglea) and Bormla (aka Cospicua), three towns conglomerated by 16th century fortifications called the Cottonera lines. This is the area where the Great Siege was fought and won! Marsaxlokk — fishing village south of the island. A big market is held every Sunday. Pronunced 'mar-sah-schlok'. Mdina — Malta's well-preserved quiet old capital (pronounced 'im-dina'). Mgarr — A typical rural village, northwest of Malta (pronounced 'im-jarr'). Rabat — hosts numerous historical attractions such as St. Paul's catacombs and the Domus Romana (previously known as Roman Villa) St. Julian's — perfect area for nightlife & entertainment. Sliema — shopping area just north of Valletta. Victoria — the capital city of Gozo. Hagar Qim and Mnajdra - Two very beautiful stone age temples set on the cliffside of south west Malta. Their majesty is now protected by tents and a 2 storey new building nearby. Mellieħa - A locality in Malta surrounded by the largest and some of the most wonderful sandy beaches on the Islands. Two miles from Mellieħa lies the Popeye Village which was built as a filming set for the 1980 film "Popeye". Golden Bay - One of Malta's most beautiful sandy beaches, on the northwest coast of the island. Għajn Tuffieha - "Long Steps Bay", just behind Golden Bay. Just as beautiful, but less crowded during the high season. Blue Grotto - A series of seven caves and inlets on the southern side of Malta famous for deep blue waters and spectacular natural rock formations. The Blue Grotto may be accessed by small traditional boats, skippered by cheerful Maltese guides, which leave from a well-signposted pier just off the main road along the south coast. Clapham Junction - An area of western central Malta (not far from Buskett

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In The City Of Love, There's No Love Lost For Tourists' Love Locks By Eleanor Beardsley Couples stand on the Pont des Arts, Paris' iconic footbridge over the Seine river, where thousands upon thousands of padlocks bearing love messages are attached to the railing, on Aug. 30, 2013. Patrick Kovarik Two months ago, Lisa Taylor Huff launched an online campaign to get rid of the locks. The American with dual U.S.-French citizenship now calls Paris home. Eleanor Beardsley The love lock trend took off in the late 1990s. Le Monde newspaper estimated in February that there were as many as 700,000 locks on the Pont des Arts (shown here on Feb. 13) alone. Charles Platiau Originally published on April 29, 2014 7:40 pm Bearing messages ranging from the inspiring to the insipid, "love locks" can be found clamped onto bridges in major cities around the world. But no place has it worse than Paris, where the padlocks cover old bridges in a kind of urban barnacle, climbing up every free surface. Take the Pont des Arts, Paris' most famous footbridge across the Seine river. Hundreds of thousands of padlocks cover its old iron railings; the light of day barely passes through them. Lisa Taylor Huff, an American living in Paris, has seen enough. She says Paris is not just for tourists but also for Parisians. And two months ago, she started a campaign to take back the city's structures. "These are historic monuments, these bridges, and they're being completely desecrated by this so-called tradition," says Huff, who notes that the practice is no way a Parisian or even a French tradition. That she and her partner in the anti-love-lock campaign are American has only brought the online campaign more publicity, says Huff — who adds that she has dual nationality but is Parisian through and through. But what about "the city of love," I ask her? Shooting right back, she says, "What about love for Paris?" Tourists have a responsibility to be respectful of places they're visiting, Huff points out. "There's that adage," she says. "Tread lightly, take only photographs, leave only footprints." Huff calls the locks "heavy footprints." She says they threaten architecture and cost Paris taxpayers. City officials, she says, have taken a laissez-faire attitude because they don't want to dampen Paris' romantic reputation. Huff hopes her petition, which has already garnered thousands of signatures, will force the city to consider banning the locks. No one from city hall wants to speak on the record. They say only that the city regularly replaces overburdened railings on the bridges. On a recent day, standing in the middle of the Pont des Arts, with a perfect view of Ile de la Cite, Austrian tourists Isabella Schauffler, 19, and Fabien Hampel, 21, throw the key to their newly clamped lock into the Seine. "I think it's a great idea," says Schauffler. "To show our love together," adds Hampel. Schauffler says she hopes they will stay together for a long time: "As long as the lock remains," she says. The love lock trend took off in the late 1990s. Paris is hardly the only city dealing with the problem, but as the world capital of romance, it takes the brunt of it. Le Monde newspaper estimated in February that there were as many as 700,000 locks on the Pont des Arts alone. And the practice has spread beyond traditional romance. Now you can find friend and family locks on the bridge. The Ericson family is looking for a place for its pink padlock. Tim and Sonia's 5-year-old daughter, Eva, has written her parents' initials on one side and her grandmother's on the other — she's back home in Seattle and not in good health. Tim and Sonia say it's a way for their daughter to think about her grandmother and wish her good health. The Ericsons hope to be back in a few years and find the lock they've left that day. Not surprisingly, there are plenty of people ready to cash in on all the love lock enthusiasm — like Arman, from India, who doesn't want to give his last name because it's illegal to sell padlocks on the bridge. Arman glances left and right as he talks. He says the money's good, especially on weekends, but he has to keep a constant watch for cops. He shows me a segment of bridge grillwork that was recently replaced: It's already filled up with padlocks again. So just how long do these eternal love locks actually last? The lock could last years, he says, or it could last only a week. It all depends on how long the railing holds up.Copyright 2014 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/. View the discussion thread. © 2015 WVXU

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Home > 3 places to mix luxury and adventure in South America 3 places to mix luxury and adventure in South America By Laura Elise on Feb 28, 2013 in Adventure Travel, Oceania, Pacific Islands, Peru, South America, Speciality Travel - Read 7787 times Who says luxury is always lazy? Though adventure travel is most commonly associated with roughing it on the road, it doesn�t have to be that way. Here are 5 places in South America where you can get an adrenaline rush and also indulge in creature comforts… the best of both worlds! Amazon cruise The Amazon rainforest and basin is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. It is home to 1 of every 10 known species on the planet and together covers 2.6 million square miles�roughly 40% of all South America. Running through it is the Amazon River, the second longest river in the world and the largest in terms of water volume. The Amazon is home to rare species such as the jaguar, pink dolphins, and several types of monkeys. Trips into the Amazon can be intense. Dealing with dense vegetation and creepy crawlers is interesting, but not for everyone. Luckily, travelers can still experience the majesty of the Amazon without getting (too) muddy. Luxury Amazon cruises depart from the Peruvian jungle town of Iquitos. And they�re truly a treat: Onboard guests are fed by renowned Peruvian chefs who cook with local ingredients; rooms with an entire wall of windows give guests a jungle view from bed; and day excursions led by naturalists to give travelers a chance to spot wildlife and trek through the most impressive rainforest in the world. Machu Picchu Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic places in all of South America, and a must see for anyone traveling to Peru. Built during the reign of the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu is both an amazing feature of architecture and a dazzling display of cloud forest. The ancient city is built into the cliff sides of remote Andean mountains, and the true purpose for the city remains a mystery, although many believe it was a royal retreat. Machu Picchu and its neighboring Sacred Valley contain so many adventure activity options the problem is choosing what not to do. The same problem applies when deciding where to stay. The Sacred Valley and the main city of Cuzco are flush in luxury accommodation options for such a traditional area of South America. Hiking around Machu Picchu is an adventure in itself, but visitors can also go trekking, horseback riding, and rafting through the neighboring mountains and valleys. Many hotels and resorts around Machu Picchu focus on sustainability and natural elements to preserve the charm and beauty of the region. Spas with traditional Andean treatments are a soothing treat after a day exploring in high altitudes. The most isolated inhabited island in the world sits over 2,000 miles from mainland Chile, yet is still part of South America. The tiny Easter Island is only 15 miles wide and 10 miles long, making it an easy and relaxing place to explore once you get there. The island is famous for its massive moai statues made by its original Polynesian inhabitants. Experts believe the stone figures were built to honor ancient ancestors. The real mystery is how these statues, which weight up to 80 tons, were moved from inland quarries to their now sea side locations by a civilization without wheels or pack animals. In addition to visiting the moai, there are many options for horseback riding and biking across the island, as well as scuba diving to see a sunken moai and marine wildlife. Easter Island is easily explored in four days, and leaves visitors with plenty of time to relax and enjoy the wind-swept scenery. Laura Elise is Marketing Director of�SA Luxury Expeditions. If you would like to be a guest blogger on�A Luxury Travel Blog�in order to raise your profile, please�contact us. amex Our readers also enjoyed these posts…

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Classic Travel Writing In Search of Scotland H. V. Morton We can notify you when this item is back in stock H. V. Morton's enduringly popular and engaging travels through Scotland, first published in 1928. Seeking to close a travel-writing gap of over a hundred years, H. V. Morton goes in search of Scotland, a land to which he is a complete stranger. The result is a characteristically engaging adventure in a landscape at turns "enchanted" and "without mercy." Amongst many entertaining encounters, he describes a "sincere Scottish breakfast" served beneath a portrait of Queen Victoria, sings Jacobite rebel songs late into the night at a hotel in Fort Augustus, and comes across "the most grotesque signpost in the British Isles": "The Village of Glencoe, Scene of The Famous Massacre, Teas and Refreshments, Tobacco and Cigarettes." Anecdotal, leisurely, full of character and event, insight, and opinion, this is travel writing of the very highest order. Methuen Publishing Ltd illustrations, map, index Other books in Classic Travel Writing Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide The Rings of Saturn W. G. Sebald The Broken Road Patrick Leigh Fermor A Time of Gifts Travels with Charley Artemis Cooper A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush Eric Newby Paul Theroux On the Way Home As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning Laurie Lee In Search of Wales In Search of London In Search of Ireland A Traveller in Italy In Search of England A Traveller in Rome About H. V. Morton H. V. Morton (1892–1979) was a popular travel writer who, after a brief period of military service, established a career as a journalist and became a reporter for both the Daily Express and the Daily Herald. He is the author of In Search of England, In Search of Ireland, and In Search of Wales.

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You are here: HomeExperience FlorenceChianti & Tuscany Villa Medicea della Petraia In the first half of XVIth century, the Medici became the owners of this mansion, which then was characterized by a typical medieval design. Following a project by Buontalenti, a good number of modifications were effected, until the works were completed, by the end of the XVIth century. The structure has a square base, it is two stories high and it has maintained the ancient tower. The entrance is immersed in a wide surrounding garden. These gardens, on three levels, mirror the typical XVIth century layout, although a few modifications were included during the XIXth century From the Italian garden you climb up to the middle fishpond, and then you reach the suspended level of the Figurine, so called because of the fountain depicting Florence’s Venus. The entrance portal is located on the southern edge, and the symbol of the Medici-Lorena hangs over it. From the hallway you can reach the central court, decorated with frescoes by Daddi and by Volterrano. The glass coverings in the courtyard, turned into a ballroom, and the Imperial style furnishings in the halls were ordered by Vittorio Emanuele II di Savoia. Among the major elements of interest we will remember the collection of social games (Hall of games) and the small study, hosting a bronze statue by Giambologna. Once the crowning of the fountain on the Level of the Figurine, the statue depicts Florence’s Venus drying her hair from the waters of Arno and Mugnone. The English park on the hill behind the mansion is also worthy of a visit. Castello, Via della Petraia 40 (055 452691). Open - Winter 8.15am-4.30pm - Summer 8.15am-7.30pm. Closed on the second & third Mon of the month. Admission: 2,00 euro. Travellers' Choice Hotel Kursaal & Ausonia

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10 aerial trams with unmatchable views By: Josh Lew on April 27, 2014, 12:19 p.m. Photo: Stefan Fussan/Flickr Genting Skyway, Malaysia Located in the Genting Highlands, a resort area in the interior hills of Peninsular Malaysia about 35 miles from Kuala Lumpur, the Genting Skyway was the fastest gondola lift in the world when it originally opened in the 1990s. It remains the longest and fastest aerial tram in Southeast Asia. The skyway's route stretches for more than 2 miles over Genting's lush highland forests. The eight-person cars take less than 15 minutes to make the journey from the lowland station to the top of the hill, where a resort, operated by the hugely successful Resorts World company, is located. 18 things you didn't know about dog paws

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State Park Near Ely Named America's Favorite Park Updated Sep 9, 2010 at 11:27 AM CST Posted by Melissa Burlaga Bear Head Lake State Park, just south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Ely, Minn., has been voted as “America’s Favorite Park” – in a nationwide campaign sponsored by Coca-Cola. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter. In addition to the honor, the park received a $100,000 gift – offered through America’s State Parks Foundation, which was made possible by Coca-Cola’s Live Positively initiative. The America Is Your Park campaign, which ran July 29-Aug. 31, invited Americans to vote online for their favorite state or national park. The campaign’s goal was to encourage families to be active outdoors this summer and to visit LivePositively.com to help their favorite park win funding to build, enhance or restore recreation areas in the parks. Kevin Morris, vice president, public affairs and communications, Coca-Cola Enterprises Bottling Cos., presented the gift today to Mark Holsten, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Jen Westlund, manager of Bear Head Lake State Park. The presentation took place at the DNR Headquarters in St. Paul. “This is an incredible honor,” said Westlund. “We’re very grateful to everyone, both in Minnesota and nationwide, who voted for Bear Head Lake State Park.” Holsten said, “We thank Coca-Cola, not only for the generous gift, but for sponsoring a campaign that generated so much excitement about our state and national park systems. This effort is very important to enticing more young families to get outdoors and stay active.” By inspiring people to vote for their favorite park, Coca-Cola raised awareness about many special places around the country, including some hidden gems like Bear Head Lake State Park. Most parks around the country are working hard to connect people with the outdoors, especially the next generation of Americans – a challenge in lean economic times. “Minnesotans are passionate about their state parks and trails,” said Holsten. “They demonstrated the same kind of commitment in 2008, when they voted to support the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. This is a state that prides itself on a wealth of natural resources and a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities.” Westlund said the gift will be used to fund construction of a trail center where hikers, paddlers, snowshoers, and families can gather before heading outdoors to explore the park. Bear Head Lake State Park, which has about 100,000 visitors a year, received more than 1.6 million votes in the campaign, finishing ahead of larger and busier parks. “I’m not surprised that this remote park on a beautiful 674-acre lake received such an outpouring of support, given this state’s strong conservation ethic,” Holsten added. More information about Bear Head Lake State Park, including a virtual tour with 360-degree panoramic photos of the park’s pristine forests and shoreline, can be found at mndnr.gov/bearheadlake. Bear Head Lake is one of 73 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas managed by the DNR Division of Parks and Trails, along with 21 state trails and 32 water trails. There is a state park or trail within 30 miles of nearly every citizen in the state.

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Spitfire Solo (tour - Ipswich, New Wolsey Theatre) Anne Morley-Priestman Brighton, Bromley, Bury St Edmunds, Canterbury, Chelmsford, Chichester, Colchester, Eastbourne, Guildford, Ipswich, Newbury, Norwich, Reading, Southampton, Southend, Stevenage, Watford 1939-45 is one of those periods which brand deep into nations’ consciousness. It’s studied as part of schools’ curriculum by today’s younger generation, but is also alive for those who lived through it. This one-man show by Nicholas Collett is the story of a pilot for whom the Battle of Britain was in so many ways his finest hour. At the start of the new millennium, Peter is in a residential home, his wife and many of his former comrades are dead, and he is estranged from his one daughter. For this new UK tour, following performances in Adelaide, the emphasis in Gavin Robertson’s production falls equally on the man and on his times. There’s an effective use of black-and-white documentary film to show the reality of the lead-up to war and its ensuing tragedies – all those young lives lost – while the acting area has simply an armchair, a table prepared with condiments and another, less comfortable chair. Collett switches from gamy-legged pensioner to his much younger self, from the brash Australian detective Peter hires to trace his daughter and the upper-crust squadron leader to the grand-daughter who so suddenly visits him – all with the doff of a cap or jacket, some well-chosen accents and the use of a cane. The visit to a school as a species of living history makes some good points and Peter’s natural reluctance to embrace this never-heard-of-before relation from Down Under rings true. It works as a piece of theatre, because Collett has done his research and writes well – not to mention being a good actor. One would hope that, even in these days of school-trip cut-backs, those studying the period will be encouraged to see Spitfire Solo.

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Get your daily dose of news from Destinations Stockholm’s new ABBA museum opens with big tourism hopes Alistair Scrutton, Reuteres - May 07, 2013 12:18 am The catchy tunes, outlandish costumes and shimmering boots that made ABBA a global phenomenon all feature in a new museum dedicated to the band, but rumors the exhibition may presage a reunion by Sweden’s most famous export were quickly quashed. The permanent exhibition within a hall of fame of Swedish pop music opens in Stockholm this week and organizers hope to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually on a pop nostalgia trip. Visitors will be able to sing along to ABBA hits alongside life size holograms of the group – and then download the images to their web account. “I would be interested, even if I hated ABBA, about how it actually happened and why,” former ABBA member Bjorn Ulvaeus said on Monday at the museum. Ulvaeus, now a 68-year-old grandfather, rejected suggestions the opening could coincide with the band reuniting. A British bookmaker was taking bets in April on an ABBA comeback after singer Agnetha Faltskog hinted at a possible reunion. “As you all know we have never reunited,” Ulvaeus said. “So I take this opportunity to say now we are not going to either.” ABBA, made up of Ulvaeus, Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson, shot to fame when they won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Waterloo”. To revive their heyday, the museum has a 1970s disco dance floor to practice your moves, audition recordings for a “fifth” member of the band and the opportunity to sit inside the famous helicopter that featured on the “Arrival” album cover. “Ring ring” A mockup of the old ABBA studio features a self-playing piano connected to Andersson’s current music studio – each time the musician plays on it, the piano plays as well. The museum walls are plastered with newspaper cuttings, fan mail and videos. Visitors can peer into a behind-the-scenes dressing room, admire ABBA’s gold and platinum discs and see a reconstruction of the Swedish cabin where they composed songs. Based on the band’s first major hit “Ring Ring”, the museum also includes a red telephone. Only the four band members have the number, and they promise occasionally to call it and speak to surprised visitors. After ABBA, Ulvaeus went on to become a businessman and helped to produce the hugely successful “Mamma Mia!” musical that was later turned into a film. He has been the main ABBA member behind the museum. ABBA became one of Sweden’s biggest exports with hit songs like “Dancing Queen” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)”. The group sold around 370 million records in total and are part of a rich Swedish pop tradition which includes Roxette, Ace of Base, Europe and Kent. But the museum took a long time coming. Separate plans for an earlier ABBA museum were shelved in 2008. Stockholm has been struck by a bout of ABBA fever in the buildup to the opening. Visitors to the international airport are greeted by life-size pictures of the group as well as dancing Spitting Image puppets. Baggage belts have “Gimme Gimme Gimme” emblazoned on the sides. “I walked with Frida yesterday around the museum and she had a tear in her eye,” said museum director Ingmarie Halling, ABBA’s former costumer and hair designer from 1977 to 1980. “Here you follow the footpath of ABBA. But you have to walk gently when you tell someone else’s story.” Editing by Mike Collett-White. Copyright (2013) Thomson Reuters. Next Story Euro Disney expected to announce lower losses for first half of 2013 Tags: museum, sweden Daily Travel Startup Watch: Wayugo, Bellhop and More

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National Park Galicica Naum Krstanovski Nakka Galicica is a mountain that separates the two biggest Macedonian lakes, Ohrid and Prespa. From Goga, the highest peak of the mountain, both lakes are simultaneously visible – a unique and extraordinary sight, especially at sunset. Containing as it does more than 130 different species of trees and bushes, Galicica is one of Europe’s richest national parks in terms of flora, and easily accessible too; it’s only a fifteen-minute drive from Ohrid town, and very close to settlements on the Prespa side as well. Copyright: Naum Krstanovski Nakka Caño Cristales (Colombia): the most beautiful river Der Guntramshügel (HDR) Zoran Trost Southern bell tower of the Cologne cathedral Mt.Daruma Paul Linden Between two places Shaanxi Xi'an Baoji Famen Temple 3—— the elephant stone shape at Fountain Square Venezia, Fondamenta San Felice More About Europe The World : Europe Europe is generally agreed to be the birthplace of western culture, including such legendary innovations as the democratic nation-state, football and tomato sauce.The word Europe comes from the Greek goddess Europa, who was kidnapped by Zeus and plunked down on the island of Crete. Europa gradually changed from referring to mainland Greece until it extended finally to include Norway and Russia.Don't be confused that Europe is called a continent without looking like an island, the way the other continents do. It's okay. The Ural mountains have steadily been there to divide Europe from Asia for the last 250 million years. Russia technically inhabits "Eurasia".Europe is presently uniting into one political and economic zone with a common currency called the Euro. The European Union originated in 1993 and is now composed of 27 member states. Its headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium.Do not confuse the EU with the Council of Europe, which has 47 member states and dates to 1949. These two bodies share the same flag, national anthem, and mission of integrating Europe. The headquarters of the Council are located in Strasbourg, France, and it is most famous for its European Court of Human Rights. In spite of these two bodies, there is still no single Constitution or set of laws applying to all the countries of Europe. Debate rages over the role of the EU in regards to national sovereignty. As of January 2009, the Lisbon Treaty is the closest thing to a European Constitution, yet it has not been approved by all the EU states. Text by Steve Smith.

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Advertisers HomeCatholic EncyclopediaFlavias Flavias A titular see of Cilicia Secunda. Nothing is known of its ancient name and history, except that it is said to be identical with Sis. Lequien (II, 899) gives the names of several of its bishops : Alexander, later Bishop of Jerusalem and founder of the famous library of the Holy Sepulchre in the third century; Nicetas, present at the Council of Nicaea (325); John, who lived in 451; Andrew in the sixth century; George (681); and Eustratus, Patriarch of Antioch about 868. If the identification of Flavias with Sis, which is probable, be admitted, it will be found that it is first mentioned in Theodoret's life of St. Simeon Stylites. In 704 the Arabs laid siege to the stronghold of Sis. From 1186 till 1375 the city was the capital of the Kings of Lesser Armenia. In 1266 it was captured and burned by the Egyptians. Definitely conquered by the latter in 1375, it passed later into the power of the Ottomans. In the Middle Ages it was the religious centre of Christian Armenians, at least until the catholicos established himself at Etschmiadzin. Sis is still the residence of an Armenian catholicos who has under his jurisdiction several bishops, numerous villages and convents. It is the chief town of the caza of the same name in the vilayet of Adana and numbers 4000 inhabitants, most of whom are Armenians. The great heats compel the inhabitants to desert it during the summer months. It is surrounded by vineyards and groves of cypress and sycamore trees. Ruins of churches, convents, castles and palaces may be seen on all sides. Rosaries, Crosses, Prayer Cards and more... by CatholicShopping.com st nicholas

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discovering Europe Europe in progress european mediations memory of Europe capital questions european diagonals who are we ? with whom do we work ? atlas of cultural routes log in:passwordforgotten your password ? The Jewish Heritage of Joniskis The influence of Jewish tradition in Zagare and Joniskis can still be felt today and visitors can acquaint themselves with Jewish history. Povilas Batavicius Joniskis and the Joniskis synagogue complex Joniskis, a town of approximately 12,000 people, is located 250 kilometers north of Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, and 20 kilometres south of the Latvian border. It is the administrative centre for a district of approximately 445 square miles. In the 19th century, Jews accounted for over half of the town’s population. Unfortunately, only two synagogues in the centre of the town now remain to remind us of the period before World War II when the Jewish community was a significant presence here. Map of Lithuania Red and White Synagogue The Joniskis synagogue complex was built in the middle of the19th century. In 1970, the complex was declared a cultural heritage site. The two synagogues, pictured in the accompanying material, were built right next to each other. While the architecture of the two synagogues differs, they may both be considered as typical of the architecture of their time. Furthermore, despite their different architectural styles, the two synagogues succeed in complementing each other. In addition, the positioning of the two synagogues adjacent to each other is a very rare occurrence in Europe. The White Synagogue The White Synagogue was built in 1823, in the late classical style, and was later remodelled using features from the romantic era. It is the only remaining synagogue where these two styles have been merged together. There used to be an interesting interior space and a covered wooden cylinder arch but, during the Soviet era, the building was used as a sports hall and until 1987 was used as a gym. Therefore, nothing remains today except for the walls and roof. In 1986-87, the worsening state of the building led to the development of a restoration plan, and work began to restore the synagogue and to alleviate the crisis situation. However, finances for this effort were cut off and so the problem was not resolved. The synagogue complex was not used for any activity after that date. In 1992, the synagogue complex was given to the Lithuanian Jewish community, but the community’s inability to restore the synagogue meant that it was given back to the town council in 1998. The poor condition of the roof, which could have collapsed at any time, led the town council to begin looking for different sources of funding to restore the building. The Red Synagogue The Red Synagogue was built in 1865. It is made from red bricks and was constructed in the neo-gothic style, with smartly ornamented façades. The original Jewish ornaments and inscriptions on the walls and ceilings can still be seen. There is a Star of David on the western façade and inside the Aron Codesh, as well as the ornaments that remain on the walls and ceilings. Only three synagogues remain in Lithuania with an Aron Codesh, and all of them are very different. Until recently, the Red Synagogue had been used for the storage of worn-out furniture, television sets, tires etc. During the Soviet era, additions were made to the building in an inappropriate wooden design. Because of the destruction... The synagogues have not been used since before World War II due to the destruction of the Jewish community in Joniškis and throughout Lithuania. They are now in a state of disrepair, with the White Synagogue, which is in particularly bad condition, being in great need of immediate repairs. These buildings represent a fantastic opportunity to preserve Jewish heritage, but they are in great danger of being completely destroyed, with the situation becoming increasingly precarious with each passing day. Restoration work began in 2001, with the top priority being the reconstruction of the roof of the white synagogue. However, there is only sufficient funding to begin the work and not to see it through to its conclusion. If the disintegration of the holy place is not stopped, the most outstanding signs of the existence of the Jewish community in Joniskis will be entirely destroyed. Žagarė There is Zagare town in Joniskis district in which in the middle of XIX century lived about 72 percents of Jewish people. During the World War II were killed about two thousand Jewish. We still have two places of genocide left. Nowadays we have a lot of Jewish buildings in Zagare. We have also one synagogue and the ruins of six synagogues in Zagare. There are very big and interesting Jewish cemeteries in Zagare too. translation(s) more infos ... www.zydai.lt Jewish community in Lithunia Cultural - historic museum of Joniskis Lithuanian Jewish Heritage JONIŠKIO SINAGOGŲ KOMPLEKSAS... JEWS IN JONIŠKIS REGION Life of the Jews of Joniskis Region Joniškis Museum of History and Culture

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Theme parks tighten rules More patrons barred from thrill rides because of girth 7/25/2013 LOS ANGELES TIMES The Texas Giant roller coaster ride sits idle as people walk outside the Six Flags Over Texas park Saturday in Arlington. Investigators will try to determine if a woman who fell to her death from the roller coaster was properly secured by ride operators. The death of a roller coaster rider in Texas has focused attention on the vexing problem theme park operators face trying to accommodate passengers of various shapes in one-size-fits-all seats.News reports about a woman who fell to her death from a Texas roller coaster suggest her girth may have played a role. The accident follows one in 2011 in which an Army veteran who had lost both legs fighting in Iraq plummeted to his death from a New York roller coaster.Theme park ride designers and operators say the nation’s obesity problem and the improved mobility of people who are missing limbs have forced them to bar more patrons from thrill rides that are designed for passengers of certain proportions.“Theme parks have been around 40-plus years, and sizing, in the past four decades, has changed a lot in America,” said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services Inc., an Ohio industry consultant. “Some of these rides were designed back when people were a little smaller.”At Six Flags Over Texas, Rosa Ayala-Goana, 52 — whose family called her Rosy Esparza — fell to her death Friday, reportedly after telling operators of the 14-story Texas Giant roller coaster that her safety bar didn’t seem to engage, according to witnesses, who described her as a large woman.A spokesman for Six Flags Entertainment Corp. declined to comment, saying the accident remains under investigation.At Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif., the fatal accident was a topic of conversation among park-goers. But few seemed anxious enough to stay off rides.“I was a little worried, but it didn’t stop us,” Duke Spears, 45, of Phoenix said after riding roller coasters for a few hours with his daughter and girlfriend.Still, the beefy coaster e

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Homepage Today's Paper Homepage Post TV Politics Opinions Local Sports National World Business Tech Lifestyle Entertainment Classifieds Jobs Real Estate Events GoingOutGuide Username Sign in Subscribe: Home Delivery | Digital Meridian Hill Park Meridian Hill Park This park offers drum circles, city views and a statue of Joan of Arc. Read our review 16th and Euclid streets NW, (NW Washington) Best spots to lock lips It's a romantic setting, Meridian Hill Park. Following the city's neoclassical architectural theme, the grounds resemble a Renaissance villa landscape. A statue of Italian poet Dante stands near the Eastern edge of the park and winding paths lined in shrubs and vines lead to a waterfall and a reflecting pool that blooms water lilies in the summer months. Symmetrical staircases flank the stepped waterfall, rising to a French-style terrace where a bronze copy of the equestrian statue Joan of Arc by Paul Dubois stands between two bowl-shaped fountains. The terrace also offers a panoramic view of city panner Pierre L'Enfant's Federal City.The park's name comes from its hilltop location and its western boundary of 16th Street, the official baseline that L'Enfant used in orienting Washington on a north-south axis. A gathering point for many of Washington' s political rallies and protests, Meridian Hill Park is also referred to as Malcolm X Park. On Sunday afternoons, people collect in the upper park to play in a drumming circle and serve food to homeless people. The drum circle meets from 3-9 p.m. every Sunday, weather permitting. It has been going a park staple since the late '50s and often attracts professional drummers.Lined with tall oak trees and park benches, the central grassy mall of the park is also a popular spot for soccer games. A marble allegorical figure of Serenity watches over the activity. Joggers, bike riders and dog-walkers populate the field's periphery.At the east end of the lower park, the President James Buchanan Memorial serves as a stage and backdrop for outdoor performances. The National park Service and the community organization Friend's of Meridian Hill Park sponsor concerts, theatrical performances and poetry readings.Originally, a mansion erected by John Porter in 1819 occupied park grounds. John Quincy Adams moved there after leaving the White House in 1829. Later in the 19th Century, the mansion grounds became home to George Washington University's precursor, Columbia College. By 1910, the government purchased the grounds to turn it into a public park, which officially opened in 1936: a 12-acre site bounded by 15th, 16th and Euclid streets and Florida Avenue NW.Although the park officially closes at midnight, park officers patrol the gounds from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.-- Erin Hartigan Avg reader rating Drum circle is the best Posted by yoavnevo21 | Feb 06, 2015 Mark as Inappropriate If you want to know how it feels to be a D.C. native, visit this park on Sundays, especially during the spring-summer seasons. They play drums, guitars, and much more and many, many people go there to say goodbye to the weekend. Want to go?

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“The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia and the World Famous “Lucy” Fossil... An Exhibition of Monumental Dimension - Not to be Missed By Babbie De Derian, Travel Editor Worldwide Skeleton fossils of Lucy Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia”, an amazing “not to be missed” International exhibit that traces the history of Ethiopia and mankind through the ages, has opened in a new state-of-the-art exhibition facility located in the former printing presses building of The New York Times at 226 West 44th Street, in the heart of Times Square. One enters a world that is fascinating, informative and thought provoking. Lalibela, in the northern highlands of Ethiopia, is famous for its rock-hewn churches. A priest is seen reading a manuscript written in the ancient language of Ge’ez. Image courtesy of the Houston Museum of Natural Science Lucy’s Legacy:The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia was organized by The Houston Museum of Natural Science in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Exhibition Coordinating Committee. It is nationally underwritten by The Smith Foundation and Ethiopian Airlines. Artifacts in glass cases First mounted at the Houston Museum of Natural History from 2007-2008, the exhibition attracted 210,000 visitors. Dr Dirk Van Tuerenhout, the museum’s curator of anthropology, has mounted a brilliantly creative display that captures the very essence and spirit of a proud nation intent on showcasing its past, as it moves forward to reach its goals for the future. View of the northern stelae field, Aksum, Ethiopia. This image pre-dates the return of the stela, or obelisk, from Italy. Image courtesy of the Houston Museum of Natural Science The exhibit, dating back 7 million years, is fascinating and highly informative. Upon entering the exhibition space, a short film highlights Ethiopia’s rich cultural history that has earned the country 8 World Heritage designated Sites. You will roam through climate changes that affected plants, animals and human life as we know it today. Highlights include: aspects of human evolution as it occurred in Africa, and the fossils that record who we are, and where we came from. It contradicts many theories, provokes many questions, and evokes many profound answers. This is a journey of wonderment and discovery. Overview of the exhibit Ethiopia, a land of Kings and a country of discoveries, is the oldest independent nation in Africa; its rich cultural Heritage is one of the world’s best-kept secrets; its recorded histories of humanity and abundance of archeological finds date back to the 4th Century B.C. Ancient Greek historians have referred to them as “a sacred people who were most beloved by the Gods”. Over many centuries, traders from the great civilizations of Rome, Greece, Persia and Egypt discovered its ancient wonders and beauty. Skeleton fossils of Lucy Lucy’s Legacy” introduces you to the incredible five million-year history of a country, known as “ the Cradle of Mankind”. It is divided into two sections. PART ONE: Begins with the story of ancient Ethiopia and the Kingdom of Aksum in the northern highlands, established as the first government seat. During the 6th and 7th Century B.C. the city of Aksum, was the center of one of the world’s richest and major old world civilizations of early antiquity. According to tradition, King Menelik, the son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, became the founder of the Solomonic dynasty. The religious biblical story of of Sheba is both romantic and poignant; had she not returned to Ethiopia, but had remained in Jerusalem, history would have been written very differently. It was their son Menelik who brought the sacred Ark from Jerusalem to Ethiopia. It has been safe guarded in a series of chapels in between civil wars; today it is hidden from the public and can only be viewed by the monk who safeguards the chapel where it remains permanently secured. Glass cases hold priceless artifacts In the beginning of the 11th Century, the kingdom’s government seat was moved to the city of Lalibela; then in 1632 it was moved to Gonder. Today, Aksum is the holy city for Christianity. Ethiopia’s finest basketry, including this example, is produced in the primarily Muslim Harar region. Photo by Thomas R. DuBrock During a period of roughly seven centuries, a succession of kings ruled a territory that covered large portions of present-day Ethiopia, as well as neighboring Eritrea and portions of Yemen. This section follows the country’s rise in religious, economic and cultural power through the centuries, and ends with modern Ethiopia, and the end of the reign of Selassie I. Ethiopian artists have developed a unique and vibrant artistic style, as showcased in this diptych from the reign of King Menelik. Photo by Thomas R. DuBrock The exhibit, presented in videos, wall panels and in free standing glass cases, is also a journey into the development of art; it traces the different kinds of art, and the history of art in the church. More than 100 artifacts, including: fossils, religious items, a life size stone memorial figure placed on the grave of the dead, historical manuscripts, pens, brushes and pumice stones used to write books (over the centuries millions of books were hand written), paintings, the first coins minted by an indigenous African civilization, musical instruments, (including the bagana, a large wooden harp like instrument used for church songs), early stone implements of daily use, hand crafted jewelry, and woven baskets. A 6th – Century BC incense burner is inscribed in Sabaean, a language that evolved into the still spoken Gelez language; nine bronze, gold, metal, wood and silver handheld, processional and benediction crosses engraved in detail depict the history and beliefs of the people who owned them; a selection of Korans from the holy city of Harar (the fourth most important site in Islam), sit on wooden stands. A 20th century wood carved icon depicting the last supper catches my eye; I pause in front of a scale model of the famous St. George in Lalibela. This ceramic head is from the Beta Israel (literally, “House of Israel”) culture of Ethiopia, comprised of Jews of Ethiopian descent that have had a presence in Ethiopia since the 14th century. Though primarily agricultural, they are also known for their exquisite crafts and jewelry as well as blacksmithing and pottery-making. Photo by Thomas R. DuBrock THE SECOND PART: The exhibit examines the many species of early hominid that called Ethiopia home. You will discover how the forms of earth have changed; how climate changes are affecting animals, the planet and human life. The wall of apes’ mural will keep your attention as you study the similarities in adeptness as they adapted to their environment. Chapel of the Ark of the Covenant, Aksum, Ethiopia. This chapel, built during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, is the last of a series of chapels dedicated to safeguard the Ark. Image courtesy of the Houston Museum of Natural Science Emphasis on geographic and chronological context tells the story of our ancestors. A wide variety of multi-media presentations and text panels also elaborates on what anthropologists do, and how we get from finding a fossil to telling a story such as the one presented in this exhibit. Two crosses as one You will explore aspects of human evolution as it occurred in Africa, and the fossils that record our development, culminating with the display of the world’s most famous fossil, LUCY, whose fame began on November 24, 1974, when Johnson, an archeology professor from University, discovered a partial skeleton in the Depression. This famous archeological discovery was the skeleton of a hominid estimated to be a 20 year old female that lived 3.5 million years ago. While her scientific name is Al-288-1, Ethiopians named her “ Dinkenesh” which means “you are beautiful”, but she is most well known as “ Lucy” after the Beatles song “ in the Sky with Diamonds", popular at the time of the discovery. Cross The original fossils of Lucy are in a hermetically sealed case; another case of reproductions were used to determine how she looked, in order to show how the past connects to the future; there is a highly mesmerizing video that shows how she was replicated and reconstructed. The Ethiopian civilization of20Aksum produced the first indigenous coinage in Africa. This example is from the reign of King Endubis, the very first African king to mint coins. Photo by Thomas R. DuBrock Curator Dirk Van Tuerenhout, attending the York opening, tells me: “Recent scientific research conducted on Lucy illustrates that she still has stories to tell, Even though she lived more than 3 million years ago, Lucy continues to give us clues about what it means to be a human”. With 40 percent of her skeleton intact, Lucy remains the oldest and most complete adult human ancestor retrieved from African soil. This 15th century cross has lobes filled with crosses surrounding a central Maltese cross. When in use in religious processions, colorful banners would be draped through the loops on the bottom. Photo by Thomas R. DuBrock Visitors not only have the opportunity to come face-to-face with Lucy, but also meet with the earliest known members of our own species, Homo sapiens, who lived almost 200,000 years ago in what is now Ethiopia. Other important paleoanthropological discoveries, also represented complete the current account of human evolution, as known to scientists today. This musical instrument, consisting of a U-shaped metal frame and metal rings on moveable cross bars, has a history extending back to ancient Egypt. It is still used in the Egyptian Coptic Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Photo by Thomas R. DuBrock In addition to the other fascinating fossils and stunning artifacts in the exhibition, newly famed Ida is on display along with Lucy. Officially called masillae, this 47 million-year-old fossil is almost-unbelievably well-preserved, providing a window into our primate past - when the key adaptations of opposable thumb and big toe had just evolved. One can explore the Ida fossil with Dr. Robert Bakker, HMNS visiting curator of paleontology, by watching a fascinating and highly informative video. Ethiopia’s Future: Ethiopia with more than 80 ethnic groups, each with their own language, is a model of tolerance and co-existence between these diverse groups. With strong, Judaic, Christianity and Islam religious ties; the legend of Sheba and Solomon continues to influences Ethiopian traditions. Gondar, located north of Lake Tana in northern Ethiopia, is known for its castles. These structures served as palaces for Ethiopian emperors during the 17th and 18th centuries. Image courtesy of the Houston Museum of Natural Science Ethiopia is very promising. Ethiopia, the only country in Africa that has never been a colony of another state, remains independent in its thinking, but conscious of its need for dependence on the world in order to evolve into a democratic nation. Dr. Donald Johanson, discoverer of Lucy, doing research in the field. Photograph courtesy of Dr. Johanson According to my host for the tour, Reta Alemu Nega, Minister Counselor for the Permanent Mission of Ethiopia,: “We are 77,000,000 people on the right path to development … our goal is to alleviate poverty, improve our health care and raise our levels of education. In the past 10 years, the number of universities has increased from 3 to 31. My government is doing its best to develop our economy . . . and increase investments, exports and tourism”. Ethiopia through the ages The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia Exhibition, with its wealth of fascinating and engaging artifacts, is enriching York’s dynamic and unsurpassed cultural landscape. It is also an impressive “ Ambassador of Good Will”, and an integral part of an African nation’s efforts to build a democratic system and enhance their image throughout the world. Emperor Haile Selassie, last Emperor of Ethiopia “Over the past decade, wondrous exhibitions traveling the States have bypassed York time and again simply because no venue existed to host them,” said James Sanna, President and Producer of Subway Productions. Discovery Times Square Exposition Center creates a new world-class home in New York for great exhibitions with the debut of its first exhibition. Mural wall of apes This NOT TO BE MISSED treasure, on display through Oct. 25, 2009 at Discovery Times Square, 226 West 44th Street, will change your life . . . and how you perceive life. Story is my story . . . and your story. The mysteries of mankind, revealed and unraveled in this compelling journey back in time, will leave you pondering the controversial question “are we are all descendants of Lucy”? A replica of Lucy’s skeleton. When Lucy was discovered in 1974, she was the oldest and most complete human ancestor known. Image courtesy of the Houston Museum of Natural Science The Legacy of Lucy Exhibition will travel to other cities at the conclusion of its New York showing. Tickets for “ The Legacy of Lucy Exhibit” can be purchased at the box office, or from: www.ticketmaster.com For more on Ethiopia: www.seeethiopia.com Ethiopian Airlines, the flagship carrier, has over the past 60 years, become one of the continent’s leading carriers, serving 53 International destinations. Journeys has just launched a brand new exciting “ Lucy’s Legacy Tour”, to celebrate the world’s most celebrated ancestor, with non-stop service from D.C. and connecting flights throughout the USA. Ethiopian Airlines For more info on Airlines and the “ Legacy of Lucy Tour”: http://www.ethiopianairlines.com Film & TV

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Phnom Penh/Cambodia All things to do in Phnom Penh Top things to do in Phnom Penh Historic sites in Phnom Penh Things to do in Phnom Penh Cambodian Living Arts Cambodian Living Arts supports elder Cambodian musicians to train young and mostly at-risk Cambodians in traditional music, dance and other forms. You can visit many of these classes through CLA's 'Living Arts Tours'. from$582$775 Cambodia Discovery Take advantage of the plethora of things to do in Cambodia on this unique adventure packed full of ancient sights and breathtaking beauty. Explore the hustle of Ho Chi Minh City's tourist spots and journey to the bustle of Bangkok in Thailand, with an incredible trip through Cambodia in between. Nature Cambodia Offers quad biking in the countryside around Phnom Penh. The quads are automatic, and so are easy to handle for beginners, and tour prices are US$25 per bike (maximum two passengers) for 90 minutes, US$55 for a half day and US$110 for a full-day taking in Tonlé Bati and Phnom Tamao. Despite its proximity to the capital, this is rural Cambodia and very beautiful. Wildlife Alliance has created an exciting full-day interactive tour to raise funds for Phnom Tamao. Donors get to interact with a variety of rescued animals, including elephants, macaques and gibbons, and get up close with tigers, crocodiles and what is possibly the world's only captive hairy-nosed otter. Ultimate Cambodian Adventure No matter where you travel in Cambodia, the past is always present. History, both ancient and modern, is everywhere here; whether you’re cycling in the shadows of the mighty Angkor Wat, wandering the streets of cosmopolitan Phnom Penh or exploring the Irrawaddy in search of river dolphins, you can’t escape the pull of time that shaped—and continues to shape—this arresting land. Yeay Peau Yeay Peau temple, named after King Prohm’s mother, is 150m north of Ta Prohm in the grounds of a modern pagoda. Legend has it that Peau gave birth to a son, Prohm. When Prohm discovered his father was King Preah Ket Mealea, he set off to live with the king. Khmer Architecture Tours Those interested in the new-wave Khmer architecture from the Sangkum era (1953–70) should look no further. These two- to three-hour introductory tours take in some of the most prominent buildings in the city and take place on foot or by cyclo, starting at 8.30am two or three Sundays per month. The website also includes a DIY map of the most popular walking tour. About 300m northwest of Ta Prohm, a long, narrow peninsula juts into Tonlé Bati. The lakefront here is lined with floating pavilions that you can rent for the day for US$1. Bring a picnic or order food from one of several little restaurants – fixed food and drink prices are printed on the reverse of the entry ticket. You can swim in the lake or hire an innertube for 2000r. Prayuvong Buddha Factories In order to replace the countless Buddhas and ritual objects smashed by the Khmer Rouge, a whole neighbourhood of private workshops making cement Buddhas, naga and small stupas has grown up on the grounds of Wat Prayuvong. The National Library is in a graceful old building constructed in 1924, near Wat Phnom. During its rule, the Khmer Rouge turned the building into a stable and destroyed most of the books. Many were thrown out into the streets, where they were picked up by people, some of whom donated them back to the library after 1979; others used them as food wrappings. Apsara Arts Association Alternate performances of classical dance and folk dance are held most Saturdays at 7pm (call to confirm). Visitors are also welcome from 7.30am to 10.30am and from 2pm to 5pm Monday to Saturday to watch the students in training (suggested donation: US$3). Free the Bears Free the Bears operates a Bear Keeper for a Day program to allow students and adults with a genuine interest in wildlife a better understanding of the Asian black bear and Malayan sun bear. Participants have no contact with the bears, but spend the day behind the scenes of the sanctuary learning the ins and outs of caring for the 130-plus bears being looked after here. Documentation Center of Cambodia Behind many of the displays at Tuol Sleng is the Documentation Center of Cambodia . DC-Cam was established in 1995 through Yale University’s Cambodian Genocide Program to research and document the crimes of the Khmer Rouge. Sovanna Phum Arts Association Regular traditional shadow-puppet performances and occasional classical dance and traditional drum shows are held here at 7.30pm every Friday and Saturday night. Audience members are invited to try their hand at the shadow puppets after the 50-minute performance. Cambodia & Laos Mekong Adventure From Angkor Wat to remote river towns, journey down the Mekong and into the heart and soul of Southeast Asia. Our CEOs will share with you the region’s cultural treasures and natural splendours. Explore the region’s many temples and, if you’re lucky, spot a rare Irrawaddy dolphin. Ta Prohm The laterite temple of Ta Prohm was built by King Jayavarman VII (r 1181–1219) on the site of an ancient 6th-century Khmer shrine. The main sanctuary consists of five chambers, each containing a modern buddha. The facades of the chambers contain intricate and well-preserved bas-reliefs. Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand

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Utah Natural History Museum traveling exhibit highlights ‘amazing migration stories’ Oct 18, 2012 | 694 views | 0 | 4 | | 42 zions exhibit Salmon return from the ocean to the streams where they were hatched. Monarch butterflies roost by the millions in oyamel trees. Caribou surge over the tundra. The Natural History Museum of Utah’s Traveling Treasures program exhibit examines those phenomena and others, focusing on the message that “migrations are magnificent and mysterious, a great rhythm of movement across the landscape.” The exhibit, “Amazing Migration,” is now on display at the Moab Zions Bank branch through October. The exhibit features specimens and objects from the museum’s collections that “offer a glimpse of the swirl of animals and even plants in migratory motion across the globe,” according to a museum news release. In conjunction with the exhibit, Natural History Museum of Utah Invertebrate Collections Manager Christy Bills will present an Oct. 24 lecture about the “amazing world of invertebrates all around us,” according to a news release. Bills will answer questions from the audience. She will also have live tarantulas on hand for participants to view, officials said. The lecture will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. at Zions Bank’s Moab office at 330 S. Main St. Traveling Treasures is sponsored by the Natural History Museum of Utah at the University of Utah and is in its 15th year of the partnership. The exhibit, which changes its theme every two years, is installed in the lobbies of Zions Bank in communities across the state. During the span of the program, Traveling Treasures has been taken to 166 communities, traveled approximately 20,800 miles, and reached more than 400,000 Utah residents through the exhibit and related free family events, museum officials said. “As the state museum of natural history, we want to reach out to communities across the entire state of Utah to extend the opportunity for residents to experience the Museum’s vast collections,” said Museum Executive Director Sarah George. “The Traveling Treasures exhibit has been an important exhibit that has helped relay the story of the Museum’s collections across the state. Amazing Migrations is one of those stories, and it shows how Utah is connected to places all over the globe.” The new exhibit details migrations of people, animals and plants. The displays include a cadre of Monarch butterflies, a deer skull, and even an ancient moccasin, as well as dozens of other objects and specimens, officials said. Amazing Migration will be in the lobby of 11 different Zions Banks during the 2012 calendar year. The exhibit will travel 1,280 miles across the state of Utah, visiting 11 communities. After debuting in Brigham City in February, the exhibit traveled to South Ogden, Tooele, Saratoga Springs, Richfield, Salina, Manti, and Price. Following its stop in Moab, the exhibit will move on to Monticello and Kanab. “Migrations are amazing. Scientists know why animals migrate, but much less about how they make their journeys,” museum officials said in the news release. “But, migrations also create connections. Through migrating animals, Utah is connected to the Arctic, South America, and countless places in between.” The Natural History Museum of Utah, the University of Utah, is one of the leading scientific research and cultural institutions in the Intermountain West. Established in 1963, the museum oversees more than 1.2 million objects and offers exhibitions and educational programs to thousands of residents and visitors each year, including traveling and permanent exhibits, special events and other programs. The museum also offers a variety of outreach programs to communities and schools throughout the state, reaching every Utah school district each year, officials said. The museum has an active research program that includes more than 30 scientists and features 10 field expeditions each year, officials said. Drones banned in southeast Utah national parks My View A city slicker falls in love with Moab... Jackie Stevens Danish Flats wastewater disposal facility agrees to pay $50,000 fine

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1 Regions 2 Cities 3 Other destinations 4 Understand 4.1 Geography 4.4 Government and politics 4.6 Holidays 4.7 Units of measure 4.8 Visitor information 4.9 Time zones 5 Get in 5.1 Planning and pre-arrival documentation 5.1.1 Visa-free entry 5.1.2 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) requirements 5.1.3 Obtaining a visa 5.1.4 Travel to U.S. possessions 5.2 Arriving in the United States 5.2.2 Customs 5.2.3 Onward connections 5.2.4 Leaving the United States 5.3 By plane 5.3.1 Airport security 5.3.2 Pre-clearance 5.6 By boat 5.8 By foot 6 Get around 6.1.1 Security 6.1.2 By private plane 6.4.1 Great American Road Trip 6.4.2 Driving laws 6.6 By recreational vehicle (RV) 6.7 By motorcycle 6.8 By thumb 7 Talk 8 See 8.1 Natural scenery 8.2 Historical attractions 8.3 Monuments and architecture 8.4 Museums and galleries 8.5 Itineraries 9 Do 10 Buy 10.1 Money 10.2 Currency exchange and banking 10.3 Credit and debit cards 10.4 Gift cards 10.5 Sales tax 10.6 Places for shopping 10.7 Major U.S. retail chains 10.8 Costs 10.9 Tipping 10.10 Buying electronics for export 11 Eat 11.1 Smoking 11.2 Types of restaurants 11.3 Types of Service 11.4 Types of food 11.5 Etiquette 12 Drink 12.1 Laws 12.2 Drinks 12.3 Nightlife 12.4 Nonalcoholic beverages 13 Sleep 14 Learn 15 Work 15.1 Taxes and Payments 15.2 Work Rights on Student Visas 15.3 Work Visas 15.4 Permanent Residency 16 Stay safe 16.1 Crime 16.2 Police 16.3 Emergency services 16.4 Border Patrol 16.5 Natural disasters 16.6 Gay and lesbian 16.7 Drugs 16.8 Prostitution 16.9 Guns 17 Stay healthy 17.1 Disease 18 Cope 18.1 Dress 18.2 Religious services 18.3 News and media 19 Respect 20 Connect 20.1 By phone 20.1.1 Domestic calls 20.1.2 International calls 20.1.3 Phones and directories 20.1.4 Mobile phones 20.2 By mail 20.3 By Internet 20.3.1 Wireless 20.3.2 Public PC terminals From Wikivoyage North America > United States of America (Redirected from USA) 320,061,700 (2014 est.) 120V / 60Hz UTC −4 to UTC −10 The United States of America is a large country in North America, often referred to as the "USA," the "U.S.," the "United States," "America," or simply "the States." It has a land area of about 9.6 million km2 (about half the size of Russia and about the same size as China). It also has the world's third-largest population, with more than 310 million people. It includes densely populated cities with sprawling suburbs and vast uninhabited areas of natural beauty. Representing the world's single largest economy with its history of mass immigration dating from the 17th century, it is a "melting pot" of cultures from around the world. Regarded as the most powerful and influential country in the world, it plays a dominant role in the world's cultural landscape, and is famous for its wide array of popular tourist destinations, ranging from the skyscrapers of Manhattan and Chicago, to the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Alaska, to the warm, sunny beaches of Florida, Hawaii and Southern California. Regions[edit] The United States comprises 50 states, as well as the city of Washington, D.C., a federal district and the nation's capital. The country also has a few territories, including the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Below is a rough grouping of these states into regions, from the Atlantic to the Pacific: Map of the United States New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) Home to gabled churches, rustic antiques, and steeped in American history, New England offers beaches, spectacular seafood, rugged mountains, frequent winter snows, and some of the nation's oldest cities, in a territory small enough to tour (hastily) in a week. Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C.) Ranging from New York in the north to Washington, D.C., the Mid-Atlantic is home to some of the nation's most densely populated cities, as well as historic sites, rolling mountains, the New Jersey Pine Barrens, the Lehigh Valley, and seaside resorts like the Long Island beaches and the Jersey Shore. South (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia) The South is celebrated for its hospitality, down-home cooking, and its blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll, bluegrass and country music traditions. This lush, largely subtropical region includes cool, verdant mountains, agricultural plantations, and vast cypress swamps. Northern Florida is similar to the rest of the South, but this is not so in the resorts of Orlando, retirement communities, tropical Caribbean-influenced Miami, the Everglades, and 1,200 miles of sandy beaches. Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin) The Midwest is home to farmland, forests, picturesque towns, industrial cities, and the Great Lakes, the largest system of freshwater lakes in the world, forming the North Coast of the U.S. Known for their simplicity and hospitality, Midwesterners are a welcoming people. The second biggest state is like a separate country (as, indeed, it once was), with strong cultural influences from its Spanish and Mexican past. The terrain ranges from southeastern swamplands to the cattle-ranching South Plains to the sandy beaches of South Texas to the mountains and deserts of West Texas. Great Plains (North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma) Travel westward through these supposedly flat states, from the edge of the eastern forests through the prairies and onto the High Plains, an enormous expanse of steppes (shortgrass prairies) nearly as desolate as in the frontier days, but filled still with pockets of quirky and diverse history. Rocky Mountains (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming) The spectacular snow-covered Rockies offer hiking, rafting, and excellent skiing as well as deserts, and some large cities. Southwest (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah) Heavily influenced by Spanish and Mexican culture, as well as Native American remnants, this area is home to some of the nation's most spectacular natural attractions and some flourishing artistic communities. Although mostly empty, the region's deserts have some big cities. Like the Southwest, California has a history under Spanish and Mexican rule and is heavily influenced by those civilizations, with a great import of Asian culture, especially cuisine. California offers world-class cities, deserts, rainforests, snowy mountains, and beautiful beaches. Northern California (anchored by the San Francisco Bay Area) and Southern California (anchored by Los Angeles and also including Orange County, San Diego, et al.) are culturally distinct. Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon) The pleasantly mild Pacific Northwest offers outdoor pursuits and cosmopolitan cities. The terrain ranges from spectacular rainforests to scenic mountains and volcanoes to beautiful coastlines to sage-covered steppes and deserts. One fifth as large as the rest of the United States, Alaska reaches well into the Arctic, and features mountainous wilderness, including North America's tallest mountain, Denali, and Native Alaskan culture unseen elsewhere in the United States. A volcanic archipelago in the tropical Pacific, 2,300 miles south west of California (the nearest state), laid-back Hawaii is a vacation paradise. Politically, the U.S. is a federation of states, each with its own rights and powers (hence the name), with laws varying slightly from state to state. The U.S. also administers a motley collection of non-state territories around the world, by far the largest of which is Puerto Rico. Other territories include the U.S. Virgin Islands, also in the Caribbean, and Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Wake Island and islands without permanent inhabitants such as the Midway Islands in Oceania. As these are, from a traveler's point of view, quite different from the 50 states, they are covered in separate articles. While there are legal categories for their relations to the US mainland, they are mostly sui generis for each one and don't affect travelers all that much. Where it is relevant those issues are handled in the individual articles on each territory. Cities[edit] White House south façade, Washington, D.C. The United States has over 10,000 cities, towns, and villages. The following is a list of nine of the most notable. Other cities can be found in their corresponding regions. Washington, D.C. — the national capital, filled with major museums and monuments, along with multicultural communities Boston — best known for its colonial history, its passion for sports, and its university students Chicago — heart of the Midwest and transportation hub of the nation, with massive skyscrapers and other architectural gems Los Angeles — home of the film industry, musical artists, and surfers, with beautiful mild weather, great natural beauty from mountains to beaches, and endless stretches of freeways. Miami — attracts sun-seeking northerners and home to a rich, vibrant, Latin-influenced, Caribbean culture New Orleans — "The Big Easy" is the birthplace of Jazz, and is known for its quaint French Quarter and annual Mardi Gras celebration New York City — the country's biggest city, home of the financial services and media industries, with world-class cuisine, arts, architecture, and shopping; a big city in fashion and home to the largest stock exchange in the world San Francisco — the City by the Bay, featuring the Golden Gate Bridge, vibrant urban neighborhoods, and dramatic fog Seattle — rich museums, monuments, and recreational opportunities, and five distinct climates within 200 miles (320 km), check out the Space Needle as well Other destinations[edit] The Grand Canyon in Arizona These are some of the largest and most famous destinations outside of major cities. Denali National Park — a remote national park featuring North America's highest peak Grand Canyon — the world's longest and most visited canyon Mesa Verde National Park — well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings Mount Rushmore — the iconic memorial of four former presidents carved into a cliff face Niagara Falls — the massive waterfalls straddling the border with Canada Great Smoky Mountains National Park — national park in the southern Appalachians Walt Disney World — the most popular vacation resort destination in the world Yellowstone National Park — the first national park in the U.S., and home of the Old Faithful geyser Yosemite National Park — home of El Capitan and the famous Giant Sequoia trees The United States is not the America of television and movies. It is large, complex, and diverse, with distinct regional identities. Due to the distances involved, traveling between regions can be time-consuming and expensive. The contiguous United States or "Lower 48" (the 48 states other than Alaska and Hawaii) are bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and Gulf of Mexico to the south, with much of the population living on these three coasts or along the Great Lakes, which are sometimes dubbed another "coast". Its only land borders — both quite long — are shared with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south. The U.S. also shares maritime borders with Russia, Cuba and the Bahamas. The country has three major mountain ranges. The Appalachians extend from Canada to the state of Alabama, a few hundred miles west of the Atlantic Ocean. They are the oldest of the three mountain ranges and offer spectacular sightseeing and excellent camping spots. The Rockies are, on average, the highest in North America, extending from Alaska to New Mexico, with many areas designated as national parks that offer hiking, camping, skiing, and sightseeing opportunities. The combined Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges are the youngest. The Sierras extend across the "backbone" of California, with sites such as Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park, then give way to the even younger volcanic Cascade range, with some of the highest points in the country. The Gulf of Mexico is to the southeast of Texas, to the south of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida's Panhandle, and constitutes the West Coast of Florida. The Great Lakes define much of the border between the eastern United States and Canada. More fresh water inland seas than lakes, they were formed by the pressure of glaciers retreating north at the end of the last Ice Age. The five lakes span hundreds of miles, bordering the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, and their shores vary from pristine wilderness areas to industrial "rust belt" cities. They are the second-largest bodies of freshwater in the world, after the polar ice caps. Grand Tetons, Rocky Mountains, Wyoming The overall climate is temperate, with notable exceptions. Alaska has Arctic tundra, while Hawaii, South Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are tropical. The Great Plains are dry, flat and grassy, turning into arid desert in the far West and Mediterranean along the California coast. In the winter, the northern and mid-western major cities can see as much as 2 feet (61 cm) of snowfall in one day, with cold temperatures. Summers are humid, but mild. Temperatures over 100 °F (38 °C) sometimes invade the Midwest and Great Plains. Some areas in the northern plains can experience cold temperatures of −30 °F (−34 °C) during the winter. Temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) sometimes reach as far south as Oklahoma. The climate of the South also varies. In the summer, it is hot and humid, but from October through April the weather can range from 60 °F (15 °C) to short cold spells of 20 °F (−7 °C) or so. The Great Plains and Midwestern states also experience tornadoes from the late spring to early fall, earlier in the south and later in the north. States along the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico may experience hurricanes between June and November. These intense and dangerous storms frequently miss the U.S. mainland, but evacuations are often ordered and should be heeded. The Rockies are cold and snowy. Some parts of the Rockies see over 500 inches (1,200 cm) of snow in a season. Even during the summer, temperatures are cool in the mountains, and snow can fall nearly year-round. It is dangerous to go up in the mountains unprepared in the winter and the roads through them can get very icy. The deserts of the Southwest are hot and dry during the summer, with temperatures often exceeding 100 °F (38 °C). Thunderstorms can be expected in the southwest frequently from July through September. Winters are mild, and snow is unusual. Average annual precipitation is low, usually less than 10 inches (25 cm). Cool and damp weather is common much of the year in the coastal northwest (Oregon and Washington west of the Cascade Range, and the northern part of California west of the Coast Ranges/Cascades). Summers (July through September) are usually quite dry with low humidity, though, making it the ideal climate for outdoor activities. Rain is most frequent in winter, snow is rare, especially along the coast, and extreme temperatures are uncommon. Rain falls almost exclusively from late fall through early spring along the coast. East of the Cascades, the northwest is considerably drier. Much of the inland northwest is either semi-arid or desert, especially in Oregon. Northeastern and Upper Southern cities are known for summers with temperatures reaching into the 90s (32 °C) or more, with extremely high humidity, usually over 80%. This can be a drastic change from the Southwest. High humidity means that the temperature can feel hotter than actual readings. The Northeast also experiences snow, and at least once every few years there will be a dumping of the white stuff in enormous quantities. United States historical travel topics: Indigenous nations → Pre-Civil War → Civil War → Old West → Industrialization → Post-War Native Americans, or American Indians, arrived 13,500 to 16,000 years ago from migrating northeast Asian peoples. Old stereotypes of their primitiveness misrepresent the wide variety of sophisticated societies that existed before the first arrival of Europeans in the late 15th century. For example, the Mississippian cultures built huge mounds and large towns that covered the Southeast, and the Anasazi built elaborate cliff-side towns in the Southwest. These societies were decimated by Old-World diseases such as smallpox and pushed west by warfare and encroaching European settlers; their diminished numbers led to further marginalization, although today their cultures continue to endure and contribute to the American experience. European colonization began in the 16th and 17th centuries. England, Spain, and France gained large holdings; the Netherlands, Sweden, and Russia also established outposts. The first English colonies, founded in Jamestown, Virginia (1607) and Plymouth, Massachusetts (1620), formed the kernel of what is now known as the United States of America. In the North, Massachusetts was first settled by religious immigrants—Puritans—who later spread and founded most of the other New England colonies, creating a highly religious and idealistic region. Other religious groups also founded colonies, including the Quakers in Pennsylvania and Roman Catholics in Maryland. The Middle Colonies of New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania became the North's cosmopolitan center. Longer growing seasons in the Southern colonies, which remained dominated by Virginia, gave them richer agricultural prospects, especially for cotton and tobacco. As in Latin America and the Caribbean, indentured servants and later African slaves were imported and forced to cultivate large plantations. Slavery was initially practiced in both North and South, but its greater importance to the South's economy would eventually cause tremendous upheaval. Independence Hall in Philadelphia was where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were drafted By the early 18th century, Great Britain had colonized the Atlantic coast from Georgia north into what is now Canada. Britain's dominance in North America was established in 1763 after the global Seven Years' War. In part to finance the North American campaigns of the war, known as the French and Indian War, Britain imposed unpopular taxes and regulations on its colonists. This precipitated revolution in 1775 and on 4 July 1776, colonists from 13 colonies declared full independence. The Revolutionary War lasted until 1783, when the new United States of America formally took control of all British land between the Atlantic and the Mississippi River. Wrangling over the formation of a national government lasted until 1787 when a constitution was agreed upon. Its Enlightenment-era ideas about individual liberty have since inspired the founding decrees of many states. George Washington, the General in chief of the revolutionary army, was elected the first president. By the turn of the 19th century, the newly-built Washington, D.C. was established as the national capital. New states were created as white settlers moved west beyond the Appalachian Mountains. The Native American populations were duly displaced and further harrowed by war and disease. The 1803 Louisiana Purchase of French lands to the west of the Mississippi effectively doubled the country's area, and provided "Indian Territory" in what is now Oklahoma for the many Native American tribes from the east that were forcibly relocated during the Trail of Tears of the 1830s. Disagreements with British commerce policies arising from the Napoleonic Wars and Royal Navy impressment led to the War of 1812. There were over two years of dramatic action on land and sea that included an attempted invasion of Canada and the burning of the White House, Capitol, and other public buildings in Washington, DC. The final stalemate saw virtually no changes of territory, but the war galvanized separate American and Canadian identities. The national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner", was conceived during the war. Western Native American tribes that had sided with the British suffered greatly as their territory was given to white settlers. This war was the last that saw Native Americans as a major independent military force. After the war, industry and infrastructure were expanded greatly, particularly in the Northeast. Roads and canals came first and helped people spread inland. In 1825, the Erie Canal connected the Atlantic to the Great Lakes. By the 1860s, railroads and telegraph lines connected the east and west coasts via the industrial hub of Chicago in the Midwest. In the early 19th century, a series of religious revivals, the Second Great Awakening, led to various reform movements that strove for goals such as temperance, the abolition of slavery, and women's suffrage. The 1836 Battle of the Alamo (San Antonio, Texas) was a crucial moment of the Texas Revolution. U.S. expansion south and west chipped away at Spanish and Mexican territory. Spain sold Florida in 1813 after American military intervention, and an 1836 rebellion by American settlers in Mexican Texas founded an independent republic which was absorbed into the Union ten years later. This sparked the Mexican–American War in which Mexico lost what is now California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, and the continental United States essentially assumed its modern outline. Native Americans were relegated to reservations and continued to be purged by treaty, military force, and disease from settlers on the Oregon Trail and other westward routes. (See also "Old West".) Federal governance was light and the individual states were highly autonomous. By the 1850s, there was irreconcilable disparity between the industrialized and more urban Northern states, which had all outlawed slavery within three decades of the revolution, and the plantation-dependent rural South. The North wanted to impose a national ban on the expansion of slavery, while the Southern states sought to expand slavery into new territories. Abolitionists operated an Underground Railroad leading fugitive slaves in the northern states to freedom in Canada. In 1861, eleven Southern states, fearful of marginalization and the avowedly anti-slavery President Abraham Lincoln, broke from the Union and formed an independent Confederate States of America. The ensuing American Civil War remains the bloodiest conflict on American soil and killed hundreds of thousands. In 1865, Union forces prevailed, firmly cementing the federal government's authority over the states. Slavery was abolished nationwide and the Confederate states were re-admitted into the Union during a period of Reconstruction. The former slaves and their descendants were to remain an economic and social underclass, particularly in the South. Russia sold its tenuously held Alaskan territory in 1867, and the previously independent Hawaii was annexed in 1898. The United States' decisive victory over Spain in the 1898 Spanish–American War gained it colonial territories: Cuba (granted independence a few years later), the Philippines (granted independence shortly after World War II), Puerto Rico, and Guam (which remain American dependencies). The boundaries of the United States eventually took the form we know today in 1959, when the territories of Alaska and later, Hawaii were granted statehood, and became the final states to join the union. In the late 19th and into the 20th century, Southern and Eastern Europeans, Russian Jews, and Irish refugees bolstered the continuing industrialization of the eastern cities by providing cheap labor. Many Southern African-Americans fled rural poverty for industrial jobs in the North. Other immigrants, including many Scandinavians and Germans, moved to newly opened territories in the West and Midwest, where land was given to anyone who would develop it. The United States' entrance into World War I in 1917 marked the start of an era it would ultimately dominate politically. However, soon after the victory the U.S. eschewed international involvement and refused to join the nascent League of Nations, effectively crippling the organization. Real wealth grew rapidly and the Roaring 20s saw stock speculation that created an immense "bubble" which burst in 1929, leading to the global economic havoc of the Great Depression. The resulting privation fostered a culture of sacrifice and hard work that would serve the country well in the coming conflict. It also ushered in Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his "New Deal", a series of government programs that constructed thousands of buildings and bridges across the country while creating the basis of the American welfare state. The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor In 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, a Hawaiian naval base, plunging the United States into World War II alongside British, Soviet, Chinese, Canadian and Australian allies; see World War II in Europe and the Pacific War. The U.S. developed atomic bombs and dropped them twice on Japan in 1945, abruptly ending the war. By the end of the war, the United States had firmly established itself as the world's dominant economic power, responsible for nearly half of global industrial production. The subsequent nuclear-armed Cold War saw the United States and the Soviet Union jostle for power while courting their own mutually assured destruction. Although the threat of war between the two superpowers never materialized, both sides were indirectly involved in covert operations and military endeavors through various proxy states that continue to (often negatively) affect the view people have of the United States and its role in global politics. For the century after the Civil War, blacks, though ostensibly equal citizens under the post-Civil War amendments to the U.S. Constitution, suffered through strong social and economic, political, and social discrimination and state-sanctioned segregation, especially in the South. A movement fighting for full civil rights for black Americans gained strength following World War II, when returning black veterans who fought against racism abroad came home to find they were still being denied service at lunch counters, hotels, and many other establishments and facing discrimination in employment and housing. The civil rights movement vehemently, but largely peacefully, vied for equal rights. With Martin Luther King, Jr., a charismatic preacher, as its most visible leader, the movement came to a head in 1963 when 200,000–300,000 people flooded the capital to listen to him. A revived women's movement in the 1960s also led to wide-ranging changes in American society. Postwar America was characterized by affluence and industrialization. People left agriculture and moved to the cities to become part of an increasingly technology-based economy. American car culture emerged in the 1950s and was supported by the construction of a comprehensive Interstate Highway System. The American consumer culture, as well as Hollywood movies and many forms of popular music, arguably established the United States as the cultural center of the world. The U.S. has also grown into one of the world's major centers of higher education, being home to some of the world's most prestigious universities, and attracting more international students than any other country in the world. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States has emerged as the world's sole superpower, and while its hegemony is increasingly being challenged by a resurgent China and Russia, it continues to play the dominant military, economic, political, and cultural role in world affairs. Hopes that after the fall of America's chief rival, expensive and sometimes disastrous wars (such as the Vietnam War) were a thing of the past sadly haven't proven true, as recent administrations have all had to deal in one form or other with what they call the threat of "rogue states," terrorism, and a rapidly changing global political landscape. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, are still very much an open wound and influence the political debate to this day, with heightened security measures at airports being just one way in which terrorism (or the fear of it) has affected travelers. Economically, the "Great Recession", triggered in 2007 by the collapse of the housing market bubble, technically came to an end in 2009, but the average American continues to feel the negative effects several years on. Government and politics[edit] The United States is a federal republic. Its major constituents are the 50 states and the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.); it also has various island territories in the Caribbean and Pacific that are strongly – but often not fully – integrated into the union. Many of these territories are within the U.S. customs and immigration area and so for practical purposes can be considered part of the U.S. (See Travel to U.S. possessions). The federal government derives its power from the Constitution, which is the oldest written constitution in continuous use. Within the overarching federal laws, each state maintains its own constitution, government and laws, and so retains considerable autonomy within the federation. State laws can vary in their details but are, for the most part, fairly uniform from state to state. The President is elected every four years and is the head of the federal government as well as head of state. His administration forms the executive branch. The bicameral Congress (comprising the lower House of Representatives and the upper Senate) constitutes the legislative branch. The Supreme Court tops the judicial branch. State governments are organized similarly, with governors, legislatures, and judiciaries. Two major political parties have dominated at both state and federal levels since the end of the Civil War: the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. While smaller political parties exist, the winner-take-all electoral system means that they rarely succeed at any level. Since at least the 1960s the Republican party is generally the more right-wing or "conservative" of the two parties whereas the Democratic party is usually the more left-wing or "liberal" of the two parties. The South's famous Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana The United States is made up of many diverse ethnic groups and the culture varies greatly across the vast area of the country and even within cities – a city like New York will have dozens, if not hundreds, of different ethnicities represented within a neighborhood. Despite this difference, there exists a strong sense of national identity and certain predominant cultural traits. Generally, Americans tend to believe strongly in personal responsibility and that an individual determines his or her own success or failure, but there are many exceptions and that a nation as diverse as the United States has literally thousands of distinct cultural traditions. One will find Mississippi in the South to be very different culturally from Massachusetts in the North. Religion is very important in the United States. Only 20% of people in the United States identify with no religion, which is very low in comparison to other Western nations. Roughly one-quarter of Americans are Roman Catholic, and one-half of them are Protestant, with Protestantism being further broken down into mainline, Evangelical and Pentecostal sects. There are much smaller numbers of Jews, Mormons, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and a host of other religions. Because of many Americans' strong religious belief, many businesses and institutions are closed on Sundays, and a number of areas in the South and Midwest forbid certain actions from taking place on Sunday, while some Jewish businesses close on Friday nights and Saturdays for the sabbath. Overall, while the United States is less religious than many other nations, it is more religious than Canada and Northern Europe; however, this trend varies greatly by region, with the Pacific Northwest and New England being largely secular and the American South being extraordinarily Christian, particularly Evangelical. Differences in religiosity largely correlate with politics, too, so the Northeast and West Coast are generally progressive and Democratic; most of the South and heavily Mormon states like Utah, Idaho and Wyoming are very conservative and Republican; and much of the rest of the country (e.g., several Midwestern, Southwestern/Rocky Mountain, and Southern coastal states) is nearly evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. Holidays[edit] Always gotta be different The U.S. celebrates Labor Day in September (rather than on May 1 as in most countries, in commemoration of the Haymarket Affair of 1886). November 11, which is Remembrance Day in Europe and Canada, has been expanded to celebrate all veterans of the U.S. armed forces; Memorial Day serves the purpose of recognizing war dead. There are no nationwide, mandatory public holidays. Federal holidays are the most centrally coordinated holidays, but they are only officially recognized by the federal government; federal offices, banks, and post offices close on these days. Nearly all states and localities also observe these holidays, as well as a handful of their own. If a federal holiday falls on a weekend, the observance will normally be shifted to the nearest weekday. The time between Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) and January 1 has such a high concentration of major holidays that it is often simply called "the holiday season." School and work vacations are commonly taken during this period, with people visiting family and friends. Airports, bus stations, and train stations will be very crowded near the major holidays. If you must travel, allow extra time to check in and clear security. This is also a major gift giving season; most shopping malls and department stores will be crowded, especially on the day after Thanksgiving, the week before Christmas, and the day after Christmas. In the list below, federal holidays are listed in bold italics. New Year's Day (1 January) — most non-retail businesses closed; parades; brunches and football parties. Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January) — many government offices and banks closed; people volunteer in their communities; speeches, especially on African-American history and culture. Chinese New Year (January/February — varies based on the Chinese lunar calendar) — Chinese cultural celebration. Super Bowl Sunday (usu. first Sunday in February) — The Super Bowl is the annual championship game of the NFL American football league and the most-watched sporting event of the year; supermarkets, bars, and electronics stores busy; big football-watching parties. Lincoln's Birthday (second Monday in February) - Holiday in several states; many stores have sales. (St.) Valentine's Day (14 February) — private celebration of romance and love. Most restaurants are crowded; finer restaurants may require reservations made well in advance. Presidents Day (third Monday in February; officially Washington's Birthday) — many government offices and banks closed; many stores have sales. St. Patrick's Day (17 March) — Irish-themed parades and parties. Expect bars to be crowded. They will often feature themed drink specials. The wearing of green clothes or accessories is common. Easter (a Sunday in March or April) — Christian religious observances. Depending on location, many fast-food restaurants may be closed, but sit-down restaurants are more likely to be open. Major retailers generally open; smaller shops may or may not close. Passover (varies based on the Jewish calendar, eight days around Easter) — Jewish religious observances. Cinco de Mayo (5 May) — A minor holiday in most of Mexico often incorrectly assumed to be Mexican Independence Day, but nevertheless a major cultural celebration for Mexican-Americans. As with St. Patrick's Day, expect bars to be crowded, even in places without large Mexican-American communities. Mother's Day (second Sunday in May) — Children and adults give gifts to their mothers. Most restaurants are crowded; finer restaurants may require reservations made well in advance. Memorial Day (last Monday in May) — most non-retail businesses closed; some patriotic observances; trips to beaches and parks; traditional beginning of summer tourism season. Father's Day (third Sunday in June) — Children and adults give gifts to their fathers. Many restaurants and sporting events are crowded, although not to the same extent as Mother's Day. Independence Day / Fourth of July (4 July) — most non-retail businesses closed; patriotic parades and concerts, cookouts and trips to beaches and parks, fireworks at dusk. Labor Day (first Monday in September) — most non-retail businesses closed; cookouts and trips to beaches and parks; many stores have sales; traditional ending of summer tourism season. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (varies based on the Jewish calendar, September or early October) — Jewish religious observances. Columbus Day (second Monday in October) — many government offices and banks closed; some stores have sales. Italian-themed parades in some cities. Columbus Day can be controversial, especially among Native Americans and Latinos, and is not as widely observed as it was in the past. Halloween (31 October) — Children dress up in costume and go trick-or-treating (knocking on other houses' doors to get candy and other treats). There are spooky attractions, such as haunted corn mazes, hayrides and costume parties. Some small family-owned shops and restaurants may close early in the evening. Veterans Day (11 November) — government offices and banks closed; some patriotic observances. Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) — Family dinners; many people fly or drive to visit extended family. Airports in particular will be extremely crowded on the Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Almost all businesses closed, including grocery stores and many restaurants. Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) — Major Christmas shopping traditionally begins, most stores have sales and many open in the very early morning. Most non-retail employees are given Friday off or take it as a holiday. Hanukkah / Chanukah (varies based on the Jewish calendar, eight days usually in December) — Jewish religious observances, often culturally associated with Christmas. Christmas (25 December) — Families and close friends exchange gifts; Christian religious observances. Almost all businesses, grocery stores, and many restaurants closed the evening before and all day. Kwanzaa (26 December – 1 January) — African-American cultural observances. New Year's Eve (31 December) — many restaurants and bars open late; lots of parties, especially in big cities. All U.S. embassies are closed on the federal holidays in addition to the holidays of the host country. Units of measure[edit] See also: Metric and Imperial equivalents The United States is the only industrialized country that eschews the metric system. Instead it uses "customary units" (feet, miles, gallons, pounds, etc.), which are largely derived from the English units of the 18th century, and are sometimes different from the imperial units that occasionally linger in Britain. Road distances are given in miles and speed limits in miles per hour. One of the more confusing things is that an "ounce" can be either a measure of weight or (as a 'fluid ounce') a measure of volume. The US fluid ounce is also slightly larger than its Imperial counterpart, while US gallons, quarts and pints are smaller than their counterparts. Gasoline and other liquids are usually sold per gallon, quart, or fluid ounce (a U.S. gallon is 3.78 liters, so a U.S. quart [a quarter gallon] is slightly less than a liter). Beverages such as soda are sometimes sold by the liter and other times sold by the fluid ounce, with just under 34 ounces to a liter. Temperatures are reported in Fahrenheit only; 32 degrees (with units unspecified) is freezing, not warm! Most cars' speedometers show both miles and kilometers per hour (good for trips to Canada and Mexico), and almost all packaged foods and other products are labeled in both systems. Outside of scientific work, medicine and the military, there is little day-to-day exposure to the metric system, so Americans will assume you understand the U.S. customary measures. There is no government regulation of clothes or shoe sizes. There are ill-enforced informal standards, and the only thing you can count on is that sizes tend to be consistent within the same brand. Therefore, trial and error is required for each brand to determine what fits, because you cannot count on any two brands' sizes being equivalent. For shoes, trial and error will be required for each model, even within the same brand—even if different models are the same nominal size and width, they may differ slightly in actual length and/or width, and also may be built around a different foot shape. Visitor information[edit] The federal government of the U.S. sets foreign policy (including border control), while the states deal with tourism. As such, the federal government provides the best information about legal requirements for entry, while information about places to visit and see will be provided by the state and local tourism bureaus. Contact information is available in the individual state entries. Highway rest stops at state borders, as well as major airports in a state, usually serve as Visitor's Centers and often offer travel and tourism information and material, almost all of which is also available online. Nearly every rest stop has a posted road map with a clearly indicated "You Are Here" marker. Some also offer free paper roadmaps to take with you. If you call or write the state Commerce department, they can also mail you information. Time zones[edit] Time zones of the U.S. as of 2007, nowadays some Indiana counties have moved to Eastern time Taking into consideration even the small territories in the Pacific Ocean (some of which cannot be easily accessed) the U.S. spans eleven time zones. Just four time zones are used in the contiguous 48 states. Be aware that time zone borders do not always correspond to state borders! Eastern Time (UTC-5): Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Michigan except extreme northwestern counties, Indiana except the southwest and northwest corners, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, eastern Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida except western part of panhandle. Central Time (UTC-6): Wisconsin, Illinois, the southwest and northwest corners of Indiana, western Kentucky, western and middle Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, north and east North Dakota, eastern South Dakota, middle and eastern Nebraska, most of Kansas, Oklahoma, most of Texas, part of western Florida(panhandle). Mountain Time (UTC-7): southwest North Dakota, western South Dakota, western Nebraska, a sliver of Kansas, Montana, a sliver of Oregon, southern Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, a corner of Texas Pacific Time (UTC-8): Washington, northern Idaho, most of Oregon, California, Nevada In addition to these, there are also three other time zones with major travel destinations: Alaska Time (UTC-9): Alaska, except the Aleutian Islands Hawaii-Aleutian Time (UTC-10): Hawaii the Aleutian Islands Atlantic Time (UTC-4): Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands Most parts of the U.S. observe daylight saving time, but Hawaii and most of Arizona do not. The United States has exceptionally onerous and complicated visa requirements. Read up carefully before your visit, especially if you need to apply for a visa, and consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Travelers have been refused entry for many reasons, often trivial. Planning and pre-arrival documentation[edit] Visa-free entry[edit] Citizens of the 38 countries within the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), as well as Canadians, Mexicans living on the border (holding a Border Crossing Card), and Bermudians (with British national (overseas) passports) do not require visas for entry into the United States. Canadians and Bermudians are normally allowed to visit for up to six months. Permanent residents of Canada are not eligible for visa-free entry, unless they are also citizens of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program, or one of the separate provisions for a few other countries. The Visa Waiver Program permits visa-free stays of up to 90 days; it applies to citizens of Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau may enter, reside, study, and work in the U.S. indefinitely with only a valid passport. Citizens of U.S. overseas territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa are considered to be U.S. nationals, and therefore do not require a passport to travel to or live in the United States (unless they are travelling from non-U.S. territories). Citizens of the Bahamas may apply for visa-free entry only at the U.S. Customs pre-clearance facilities in the Bahamas, but a valid police certificate that was issued within the last six months is required for those over the age of 14. Attempting to enter through any other port of entry requires a valid visa. Cayman Islands citizens, if they intend to travel directly to the U.S. from there, may obtain a single-entry visa waiver for about $25 prior to departure. A valid police certificate that was issued within the last three months is required for those over the age of 13. Attempting to enter from any other country will require you to have a valid visa. A criminal record will likely revoke any right to visa-free travel to the U.S. Although there are exceptions e.g. traffic violations, civil infractions (such as littering, noise violations, disorderly conduct), purely political offenses (e.g. non-violent protest in countries where it is not allowed), and offenses committed before the age of 16. Anyone with a criminal record, including Canadians and Bermudians, should seek advice from a U.S. embassy on whether they need to obtain a visa. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) requirements[edit] The program is open only to travelers who are in the United States for tourism or business purposes. You cannot be coming to the U.S. for formal education, to get a job, or to conduct journalism; if you are, you must get an appropriate visa in advance no matter how short your trip to the U.S. may be. The 90-day limit is not extendable. A short trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean will not allow a fresh 90 days upon return to the U.S. An extended absence to the neighboring countries may reset the limit, particularly if your first trip to the U.S. was short. Take care if transiting through the U.S. on a trip around North America that exceeds 90 days. Having a criminal record, having been previously refused entry, or having previously been denied a US visa will make one ineligible to enter on the VWP. Those who fall in these categories should apply for a US visa instead. Entry under the visa waiver program by air or sea requires the completion of an online form and a payment of $14, preferably 72 hours before arrival. The form is called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA approval covers multiple trips and is valid for two years (unless your passport expires earlier). This requirement is waived if entering by land. All passports must be machine-readable. Passports issued after 26 October 2005 need digital photographs embedded on them, and passports issued after 26 October 2006 must be biometric. While not generally a problem, some countries, e.g. France, have issued passports that do not meet these specifications. Travelers with such obsolete passports will either need to replace them, or apply for a visa. Entry under the VWP by air or sea requires travel with a signatory carrier. Any commercial scheduled services to the U.S. will be fine, but if you are on a chartered flight or vessel you should check the status of the carrier, as you may require a visa. Flying your own personal aircraft, or sailing your own personal yacht to the U.S. will require you to obtain a tourist visa in advance. Travelers entering by air or sea should also have a return or onward ticket out of the United States. This requirement is not necessary for residents of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean. If traveling by land, there is a $7 fee when crossing the border. Entry under the VWP does not allow you to change your immigration status, and if you are denied entry, the decision can't be appealed and you will immediately be placed on the first flight out. Obtaining a visa[edit] U.S. Visa/Residence Status Overview B1: Business visitor B2: Tourist ("visitor for pleasure") C1: Transit F1: Student F2: Dependents of Students (spouse and unmarried children under 21 only; de-facto relationships not recognised) H: Employment J1: Exchange program WB: Visa Waiver Program, Business; not extendable past 90 days WT: Visa Waiver Program, Tourist; not extendable past 90 days For the rest of the world, the visa application fee is a non-refundable $160 (as of April 2012) for visas that are not issued on the basis of a petition and $190 for those that are; this fee is waived under very limited circumstances, namely for people requesting certain exchange visitor visas. Depending on your nationality and the category of visa you are requesting, you may need to pay an additional fee (ranging from $7–200) only if the visa is issued. This is called a reciprocity fee and is charged by the U.S. to match the fees charged by other countries on U.S. citizens. The Immigration and Nationality Act states that all persons requesting entry into the United States as non-immigrants are presumed to be immigrants until they overcome that presumption by showing evidence of "binding ties" to their home country as well as sufficient proof that the visit will be temporary. When the U.S. rejects a visa application, it is usually because the applicant does not have enough binding ties to his own country to convince the consular officer that the person will not try to overstay. Applicants need to demonstrate that they are indeed genuinely entitled to the visa they are applying for. Face-to-face interviews (where the official needs to be convinced that you are not a "potential immigrant") at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate are required for almost all nationalities, and waits for interview slots and visa processing can add up to several months. Keep in mind that the embassy is closed on both U.S. holidays and holidays of your home country so you need to know both holidays when setting dates to apply for a visa. In addition, travelers should start planning their trips way in advance, as the application process is known to take up to six months. Do not assume anything. Check on documentation requirements with the United States State Department or with the United States consulate nearest you. If coming to the country with a car, be sure to have documents showing car insurance, rental agreements, driver's license, etc., before trying to enter the U.S. If your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program, note that having been denied a visa for whatever reason, including a lack of relevant documentation will result in you being ineligible for the program and having to obtain a visa for every subsequent visit to the US. For technical and scientific fields of work or study, depending on your nationality, processing non-immigrant visa application can take up to 70 days, as it can require 8 weeks for receiving an approval from authorities in Washington. This especially applies to military and dual-purpose fields which are mentioned in a so-called technical alert list. A visa is not a guarantee of entry; it only allows you to proceed to a port of entry and request admission. Your visa is generally not tied to your permitted length of stay; for example, a 10-year visa does not allow a stay of 10 years. On the other hand, you can enter the country on the last day of validity of your visa and still be allowed to stay, for example, up to 180 days as a tourist. Applying for an incorrect or inappropriate visa can cause serious problems, including possibly making you ineligible to ever receive any U.S. visa (especially in cases of fraud). Consider consulting a U.S. immigration attorney, especially if you want to stay longer or do something other than business or tourism. This includes performing in concerts or competitions as well as journalism. Statue of Liberty, New York City Travel to U.S. possessions[edit] America's overseas possessions have slightly different rules. See each destination's article for details. In brief, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands all have the same entry requirements as the 50 states. However, Guam and the Northern Marianas apply the visa waiver program to a few additional countries. American Samoa lies outside the federal immigration jurisdiction and has separate entry requirements. Arriving in the United States[edit] Immigration[edit] Since May 2013, non-US or Canadian citizens arriving by air no longer need to fill out a paper I-94 form. Instead, all travelers records will be stored electronically by the Customs and Borders Protection (CBP), and can be accessed here, where visitors can print their records for immigration benefits. More information is available on this website. Two separate lanes are available: one for US, Canadian citizens and returning US permanent residents, and another for all other travelers. Visitors arriving by land are still required to fill in the I-94 paper form, and still need to surrender the portion attached to their passport once leaving the country. If you are not a citizen or resident of the United States, you will be questioned briefly at immigration. You must be ready to show the officers that your purpose is not to immigrate (unless you have an appropriate visa for that). Be ready as well to prove your stated motives for entering. For business, this can be an invitation letter from a company you are visiting, or the registration details of a conference you are attending. For tourists, you may need to demonstrate you have funds available to you. Proof of onward travel may be required. If you don't fully comply with all that's required, e.g. no onward transport, you may be sent for further questioning. At this stage your possessions may be searched and your documents, letters or diaries may be read. If you are found to appear as a likely immigrant (e.g. if you're carrying employment documents, photographs typically kept at home, excessive luggage, or pets) or if you are unable to convince the officers that you intend to abide by the terms of your stated entrance permission, you will be refused entry and deported. If your country participates in the Visa-Waiver Program, note that being refused entry will result in you being ineligible for the program and having to obtain a visa for every subsequent visit to the US. Once they decide to let you in, you are fingerprinted and a digital photograph is taken. Entry will be denied if either of these procedures is refused. At selected airports, Canadian and VWP nationals may be able to use automated passport control (APC) kiosks to record their passport and biometric details. Household members traveling together can do this at once. VWP nationals need to have ESTA clearance, and previously entered the US at least once since 2008. If successful, the traveler gets a receipt and goes to the designated CBP desk to continue the inspection process. This does not require prior registration or enrollment fees. US and other selected nationals may be eligible to participate in the Global Entry Program. Global Entry also allows selected passengers to use a designated kiosk for the inspection process. Unlike APC, Global Entry requires prior application, background check, interview, and a $160 fee, but allows the passenger to bypass intense questioning after going to a kiosk. As in most countries, customs officials are humorless about any kind of security threat; even the most flippant joke implying that you pose a threat can result in lengthy interrogation, at best. Customs[edit] The officer who questions you on immigration matters can also question you on what you are bringing to the US. Each household (i.e. family members living and travelling together) needs to complete one customs declaration form. US, Canadian or VWP nationals can do this electronically by using the kiosks located right before the CBP passport control desks. All other nationals need to fill this out manually. Regardless of whether you have anything to declare, customs officers may still search or X-ray your bags. Most of the time, they won't. Anything more than a bag search is rare, so you won't likely encounter any ominous latex gloves. Do not attempt to import items originating from countries against which the US has imposed economic sanctions (currently Cuba, Iran, Syria and Sudan), they will be confiscated by customs if discovered - unlabeled cigars in particular are assumed to be from Cuba, and will also be taken away. It is also against the law to bring meat or raw fruit or vegetables (with a few exceptions for Canadian produce grown in season via land borders only) but you may bring cooked non-meats, such as bread and most commercially prepackaged foods (biscuits, cheese, tea, coffee, etc...) . All food and plant items being brought into the country need to be declared, even if unrestricted! Much like in Australia and New Zealand, all incoming food and plant products must be physically examined by the United States Department of Agriculture - if necessary, you'll be directed to their inspection area after clearing customs. For straightforward, unrestricted items such as prepackaged non-meats, the inspection process rarely takes more than a minute. Failure to declare agricultural products can result in a fine or even prosecution if the USDA believes you're willfully attempting to import illegal food or plants. That said, first time offenders are usually let off with a warning for unintentional omissions if the items are ultimately permissible. Besides your personal effects, which will go home with you, you are allowed to import individual gifts with a value of $100 or less per item. If you're 21 years of age or older, you may also import limited quantities of tobacco and alcohol products duty-free: Up to 200 cigarettes (one carton) or fifty non-Cuban cigars or up to 2kg of loose tobacco products such as snuff (or a proportional combination thereof.) Up to one liter of alcohol. Unlike some countries, the one liter restriction applies irrespective of strength: a fifth of Scotch at 40% ABV or a standard size (750ml) bottle of wine at 14% ABV are both within the allowance, but a six pack of 12 oz beer at 5% ABV is the equivalent of over 2 liters and over the duty-free allowance. If you are over the alcohol exemption by a small amount (e.g. a six pack of beer or a second bottle of wine) most customs officers will let this slide for wine and beer if you've made a full and accurate declaration. Anything more than this, or any spirits over the limit will likely result in duty and tax being assessed, the amount of which depends in part on the state you're entering to and the country the goods are from (duty from Canada, for example is minimal owing in part to NAFTA). Customs officers do not show this leniency with tobacco products, expect to pay if you are even one cigarette over! A reasonable quantity of perfume or cologne can also be imported provided the brand is not under a "Trademark Restriction in the United States". There is no restriction on the amount of money you can bring in or out of the US. However, if you are bringing in or out $10,000 or more (or its equivalent in foreign currency) per household (combined total among all family members travelling together), you must declare it on your customs form and you will be given a special form to fill out; not declaring exposes you to a fine and possible seizure of that cash. Cheques, bonds and other financial instruments must also be declared. ATM/Debit cards linked to non-US bank accounts carrying the said amount do not need to be declared (although your bank may impose some withdrawal restrictions and fees to access this money in the US). The U.S. possessions of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands are outside the federal customs jurisdiction and each have their own separate requirements. Travel between these regions and the rest of the U.S. requires a customs check. There are some differences (mostly larger) in duty exemptions for U.S. citizens returning from these destinations. Onward connections[edit] You must pass through immigration and customs at your first point of entry, even if you have any onward domestic flights. Since you have had access to your checked bags while going through customs, you will need to re-clear security before taking a connecting flight. Nearly all major hubs have special arrangements for travelers with connecting flights, such as a conveyor belt just beyond customs where you can place your baggage that has been already been tagged for transfer your final destination. Some hubs, like JFK, employ a more inconvenient system, whereby you must show your ID and boarding pass at a "Connecting Flights" check-in counter. At airports with separate domestic and international terminals (such as Boston), you will have to head to another terminal and drop your bags there before heading to security. These bag drop procedures apply only if your baggage has been checked through to your final destination (as opposed to your first U.S. port of entry). If this is not the case, you will have to proceed to the terminal of your next flight and check in as usual. Leaving the United States[edit]

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Delta Toronto East > The Royal Ontario Museum is among the world's leading museums of natural history, and of world cultures. Indeed, in combining a universal museum of cultures with that of natural history, the ROM offers an unusual breadth of experience to visitors and scholars from around the world. We realize more acutely now that nature and humanity are intertwined, and the ROM offers many examples in its collections and programs of these fundamental relationships.It is the ROM's mission to engage the public in exploration of cultural change and to serve as an advocate for science in the study of nature. Our collections and research serve as the basis for programs ranging from formal student education courses to public debates, lectures, symposia, films, tours, publications, travel and family activities. The museum aims to host and produce programs of intellectual depth and social relevance on both sides of its mandate, including unique ROM exhibitions and works of a collaborative nature. Through the ROM's Institute for Contemporary Culture, the museum also explores current issues through works of art and programs in many media. Royal Ontario Museum 100 Queens Park Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C6 www.rom.on.ca TOP DESTINATIONS

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Poenari Castle Adi Mera Poenari Castle also known as Poenari Citadel (Cetatea Poenari in Romanian), is a ruined castle in Romania, in Argeş County (Căpăţânenii Pământeni village of the Arefu commune) on a canyon formed on the Argeş River valley, close to the Făgăraş Mountains. It stands on a cliff, on the right side of the Transfăgărăşan road which climbs high into the mountains. Poenari Castle is said to be one of the most haunted places in the world. It was erected around the beginning of the 13th century by the rulers of Wallachia. Around the 14th century, Poenari was the main citadel of the Basarab rulers. In the next few decades, the name and the residents changed a few times but eventually the castle was abandoned and left in ruins.However, in the 15th century, realizing the potential for a castle perched high on a steep precipice of rock, Vlad III the Impaler repaired and consolidated the structure, making it one of his main fortresses.Although the castle was used for many years after Vlad's death in 1476, it eventually was abandoned again in the first half of the 16th century and was in ruins by the 17th century. Due to its size and location, control of the castle was difficult to take, even by natural forces. However, in 1888, a landslide brought down a portion of the castle which crashed into the river far below. Nonetheless, the castle was slightly repaired and the walls and its towers still stand today. To reach the castle, visitors need to climb 1,500 steps.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poenari_Castle Copyright: Adi Mera Prague from a Balloon LEE HD Sancheoneo-Ice-Festival-4 Устье Тоймы Jean S Carriere Eduardo Hutter Le défi de l'ours polaire - The Polar Bear Plunge Затон Кама Willy Kaemena KLCC-2009 2nd Class Sleeping Car More About Arges The World : Europe : Romania : Arges This county has a total area of 6,862 km². The relief can be split into 3 distinctive parts. In the north side there are the mountains, from the Southern Carpathians group - the Făgăraş Mountains with Moldoveanu Peak (2,544 m), Negoiu Peak (2,535 m) and Vanatoarea lui Buteanu peak (2,508 m) towering the region, and in the North-East part the Leaotă Mountains. Between them there is a pass towards Braşov, the Rucăr-Bran Passage. The heights decrease, and in the center there are the sub-carpathian hills, with heights around 800 m, crossed with very deep valleys. In the south there is the northern part of the Romanian Plain.The main river that crosses the county is the Argeş River in which almost all the other rivers coming from the mountains flow. In the south the main rivers are the Vedea River and the Teleorman River.

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Gracias por inscribirse. *Confirmar el correo electrónico: Ciudad: Provincia/Estado: The Excelsior Hotel Location and Nearby NYC Attractions The Excelsior Hotel is located on 81st Street overlooking Central Park on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, one of New York’s most prestigious and popular residential neighborhoods. Established in a beautifully restored landmark building, the Excelsior Upper West Side Hotel is conveniently located adjacent to the American Museum of Natural History and the New Rose Space Center, and a short distance to many popular museums, attractions and events UPPER WEST SIDE ATTRACTIONS NEAR THE HOTEL: Rose Center for Earth and Space A distinct part of the American Museum of Natural History, the Rose Center for Earth and Space an extensive reworking of the Hayden Planetarium; including an entirely new structure that encloses the Hayden Sphere and several incredible new shows about Earth and Space.American Museum of Natural History Adjacent to the Excelsior Hotel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest museums in the world. It is home to 48 permanent exhibition halls, research laboratories and a renowned library.Central ParkThe first landscaped public park in the United States, Central Park was developed in 1853, spanning 843 acres of land in the center of Manhattan. The park spans between the Upper East and West sides of Manhattan between 5th and 8th Avenues and 59th and 106th Streets. The Central Park Zoo, ice skating rinks, model boat pond, horseback riding, and other activities can be enjoyed in Central Park.Lincoln Center Lincoln Center is a 16.3 acre complex in Manhattan that is home to many prestigious arts organization such as the New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, New York City Opera, Metropolitan Opera, and the Julliard School. Lincoln Center is located between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues from West 60th to West 66th Streets.Beacon TheatreThe Beacon is a historic 3-tiered New York City Theatre on Upper Broadway on Manhattan. Today, it is one of New York’s leading live music and entertainment venues.UPPER EAST SIDE ATTRACTIONS:Cathedral Church of St John the Divine The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is the world’s largest neo-gothic cathedral and considered the “mother church” of the Episcopol Diocese.Riverside Park Riverside Park is Manhattan’s most spectacular waterfront park; stretching 4 miles from 72nd to 158th Streets along the Hudson River.Metropolitan Museum of Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA) is located at 82nd Street, along “Museum Mile” on the Upper East side of New York. It is home to more than 2 million works of art from every part of the world, spanning the Stone Age to the 20th Century.Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Opened in 1951, the Guggenheim is one of the best known museums in New York City, and one of the 20th Century’s most important architectural landmarks. The Guggenheim is home to a collection of Impressionist, Post Impressionist, early Modern and Contemporary Art.The Whitney Museum The Whitney focuses on 20th and 21st century American art with more than 18,000 works in a wide variety of media with emphasis on exhibiting work of living artists.The Jewish Museum The Jewish Museum is the leading art museum of cultural artifacts in the United States with over 26,000 objects.

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River Raisin Battlefield HauntedHouses.com (Back to Michigan Haunted Index) HAUNTED PLACE: River Raisin Battlefield River Raisin Battlefield Visitor Center Museum 1403 East Elm Avenue Monroe, Michigan. LOCATION: River Raisin Battlefield is located in what is now called the city of Monroe on land near the lovely River Raisin, behind the River Raisin Battlefield Visitor Center Museum. The Monroe area is nationally known as the site of the Battles and Massacre of the River Raisin, among the largest engagements of the War of 1812. DESCRIPTION/HISTORY: The War of 1812 was often called the second War of American Independence, which lasted 3 years. The British tried to retake the colonies, and even burned down the White House at one point, much to their shame and embarrassment today! Americans fought for their right to remain a free country with the right of not having the British shanghai Americans off merchant ships for their own military. The American goal of freeing Canada didn't happen, and the fears of the fur trading companies came true. As a result of the war, the flow of settlers to the Michigan area continued, the education of the Indians continued and the fur trading industry as they knew it irrevocably changed. River Raisin (or Frenchtown) was a settlement established by early pioneers on the north bank of the River Raisin. After the war, Monroe was eventually built on the ruins of this settlement. One of the biggest battles, which caused the biggest loss of American lives, happened near River Raisin settlement (Frenchtown), on ground near and around the River Raisin on January 22nd, 1813. The British Forces were lead by Col. Henry Procter, with around 500 British soldiers. Fighting with the British troops were Indians who preferred having the British in charge rather than Americans. Wyandot Chief Roundhead with 500 first nation warriors joined the British on this surprise attack at dawn on the 850 American troops, lead by Brigadier General James Winchester. During the initial attack, 300 American troops were killed, more were wounded and Brigadier General James Winchester was captured. He quickly surrendered his entire army. Col. Henry Procter, fearing a strong counter attack from American reinforcements, retreated north to Brownstone with his own wounded and his American prisoners, leaving the American wounded left behind in the homes of the settlers, guarded /protected by British guards, as agreed to as a condition for the town militia, who had beaten back the British and Indians earlier, to surrender as well. However, the British guards left in the morning, which allowed the Indians to come into town. UH OH ... BAD IDEA. The Indians had other ideas of what to do with all these wounded, and the people living here. Not being trained with British military discipline, they proceeded to do what they traditionally did with prisoners, and captured places. "They plundered homes and the wounded for valuables, and then killed and scalped Americans who could not walk. Bodies were tossed into burning houses that the Indians had set aflame. Those able to walk were claimed by the Indians and taken to Detroit where they were ransomed. Over 60 unarmed American wounded were killed. This was later known as the 'Massacre of the River Raisin'." The people who could, fled to Detroit, abandoning the settlement, River Raison. For 8 months, the Indians used this abandoned place as a base of operations and supply depot. Even after the town of River Raison was finally liberated on September 27, 1813, the town was in such a bad state that it took 5 years after the battles to even begin to recover. This bloody massacre produced so much anger that it became a rallying cry - Remember the River Raisin! They are remembered: American Dead Even today, the men who died here are remembered and honored on the Saturday closest to Jan. 22nd of each year at the River Raisin Battlefield Visitor Center. The noon memorial includes Raising of the Flag, Reading the Names of the Fallen, Laying the Wreath and Firing a Salute. A speaker is scheduled for the afternoon. River Raisin Battlefield Visitor Center Museum can be found in front of the battle area where one can find out what happened during and after this battle. Their summer hours are 10 AM to 5 PM, 7 days a week. Their winter hours are 10 AM to 5 PM, Sat. and Sun only. MANIFESTATIONS: Battlefields always have entities haunting the area, because of the nature of war; people are killed who are not ready to die yet. More American casualties occurred here than in any other single battle in 1812, because of the total victory of the British and the unauthorized killing of the wounded by the Indians. Besides the usual casualty entities, wounded men painfully killed by the Indians are added to the mix, with the total effect of creating a dream come true for paranormal investigators. 1) Apparitions of American soldiers /militia, dressed in 1813 military attire are seen visually at night by people. 2) Pictures taken by ghost hunters and paranormal researchers sometimes have as many as 20 orbs in them. Soldiers are still on patrol, reliving their deaths, and the horror of it all. 3) Voices of entities have been recorded via EVPS. 4) I bet there are entities haunting the town of Monroe as well; the place where so many were slaughtered. STILL HAUNTED? Research and observations from the living say that it is definitely the place of many hauntings. PSYCHIC RESEARCH - GHOST HUNTERS OF SOUTHERN MICHIGAN have done an investigation and are really happy with their successes. RIVER RAISIN BATTLEFIELD EVPS: One voice says the word, HOME. Another voice says MAMA and a few other words not understandable. A third voice says, BREATHE, perhaps talking to another wounded. Sources include: Photos from Web-Site Michigan Haunted Index * ElectionDebates.com * GraphicDesigners.com ChristianMusic.com * MovieActors.com * Romances.com - 2015 by Haunted Houses Inc. (All Rights Reserved)

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Sacred Sites, Religious Places, Pilgrimages Africa EgyptEthiopiaIvory CoastMoroccoTunisiaAmericas BelizeBoliviaBrazilCanadaDominican RepublicGuatemalaMexicoPeruUSAAsia CambodiaChinaIndiaIndonesiaJapanNepalPakistanSouth KoreaSri LankaThailandTibetEurope AustriaBelgiumBosnia-HerzegovinaCzech RepublicEnglandFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyMaltaNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalScotlandSpainSwitzerlandWalesMiddle East IraqIsrael & PalestineJordanLebanonSaudi ArabiaSyriaOceania AustraliaNew Zealand Biblical Sites Russia Overview Russia Photos Russia Books Russia Sacred Sites Russia Destinations Moscow St. Petersburg Overview St. Petersburg Map St. Petersburg Photos St. Petersburg Books St. Petersburg Sacred Sites Alexander Nevsky Monastery Church of the Savior on Blood Peter and Paul Cathedral St. Isaac's Cathedral Frommer's Moscow & St. Petersburg Fodor's Moscow and St. Petersburg, 8th ed. Moon Moscow & St. Petersburg Insight Guide to St. Petersburg Art and Architecture of Russia Russka: The Novel of Russia Travel Guide to Jewish Russia & Ukraine Lonely Planet Russia Lonely Planet Eastern Europe Culture Smart! Russia St. Petersburg, Russia share full URL share short URL embed link code The Church of the Savior on Blood from the Griboedov Canal in St. Petersburg. Photo HoolyPics. Colloquially known as "Piter" and "the Northern Capital," and formerly known as Leningrad (1924–1991), the city of St. Petersburg is located in northwestern Russia on the Baltic Sea. Today, St. Petersburg is Russia's second largest city (with about 4.7 million inhabitants), a major European cultural center, and the most important Russian Baltic Sea port. It is the northernmost major city in the world, and the city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built from the ground up by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703 as a "window to Europe," St. Petersburg served as the political and cultural capital of the country during the imperial period until 1918. With its strict geometric lines and perfectly planned architecture, so unlike the Russian cities that came before it, St. Petersburg is a unique combination of European and Russian elements. Fyodor Dostoyevsky called St. Petersburg "the most abstract and intentional city on earth." St. Petersburg has always been a major center of Russian culture and arts: it is the birthplace of Russian literature, Russian ballet, and a uniquely Russian style of music. The famous Fabergé eggs were created here. Incorporating more than 100 islands and crisscrossed by more than 60 rivers and canals, St. Petersburg has often been compared to Venice. Even during periods of economic hardship and political crisis, St. Petersburg's gleaming imperial palaces emphasize the city's regal bearing, even more so in the cold light of the Russian winter. view larger map of St. Petersburg This gigantic Neoclassical cathedral was built 1818-58 under the direction of Tsar Alexander I. In Soviet times, it was turned into a museum of atheism and a Foucault pendulum was installed in place of the dove. Alexander Nevsky Monastery Founded in 1710 by Peter the Great to house the relics of the military hero-saint Prince Alexander of Novgorod, this is one of only four Russian monasteries to be given the highest rank of lavra. Built 1712-33 in the heart of the Peter and Paul Fortress, this yellow cathedral is characterized by unique Protestant-influenced Baroque architecture. It is the oldest and second-tallest building in St. Petersburg. This magnificent cathedral, full of color inside and out, was begun by Alexander III in 1883 in memory of his father, who was killed on this spot. Used as a warehouse in the Soviet era, it is now a museum. Sacred Sites & Religious Places Sacred Destinations is an online travel guide to sacred sites, religious travel, pilgrimages, holy places, religious history, sacred places, historical religious sites, archaeological sites, religious festivals, sacred sites, spiritual retreats, and spiritual journeys. Sacred Destinations is an independent editorial publication. It is not the official website of any sacred site or religious building listed here. Except where indicated otherwise, all content and images © 2005-2015 Sacred Destinations. All rights reserved. 59.939039

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Tickets for events at Gielgud Theatre Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, London, W1D6AR Venue Info Gielgud Theatre Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, London, W1D6AR General Information Transport Accessibility Venue Information The Gielgud Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster, London, at the corner of Rupert Street. The Gielgud is owned by the Delfont Mackintosh group and seats just under 900 people on three levels. It was designed by WGR Sprague in a neo-classical style and opened in 1907 as the Hicks Theatre, named after actor-manager and playwright Seymour Hicks. American impresario Charles Frohman took over in 1909 and renamed it the Globe, reopening the theatre with a drama by Winston Churchill's mother, Lady Randolph Churchill. It was taken over by Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group in the 1980s and refurbished in 1987, it played host to several Ayckbourn premieres and acquired a famous theatre cat, Beerbohm, who on his death in 1995 received a front-page obituary in 'The Stage'. To avoid confusion with Sam Wanamaker's Bankside Shakespeare's Globe project, the theatre's name was changed in honour of the great thespian knight in 1992, and in 2006 Cameron Mackintosh's Delfont Mackintosh Group took ownership and embarked on a further round of refurbishments to both the facade and the interior, which were completed in 2008. The closest tube station is Picadilly Circus, it is approximately 250m away. You can also use Charing Cross. The nearest train station is Charing Cross, it is approximately 550m away. Bus numbers 14, 19 and 38. You can use the MasterPark at Poland Street and China Town or the NCP at Wardour Street, Newport Place, Denman Street and Lexington Street. The access entrance to the auditorium is through the third side EXIT door on Rupert Street. Ask a member of staff to open this for you. One 12cm step up to the front of the Dress Circle. The venue provides wheelchair spaces. Please call 0844 482 5137 for more information and to book. There is a Infa-red system inside the auditorium. Please contact the theatre for more information on 0844 482 5137. Guide dogs are allowed in to the auditorium or alternatively the venue staff are happy to dog sit. To book and for more information, please call 0844 482 5137 or email gielgudbox@delmack.co.uk. Sorry, there are no shows on sale at Gielgud Theatre right now.

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Killingbeck A64 in Killingbeck New flats in Killingbeck Killingbeck is a district of east Leeds, West Yorkshire, England that is situated between Seacroft to the north, Cross Gates and Whitkirk to the east, Gipton to the west, Halton Moor to the south, Halton to the south east and Osmondthorpe to the south west. It is contiguous with Cross Gates and Seacroft, at the junction of the A63 (Selby) Road and A64 (York) roads. Killingbeck was formerly home to Killingbeck Colliery. The area is small and its borders difficult to define but runs along York Road, taking in the retail park, the former Killingbeck Hospital, the cemetery, the police station and Halfords. Killingbeck is home to a

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Ki & Marc: A Garden Wedding in Orlando, FL After five years of dating, Shawna “Ki” Rhodes was beginning to wonder if she and her boyfriend Marc Frontario were on the same page. They were in Washington, DC, for a friend’s wedding and by the end of the reception Ki’s patience had finally worn thin. “I was so upset, I didn’t think he was ever going to propose,” she says. The Bride Shawna “Ki” Rhodes, 31, an account executive The Groom Marc Frontario, 34, in pharmaceutical sales The Date October 14 But Marc had a little surprise up his sleeve, or rather in his pocket, and in the midst of Ki’s tears he dropped to one knee. “Little did I know he was planning to propose the next day,” she says. “He asked me to marry him and be the mother of his children a day earlier than planned, but not soon enough if you ask me!” The Cypress Grove Estate House An Modern Natural Wedding at Regale at DC Ranch in Carefree, Arizona Find Real Wedding Photos View Photos in

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http://www.bastropmuseumandvisitorcenter.org - Specification Required - This town, one of Texas' oldest settlements, was first called Mina. The name was changed around 1837 to honor Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, a prominent Dutch nobleman--or so the colonists thought. Actually, he was an impostor named Philip Hendrik Nering Bogel, born in Dutch Guiana to ordinary Dutch parents. Appearing in Texas as Baron de Bastrop in 1805, he obtained a colony grant, established a freight business and was appointed second alcalde of San Antonio in 1810. He was a primary negotiator with the government of Mexico for Stephen F. Austin's original Anglo-American colony, became an elected representative to the Mexican state of Coahuila (which included Texas) and helped establish the port of Galveston. The counterfeit baron's enterprises resulted in little profit, and when he died in 1827, fellow legislators covered the cost of his burial. It wasn't until more than a century later that records in the Netherlands revealed his identity. More than 130 historic structures in Bastrop are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, with 31 displaying a Texas Medallion. Main Street is lined with century-old structures housing shops and restaurants. Bed-and-breakfast accommodations in historic buildings are available. Main Street and Fisherman's Park on the Colorado River offer picnicking, fishing and boating. The historic Iron Bridge has been converted to a park above the Colorado River. For golfers, the city has three 18-hole courses. Horseback riding also is available.

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Kennemerland : Haarlem See Museums Landmarks and sights Do Cycling Drink Music venues Comic convention For the district of New York City, see Harlem Teylers Museum, one of the main museums, is located along the river SpaarneHaarlem [1] is a lovely historical city, located on the river Spaarne at no more than 20 kilometres from Amsterdam. International tourism finally seems to have discovered the town's many charms, and an increasing number of visitors find their way here each year. A quick glance at the city centre makes it obvious why. Haarlem boasts a magnificent old centre with plenty of monumental buildings. As the city was home to several first class Dutch painters, including Frans Hals, there's a lot of art to go around. And if you're into shopping, a day in Haarlem is a day well spent too, as it was best shopping city of the country several times. Other towns may lay claims to that title, but Haarlem's centre undisputably offers a colorful mix of large chain stores, specialty shops, boutiques and art galeries. A broad range of bars and restaurants makes the picture complete. In short, Haarlem is well worth a visit. For those who are wondering: yes, the famous New York City neighbourhood of Harlem is named after this once powerful Dutch city. Haarlem is the centre of a flower-growing district and a major export point for flower bulbs. However, with some 750.000 people visiting the city each year, tourism makes up an increasingly important part of the town's economy. With about 150.000 inhabitants, Haarlem is 13th on the list of largest cities in the Netherlands but when it comes to tourism, it's the 4th most visited city. As for most popular places, this may mean the incidental line and some crowds around main attractions in high season. However, the town is fairly quiet in off season and its growing popularity does come with ample opportunities to eat and sleep. History[edit] The first record of the name 'Haarlem' dates from the 10th century. Located on a busy north/south connection route, the city became the seat of the Counts of Holland. In 1245 the city was granted city rights by Count William II of Holland. Due to the heroic acts of knights from Haarlem during the fifth crusade and their contributions to the siege of Damiate in 1217, Haarlem was granted permission to show a cross and a sword in the city's coat of arms. Originally known for its flower growing district, Haarlem in the beginning was also known for its textiles, shipyards, engineering plants and textile mills. In 1573, the Spanish ended its charter. Then, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Haarlem became known as a mecca for dutch painting. Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael, and Adriaen van Ostade were all located here. Also in the 17th century it became a refuge for Huguenots. In the beginning, all of the city's buildings were wooden and the risk of fire was always present. Unfortunately for Haarlem, in 1328 most of the city was burnt down. When rebuilding began, yet again in 1347, another fire spread through Haarlem. This time though, it engulfed the Counts' castle and city hall. However, the Count decided that he no longer needed a base in Haarlem and decided to move to Den Haag (Hague). With that, he donated the land to Haarlem and later a new city hall would be built in its place. It would take over 150 years for the city to be rebuilt. Tourist information office, Grote Markt 2 (just on the main square in front of the big church), ☎ +31 (0)900-6161600 (€ 0,50 per minute) (info@vvvhaarlem.nl), [2]. Apr-Oct: Mo 13 -17.30h, Tu-Fri: 9.30-17.30h, Sa 10-17. In winter months limited hours, check website.. edit By train[edit] Haarlem is well-connected by train, with intercity and sprinter trains running between Amsterdam and Haarlem Central Station roughly every 10 minutes. From Amsterdam, it's a 15 or 18 (depending on the train type) minute journey (€4.00) with trains usually leaving from platform 1 or 2. Pay a bit of attention: Haarlem is one of the stops on the main train line between Amsterdam and Dordrecht/ The Hague, so it will likely not be the final destination for the train. However, as not all trains to those cities will stop in Haarlem, check the signs or ask a conductor to make sure you're getting into the right one. But basically every train to Zandvoort or any other train from platform 1 will take you to Haarlem. Coming from Schiphol directly, you'll have to change once, at Amsterdam Sloterdijk (or at Amsterdam Central Station, but that will take you an extra 10 minutes or so). Trains are easy to use and you may be lucky enough to encounter one or more of the most entertaining ticket collectors in the country. They number singers and magicians amongst their members. By bus[edit] A good alternative is to use the big red and grey "R-net"-bus, line 300. It runs every 6-10 minutes between Schiphol and Haarlem Central Station, or you can get out at Verwulft/Centrum. There are a fair amount of stops along the way, but for a lot of the journey there is no traffic because the bus has its own dedicated lane. The trip is approximately 45 minutes. You will need to carry your luggage on the bus with you. As on all public transport in the Netherlands, you pay with a OV chipcard(cash is also accepted) and a single trip costs € 3,64. There are many bus stops clustered in this area -- the one for the R-net 300 is across the street, and is indicated on the sign at the bus stop. By bike[edit] If you have – or rent – a bike, it takes between an hour and an hour and a half to cycle (depending on the cyclist) from the centre of Amsterdam, a fairly relaxing ride on typically level terrain. Get around[edit] Haarlem is best seen on foot: it's a 5 to 10 minute walk from the train station to the city centre. If you don't want to walk, bus lines 2, 3, 73 and 300 will take you from the central train and busstation to busstop "Centrum/Verwulft" in about 5 minutes. It will

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Sydney Opera House and Sydney skyline at night Ivan Aliverti Sydney Opera House was made a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site on 28 June 2007http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Opera_House To view the complete virtual tour visit 360tourist.net Copyright: Ivan Aliverti Tags: sydney opera house; australia; new south wales; sydney; opera; bennlong point; sydney harbour; night view Shigeru OKADA KABUKIZA 2010 New Year Thomas Krueger More About Australia The World : Australia There are no kangaroos in Austria. We're talking about Australia, the world's smallest continent. That being cleared up, let's dive right in! Australia is a sovereign state under the Commonwealth of Nations, which is in turn overseen by Queen Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth. The continent was first sighted and charted by the Dutch in 1606. Captain James Cook of Britain came along in the next century to claim it for Britain and name it "New South Wales." Shortly thereafter it was declared to be a penal colony full of nothing but criminals and convicts, giving it the crap reputation you may have heard at your last cocktail party. This rumor ignores 40,000 years of pre-European human history, especially the Aboriginal concept of Dreamtime, an interesting explanation of physical and spiritual reality. The two biggest cities in Australia are Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney is more for business, Melbourne for arts. But that's painting in very broad strokes. Take a whirl around the panoramas to see for yourself! Text by Steve Smith.

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HomeAbout the Bay About the Bay The Santa Monica Bay is the centerpiece of Los Angeles’ beach culture, and the geographic center of the LA region. Stretching from Malibu to Palos Verdes, the bay is where millions of Angelenos relax and work. Because of their economic, ecological and recreational value, our waterways and the ocean are critical resources worth protecting. Santa Monica Bay beaches average 45 million visits per year The Bay generates more than $1 billion in visitor spending annually. Tourism accounts for more than 500,000 jobs in the greater L.A. area The population of Los Angeles has skyrocketed in the past 100 years, and it's putting a lot of pressure on our environment. In the mid 1980s, improperly treated sewage led to dead zones in the Bay and harmful water quality. Thanks to the efforts of Heal the Bay and its supporters, the EPA mandated stricter sewage treatment processes, resulting in greatly improved water quality. Despite the amazing gains, your Bay faces ongoing challenges, from marine debris to overfishing. Our ocean faces many challenges, and Heal the Bay works every day on a number of different issues. By addressing the many facets of ocean pollution, we make real and positive change possible. Many of these initiatives are made possible through reasonable legislation and regulations. Visit our Action Alert page to see how you can support that legislation and help make a difference. You can also review a list of our recent legislation. Section Highlights Beach Report Card How clean is the water is at your beach? Current Issues Our work to restore and protect the Bay Pollution &Its Impacts Pollution takes a serious toll on the Bay Site Map

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Panorama Project Metro-North Station Tours Harlem Line Hudson Line New Haven Line Pascack Valley Line Port Jervis Line Historical Archives View All All Aboard For an Excursion to Madison Square Garden, and the National Horse Show! June 25, 2013 Emily History, Photos In terms of historic preservation in the city of New York, Pennsylvania Station is a a sore spot for many. It was the gorgeous building that we didn’t save, that we couldn’t save. The Beaux-Arts station was a beautiful monument that was torn down, and for what? To be covered over with an arena. For this, Madison Square Garden has drawn the ire of many railfans and history buffs, but in reality the Garden has a longer history than even the original Pennsylvania Station, and is coincidentally linked to the New York and Harlem Railroad. The ring at the second Madison Square Garden is being readied for the National Horse Show. Originally established in 1879 at East 26th Street and Madison Avenue, the first Madison Square Garden was a roofless arena that sat 10,000 spectators. With the completion of Grand Central Depot in 1871, the New York and Harlem Railroad moved their operations, no longer needing their depot near Madison Avenue. While the land was first used by P.T. Barnum as the “Barnum Hippodrome,” William Kissam Vanderbilt took control of the space two years after his grandfather’s death and renamed it Madison Square Garden. The Garden hosted various sporting events, including the National Horse Show, which would become a yearly tradition at the venue. Parade of winners at the 1896 National Horse Show, held annually at Madison Square Garden. The National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden, 1913. The first Madison Square Garden lasted until 1889, when Vanderbilt sold the property to a group of wealthy investors including J.P. Morgan and Andrew Carnegie. They tore down the first Garden to build the second, designed by prominent architect Stanford White. The second Madison Square Garden opened in 1890 and lasted until 1925. The venue hosted a wide array of events, from boxing matches to plays, circuses, concerts and even the Democratic National Convention. Unlike its predecessor, the second Garden was fully enclosed, allowing events all year long, and in any weather. Judging at the National Horse Show. British officers on their mounts at the 1910 National Horse Show, and horses outside Madison Square Garden. Alfred Vanderbilt, serving as the president of the National Horse Show, first invited the British cavalry to compete in the show in 1909. The National Horse Show was one of Madison Square Garden’s major events, and was hosted at all four venues to bear the name, up until 1989. First established in 1883 by a collection of affluent members of society, the show was regularly held in November. While the spectators certainly included the rich and powerful, many regular people came to see the show, and some came by train. The New York Central offered special excursion tickets for those looking to go to the 1898 show, and printed an attractive brochure advertising it. A New York Central excursion brochure featuring the National Horse Show. The brochure advertises that November is, “the best time of the year to visit New York…” which may strike some today as a bit odd. A warm locale like Florida sounds great for a winter vacation, but in the 1880’s anyone who was anyone headed to New York City. Fitting an event established by the affluent, the National Horse Show became a part of the New York social calendar, just as much as the opening of the opera season, or Mrs. Astor’s annual January ball. By summertime the socialites would move on to Newport, Rhode Island and their “cottages”, before returning to the city in November, and beginning the cycle anew. Catalog for the 1898 National Horse Show Program for the 1898 National Horse Show The second Madison Square Garden was ultimately demolished, and in its place the New York Life Building was constructed. In 1925 the third arena to bear the name was opened, although it was located on Eighth Avenue between 49th, and not near Madison Square. Coincidentally, the place on which the third Garden was constructed was once a storage barn for trolleys. The third Garden lasted until 1968 when the fourth and current Madison Square Garden opened atop what was once the great Pennsylvania Station. As for the National Horse Show, the competition is still held, although it now calls the Kentucky Horse Park home. Share this: grand central depot harlem railroad madison square garden new york central new york city penn station summer william kissam vanderbilt winter 8 thoughts on “All Aboard For an Excursion to Madison Square Garden, and the National Horse Show!” hfree520 says: June 25, 2013 at 12:23 pm For some added information, the painting depicted on the Excursion flyer is “The Horse Fair” by Rosa Bonheur. The painting was first exhibited in Paris in 1853 and is now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a gift to the museum from Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1887. Reply Emily says: June 25, 2013 at 12:32 pm That is pretty awesome! Thanks! Reply Michael Napolitano says: June 25, 2013 at 11:54 pm The third Madison Square Garden is the one I was most familiar with. Saw many Knicks and Rangers games there between, say, 1955 -1965, as well as circuses, rodeos, and even a six-day bicycle race! Reply Al Cyone says: June 26, 2013 at 6:47 pm I, too, remember going to the third incarnation of MSG to see the circus and the rodeo. Reply Jeffrey Morris says: June 26, 2013 at 2:57 pm I’m surprised that you didn’t mention the second MSG’s greatest claim to infamy: the murder of Stanford White on its rooftop in 1906 by millionaire Harry Kendall Thaw over White’s affair with his wife, actress Evelyn Nesbit. Doesn’t quite match the infamy of the present MSG for its destruction of Penn Station, but it’s a juicy bit of history. Reply Emily says: June 26, 2013 at 3:16 pm Haha, I had heard about his murder, but I didn’t know it actually happened there! Reply Lee Winson says: June 27, 2013 at 2:30 pm The archives of the New York Times for that period of time should be accessible by anyone. “THAW MURDERS STANFORD WHITE — shoots him on the Madison Square Garden Roof”. –NYT 6/26/1906 for full article see: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D0DE7DA1E3EE733A25755C2A9609C946797D6CF Reply Dave says: June 26, 2013 at 9:58 pm It was funny. When they talked about Penn Station during the PBS documentary, someone described its replacement as “really a disgusting rabbit warren.” While I agree that the loss of Penn Station was lamentable, I was struck that they didn’t interview Marv Albert or Sam Rosen or someone else who could’ve said, “It’s not all bad.” When a beloved building is destroyed, the best thing that we can do is to make new memories in the building that replaces it. The Street Railway of the New York and Harlem RailroadIs there anything to eat on this darn train? Tickets and menus from the 20th Century Limited Page Sponsor Sort posts by category Trains Musems Trains and Modern Photography Follow IRTHL Instagram Tags1900's arts for transit Encounters / Observations goldens bridge harlem division harlem line metro north tuesday tour of the hudson line tuesday tour of the new haven line Tuesday Tours wassaic About this site My name is Emily, though I am known by many who ride the train simply as Cat Girl, for the hats I customarily wear during the winter time. I am a graphic designer, a Metro North train rider, and a person that has always been interested in history. For the past 6 years I've been a regular commuter, though I've been a Harlem Line rider all my life. This site is a collection of my usually train-related thoughts, observations, photographs, and travels, as well as my never-ending hunt for intriguing historical artifacts. A Wedding in Grand Central 24 Feb , 2015 Remembering the Upper Harlem Division – Part 1 20 Mar , 2013 The Budd Rail Diesel Car, and more art from Leslie Ragan 23 Apr , 2013 The Mystery of Grand Central’s Suburban Concourse 07 Jan , 2013 My Final Metro-North Commute 08 Aug , 2015 Remembering the Upper Harlem Division, Part 2 Forgotten NY LIRR Today Transit Blogger Metro-North Links Harlem, Hudson and New Haven Line Schedules Metro-North Train Time Station Parking & Directions, Fares, Ticket Window Hours I Ride The Harlem Line, Copyright © 2015 All Rights Reserved. Usage of I Ride the Harlem Line photographs or text on any other site, or in any other media without permission is EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN. This site is not endorsed nor affiliated in any way with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or Metro-North Railroad.

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Explore News Mo'olelo Location Forecast Lifestyle Ko Olina Charities Interactive Map Plan a Trip Vacation Specials Accommodations Activities Transportation Golf Experience Activities Snorkel & Dolphin Ocean Joy Snorkel & Dolphin Ocean Adventures Catamaran Sail & Snorkel Snorkel & Sunset Cruise Snorkel & Whale Watching Accommodations Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club Beach Villas at Ko Olina Vacation Rentals Ko Olina Golf Ko Olina Marina Vacation Ownership Aulani a Disney Resort and Spa Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club Real Estate Shopping Spa Weddings Dining Community Ko Olina Beach and Sports Club Events Children's Film & Music Festival Hawaii Food & Wine Festival Lotte Championship Thanksgiving Outreach Valentine's Day Vow Renewal My Ko Olina Members Groups & Clubs Forums Explore << News << Ko Olina in the News Ko Olina News and Press Releases Thank you for your interest in Ko Olina Resort News! The public relations team at Ko Olina strives to support the media in every way and are committed to providing materials in the most accurate and timely manner possible. For more information contact our public relations team at: pr@koolina.com. Search 26Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa First Leed Silver Certified Resort in Hawaii, Views(3997)News Staff posted on June 26, 2013 14:55Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa First Leed Silver Certified Resort in HawaiiDownload Press ReleaseCONTACT: Todd Apo (808) 216-2576 todd.apo@disney.comKO OLINA, Hawai‘i (June 25, 2013) – As the resort nears the celebration of its first two years of operations, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i, recently obtained LEED Silver certification through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for implementing environmentally friendly construction practices and building systems. Aulani is the first resort in Hawai‘i to obtain this prestigious environmental certification. “Aulani focuses on our island culture, and the long term, sustainable relationship we must maintain with our ʻāina (land) is extremely important to us,” said Elliot Mills, Aulani’s Vice President and General Manager. “As a part of The Walt Disney Company’s global efforts in sustainability, we are proud to be Hawaii’s first LEED Silver certified resort and will continue to look for ways to respect our `āina. It is our kuleana (responsibility and privilege)” Disney built Aulani with the environment in mind, and the process for LEED certification has been ongoing for many years. One of the initial steps toward LEED certification began in 2007 with the choice of the resort’s location. Aulani being built on an already developed master planned resort location, meant that no trees needed to be cleared and no undeveloped lands were disturbed for Aulani. The design of the resort also took into account many energy-efficient initiatives, including the use of waste heat for hot water needs. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) publishes a set of energy performance standards that must be met by all buildings under consideration for LEED certification, and Aulani beat these standards by up to 27 percent. Among the solutions contributing to the reduction in energy consumption was harvesting the heat emitted from the resort’s large chillers which are used to keep the buildings cool and diverting it to generate domestic hot water as well as heating for the whirlpool spas and swimming pools. An additional benefit of this diversion is the reduction in energy and water needed for Aulani’s cooling towers. The Walt Disney Imagineering team partnered with the local architect of record for Aulani, Architects Hawaii, to achieve these results. “Collaborating on this momentous development was a wonderful experience. We were excited to be working with a client that is strongly committed to establishing a sustainable environment for future generations,” said David Bylund of Architects Hawaii. Another way the resort looks to the future to help the environment is by providing 34 electric car charging stations for plug-in vehicles within Aulani’s parking structure. These refueling stations are available for both Guest and Cast Member (Aulani employee) use. According to the USGBC website, LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system that provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. To obtain LEED certification, buildings must pass a rigorous checklist of sustainability points, including accomplishments in water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and awareness and education. LEED certification is also about being stewards of the environment with sensitivity to the impacts on our natural word. “Aulani’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Aulani serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”To learn more about Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i Visit DisneyAulani.com.Book Aulani About Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are where families experience and enjoy the magic of Disney’s beloved characters and where dreams come true. More than 50 years ago, Walt Disney created a new kind of entertainment families could experience together, immersed in detailed atmospheres and vibrant storytelling. His vision now includes a collection of five of the world’s leading family vacation destinations - Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Calif.; Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; Tokyo Disney Resort, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan; Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France; and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, located on Lantau Island. In addition, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts includes the world-class Disney Cruise Line; Disney Vacation Club, with its soon-to-open 12th resort and more than 500,000 members; Adventures by Disney, a guided group vacation experience to some of the world’s most popular destinations; and Walt Disney Imagineering, which creates and designs all Disney parks, resorts and attractions.About Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa Uniquely designed for families and inspired by the wonders and traditions of Hawaiʻi, Aulani is a family paradise with a touch of magic. Aulani offers kids, adults and families Hawaiian vacation experiences that combine the beauty and spirit of the Hawaiian Islands and culture with a special magic that only Disney can create. Delightful rooms and spacious Disney Vacation Club villas, a perfect location on a beautiful beachfront lagoon, and renowned Disney service and enchanting entertainment let dreamers of every age savor their time together on Hawaiʻi as never before.About Architects Hawaii Ltd. (AHL) AHL is one of the largest architectural firms within Hawai‘i and the Pacific Region. With experience in architecture, planning, interior, and sustainable design, AHL has provided services for projects in all market sectors including hospitality, retail, residential, commercial, educational, industrial, institutional, military, and healthcare. AHL’s staff of 82 includes 36 registered architects and 41 LEED Accredited Professionals. For the past four years, AHL has been listed in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms and Top 100 Green Firms in the United States. Posted in: Press Releases, Ko Olina in the News, What's New?, Aulani a Disney Resort & Spa Actions: E-mail | Permalink | Comments (0) CommentsThere are currently no comments, be the first to post one.Post CommentOnly registered users may post comments. News Categories Press Releases (17)Ko Olina in the News (120)What's New? (134)Four Seasons Resort O'ahu at Ko Olina (3)Aulani a Disney Resort & Spa (61)Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club (19)Beach Villas at Ko Olina (12)Ko Olina Beach & Sports Club (8)Ko Olina Marina (17)Ko Olina Golf Club (40)Ko Olina Wedding (4)Ko Olina Station & Center (14)Newsletter (10)

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Valley of Fire brings the drama. Valley of Fire State Park is one of the places Southern Nevadans are most proud of - it's as spectacular during the day as the Strip is at night. more...Whether you've been there or not, you've likely seen it dozens of times. Its vivid red formations have proven irresistible for photographers and movie directors alike; a scene-stealing backdrop for countless films and TV commercials. Valley of Fire's spectacular red rocks have even doubled for Mars in numerous sci-fi flicks.The movies first came to Valley of Fire in 1966, when Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin rolled in to shoot The Professionals. In the mid-'90s, it was here that Star Trek's Captain Kirk fell to his death, with Lake Mead clearly visible in the background.More recently, Michael Bay's Transformers filmed a scene where the autobots are driving along the valley with other military vehicles during sunset. And even the video game "Need for Speed: The Run," features a pivotal scene shot here.Valley of Fire State Park is the oldest state park in Nevada and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1968. It derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed from great, shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs, 150 million years ago. These bright, red features were often said to appear almost "on fire," especially at sunrise or sunset.As far as tours, Valley of Fire adventures run the gamut: You can hike, ride the bus or even see much of its beauty from your car. So whether you're driving or hiking, Valley of Fire knows how to bring the drama. Keyword

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Tickets for events at Old Vic Theatre Old Vic Theatre, The Cut, Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8NB Venue Info Old Vic Theatre Old Vic Theatre, The Cut, Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8NB General Information Transport Accessibility Venue Information The Old Vic is one of the best known and best loved theatres in the world, synonymous with the greatest acting talent that Britain has ever produced from Laurence Olivier, Peggy Ashcroft, John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson to Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Albert Finney, and Peter O'Toole. This iconic 192-year-old building has a rich history of great performances and The Old Vic Theatre Company under the artistic leadership of Kevin Spacey, continues to attract the best creative talent from the UK and all over the world to tread its famous boards. The Old Vic is a theatre located just south-east of Waterloo Station in London on the corner of The Cut and Waterloo Road. Established in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre, it was taken over by Emma Cons in 1880 when it was known formally as the Royal Victoria Hall. In 1898, a niece of Cons, Lilian Baylis assumed management and began a series of Shakespeare productions in 1914. The building was damaged in 1940 during air raids and it became a Grade II listed building in 1951 after it reopened. It was also the name of a repertory company that was based at the theatre. The company formed the core of the National Theatre of Great Britain on its formation in 1963, under Laurence Olivier. The National Theatre remained at the Old Vic until new premises were constructed on the South Bank, opening in 1976. It underwent complete refurbishment in 1985 and in 2003, American actor Kevin Spacey was appointed as new artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre Company which received considerable media attention. The nearest underground station is Waterloo, served by the Bakerloo, Northern, Waterloo & City and Jubilee lines. The Old Vic is less than a 10 minute walk away from London Waterloo Station. The Old Vic, The Cut, London, SE1 8NB. You can get buses 1, 4, 26, 68, 76, 77, 149, 168, 171, 176, 188, 341, 501, 505, P11 and D1. There is pay and display parking on Waterloo Road, Webber Street and The Cut (road). There are three NCP car parks within a five minute walk of the Theatre - at Waterloo Station/Station Approach, Cornwall Road and Doon Street. There are four steps from the street into the foyer and box office. Handrails are available on either side of the entrance. From the foyer there are three steps into the Stalls (without handrails). There are 29 steps to the Dress Circle and a further 20 steps to the Baylis Circle. There is a space for wheelchair users in the Stalls. Please contact the venue for information and bookings on 0844 871 7628. The auditorium is fitted with a Sennheiser infra-red system. Two types of hearing device are available: headsets for people who don't use hearing aids, but would like amplified sound; or neck loops for use with a hearing aid by switching it to the 'T' position or setting. If you have a digital hearing aid, please ensure that it's 'T' setting is available, as not all digital hearing aids have a 'T' setting installed. Please contact the venue to arrange this prior to your visit. For deaf or hard of hearing patrons, please use Text Relay which is a free service (you only pay for the cost of the call to the venue). 18001 0844 871 7628 (text phone users) 18002 0844 871 7628 (hearing person) Please let the box office know if you'd like to bring your guide dog into the auditorium and they will try and offer an aisle seat if available. They will also advise you of any special effects in the production that might affect your dog's comfort. The Front of House staff will be happy to take care of your dog during the performance if you would prefer. For all access information and to book, please call the venue on 0844 871 7628. There is a disabled parking bay available on Webber Street. For further information please contact Lambeth Council. February 2016 December 2015 The Master Builder

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Vintage Walt Disney World: Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings Launches posted on July 18th, 2013 by Nate Rasmussen, Archivist, Marketing Resource Center This week back in 1995, Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings officially opened Disney’s Wedding Pavilion located on the banks of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Here’s a look at an early rendering of the pavilion prior to opening and then just after its completion in 1995. Home to magical weddings year-round, Disney’s Wedding Pavilion can seat up to 300 guests and has an aisle that stretches 75 feet. The pavilion received some TLC back in 2012 that included the installation of new stained glass windows, carpet, and reupholstered pews. Below is a comparison of the inside of the pavilion in 1995 and the pavilion today. The first official wedding at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion was held in June of 1995 and appeared on “Weddings of a Lifetime,” a television special on the Lifetime network. Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings has created over 40,000 happily-ever-afters since its inception in 1991. Now that’s a lot of love. For more on Disney Weddings & Honeymoons, read the posts below: Summer Is in the Air at Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon Renew Vows with Disney Fairy Tale Weddings at Disneyland Park A Proposal in Perfect Harmony at Walt Disney World Resort Share: Tagged: WDW, Weddings Filed: Walt Disney World Resort, Weddings & Honeymoons 7 Comments 1 Shannon from FL on July 18th, 2013 at 9:43 am Including my amazing wedding at the Italy Pavilion in Epcot! Thanks Fairy Tale Weddings crew! Ashley on July 18th, 2013 at 2:25 pm My fiance and I cannot wait to get married at the Wedding Pavilion this September! We’ve been planning for 15 months and it still feels unreal that I’ll get to be a Fairy Tale bride and walk down that aisle. When I was a kid riding on the monorail, I used to point and say “someday” to my parents whenver we’d pass the beautiful chapel on the water. My dad recently confessed to me that he always felt bad that it was more than likely an impossibility for a regular girl from a regular family like me. But with enough wishing, hoping and very determined saving, I can guarantee that any girl’s dreams can become a reality! I feel like I’m floating in a waking dream with the help of some pixie dust these days. Camille from OR on July 18th, 2013 at 7:13 pm Yep. My daughter is 10 & she already has her wedding planned out for this place. They better still have Disney wedding dresses too, she wants one of those as well. Kuleen on July 18th, 2013 at 7:15 pm The Pavilion opened shortly after our Disney wedding in May 1995. We had an intimate ceremony (no guests!) at Lookout Pointe at the Polynesian. It was my husbands first trip to Disney World as an adult. Little did I know that 18 years later I would be a Disney blogger and my two kids would be raised going to Disney every year. Getting married at Disney World was the perfect start for this Disney family. Timothy on July 18th, 2013 at 9:26 pm Any chance you could update the concept art photo so we can see it in a higher resolution? Lizzie on July 19th, 2013 at 3:05 pm Honestly, considering the Wedding Pavilion and I share a birthday (July 15, 1995), I think it’s key that I get married here someday. I couldn’t think of anything more magical. =) Andrea on July 22nd, 2013 at 10:44 pm I got married at the Wedding Pavilion two years ago and it was the most magical day of my life. It was a true fairy tale!

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by easyhiker57 Assignment This iReport is part of an assignment: Travel photo of the day More from easyhiker57 Where to Eat in the Greek Cycladic Island of Ios Cannes Film Festival: A Preview A Unique Easter Tradition in the Cyclades Island of Paros By easyhiker57 | Posted April 20, 2014 CNN PRODUCER NOTE easyhiker57, a travel writer living in France, documented the Good Friday celebrations on the Greek island of Paros that occurred on April 18. He says these photos show young volunteers from Paros depicting different Lenten scenes, such as the Last Supper. "This is a unique Easter tradition practiced only in Paros, Greece," he said. - Verybecoming, CNN iReport producer There are many reasons to love the holiday of Easter. Here is mine: while Christmas nowadays is more or less the same everywhere - a truly globalized event, celebrated from Alaska to Zimbabwe with decorated pine trees, Silent Night and a jolly fat man in red pyjamas - Easter has managed to preserve its diversity, its many ancient faces and flavours. The Philippines have their flagellants, Seville has its local chapel of the Ku-Klux Clan, while the Brits merrily roll Easter eggs down the hill, and there is only a small risk that you could mistake one country's tradition for the others'. On Easter, you always know where you are. On the Cycladic island of Paros, Lent culminates in a series of Byzantine tableaux vivants, a Good Friday tradition in the village of Marpissa in Paros. One night every year, half the island crowd into Marpissa's narrow lanes to look at a series of tableaux vivants where local villagers take up the poses of the characters in famous Byzantine icons, a sort of Greek Oberammergau without action, words or straggly beards. There are 17 such tableaux every year, scattered throughout Marpissa's village centre, and the procession - featuring local islanders as well as visitors from mainland Greece and all over the world - starts at the main church after the Good Friday service at around 10 p.m. The stations of the procession resemble an extended way of the cross, building up from Jesus's entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, via the Last Supper, and the moment where Pontius Pilate delivers the judgement demanded by the mob, to the lamentation and descent from the cross. The "actors", all volunteers from the village and neighbouring towns, have to hold their poses for at least one hour (depending on the length of the procession), rain or shine. Or blow, one might add, with reference to the blustery northerly wind which made the conditions on the Friday we saw it much more unfriendly than you would expect them to be at such southern latitudes in late April. Only once in living memory, on a particularly cold and wet night a few years ago, did the organizers consider to call the whole thing off, but even then, they ultimately decided to go ahead and let all participants brace the rain. The biggest mishap our knowledgeable and charming guide Christina Fokianou- until last year a regular member of the cast herself - could remember was the time when an overexcited donkey refused to carry Jesus into Jerusalem and opted instead to run off into the night, to much hilarity presumably, Good Friday or not. (It seems that they do not know their W.C. Fields in Marpissa - otherwise they might have remembered that it is never a good idea to share a stage with children and animals, not even for Jesus Christ.) Marpissa's Good Friday celebrations go back to a village school tradition: about a hundred years ago, a school teacher thought that it would be a good idea to involve children at an early age into the preparations for the holiest day of the year. Even today, many children and, perhaps even more surprisingly, many people in their teens and twenties are actively involved in the festivities. After the procession is over, at around midnight, the local youths then assemble in the bars and nightclubs of the near-by coastal resorts to celebrate Easter their own way - the modern part of an old tradition. (*The Cyclades, found between Athens and Crete, is the biggest group of Greek Islands of which Paros is the 3rd largest. In antiquity, it was considered part of the Athenian empire and later of the Venetian empire. Nowadays, it is the favourite destination for those seeking a quiet beachside holiday. Paros, Ios and Milos are three of the favoured Cycladic islands. Find out more about the Cyclades Islands in my blog easyhiker.co.uk) More from this assignment - Travel photo of the day Ask to the dust Shenandoah Autumn Saint Malo, Brittany, France

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the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide June 1 - 7, 2015 Take a road trip to the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide. Witness today's best PGA TOUR Pros compete in the Memorial Tournament at Jack Nicklaus' world-renowned Muirfield Village Golf Club! Two-night Travel Package Includes: Two-night stay at one of four Dublin or Columbus hotels (Arrival: Friday, June 5/ Departure: Sunday, June 7, 2015) Patron badge to the Memorial Tournament with grounds access* Complimentary parking and shuttle service to the Memorial Tournament $25 Memorial Tournament Food & Beverage Complimentary Card A copy of The Memorial, the official Tournament magazine For children 16 & under who will be accompanying you: Complimentary Junior Ticket(s) to the Memorial Tournament (Youth 16 & under, Limit 4) Complimentary Kids’ Meals at the Memorial Tournament (Youth 16 & under, Limit 4) Free kids' meals at several participating Dublin area restaurants *Inquire about an upgraded ticket option to the Golden Bear Club For more information call 1.888.AAA.OHIO, visit your local AAA store or complete the form. Hotel Information2 Night Package Information *Per Person Pricing (Based on Double Occupancy) Cambria Suites - $316.00 14 miles from Muirfield Village Golf Club Cloverleaf Suites - $322.00** 5 miles from Muirfield Village Golf Club Comfort Inn Polaris - $276.00** Drury Inn & Suites - $336.00** Holiday Inn Express Dublin - $324.00** Residence Inn Dublin - $394.00** **Breakfast is included at these locations Dublin, Ohio offers residents and corporate citizens responsive government services, attractive housing, superior public education, direct regional highway access, abundant park space and a dynamic community life. Located just minutes from Ohio's capital city of Columbus, Dublin is a desirable place for business, raising a family or enjoying professional sporting events and renowned attractions. The City of Dublin provides an extremely high level of local government services and is committed to working with residents and businesses to exceed expectations. Everyone from the City Manager to field staff is accessible and eager to help individuals or businesses address their needs and concerns. We are here to serve you. Dublin is recognized as one of the safest cities in central Ohio, with an average City of Dublin police response time of six minutes. The City's internationally accredited police division keeps citizens involved and informed through programs like the neighborhood watch program, an early outdoor warning system and a computerized calling system that alerts residents to community concerns via phone. Dublin, Ohio is synonymous with excellence in education with approximately 80 percent of Dublin residents possessing a bachelor's or graduate degree. The Dublin City School District offers an exciting and highly enriched educational environment. In addition to being one of the largest and fastest-growing districts in the state, Dublin is also one of the most highly regarded school districts in the nation. If you're looking for fun you don't have to travel far in Dublin. Each year the City hosts a variety of special events from the Dublin Kiwanis Frog Jump to the Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Golf Tournament and Dublin Irish Festival. Dublin's recreational programs and extensive parkland make it rich in both greenspace and leisure-time activities. It's no wonder more than 40,000 residents are proud to call Dublin home. In a recent National Citizen Survey, residents ranked Dublin as the best place to live. Dublin's commitment to an outstanding quality of life makes it a great place to live and raise a family. Columbus & Franklin County Now's the time to visit Columbus - and it's not just us saying it. National media sources agree that Ohio's capital city is the place to be. read more Here's just some of what they're saying about us: One of the Global Top 10 Best Fall Trips - National Geographic Traveler #4 Best City for Shopping in America - Forbes When it comes to restaurants, Columbus has almost too many good choices. - The New York Times It's time you experienced Columbus. We've grown into one of the country's most innovative foodie capitals. Food critics from around the nation are discovering our culinary scene, with the Washington Post calling Columbus "A Certified Food Lovers' Town." Enjoy a unique dining experience at the more than 50 locally owned member restaurants in Dine Originals Columbus. Sample salty caramel from local favorite Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams - named "America's best" by Time Magazine. Get a real taste of the city on a Columbus Food Adventures tour. Our arts scene is routinely named one of the Best Big Cities for Art by American Style. See world-class visual art at the Columbus Museum of Art, the Wexner Center for the Arts and Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the only botanical garden in the world with a permanent collection of glass artwork by Dale Chihuly. Experience more of the city's arts scene in the hip Short North Arts District, which offers a vast collection of galleries, boutiques and restaurants. The one-of-a-kind shops in the Short North are a big reason that Forbes calls Columbus the No. 4 Best City for Shopping in America. Easton Town Center and Polaris Fashion Place offer hundreds of specialty stores, excellent restaurants and entertainment. There's a reason Scarborough Sports Marketing calls Columbus the country's # 1 Sports Town. The city earns the distinction with several professional teams, including the National Hockey League's Columbus Blue Jackets, Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew and the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. There's also the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Jack Nicklaus Museum, a tribute to both the Columbus native and the sport of golf. Boasting natural wonders, cosmopolitan cities, charming small towns, extraordinary museums and intriguing historical attractions, Ohio is the epitomy of diversity in experiences and its people and cultures. Bordered by Lake Erie and the Ohio River, Ohio offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy an island getaway, the thrill of the world's premiere roller coasters or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Hike a scenic trail dotted with waterfalls, explore the world's large Amish community or learn about Ohio's pioneering spirit and aerospace craft from the Wright Brothers to Neil Armstrong. Explore our world-class art and science museums, or spend the day at a sporting event or shopping for everything from denim to high fashion. Ohio is truly "Too Much Fun for Just One Day!" Thank you for expressing interest in the 2015 Travel Package. Our travel packages are no longer available for this year's tournament. Please visit us next year to secure your 2016 travel package.

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Home » Your Visit » Stations » Crowcombe Heathfield Crowcombe Heathfield Postcode for Sat Nav: TA4 4PA Crowcombe Heathfield Station was built in 1862 when the line was opened and stands at the highest point on the line, just under 400ft. above the sea. The station is surrounded by lovely scenic countryside and a network of lanes, bridle ways and footpaths offering walking, cycling and horse riding. A leaflet (obtained from the stations) prepared jointly between Crowcombe Heathfield and Stogumber Stations shows the lanes and footpath routes in the area and there is a web site www.fochs.org.uk which is well worth a visit. The visual charm of the station and surroundings has caught the eye of several TV and film directors leading to scenes being shot at the station for "The Flockton Flyer", The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", "Land Girls", and The Beatles film "A Hard Days Night". The station has a booking office and prices from this Station can be found on our Fares Pages. There is also a small shop and toilet facilities as well as a disabled persons accessable toilet on the station. During operating days the station is open for hot and cold drinks, cakes and famous "Bread Pudding" and you can be assured a warm welcome awaits you. On Gala days this is widened to include hot savoury snacks, soups and a coal fire to welcome you during the cold weather! Why not do the 'One Mile Walk'? Enjoy a very gentle and easy 1 mile circular walk from the station in either direction. The walk gives some lovely views of the line, �The Avenue� with its beech trees and crossed two railway bridges. The station is the ideal start/end point for a walk on the Quantock Hills or a cycle ride round Somerset�s country lanes. History of Crowcombe Heathfield Station The first sod on the original West Somerset Railway was lifted as part of the cutting at the tranquil wayside station which is a perfect spot to relax and watch the world go by, or for the more energetic to start or conclude a walk in the Quantock Hills. The station is not close to any major settlement and this has made it popular with film crews in the past. Sequences that feature Crowcombe Heathfield include Ringo Starr riding a bicycle down the platform in A Hard Days Night and in the opening sequence of Land Girls. The main station building dates from the 1860s whilst the wooden building on the opposite platform is a replacement for an earlier structure demolished by British Railways. Similarly the signal box dates from the preservation era. Its brick built base was built new by the West Somerset Railway whilst the wooden top comes from Ebbw Vale in South Wales. Please visit the Crowcombe Heathfield Station Website.

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Home> Destinations> Flights to the United States> Flight to New York Timetable for New York Check out when and how many times a day/week we fly to New York Car rental - New York: JFK International Airport from CHF46 /Day New York from CHF 583 return Book now from Geneva ›Basel › About New York New York is an attractive and surprising city, a cultural melting pot with hundreds of theatres, a large number of diners and Wall Street, the financial centre of the USA. The most important sights of New York include the Empire State Building, which is one of many skyscrapers that dominate the city’s skyline. The crown of the Statue of Liberty also affords a magnificent view of the city. A trip across Brooklyn Bridge is certainly an attraction. This bridge was the first steel suspension bridge ever to be built. At the time of its opening in 1883, it was also the longest bridge in the world, with a length of 470 metres. You can relax in Central Park, which is the most famous park in New York City and the entire world. It covers an area of 430 hectares in the middle of Manhattan. New York Brunch Spots No city does brunch quite like New York, and there are so many amazing spots all around town for a great Sunday brunch. Here are five favourites to put on your must do list! Our suggestions: SLEEP There’s something every tourist wants from New York: Art Deco furnishings, gilded cornering, Mad Men furniture and a sense that the city never really left the glory days of the 1930s. The Archer Hotel New York (45 West 38th Street, archerhotel) is more than willing to accommodate you. EAT Peter Luger (178 Broadway, www.peterluger.com) is so good it turned up in The Sopranos. Opened in 1887, it has built a reputation for serving the city’s best steaks – the owner boasting that he gets first pick at New York’s meat markets. LATER The Bell House (49 7th Street, www.thebellhouseny.com) has been manufacturing good times for as long as anybody can remember. Formerly a sweater factory, it now plays host to the city’s best bands and puts together brilliant theme nights. Comic-book nirvana exists and its name is Midtown Comics (200 West 40th Street). We’re talking aisles and aisles of web slinging, hulking smashing, supermanning and avenging. New York is best explored with a local – somebody who knows the streets, the history, and the best place to grab a hotdog at 2am. Bike the Big Apple (www.bikethebigapple.com) does exactly what it says on the tin, offering bicycle tours through the most famous neighbourhoods with an enthusiastic local guide. PRACTICAL INFO Taxis into the city take from 30 to 60 minutes. They cost $45/€40 flat fare to Manhattan, not including bridge tolls and tip, and are cash only. It’s polite to tip at least a dollar per bag if the taxi driver assists you. The NYC Airporter Bus departs roughly every 30 minutes for the Bus Terminal, Grand Central Station and Penn Station. The fare is $13/€12. The New York City subways and buses run to and from JFK International Airport for $2/€1.70.

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COMMENTS Back in '59, Fort Walton Beach played host to this famous visitor Kathy Marler Blue, associate director of the Destin History and Fishing Museum, holds a fishing rod that was used by Earnest Hemingway in a Marlin Tournament in Havana. DEVON RAVINE / Daily News Published: Friday, May 2, 2014 at 06:59 PM. EDITOR'S NOTE: For a surprise blast from the past, check out what lies at the bottom of this story. FORT WALTON BEACH — Northwest Florida has had its share of famous visitors. Gregory Peck filmed part of his 1949 film “Twelve O’Clock High” at Duke Field, Bob Hope made numerous visits to the area, the 1968 John Wayne film “The Green Berets” was filmed at Eglin Air Force Base and author Hunter S. Thompson even worked briefly in the sports department of the then Playground Daily News. More recently, celebrities such as Britney Spears, Jim Carey and Sheryl Crowe have worked and played along the Emerald Coast. However, Northwest Florida’s brush with one of the greats of American literature more than 55 years ago has been forgotten by most. Ernest Hemingway, the Nobel Prize winning author of “The Old Man and the Sea” made a brief stop to eat at the former Sir Robert’s Restaurant while he and his wife Mary were on their way to Key West, where they planned to board a boat to their home in Havana, Cuba. Sir Robert’s Restaurant, which was located across the street from what is today the Olive Garden on U.S. Highway 98, closed down about a year after Hemingway’s visit and restaurant owner Robert Shahid passed away about six years ago. But his widow Billie Shahid, who married Robert about two years after Hemingway’s visit, heard her husband tell the story of his brief meeting with “Papa” Hemingway many times. “It is a true story,” Billie said. “(Hemingway) was a very, very interesting person to talk to. Very relaxed, laidback and told him a lot of the things he that he had done through his life. Isn’t that something? I wish I could have met him. “When you’re in the restaurant business, you meet so many people. They might only be in town for a day or two on vacation,” she added. “They did have many interesting people come and visit them, but I think Ernest Hemingway was one of the most important.” According an article that ran in the April 30, 1959 edition of the Playground Daily News, which for some reason misspelled Shahid’s name as Shabaid, the Hemingways spent about two hours at Sir Robert’s. The story stated that Hemingway planned to return to Fort Walton Beach and the Playground area later that summer to go fishing, however there is no indication that he ever did return. Billie was not surprised to hear that Hemingway had expressed an interest in returning at a later date to fish. “Robert was a tremendous fisherman and loved to fish, so he probably talked to Ernest Hemingway about doing some fishing with him,” Billie said. The story states that Hemingway autographed a menu from Sir Robert’s, signing it “Best always, Ernest Hemingway.” Billie said she still has the menu, stored away in her attic. The Destin History and Fishing Museum on Stahlman Avenue has a Hemingway exhibit, which features one of the author’s old fishing reels and a photo of him using it at the Havana Open. Museum director Jean Melvin said she had never heard that Hemingway had visited Northwest Florida, but that his exhibit was a popular one at the museum. “Everybody loves to see it and it’s been in the museum for a long time,” Melvin said. Okaloosa Island resident Dave Davis has read most of Hemingway’s work and been a fan of his for a long time, so much so that when it came time to name his beach photography business three years ago, he called it The Old Man and the Sea. He too was surprised by Hemingway’s visit. “I named my business after his novel and I’ve done a little researched, but I never realized he had been in the Fort Walton Beach area,” Davis said. “That is pretty neat,” he added. This story appeared in the April 30, 1959 edition of the Playground Daily News. The headline read: “Hemingway may return for fishing” Nobel prize-wining novelist Ernest (The Old Man and the Sea) Hemingway is expected to visit Fort Walton Beach and the Playground Area this summer “to do some fishing,” he told Robert Shabaid recently when he and Mrs. Hemingway stopped in Fort Walton Beach en route to their home just outside Havana, Cuba. They were driving along the coastal road to Key West to board a boat for the 90 mile sea trip to Havana. Hemingway has been working on a new novel in a cabin in the northwest. They spent about two hours at Sir Roberts Restaurant here. Shabaid, who owns and operates the restaurant, and his mother who is now in Birmingham, Ala., talked with the Hemingways while they rested in the restaurant after eating (the next several words are unreadable in the microfilm) and Mrs. Hemingway had liver. Hemingway autographed a menu for Shabaid, which reads “Best always, Ernest Hemingway.” Mrs. Hemingway was wearing overalls and Hemingway wore blue slacks, according to Shabaid who said both were dressed informally and comfortably for the long drive. Hemingway was much impressed with the white sandy coastal area and indicated especial interest in fishing. That’s when he expressed the hope he and Mrs. Hemingway can return this summer, or “in about a month and a half.” Hemingway’s short novel, “The Old Man and the Sea,” won for him the Nobel prize, which is awarded annually in Stockholm Sweden, for the best novel published in the world. Sinclair Lewis, Pearl Buck and William Faulkner are other American novelist who have been honored by the Nobel Prize. Hemingway’s writing is notable for terse, direct style and realistic tone. Among his novels are “The Sun Also Rises” (1936), which he wrote in Paris, France, “A Farewell to Arms” (1929), and “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (1940).

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Category Archives: Mediterranean A shining example of Sustainable Tourism Leave a reply This summer season, the Grand Hotel Excelsior has launched the Tiki Village as its newest breath-taking venue by the water’s edge. The Village has been set up close to the Hotel’s Marina, so guests can revel in stunning harbour views while relaxing in a beautiful and exotic ambiance. The Tiki Village is comprised of 10 Villas, which can be rented out by guests, and its unique Blue Ocean Bar. Each Villa seats six people and additional seating is available within the venue. Guests can enjoy light snacks at lunchtime, and delicious platters will be served in the evening. The inception of the Tiki Villas took place in The Philippines when the hotel owners visited self-employed carpenters who earn their living by producing indigenous products. The base of the Villas is comprised of bamboo, while the roof is made of Nipa, a species of palm native to the coastlines of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Indeed the Villas are typical to the style of carpentry commonly used in The Philippines. By opting to purchase the Villas from self-employed carpenters, as opposed to buying mass-produced products, the Grand Hotel Excelsior is able to offer a more authentic experience to guests. Furthermore the hotel is promoting Fair Trade whilst assisting workers in The Philippines to make a living and improve their quality of life. It is a shining example of Sustainable tourism put into practice. The Grand Hotel Excelsior is a luxury 5 star hotel in Malta on the doorstep of Valletta, Malta’s capital. Stay updated with what’s happening at the Grand Hotel Excelsior and other events taking place in Malta. This entry was posted in 5 star hotel malta, About Malta, Excelsior Hotel Malta, Excelsior Hotel Marina, Luxury Malta Hotel, Malta, Malta Restaurants, Maltese Islands, Mediterranean, Outdoor Dining Malta, Things to do in Malta, Valletta and tagged 5 star hotel in malta, grand hotel excelsior malta, hotel marina, malta events, outdoor dining, sea views, sustainable tourism on July 8, 2014 by Denise Camilleri. About Malta – The Walls of Siege Leave a reply In her book Malta of the Knights, first published in 1929, Elizabeth Schemerhorn wrote that “the history of the fortifications of Valletta is the history of the Order in Malta”. In reality it is the history of the Maltese archipelago itself which is, in many ways, a history of fortification. Certainly few other islands around the world can so eloquently claim the title of “island fortress”. Fewer still are those fortified landscapes which can boast such a rich concentration of stone-built defenses in a combined surface area that covers little more than 300 km2. History of MaltaThis vast legacy of forts and fortresses, citadels and fortified towns and cities, towers, batteries, and entrenchments, and concrete forts and World War Two bunkers and pillboxes which dominate this rocky and insular landscape bears testimony to the intense periods of military activity that have helped shape the history of the Maltese Islands. Over the centuries, Malta’s strategic location at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, coupled with it’s excellent natural harbour, saw it play a leading role in the military struggle for supremacy in the region. This was accompanied by a nearly continual investment in fortifications, particularly from 1530 onwards when it was transformed into a frontline bulwark of Christendom by the Hospitalier Knights of the Order of St. John and then, after 1800, as Britain’s entrepot and naval base. Surely no other place around the shores of the Mediterranean can match the diversity of shape and the powerful sculptural features encountered in Malta’s rampants, knit as they are of virgin rock, dressed stone and reinforced concrete. They are truly majestic essays of force encountering force, of grace under pressure. In terms of fortifications, the Maltese Islands are truly unique. This uniqueness has long been acknowledged throughout the course of history. Malta owes this unique wealth of defensive architecture to three important factors: its geography, the Knights of St. John and the British military. Geography placed these islands in a position of strategic importance in the centre of the narrow channel joining the eastern and western basins of the Mediterranean, rendering to them a unique strategic relevance in the history of the region. It also endowed Malta with an excellent natural harbour, one of the finest first-class anchorages to be found anywhere around the shores of the Mediterranean, big enough to accommodate any size of fleet, and it furnished the archipelago with an easily worked stone ideal for realizing extensive building programmes. Order of St JohnThe first to systematically exploit all these features for military purposes were the Hospitaller Knights of the Order of St. John. These warrior monks, who first came together in the Holy Land for the protection of pilgrims at the time of the Crusades, were responsible for starting the process of militarization that was to result in the widespread fortification of the Maltese Islands. The Knights’ arrival in Malta in 1530 set off an unprecedented building spree, which over the course of the next 268 years, saw the whole harbour area, transformed into one large fortress system with kilometres of bastions, citadels, entrenchments, coastal batteries and towers. The core of these fortifications is made up of a network of defences guarding the harbours of Malta (the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett), with their nodal point, the fortified city of Valletta, all of which were built by the Knights of the Order of St. John between 1530 and 1798. This unique ensemble of permanent defences built mainly to the conventions of the bastioned style was then inherited by the British in 1800 who continued to augment and modify it as their naval base, eventually spreading the whole defensive effort to cover the remainder of the island with new important works of fortification, creating in the process a unique island-fortress system. In all, some of the 31 forts and large batteries, five fortified cities, three fortified lines (one of which is 12kms long), over 50 tower and coastal batteries, and hundreds of WW11 concrete bunkers and defences – comprising, together over 60 kms of fortifications were erected to defend the Islands’ urban settlements, harbours and shores. Are you interested in the History of Malta? There is so much you can learn about Malta. To assist you the Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta is offering a special Malta Military and Heritage Package. Feel free to contact the friendly Team at this Luxury Malta Hotel who will assist you in planning your special Malta Holidays and inform your about Things to Do in Malta during your stay. This entry was posted in About Malta, Holidays in Malta, Maltese Islands, Mediterranean on March 11, 2013 by admin. Malta Attractions – Walking Trails Leave a reply Malta’s central position in the Mediterranean has made the Island a hub of history – from the landing of St Paul; through the times of the Knights of St John; to the modern epic of Gallant Malta. A cultural mix makes Malta unique. Its language is based on Arabic, but English is widely spoken. There is a rich variety of country walking allowing visitors and locals alike to explore the Maltese Islands’ landscape of small ridges and valleys, seamed by tracks among stone walls and little farmsteads as well as lovely panoramic coastal paths. There are a number of attractive country walks in Malta. The ideal period for walks is autumn to spring as the weather would not be as hot and the countryside turns into a green paradise with blossoming wild flowers. Gozo is greener, without the bustle of large towns. With some great walking across irrigated farmland, steep valleys, terraced fields and table-top hills, there is no better way of discovering the best the island has to offer. Through walking tours you may explore the hidden and secluded areas around the island and discover stunning views and hidden valleys. You may come across wayside chapels and old forts as well as villages that have remained practically untouched where elderly men and women still work the fields. There are also many historical and archaeological sites with breathtaking views. If you are planning your next Malta holidays the Chauffuer Driven Service at this superior Malta Hotel can assist you with your Malta Walking Tours. This entry was posted in Country Walks in Malta, Gozo, Malta, Malta Attractions, Maltese Islands, Mediterranean on November 19, 2012 by admin. Post navigation

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Contact Us • Email Sign Up +Share Please enable javascript for the best browsing experience. Return Home Visit a Spring Spring Locator Map Silver Springs Learn About SpringsThe Journey of WaterLife in a SpringFrequently Asked QuestionsTimelineVisit a SpringSpring Locator MapSprings RecreationSprings from the AirProtect and RestoreSprings ProtectionHelp Protect SpringsThreats To SpringsRestoration & ResearchSprings ExpeditionWeb ExpeditionWakulla Springs FeatureTribute to Wes SkilesFlorida Springs TVEducational ResourcesLinks & ResourcesStudent Photo BankSprings Calendar Silver Springs State Park The natural beauty of Silver Springs has attracted visitors from around the world since the mid-19th century. Silver Springs, one of the largest of Florida’s 33 first-magnitude springs, is made up of a group of springs that occur in the headwaters, coves, and edges of the Silver River. The Silver River is the largest tributary on the Ocklawaha River. The average water flow from the Silver Springs group is over 550 million gallons per day! Tourists have flocked to see the naturally crystal-clear waters for centuries. Silver Springs is possibly most famous for its glass-bottom boat rides, from which the numerous springs and associated aquatic life may be viewed. Wildlife include alligators and turtles, catfish and mullet, and birds such as cormorants, great blue herons, great egrets, ibis, and limpkin. Rhesus monkeys that were first introduced in the 1930s have also established a population in the park. Over the years, Silver Springs has been the site of many Hollywood films, including a number of Tarzan films as well as the Sea Hunt television series. In 2013, the State of Florida took over management of the headsprings area, combining it with the existing Silver River State Park to create the new Silver Springs State Park. The new park has three entrances: The Main Entrance: Enjoy the headspring from a viewing deck, walk along the river on paved trails, see the ornamental gardens, and enjoy an easy stroll through the Real Florida. Visitors can enjoy a meal from the restaurant with a view of the spring. Glass bottom boat rides and canoe and kayak rentals are offered through our concessionaire. There is a $4.00 per boat launch fee if you bring your own canoe or kayak at the headspring launch. There is no land access from the water along the river and in the headspring area except at the canoe and kayak launch ramp. The Camping Entrance: Visitors can paddle down the crystal clear river (there is no fee to launch from this ramp, but there is a ½ mile hike to launch area), hike or bike along one of the nature trails, or just sit and watch the wide variety of birds and wildlife. The picnic area features three pavilions available for rental with grills and a playground nearby. For overnight stays, the park has a 59 site full facility campground and 10 modern cabins. To reserve a cabin or campsite, please visit ReserveAmerica. The Camping Entrance of the park is home to a pioneer cracker village and the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center. The center is operated by the Marion County School District in cooperation with the park and is open to the public on weekends and holidays from 9am to 5pm. Admission to the Museum is $2.00 per person. Children under 6 are free. PLEASE NOTE: Due to a sewer project in the campground area, reservations are not available between April 15, 2015 and August 30, 2015. Campsites and cabins will be available first come, first served. The Equestrian Entrance: Silver Springs State Parks horse trail traverses a wetland habitat. Unless we are in drought conditions, expect areas of mud and standing water along the trails. Summer seasons feature biting insects, plan accordingly. If you do not have your own horse, we have a Visitor Services Provider offering guided trail rides. Cactus Jack's Trail Rides will offer groups or individuals (6 years and up) rides through the oak trees on well-mannered horses. Visit the website or call them for reservations at (352) 266-9326. Cactus Jack may refuse service based upon current conditions. Zoom+ Clear water, aquatic plants, and white sand bottom make up the natural attraction of Silver Springs. Harley Means/FDEP Silver Springs is located about 6 miles east of downtown Ocala. From the intersection of U.S. Highway 301 and State Road 40 in Ocala, drive east on State Road 40 (East Silver Springs Blvd) for 6.1 miles to the Main Entrance to Silver Springs State Park (on the right). To access the Camping Entrance, turn right on Baseline Road (just before the Main Entrance) and travel 1.1 miles south to the Camping Entrance (on your left). To access by water, boats can be launched at the boat ramp on State Road 40 at the west end of the bridge over the Ocklawaha River, and then go west on the Silver River to the springs. Activities: Glass-bottom boat tours, photography, picnicking, wildlife viewing, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, museum, equestrian trails Entrance Fee: Yes Scuba Diving: No Fishing: No Onsite Camping: Yes, at the Camping Entrance Dogs Allowed: Yes, at campground, picnic area and on hiking trails. Not permitted in glass-bottom boats or buildings. Service animals welcome everywhere. Type of Park: State Park Location: Marion County–Latitude 29°13'04.6" N., Longitude 82°03'19.3" W. Address and Contact Information: 1425 NE 58th Avenue Phone: (352) 236–7148 Get More Information: www.floridastateparks.org/park/Silver-Springs Contact ePostcards Calendar Glossary Sitemap Credits Disclaimer Presented by Florida Department of Environmental Protection © Fusionspark Media.

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Vellore Tourism HolidayIQ Home › India › Tamil Nadu › Vellore Tourism Vellore Buses Vellore Taxis Vellore Trains Vellore Packages Vellore Events Vellore Weather Vellore Maps Vellore Videos Vellore Booking Weekend Getaways from Vellore Vellore Travel Guide Download Vellore Travel guide in PDF format Ranked 21 of 75 Tamil Nadu Tourism Destinations Destination Rating 1026 Ratings & 580 Reviews 97 Sightseeing Vellore Info State: Tamil Nadu Famous for/as: Heritage Vellore, a historical city having shadows of a glorious past, is located on the River Palar in Tamil Nadu. Now a very calm and understated place, it was once a battleground and has seen many wars. The name Vellore also means a �City of spears�. Vellore has an enriching legacy reflecting the early Dravidian culture. The famous Vellore Fort is considered to be the most powerful fortress and was built in the 16th century by the then Nayakar chieftains belonging to the Vijayanagar Empire. It is completely made of granite blocks; and the fort is now a historical tourist hotspot. With a typical tropical climate, the best time to visit Vellore is between the months of October to March.The city also has to its credit one of the best hospitals in India, the Christian Medical College and Hospital. It is situated in the heart of the city and it is also one of the main private employers in the city. The other main attractions of Vellore are the Jalakanteshwara Temple, Muthu Mandapam or the Pearl Palace and the Government Museum.Jalakanteshwara Temple is in the fort complex and the temple walls are full of carvings of Nandi and gopuras. Muthu Mandapam or the Pearl Palace is a memorial built by the River Palar. The Government Museum is an exclusive museum that has in its collection objects pertaining to anthropology, art, archaeology, pre-history, botany and geology. Vellore district is known to be one of the top exporters of prepared leather goods in the country. The Vellore Research Centre is also the country's first stem cell research centre. Kavalur observatory, located in Kavalur, in Vellore district has been chosen for studies as it is closest to the Earth's equator. The largest telescope in Asia is located here. The Amirthi Zoological Park is situated near the Javadu hills near the Amirthi River which is about 25 km away from Vellore. The Golden Temple of Vellore, located at Sripuram near Thirumalaikodi that has been constructed by the Vellore-based Sri Narayani Peedam on 100 acres of land. It is said that about 1500 kg of gold was used to build it. The outer trail of the temple is outlined in the shape of a star and it is about 1.8 km in length. Some of the famous churches in Vellore are the Assumption Cathedral and the 150 year old St. John�s Church. The large mosque based in the heart of the city is known to have the largest Arabic College in India. « LessMore » Most preferred by... Travellers from Kolkata, Bangalore Couple Best time to visit Vellore in the next six months

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Ukraine — Attractions Ukraine is a large and diverse country with plenty of attractions for all types of visitors. The capital city, Kiev, is a place of gold domes and churches, St Sophia Cathedral being the most famous. Other musts are Lviv’s old town and the beaches and vineyards of Crimea. Kiev has a modern metro, but getting between cities is quickest via a domestic flight. The Ukraine capital has wide boulevards and a combination of Soviet era buildings and stunning ecclesiastical edifices. As the precursor to Eastern European civilization, it has a lot to be proud of, and is also the hub of travel. Standout landmarks include the beautiful St Sophia Cathedral, with its domes, fabulous mosaics and murals, and the ancient Caves Monastery. Kiev also has good eating, a decent amount of nightlife, an old town, cute worker’s district, and even beaches, but avoid visiting in winter because the town pretty much shuts down. Address: North/Central Ukraine Phone: n/a St Sophia Cathedral This UNESCO World Heritage site in the Ukraine hails from the early 11th century and is within walking distance of Kiev’s downtown. Visitors can spend hours gaping at the green and gold domes, though the real draw is inside. The church is loaded with frescoes and mosaics, some of which date back several hundred years, most notably the Orans. Be sure to check out the gatehouse and museum, as well. St Sophia is easily accessible via Metro at the Zoloti Vorota station. Address: 24 Volodyrmyrski St., Kiev Phone: +380-44-278-2083 Caves Monastery Known locally as Kiev Pechersk Lavra, the golden domes of the Caves Monastery in Kiev sit high over the town and river. The main church of the site in itself is worthy of a trip, though the real draw lies underneath, in the catacombs. They feature mummified monks and interesting relics, which visitors can see by candlelight. Especially tall guests and those that are claustrophobic may want to skip this one as the tunnels are stout, narrow and one-way only. There is a dress code and it’s best to get in early to avoid the crowds. Nearby is the Museum of the Great Patriotic War and massive Motherland Statue. Address: 25 Sichnevogo Povstannya St., Lavra 9, Kiev Museum of the Great Patriotic War A gigantic complex on the right bank of Kiev, this vast museum marks Ukraine’s liberation from the Nazis. Some of the exhibits may be a little disturbing (like mitts made from human skin), but the collections are extensive and impressive. There’s a lot of military paraphernalia on site, but the main attraction for many is the gargantuan Motherland Statue. This huge figure, comically known as ‘Tin Tits’, has an observation platform with unbeatable views. Address: 24, Lavrska St., Kiev Andrew’s Descent Lying amongst the steep Podil district, Andriyivsky Uzviz is one of Kiev’s most popular streets for its stalls, cafés, and galleries, and, although touristy, is the place to pick up Ukraine souvenirs. The weekend Zhyvopysna-aleya market is a good time to shop, while sightseers can take in St Andrew’s Church, near the top, and the Museum of One Street, at the bottom. Kiev’s famous Funicular provides fast access from the Lower Town so take a ride up and then saunter back down the cobblestone alleys. Address: Podil District, Kiev Hidropark The top summertime destination in Kiev is this vast park on a Dnieper River island. A must for those with kids, it has a decent beach at Sun City (separate entry fee), and boasts a number of side attractions and sports activities. While river swimming is best avoided, there are several pools along with a gym, restaurants, nightclub, and casino. Nearby Trukhaniv Island is a quieter escape with miles of wooded trails. Get here by taking the Kiev Metro to the Hidropark Station. Address: Venetian Island, Kiev A UNESCO World Heritage site for its rococo architecture, the Old Town of the western city of Lviv is the main attraction. The downtown square retains its stunning Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings as it avoided destruction in WWII. The Latin Cathedral is one of the main sites and, in typical Ukraine style, visitors will notice beautiful churches seemingly at every turn, plus many noteworthy museums. The Museum of Popular Architecture & Life is especially interesting. Address: Lviv, Galicia, Western Ukraine Though perhaps not the most impressive town on the Black Sea, Odessa is worth a visit for those in the region in summer as it has the best beaches and standout museums. Arcadia Beach has nice sands and is loaded with leggy, bronzing Ukrainian women and pumping nightclubs. The main boulevard is good for cafés and impressive sanatoriums. The Archeology Museum is one of the top in Ukraine, while the Opera & Ballet Theater is one of the most photographed landmarks on the Potemkin Stairway. Address: Odessa, Southern Ukraine Yalta is the main destination of the peninsula of Crimea, straddling the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. The resort spa town in the south has beaches, wide promenades, cliffs, and palaces. Communist leaders would head here for some R&R, and this is the place where Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin met in 1945 at nearby Livadia Palace for their famous discussions. There are vineyards to tour and the Crimean Mountains to climb, plus visitors can enjoy Ukraine’s best weather. Just avoid Simferopol. Address: Crimea, Southern Ukraine Not everyone’s idea of a good time, the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 1986 at nearby Prypiat makes for an eye-opening daytrip from capital of Kiev. Visitors cannot enter the actual power plant, but tours explore the grounds and there is even an amusement park on site. Two to three hours away, it is hard to get to on your own so it’s best to go through a tour company in Kiev, who will arrange the transportation and food like Tour2chernobyl. If that’s too intense, you can alternately visit the Chernobyl Museum in Kiev. Address: Prypiat, Kiev Oblast Carpathian National Park Ukraine’s largest national park is located across the Carpathian Mountains in the west of the country and home to some of the best hiking. Beautiful as it is, humans are doing their best to destroy it through illegal logging. Only a quarter of the park is protected and it is here where the most stunning flora and fauna are housed, including wolves and bison. Mount Hoverla is several thousand feet tall and good for serious hikers. The area is also idea for kids and camping. Address: 6 Stusa St., Ivano-Frankivska Oblast, Yaremche 78500 Website: http://www.carpathianparks.org/

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Atlantis Myth or history? by Holly Hartman The island of Thera For centuries, Atlantis has been one of the western world's favorite legends, a tantalizing blend of fantasy and mystery. Stories tell of a rich and glorious empire that was lost to the sea—where some hope its ruins still lie, waiting to be discovered. A Lost Paradise Most of the information we have about Atlantis comes from the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. He says that Atlantis lay west of the Pillars of Hercules (rock formations at the Straits of Gibraltar), in the Atlantic Ocean. On this huge island was a "great and wonderful empire" where brave, virtuous people lived in a kind of paradise. But this peaceful existence came to an end when the people of Atlantis began to love power more than they loved the gods. They waged war against the rest of the world, but were ultimately defeated by the wise and moral Athenians. Then, some 9,000 years before Plato's own time, or around 9,500 B.C.E., earthquakes sunk Atlantis into the sea. In Search of Atlantis There is no proof that Atlantis ever existed. Many people believe that Atlantis was just a legend, told by Plato to praise the values Athenian society held dear. But others believe that the storied island was based in fact. Some have argued that Atlantis was in the Americas, or in the Canary Islands, or in Antarctica. Others think Atlantis was in fact the Greek island of Thera—a theory fed by recent archaeological discoveries. The Thera Theory In the late 1960s Professor Spyridon Marinatos discovered the remains of a Bronze Age city near Akrotiri, on the island of Thera (Santorini). The city's streets, buildings, pottery, and colorful wall paintings prove that it was a wealthy society much like the Minoan civilization of nearby Crete. But around 1500 B.C.E., a devastating volcanic eruption—far greater than the one that covered Pompeii—buried the city under 15 feet of ash. Was Thera the land of Atlantis? Some believe that Plato was indeed describing Thera, but that he was wrong about its location and the date of its destruction—or that translations of his writings have been misunderstood. If Plato did not completely make up the story of Atlantis, it probably has its origins in ancient Egyptian records that told of the events at Thera. Atlantis Tours Unlimited It is easy to understand the desire to find archaeological proof of Atlantis. Who wouldn't want to be able to visit the remains of paradise on Earth? Today, the Atlantis legend helps bring tourists to Thera by the boatload. Visitors enjoy black sand beaches, archaeological sites, and dramatic volcanic cliffs. And the weary can rest their feet at the Hotel Atlantis. Did you know? The world's newest country is South Sudan.

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Haiti hopes $160M for high-end tourism pays off By TRENTON DANIEL, Associated Press Published: Jul 7, 2013 at 1:39 PM MST Last Updated: Jul 7, 2013 at 1:39 PM MST In this June 29, 2013, tourists rest seaside while others wade in the ocean waters at the Club Indigo beach resort in Montrouis, Haiti. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery) MONTROUIS, Haiti (AP) — The only leisure tourist among the U.N. peacekeepers, aid workers, embassy personnel and missionaries on this beach north of the Haitian capital must have been Anne Fournier.She didn't live or work in Haiti or pretend to help. Fournier was here for fun, traveling to Haiti for the first time with her Port-au-Prince-born husband of almost two years. The couple visited a few of his relatives but otherwise has spent their 10-day vacation seeing the historic town of Jacmel in the south, wading in a nearby waterfall and relaxing on the beach."You can tell that the tourism isn't very developed yet, and that's the big charm of it," Fournier, 26, of Montreal, Canada, as she sipped juice from a cut-open coconut. "Everything is an adventure here."Haitian President Michel Martelly and his administration are to trying to woo Fournier and others like her as they aim high to revive the country's long stagnant tourism industry with investments totaling more than $160 million.While many in Haiti welcome anything that can create jobs, some critics are questioning the government's priority of trying to attract high-end tourists at a time when the country faces so many other problems, such as high unemployment, a deadly cholera outbreak and lack of housing for people displaced by the earthquake more than three years ago."It's good that the government is thinking about tourism but I think it's thinking about it in a very narrow way," said Robert Maguire, a longtime Haiti scholar at George Washington University. "It's an exclusive, high-end model that benefits a small group of the elite."Haiti's tourism ministry had about $2 million in its budget under the previous administration, and received another $1 million from a Venezuelan oil fund in the aftermath of a destructive storm season, according to the former tourism minister. Today, the department has a budget that's $4.7 million, plus $27 million from Venezuela's PetroCaribe fund."Haiti is ready for tourism. Haiti is a tourism destination," said Tourism Minister Stephanie Villedrouin, a rare constant in the shakeup-prone Martelly administration. "If we want to be a sovereign country, if we don't want to depend on other countries, we need to figure out ourselves how to move forward and how to get revenue, and tourism must be number one on the list."The government's projects include $13.2 million to build an airport and infrastructure on the southern island of Ile-a-Vache and another $8 million to develop the coastal town of Jacmel. Officials say these efforts will create more than 1,600 direct jobs and 6,500 indirect jobs. Tourism generated $200 million last year, Villedrouin said. This in a country whose annual budget is $1 billion.Lest tourists fear Haiti unravels with unrest, the government is also building a force of 53 "tourism police officers" who will learn Spanish and English, first aid skills, customer service and work in the outposts where officials want to bring tourists. Funding comes from the Justice Ministry.Other plans include making use of a little-known "investment code" that gives 15-year tax breaks to the owners of new hotels, many of whom are from the country's powerful and wealthy families. This law also allows hotel owners to ship supplies through customs without paying taxes.Haiti used to be the stomping grounds for the rich and famous in the 1970s and early 1980s as they came in search of late-night Voodoo ceremonies, rum-fueled revelry and Cold War-era conspiracy theories. Guests included Mick Jagger, Truman Capote and Jackie Onassis.But an AIDS scare in the early 1980s sent tourists to less exciting destinations. And the ouster of former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" in 1986 spawned years of political upheaval as governments took turns toppling one another. The lone visitors became diplomats, peacekeepers, aid workers, missionaries and emigrants, all symbols of the country's problems.They largely remain so today. The bona fide tourists who mostly visit are those who hop off the cruise ships docked in Labadie, a fenced-in beach attraction on the country's north coast; Villedrouin said 600,000 of these people visit each year.Villedrouin couldn't say how many other real tourists came last year. But so far only 120 have showed up since January as part of holiday package with Air Transat, a leading charter carrier in Canada. Air Transat flies weekly between Montreal and Port-au-Prince, and reserves 30 seats a month for its holiday packages in Haiti, which cost between $1,399 and $1,600.These tourists, however, are the exception, the country a tough sell not just because of its history of political unrest, dysfunction and disease or because it was designated by the U.S. State Department in 2012 as a "major drug trafficking country." It's also difficult to sell because its Caribbean neighbors are cheaper; hotels are relatively expensive and fees such as generator fuel and potable water are often included in room rates."You pay more but get more," Villedrouin said, citing Haiti's "added value" of culture.The government is holding out that the tourism industry will create jobs as a construction boom for high-end hotels plays out in the capital and countryside. In fact, the government is making use of a little-known "investment code" that was revised in 2002. The law enables tourism investors to receive a 15-year tax break and import supplies without paying taxes. After the grace period ends, 15 percent of the company's income will be taxable at the end of the first year."Think about something: They create jobs. They create a lot of jobs," Villedrouin said, noting that each hotel room built creates two jobs and four indirect jobs. She adds that hotels charge a 10 percent tax on all purchases. Haiti's minimum wage has held at 200 Haitian gourdes a day, or about $4.54, since 2009. "These investments will definitely create jobs."One bright Sunday morning, Fournier and her husband, Sadrack Duclair, relaxed in beach chairs under the straw-hut canopy. He photographed her as she laughed and played the role of Caribbean tourist, sipping juice from a cut-open coconut. Earlier, they had rented a car and found a driver to shuttle them among the tourist attractions."I knew coming here that it was going to be a big adventure," said Duclair, who left Haiti as a child and last visited in 1999. "I think it began at the airport, the first day. After that I was like: Haiti."

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The largest city in the state of Florida by both population and by area in the contiguous United States, Jacksonville is the county seat of Duval County. It is the principal city in the Jacksonville metropolitan area and has a population of around 1 million residents. Jacksonville is centrally located on the St. Johns River, about 25 miles south of the Georgia state line and about 340 miles north of Miami. Historically, the area was inhabited by the Timucua people, but in 1564 it became the site of the French colony of Fort Caroline. Named after President Andrew Jackson, the city became a major military and civilian deep-water port in the 19th-century. Made in sunny San Diego, CA. ©2015 LocalStack, Inc. All rights reserved.

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World Iceland Borgarnes Living Our Retirement Dream Year 6: Pole To Pole Borgarnes Sep 15, 2011 We Had Two To Three Hours Before Dark, So We Headed Up... We Made A Quick Swing Through Arkanes, A Small Fishing Village With... Some Buildings Are Clad In Corrugated Iron, Others In Plaster, But The... Show all 11 photos We Stopped At A Farmhouse B&B To See If They Had A... They Are Highly Recommended In Our Guidebook, But It's Late In The... I Love The Way The Icelanders Prepare Their Bedding, Folded Duvets Down... Our Room Shared A Delightful Little Kitchen With Two Other Rooms, But... Breakfast Was A Feast For The Eyes And The Tummy, We Enjoyed... The View From The Front Door Took In The Fjord And The... We Learned That Our Building Had Once Housed The Cows And Sheep,... The Farm No Longer Has Any Animals, But Here And There Are... @@@@@@@BACKGROUNDBorgarnes is the centre of commerce for much of the western part of Iceland. It exists primarily to supply services to farms in the region, to the owners of summerhouses along the coast and to people travelling between Reykjavik and Akureyri. To reach Borgarnes, drivers usually pass through a 5.8km-long tunnel under a fjord and then cross the second longest bridge in Iceland.KAPOORS ON THE ROADWe didn’t give the town more than a cursory glance, but carried on along the highway for another kilometre watching for the sign for ‘Bjarg’. The farm was well marked and we turned onto a gravel road and within a few moments the striking farmhouse came into view. We had read that the guesthouse is being run by the third generation of the same family to live on the land. The former cow shed and sheep shed have been converted into comfortable accommodations, highly recommended by the Lonely Planet. There were a few other cars in the driveway and our hearts sank not knowing how many rooms they offered.I set off on my own to find the reception, and passed by a window in the largest building and saw the family seated for their evening meal. A young woman waved me on to the door and met me warmly as I entered. I think she was as delighted to have a surprise guest, as I was to find they had a room for us. We were assigned to the former sheep shed, to a room named after a former pet lamb named Móra.I was given a key and the woman returned to her dinner. I waved to Anil to bring the luggage, and entered the door of the shed not knowing what I would find. We’ve come to rely on the advice of the Lonely Planet, but the highly recommended guesthouses are often full if one doesn’t book ahead. Thank goodness we were travelling in the off-season, otherwise we never would have had the chance to enjoy the delightful Bjarg.We stepped into a warm, wood-paneled kitchen stocked with everything one would want for a comfortable stay. There were three rooms off the kitchen, each with two single beds and a set of bunk beds. The rooms also contained a small table and two chairs and had immaculate bedding and modern lighting. There was even a flat screen television mounted on the wall near the window.The three rooms shared a shower and a separate toilet and everything was done up with what I would call homey little touches that warmed the heart. There was even a small professionally done album placed on the desk that answered all the FAQ’s that might come to mind and provided a history of the farm and the family. It was here that I learned about the pet lamb Móra, who acted more like a member of the family than a member of the flock of sheep.We prepared a light meal for ourselves, checked our email on the wireless network with its fast connection and settled in for a comfortable sleep. I remember thinking how nice it was that we were the only guests in the sheep shed that night, as it would be hard to share the kitchen and the bathroom facilities if all the beds in the three rooms were filled to capacity.The next morning we arrived for breakfast in the former barn, and found we were on our own. The other guests had eaten earlier, so we had our hostess for company. She had laid out a tempting array of breakfast foods and the coffee was hot and aromatic. There were small tea lights glimmering on each of the dozen IKEA-style tables in the dining room. It was clear that a lot of love and attention to detail had gone into the renovations.I had read about the family but our hostess answered my questions about the recent additions to the guesthouse and her plans for the future. She told me that she rarely puts more than two families into the adjoining rooms and that she too shared my concerns about overcrowding. She has four young children to raise, in addition to running the guesthouse, but so far she is loving the challenge and she realizes that once the summer is over, there is time to focus on other chores and the children’s education.We were so taken with the guesthouse and the setting overlooking the sheltered bay; that we would have loved to stay longer. I looked for the Bjarg on the TripAdvisor website so that we could add a review, but it wasn’t listed. Pity. It was only then that I dug a little deeper and learned that it was possible to request the site to add the guesthouse so that we could be the first people to write a review. A couple of days later, it was up and ready. Anil wrote the review and I added several photos that I had taken. We were only too happy to share our experience with other travellers and hopefully promote this fine woman’s guesthouse in a very positive way. If we had longer that a week in Iceland, we would have been sure to stop at the Bjarg on our way back from the north coast.@@@@@@@

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9 Underrated Beach Destinations Mar 13, 2013 by Jane Reynolds Some destinations always come to mind when people think of beach getaways: Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, Miami's South Beach, and the crowded sands in Cancun. Some spots, however, are often overlooked and it makes them that much better. Fewer people, untouched nature, you name it; underrated beach destinations are hidden gems that can be just what you're looking for. Check out our list of nine underrated beach destinations -- and make a trip before the secret is out! Vieques Island, Puerto Rico Vieques Island is surrounded by gorgeous, clear waters.This unique little island offers travelers pure, undeveloped land, mainly thanks to the US Navy's former use of a good portion of the island. The Navy left in 2003, however, and the land it once occupied is now a national wildlife refuge. Tourists to Puerto Rico often don't leave the mainland as it takes an extra puddle-jumper to get to Vieques and there are few tourist attractions. Instead, attractions are nature-oriented: The island's stunning, untouched white-sand beaches and famous bioluminescent bay are the highlights, but it also features walking trails, 300-year-old trees, and some of the top snorkeling spots in the country.Where to Stay: The quaint Inn on the Blue Horizon is a smaller, more affordable option compared to the nearby W Vieques. The inn features phenomenal ocean views, pretty Mediterranean-style architecture, and wild horses roaming the grounds. Jacksonville Beach, Florida Skip the crowds by heading to Jacksonville Beach.Jacksonville Beach is often overlooked for its Florida beach destination counterparts, but the area offers several nice beaches, andis home to world-renowned golf courses and a lively arts scene. The beach scene in Jacksonville is a bit limited by the weather; though the city experiences mild winters, the waters are too cold for beachgoers from November to March. But the upside is that, during the beach season, the sands are less crowded than southern Florida beaches, and are still great spots for surfing, swimming, and fishing. Plus, rates and restaurants are often less expensive than those elsewhere in the state.Where to Stay: The Mediterranean-inspired Lodge & Club at Ponte Vedra Beach occupies a quiet, uncrowded beachfront. There are beautiful ocean views from balconies and romantic window seats in each of the hotel's 66 rooms. Montauk, New York Montauk is yet another underrated beach on the midst of discovery, so make a trip before the crowds come for good.Though Montauk is technically in the Hamptons, there are a lot of things that set this small town apart from other "quintessential Hamptons" destinations and makes it more of a hidden gem than the others. First off, there's the location: Montauk, nicknamed "The End," is literally on the end of Long Island -- the easternmost tip, surrounded on three sides by water, and 12 miles from the next Hamptons town. It's laid-back feel attracts more surfers and fishermen than socialites. Long-time lovers of Montauk worry about the area's growing popularity and new hipster vibe; recent "Save Montauk" signs and shirts have even taken notice of The New York Times. But a lack of chain restaurants and shops helps to preserve the small-town feel. Only time will tell if Montauk is the next underrated beach destination to be, well, "rated" we guess.Where to Stay: If you're looking for an "old Montauk" scene, skip the more-hipster-with-every-day Sole East and stay at the Panoramic View. The 10-acre site is situated on a hillside and includes pretty walkways, an outdoor pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, and private beach access. Lanai, Hawaii Soft sand, quiet beaches, glamorous (but understated) people; Lanai is certainly Hawaii's hidden gem.Like Vieques Island, Lanai is a bit difficult to get to (most visitors take a ferry from Maui) which helps keep the island uncrowded, despite its growing popularity as a luxe getaway. But with not a single stoplight on the island, it really doesn’t need to be said that this island is a bit off of Hawaii’s beaten path. Even though its jaw-dropping natural beauty (which includes cerulean ocean and lush forests) is its best asset, small-town coziness accompanies this undeveloped isle. Lanai also offers some of the typical resort destination activities, but with a distinct Lanai twist. For instance, the Challenge at Manele in Lanai City is your basic 18-hole golf course, but it spreads out over fields of lava pressing up against scenic coastal cliffs.Where to Stay: Though the Four Seasons Lodge at Koele is also extremely luxurious, it's sister Four Seasons at Manele Bay trumps it with it's beachfront location. It also offers top-rated dining, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, and a pristine pool and spa. San Juan Islands, Washington The San Juan Islands are home to serene lake beaches.The San Juan Islands are a popular summer getaway for Washingtonians, but otherwise are relatively quiet, unknown spots. With a relaxed, back-to-nature vibe, the islands are home to farmlands, evergreen forests, nature trails, whale-watching, and mom-and-pop shops. Temperatures are moderate, and rainfall is about half that of Seattle's, so it's possible to spend plenty of time outdoors. Popular activities include hiking, wildlife spotting, sailing, swimming, and kayaking and no destination on the islands ever feels overcrowded.Where to Stay: It's hard to beat Lakedale Resort, an 82-acre property in quiet Friday Harbor. With a lakefront location, the resort offers everything from an airstream trailer to canvas cabins so guests can choose how luxe or rugged they make their vacation. York, Maine York has that posh-meets-understated vibe that Maine is known for.This quaint town along Maine's coast is notable for its history, beaches, and outdoor activities. The 18th-century former jailhouse remains, as do historic homes and the Nubble Lighthouse -- one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. York experiences a surge of visitors during the summertime, but it rarely reaches a point of being overwhelming like so many other beach destinations. Tourists flock to the coast, lined by sandy and rocky beaches, and enjoy activities such as swimming, surfing, kayaking, fishing, and even whale-watching. Those looking for the area's most secluded beaches may consider heading to York's Cape Neddick, a quiet little beach with views of the lighthouse.Where to Stay: Stage Neck Inn has a scenic oceanfront location, right next to York Harbor Beach. The 58-room hotel offers some outstanding features, such as an outdoor freshwater pool with ocean views, an indoor atrium pool, and a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs. Bal Harbour, Florida Bal Harbour has the best of both worlds, with a location that's close enough to Miami's more popular spots but far enough from Miami's crowds.The beach at Bal Harbour is the one above; South Beach looks like this. While most tourists to Miami flocks to SoBe, the ones in the know head to Bal Harbour. Known for its prime shopping at the Bal Harbour Shops, Bal Harbour is a posh Miami suburb. The pier down on the inlet is a nice place to people- (and bird-) watch. The locals fish out on the rocks; the pelicans take a more direct approach.Where to Stay: Though not as luxe as the nearby St. Regis and ONE, the Sea View Hotel is an affordable option just across the street from the shops. Rooms are simple, but the lobby is gorgeous and the hotel features an Olympic-size pool. Lake Tahoe, California Trade in your snow skis for water skis when heading to Lake Tahoe this summer.Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe is known as a premiere ski destination and attracts plenty of visitors heading for the slopes. In the summer, a smaller -- but equally outdoorsy -- crowd comes for the hiking, fishing, swimming, and kayaking, all centered around the pristine lake. There are also a few dispersed museums and historic mansions, and hot-air ballooning and gondola rides are popular ways of taking in the views.Where to Stay: Sitting in a small forest area across the street from Lake Tahoe, the Cedar Glen Lodge is a throwback to a simpler time with its motor-lodge design and woodsy cabins. Despite its 1930s-era vintage, the hotel is in a state of constant renewal. Friendly owners, lake access, a heated outdoor pool charming lodge-style rooms, and free continental breakfast all make the Cedar Glen a great value. Long Beach, New York Long Beach is recovering post-Sandy.A lively beach destination during the 1920s and 30s, Long Beach became a rundown and forgotten spot during the 1940s when airfare became cheaper and years of corruption sullied the town's reputation. In the last several decades, however, the city has undergone promising urban renewal, and though Hurricane Sandy hit the area hard -- wiping away the iconic boardwalk -- city planners are working hard to get things back up and running as soon as possible. Once the beach re-opens (fingers crossed it's in time for beach weather this year!), Long Beach will once again be a great pick for a quieter, and cheaper, alternative to the Hamptons or Atlantic City's beaches. Plus, the Long Island Railroad, as well as several bus lines, make it easy to get to the beach from numerous areas of New York.Where to Stay: The Allegria Hotel is a chic 143-room boutique delivering a dose of Miami style right on the Long Beach boardwalk. Big rooms have light, airy decor, plush beds, and sleek limestone bathrooms; some have beach and ocean views. The restaurants serve gourmet organic cuisine and tasty cocktails, and in nice weather Atlantica restaurant opens its windows right up to the boardwalk. RELATED LINKS: All the dish on beach hotels All the beach-related posts on the blog Top Read Take a Photo Tour of One of Northern California's Newest Luxury Inns 8 U.S. Destinations That Go Over-the-Top for the Holidays 8 Things You Need to Know About Holiday Travel This Year in Order to Survive 11 New (and Newly Renovated) All-Inclusive Resorts That Need to Make Your 2016 Visit List 9 U.S. Drives You Have to Take in Your Lifetime Tip Oyster Have a tip or update? Follow Oyster

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Home > National Parks of Canada > Mount Revelstoke National Park > Natural Wonders & Cultural Treasures > History Species at RiskEcosystemsPlants & AnimalsResearch & MonitoringHistory Royal VisitsInternment CampSkiing History History of Mount Revelstoke National Park of Canada Mount Revelstoke National Park of Canada is situated in the Selkirk Mountains of southeastern British Columbia, immediately northeast of the confluence of the Illecillewaet ( ill-ah-SIL-ah-wet) and Columbia Rivers. It occupies 260 km2 of a landscape characterized by rugged snow-capped peaks and lush valley-floor rainforests. In 1908, the City of Revelstoke broke a trail to the summit of the mountain and later completed trails to some of the alpine lakes. Local citizens lobbied the provincial and federal governments for construction of a road to the summit. Mount Revelstoke was established as a National Park in 1914, after considerable advocacy by local residents, in recognition of its unspoiled mountain scenery, its sub-alpine wildflower meadows, and its potential for recreational use. The Meadows in the Sky Parkway was built between 1911 and 1927. Little is known about the area's use by First Nations groups prior to European contact. Before the coming of the railway, the confluence of the Columbia and Illecillewaet Rivers just outside the park was used as an encampment by fur traders and explorers on the Columbia, and as a supply point for mining operations. Railway construction in 1885 made the river junction (known as Farwell) a focus of activity. Farwell was renamed Revelstoke and became a CPR divisional point after the completion of the railway. Human heritage resources of national significance are found in Mount Revelstoke, commemorating the mountain's use as one of Canada's first ski hills. From 1915 to the late 1960s, annual ski jumping competitions were held on Mount Revelstoke, the longest period of any Canadian ski jumping venues. History of Skiing on Mount Revelstoke The Mount Revelstoke Internment Camp Date Modified 2012-07-20

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Back To Top 25 Experiences Witness the procession of a million people – Batu Caves, Selangor Comprising a cluster of three limestone caves, the legendary Batu Caves is a magnificent and renowned cave temple. A 140-feet-high golden statue of Lord Muruga looms at the foot of a flight of 272 steps leading up to Temple Cave, the biggest of the three caves. Batu Caves is the country's main venue for the colourful Thaipusam festival, where a colourful procession of Hindu devotees can be seen carrying kavadi as offerings to Lord Muruga. Put your stamina to the test and climb the 272 steps all the way up to Temple Cave Visit Batu Caves during Thaipusam to witness one of the world's biggest religious festival gatherings Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque The Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam is one of the most stunning ... Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) (FRIM CLOSES ITS CANOPY WALKAWAY AND ROVER TRACK) Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) regrets to inform that the Canopy Walkway and Rover Track will ... Zoo Negara Zoo Negara (National Zoo) was officially opened by the country's first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman ...

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History of the Municipality Silves - Portal de Turismo do Algarve English PortuguêsDeutschEspañolFrançais home page Life in the Algarve Discovering the Region Para visualizar correctamente este conteúdo "clique" no botão em baixo e faça download do último plug-in do Flash Player. > Discovering the Region What are you looking for in the Algarve? Active Tourism Transports and Terminuses Concelhos do Algarve Olhão São Brás de Alportel Vila Real de Santo António History of the Municipality Silves The presence of man during the Palaeolithic period is confirmed by one archaeological site. The whole of the area of what is now Silves municipality was however inhabited during the Neolithic period and the Bronze and Iron Ages, a fact borne out by numerous archaeological finds. Particularly impressive are the abundant megalithic monuments - menhirs - carved out of the region's red sandstone and of limestone.The Arade river has since time immemorial been the route to the interior favoured by the vessels of the Mediterranean peoples - Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians - who were drawn to the region by the copper and iron mined in the western Algarve. This much is evident from the archaeological site at Cerro da Rocha Branca - unfortunately destroyed - about half a mile away from Silves, which was inhabited from the end of The Bronze Age onwards. In the 4th century B.C. Silves boasted a strong defensive wall and in the ensuing centuries it was occupied by both the Romans and the Moors.Silves owes its existence to the navigability of the Arade river and to its strategic position atop a hill that dominates a broad swathe of countryside. It was possibly founded during the period of Roman rule, but it was with the Moorish invasion which began around 714-716 that Silves became a prosperous city. By the 11th century it was the capital of the Algarve and according to some authors surpassed Lisbon in size and importance. At this time Silves was also a centre of culture, home to poets, chroniclers and lawmakers.The religious and political tremors that rocked the Moslem world in the 11th and 12th centuries were felt in Silves too, where they manifested themselves in frequent changes of ruler and sieges and struggles that pitted rival factions against each other. King Sancho I took advantage of this internal division to lay siege to the city in 1189. His army was aided by crusaders from Northern Europe who were on their way to the Holy Land.The fight for Silves was long and cruel and. according to chronicles of the time, many of its inhabitants perished, killed by hunger and thirst or slaughtered when the crusaders sacked the town. But Portuguese rule was initially short-lived and in 1191 the city was recaptured by the Moors.Despite having lost many of its inhabitants and much of its wealth, Silves was elevated to the status of Episcopal see and headquarters of the military government after the definitive conquest of the city in the context of the Christian occupation of the Algarve - 1242 to 1249 - which was concluded in the reign of King Afonso lll.The centuries that followed were a difficult time for Silves. With the sundering of its former links with North Africa and the gradual silting up of the river it found itself sidelined from the lucrative maritime trade. As a consequence its economic, political and military influence dwindled, while places like Lagos, Portimão and Faro grew in importance. Natural catastrophes like the plague, earthquakes and fevers caused by the swamp that formed where the Arade had once flowed also contributed to the town's decline.The coup de grace came in 1534, with a papal bull allowing the transfer of the Episcopal see to Faro, a possibility that only became a reality years later. Silves was never to recover its past splendour and for almost three centuries it was a city inhabited by only a few remaining citizens.But in the second half of the 19th century dried fruit and, above all, cork breathed new life into the city, which became one of the main processing centres for those products. Today Silves is a town proud of its past, at the heart of a municipality with a thriving and increasingly diverse economy. Demography and Geography Country Drives Updated on: 25-11-2015 Visitor: 26752493 | Copyright| Would you like some help from our team?

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From Navajo Route 20 to US 89T: Shorter detour route opens to Page, Lake Powell by Published - 08/28/13 - 02:18 PM | 0 | 25 | | US 89 MAP (PHOENIX, Ariz) — Drivers headed to Page and the Lake Powell area this Labor Day weekend will have another option when the Arizona Department of Transportation opens the newly paved Temporary US 89 route (US 89T) on Thursday, April 29, albeit with some restrictions.The limited-access opening will occur following the formal Navajo Nation dedication ceremony marking substantial completion of the project. The former Navajo Route 20 route (known locally as Coppermine Road) runs parallel to US 89 from The Gap to LeChee and is accessible on US 89, approximately 17 miles north of the US 160 junction (Tuba City exit).While the 27-mile paving operations have been completed, US 89T remains an active construction zone as crews continue to install right-of-way fencing along the corridor, which has a large amount of livestock.Until fencing is complete, US 89T will be open during daylight hours only (except for local residents) and there will be a 25 mph speed limit in place. When construction is complete, the speed limit will be raised and nighttime restrictions will be lifted. When traveling on US 89T, ADOT urges motorists to slow down, pay attention to their surroundings and be aware that this roadway is prone to animal crossings, including horses, goats, cows and dogs.The $35 million paving project to adopt N20 temporarily into the state highway system was finished only three months after breaking ground, an impressive feat considering the 44-mile-long tribal route was primarily a dirt road before work began in late May.By paving US 89T, the detour route travel time was cut in nearly half and is similar in length to the closed US 89 route. Immediately after the US 89 landslide, ADOT set an alternate route along US 160 and State Route 98, but the 115-mile-long route created a heavy burden for drivers because it was 45 miles longer than the direct route. With the restricted opening of US 89T, however, the US 160-to-SR 98 detour route may still be a faster option for drivers.“After the Feb. 20 landslide, ADOT quickly moved to establish a designated detour route along US 160 and SR 98 to ensure motorists could travel through the region,” said Jennifer Toth, deputy director of transportation. “But we knew that detour route, with its additional 45 miles, posed a negative impact to those community members who rely on US 89 every day. That’s why this project was so critical to complete in record time.”Early on, N20 stood out as a better route for an interim US 89 detour because of its direct access to Page, but there were several obstacles to overcome. The most obvious was bringing the sandy, mostly dirt roadway up to highway standards.Without paving and significant roadbed improvements, N20 would not be able to accommodate the volume of traffic that US 89 carries daily, let alone commercial truck traffic. Approximately 300,000 cubic yards of soil needed to be moved onto the roadway before the gravel and asphalt could go down. To complete the 27 miles of paving – which included fencing, cattle guards, centerline rumble strips and striping throughout the entire corridor – about 5,000 truck loads are asphalt were needed.Equally important to the project’s success was the collaboration between the various stakeholders involved, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Division of Transportation, Navajo Nation and the Federal Highway Administration.“Without this direct collaboration between ADOT, tribal leaders, chapter presidents and the Navajo Division of Transportation, we would not have been able to finish a project of this magnitude in such a short time frame,” Toth said. “It is the existence of this dedicated partnership between ADOT and the Navajo Nation that helped expedite the Federal Highway Administration’s release of $35 million in emergency relief funds.”The US 89T project was eligible for reimbursement through the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program, which provides funding to state and local agencies for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges that are damaged in natural disasters and catastrophic failures.US 89T is not part of the ultimate solution to repair US 89, which has been closed north of Bitter Springs and south of Page since Feb. 20 due to a landslide that buckled pavement along the mountain slope in the Echo Cliffs area.After an extensive geotechnical investigation of the US 89 landslide, ADOT’s proposed solution is to move the travel lanes away from the active landslide and construct a gravity buttress to stabilize the area. The projected $40 million repair is expected to take more than two years to complete, and will include significant environmental and right-of-way clearances prior to construction.After the reconstruction of US 89 is complete, US 89T will be returned to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and will be referred to again as Navajo Route 20.ADOT has a range of communication tools, including a Web page (azdot.gov/us89) dedicated to keeping the public informed about the status of the closure and alternate travel routes, including US 89T, complemented by up-to-date video and photos of the roadway damage on US 89. Page Lake Powell Hot Air Balloon Regatta flies again Nov. 6 Lee McMichael Brian Head Resort kicks off 51st ski and snowboard season Pratt Redd Native American Heritage Month: The Realities of Hardships and Life on Utah's Navajo Indian Reservation Kate Judge Costs of Lake Powell Pipeline project still in dispute Melissa Anderson and Zach Frankel; Exec Dir. Utah Rivers Council; Ron Thompson; WCWCD 2015 Christmas tree permits available Kathy Jo Pollock Aug 28, 2013 | 4411 views | 0 | 25 | | US 89 MAP

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Copacabana Palace Hotel Renovation By Contributing Reporter on October 16, 2012 By Fiona Hurrell, Senior Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Copacabana Palace Hotel has remained one of Rio’s most iconic landmarks ever since it first opened its doors in 1923. Presiding over an era of decadence and glamor, the impressive white building has hosted the crème de la crème of stars and celebrities from Marilyn Monroe and Fred Astaire to the Rolling Stones and Beyoncé. The luxurious façade of the Copacabana Palace, situated looking out to sea, photo by Yusuke Kawasaki/Flickr Creative Commons License. Despite its ability to preserve tradition the hotel is by no means adverse to change, having recently undergone an intensive renovation project in order to bring the establishment up-to-date. The work, which started in July just after the Rio +20, is the second renovation project since the hotel first opened. The improvements will be officially unveiled at a private function on December 12th. The main alterations have been made to the hotel’s lobby, which has been extended to almost double its original size. The changes have also enhanced the disabled access, which was inefficient in the past due to the high number of staircases. Juliana Lacerda is part of the reception and welcome team at the Copacabana Palace and has witnessed, first hand, the various stages of the renovation project. “The biggest improvements have been to the disabled access. Being an old hotel, there were a lot of stairs before which meant it was difficult for disabled guests to navigate their way around.” The renovation work has also extended to all rooms on the first and second floors as well as some on the third floor, which will be redecorated. Lacerda is quick to point out, however, that the décor will remain consistent with the hotels history and external appearance. Lacerda explains, “The hotel is a listed [historic] building and is therefore protected by an organization that safeguards historic locations. For this reason, any decorating must reflect the period and exterior of the hotel.” The new lobby at Copacabana Palace, more spacious and better catered to disabled guests, photo by Renata Xavier. The renovation work has, understandably, had an affect on the running of the hotel which was significantly disrupted by the temporary closure of its main building. Luckily, the work was thoughtfully planned to take place during winters low season, therefore minimizing the effect on business. Many years have passed since the Copacabana Palace first opened its doors and in recent decades, the hotel has had to compete with newer more modern establishments that have cropped up along the beachfront. It is hoped that this latest renovation will fortify the hotel’s status of grandeur and position it as one of the top choices for visitors during the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic sporting events. Lacerda explains “Since extending the lobby to 198 square feet, it is now much more spacious and even offers seating areas for guests. The idea is that it will be much more comfortable and well equipped for the arrival of guests in Rio to celebrate the World Cup and the Olympics.” One of the most famous hotels in the city, the Copacabana Palace has a iconic legacy. Its timeless elegance and glamorous ambiance having only been improved by the recent work, ensuring that, like a classic Rolls-Royce, it never goes out of fashion. 9 Responses to "Copacabana Palace Hotel Renovation" Phabzzz October 24, 2012 at 1:01 PM The renovations should include an upgrade to the landscaping in front of the building. The existing landscaping is haphazard and does NOTHING to enhanse the elegance of the building. The building deserves a differentiated landscape that perhaps includes illuminated clusters of majestic date palms. This simple improvement would certainly bring “glamour” back to his property. Pingback: Copacabana and the Olympic Limelight | The Rio Times | Brazil News Pingback: Stevie Wonder to Play Christmas Concert on Copacabana Beach | The Rio Times | Brazil News Pingback: Rio de Janeiro CopaFest 2013 Music Festival | The Rio Times | Brazil News Pingback: Copacabana Palace Hotel Renovation. | sainindustries02 Pingback: New Year’s Eve Welcomes 2014 on Copacabana Beach in Rio | The Rio Times | Brazil News Pingback: Injunction Suspends Renaming Of The Copacabana Palace: Daily Update | The Rio Times | Brazil News Pingback: Planning a Destination Wedding in Rio de Janeiro | The Rio Times | Brazil News Pingback: Brazil Picks Up Prizes in the South American World Travel Awards | The Rio Times | Brazil News

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'Convention' Of Convicted Terrorists At N.Y. Trial By Dina Temple-Raston Apr 24, 2012 ShareTwitter Facebook Google+ Email Bosnian-born Adis Medunjanin is accused of playing a role in the 2009 plot to bomb New York City subways. This photo of Medunjanin was provided by the U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn, N.Y. Originally published on April 24, 2012 9:27 am There have been hundreds of terrorism trials in the U.S. since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, but the case unfolding in Brooklyn, N.Y., is different. While its focus is on defendant Adis Medunjanin and the role he allegedly played in a 2009 plot to bomb New York City subways, the trial itself breaks new ground. It marks the first time the public is hearing in open court about real al-Qaida plots from the people the terrorist group actually dispatched to carry them out. Medunjanin is a beefy naturalized American of Bosnian descent. In court on Monday, he sat in the middle of a long defense table wearing a business suit and a tie. He has a long, bushy beard, thick glasses and delicate hands. He seemed calm as witness after witness — a veritable who's who of convicted terrorists — testified not just about the plot but also about the mechanics of al-Qaida itself. The prosecution alleges that Medunjanin and two other men traveled to Pakistan in 2008 in hopes of joining the Taliban. They ran into an al-Qaida recruiter instead who convinced them to go back to the U.S. and launch an attack there. The trio allegedly planned the attacks for September 2009 to coincide with the eighth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. What made this plot so serious, law enforcement officials say, is that it wasn't just aspirational — it was operational. Medunjanin, former Denver shuttle bus driver Najibullah Zazi, 26, and Zarein Ahmedzay, 27, allegedly had the know-how they needed to build the explosives, put them in backpacks and ignite them on the trains. Zazi and Ahmedzay pleaded guilty to terrorism charges two years ago. Medunjanin's defense says he split from his friends and backed away from the plot before it was going to occur 'Convention Of Terrorism Suspects' "It's rather ironic that this case has attracted so little attention," says Matthew Waxman, a law professor at Columbia University who used to work on detainee affairs for the Bush administration. "This trial has been an occasion for a convention of terrorism suspects." The convention of terrorists has included not just Zazi and Ahmedzay, but also two other men who in the years after the Sept. 11 attacks had been accepted into al-Qaida's inner circle: Long Island resident Bryant Neal Vinas, and a British man, Saajid Muhammed Badat, who was convicted in the U.K. in 2005 of plotting to blow up an airplane. Badat, 33, provided the most striking testimony. He spoke for three hours by videotape Monday. Al-Qaida had chosen him for a mission. He was supposed to be a second shoe bomber, joining fellow Englishman Richard Reid. He was dispatched in 2002. But he ended up not going through with his part of the attack, and was arrested in 2003 for his role in the conspiracy. While in prison in Britain, he began to rethink his links to al-Qaida and eventually started cooperating with authorities. Scotland Yard has been vague about when that happened exactly, but what the Metropolitan Police will say is that his help has been invaluable in breaking up plots and understanding al-Qaida as an organization. In testifying at the trial in Brooklyn on Monday, Badat became the first terrorist convicted in the U.K. to present evidence in a U.S. trial. Officials say he is lined up to testify in as many as 18 different terrorism cases, starting with the Brooklyn trial. Badat wasn't expected to discuss the details of the subway plot. Instead, he shed light on the inner workings of al-Qaida itself — talking about guest houses, media operations and the way reconnaissance and attacks were developed. He was asked by al-Qaida's second in command at the time, Abu Hafs al-Masri, to research possible Jewish targets to attack in South Africa. He trained would-be jihadis in explosives. He went though al-Qaida's intelligence course and helped the group translate propaganda videos into English. He spent time with the man who is thought to be al-Qaida's highest-ranking American, former Florida resident Adnan Shukrijumah. Badat said he sat down with Osama bin Laden after he was assigned the shoe-bombing mission, and the former al-Qaida leader told him why blowing up a plane was so important. "He said that the American economy is like a chain," Badat testified. "If you break one link of the chain, the whole economy will be brought down." Turning On Al-Qaida Badat's testimony Monday is the terrorist equivalent of what happened in an organized crime trial when a "made" guy in the Cosa Nostra would turn state's evidence. "We'd get someone who is a card-carrying member of la Cosa Nostra. He would become an expert witness testifying as to what it meant to be a member of la Cosa Nostra, what you went through, swearing to the oath of silence, that sort of thing," says Peter Ahearn, a former FBI special agent in charge. "These guys they are rolling out to testify against al-Qaida are doing the same thing. This was part of their plea deal, to cooperate, and now we're hearing their testimony." Ahearn speaks from experience. He was in charge of the FBI's Buffalo, N.Y., office during the Lackawanna Six case. That was America's first brush with possible homegrown terrorism. A handful of men from the steel town of Lackawanna left upstate New York and traveled to Afghanistan in the spring of 2001. They trained in an al-Qaida camp and then returned to the U.S. just weeks before the Sept. 11 attacks. Those men also agreed to testify as part of a plea agreement. "It was their knowledge of the process that they went through in the training camps that set the tone for a trial," Ahearn said. What makes the Brooklyn trial of Medunjanin particularly unusual, Waxman of Columbia University says, is the sheer number of convicted terrorists who have shown up in court. He says the testimony, and the way the trial is unfolding, is proof that the criminal justice system can handle terrorism cases — and tough cases with classified material don't need to be sent to military commissions at Guantanamo. "In the past, the idea of prosecuting terrorists here in New York has generated huge outcry," he says. "But this high-profile trial is going on right here." That outcry was one of the reasons why the Obama administration ended up having to move the biggest terrorism trial — that of the alleged Sept. 11 conspirators — from the Eastern District of New York to Guantanamo. The arraignment in that case is scheduled for May 5. Badat, the British shoe bomber-turned-witness, said in court Monday that he wants to testify for the prosecution in that case, too. He said one reason he agreed to cooperate in terrorism trials is that he wanted to testify against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the attacks. Badat said he had come to believe that al-Qaida generally, and Mohammed in particular, was manipulating Muslims into doing things they shouldn't be doing.Copyright 2012 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/. View the discussion thread. © 2015 Tri States Public Radio

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Grand Hotel rolls out bold, new steakhouse menu (photos, video) Interview with the Grand Hotel's Chef Mike Wallace Chef Mike Wallace, executive chef at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Point Clear, tells why locals and visitors to Alabama's Gulf Coast should eat a meal or spend an evening at this famous retreat on Baldwin County's Eastern Shore. POINT CLEAR, Alabama -- The Grand Hotel sits on what many people consider to be the most valuable spit of land south of, well, anywhere. It offers panoramic views of Mobile Bay and some of the best sunsets in the world. Since the Civil War it has been the place for folks to go and get away from the perils and rigors of the world.As if you needed a reason to visit the legendary hotel and spa just recently added something new: steaks.They still offer the stunning array of seafood available at the popular Saltwater Grill, but you may now also enjoy a large offering of hand-cut, certified Angus or prime beef with the trappings of a high-end steak house.The new menu was not what you would call a radical shift in philosophy or direction. It was more of a way of offering one more dining option at the historic hotel. From a practical standpoint it also reflects the efforts of the staff to give the public what it wants.For Executive Chef Mike Wallace who designed and crafted the menu, the idea is pretty simple. "When you enter the dining room you can go right for seafood or left for steaks," he said.The new steakhouse menu is available in the Grand Dining Room while across the hall in the Saltwater Grill seafood continues to reign supreme. It'™s only been up and running for a few weeks but already people are warming to the idea, Chef Wallace said. "They seem to like the flexibility," he added.It is not a large menu but it is packed. For my money the centerpiece is an 8-ounce filet mignon or a 12-ounce ribeye. You may also enjoy rack of lamb or an all-natural Frenched chicken breast. Chef Wallace said one of the keystones of the menu is a Snake River Farms kobe "Manhattan" steak. What, you ask, is a Manhattan steak? It'™s a smaller version of the more familiar New York strip steak that Chef Wallace said has proven to be popular. All of the steaks are wet-aged and marinated in a mixture of rosemary, olive oil, garlic and smoked sea salt before they are grilled. "œWe like to cook ours a little slower than some others," Chef Wallace said.If this all sounds like one of those expensive steakhouses, it should. But one thing is different from those places, the price. The most expensive thing on the menu is the Manhattan steak that sells for $39.95 but most of the entrees are right at $30.The side dish offerings will be familiar to anybody who has dined at a high-end steakhouse, but a twist. You can order baked or loaded potatoes, truffle mac and cheese, cheese grits or local Swiss chard (among other things) to go along with your steak. Sides are only $4.95 each. For those in the party who may want seafood, you can order Dover sole that is prepared tableside in the traditional fashion or lobster with drawn butter. All of this in addition to an elaborate offerings of salads, including their signature Magnolia Salad. It is made with local satssumas, Bibb lettuce and micro greens from the local MARC and cheese from Belle Chevre near Birmingham. It'™s a truly local salad.Best of all, it is served in the stately surroundings of the historic Grand Hotel , which is reason enough to pay a visit. It is not, however, destination dining in the truest sense of the word. It's close enough to enjoy anytime."œCome on and make a night of it," Chef Wallace said. Check out the Saltwater Grill's menu, as well as the new steakhouse menu. Comments

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Magnolia Springs Seafood Celebration About UsPress ReleaseOur band lineupSponsorship Information and FormVendor Information and FormRestaurant GuidelinesPhoto GallerySponsor LinksMap and Contact Info 4th Annual Magnolia Springs Seafood CelebrationApril 11, 2015 About our Seafood Celebration The Magnolia Springs Seafood Celebration is a festival that celebrates our most abundant resource, our fresh local seafood. It is an event with a combination of arts, fine wines, fabulous seafood dishes, beer, and the best of our live local music (this year’s music lineup is incredible and includes Willie Sugarcapps). A portion of our proceeds will be donated to the Preservation Fund for the 118 yr old Magnolia Springs Community Hall. For more information, there are links to our Press Release (which better describes this event) and Sponsorship packages on this website and please like us on Facebook. We hope to see you soon in our beautiful community, enjoying the music and the best seafood dishes our local restaurants have to offer. About the Town of Magnolia SpringsSettlement of this area started in the early 1700’s and was expedited by a series of Spanish land grants in the early 1800’s. The village's name was a combination of two local assets – the ever flowing springs and the towering canopy of magnolia trees. Nestled along the banks of the Magnolia River, the village drew in residents from Alabama, Vermont, Illinois, and Missouri. Those early settlers built homes and businesses along the main transportation artery, the Magnolia River. Early businesses included turpentine, lumber, and mercantile operations. Inns and hotels were established for the growing tourist trade. Today, mail is delivered by boat, as it has been since 1916. It is the last year-round river mail delivery in the U.S.For more than 100 years the Magnolia Springs Community Association, with monthly potlucks, kept people abreast of local events. The Community Hall, erected in 1894 still provides a meeting place for residents. By the turn of the 21st century, the residents of the little unincorporated village moved into a new historical phase when the Town of Magnolia Springs was incorporated in 2006. Magnolia Springs, a successful blend of natives and transplants, continues to offer the warmth of the traditional southern hospitality and the appeal of treasured historical heritage.To learn more about Magnolia Springs or to find out about local events please visit their website by clicking this link Town of Magnolia Springs. About The SpringsIt is said that early explorers and pirate vessels obtained potable water from the springs scattered throughout Magnolia Springs. In 1865, the springs played a part in history by refreshing and restoring battle- worn Federal troops traveling from the fallen Fort Morgan to Spanish Fort and Old Blakeley. Today, the springs are an extremely peaceful place to visit, relax, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. ✕

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Blogs / Travelblogue / March 2013 / See Local Acts at Out-of-Town Music Festivals Edit ModuleShow Tags Mar 5, 201309:44 AM Travelblogue Getting Around Greater New Orleans and Beyond See Local Acts at Out-of-Town Music Festivals Tarani Duncan See the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on the road this summer. Clint Maedgen This year when it starts getting steamy in the Big Easy, I’m allowing myself a vacation. Sure I could surrender to the summer, stay in town, sweat ‘til I’m salty as a sea barnacle, turn red as a Ponchatoula Strawberry, but I’m really doing it this year. I’m leaving. I mean it. I’m giving myself one weekend away from the hissing black tops of New Orleans to enjoy what summer in the USA has come to be all about – live music. For if I’m going to be a sweaty, dehydrated version of myself, at least it’ll be among a sea of dancing bodies and twenty or so of my favorite musicians, a few of them hailing from New Orleans. Here are some out-of-town festivals I’m thinking about: May 24 – 27; Quincy, Wash. Someone recently asked me if going to Sasquatch would mean going for the music or going for glimpses of the Northwest during its peak season, but that’s why this festival ranks up there with the best of them – I can have my nature cake and watch Josh Tillman pop out of it, too. When I see a festival lineup with Father John Misty, Grimes and Tame Impala stacked together like an unkempt Brady Bunch, it’s easy to forget that Quincy, which is 2.5 hours outside of Seattle, isn’t just an empty stage where my favorite acts are sure to get surly, but the area also boasts acres of waterfront views, surreal canyons and petrified forests. Why go to Sasquatch? Because curling up in a tent while enjoying the sounds of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band echoing down a gorge sounds pretty perfect to me, and because this sort of thing only happens in an alternate universe where two of my favorite worlds collide. Past attendees have liked this festival not only for its killer lineup but also because the folks are friendly, the Porta Potties are clean and they were able to hit up other cities in the Northwest travel circuit after the encore. Bonnaroo June 13-16; Manchester, Tenn. After discovering I was from Tennessee, there was a point in my life when people stopped asking about mash whiskey and doublewides and instead started asking me all about Bonnaroo, as if just living in the same state made me some sort of ‘roo guru. But guess what? I ain’t never been. I done been too busy just a travelin’ and edjukatin’ myself. Seriously though, how have I never been? With a wide array of acts like Kendrick Lamar, Wilco, Beach House and Paul McCartney this year’s lineup is asking for an unprecedented turn out. It’s a good year for those of us migrating from New Orleans, too. Not only will the David Byrne and St. Vincent collaboration deliver sassy brass to the barnyard, Trombone Shorty and Preservation Hall Jazz Band will be in Manchester representing our city, too. (Someone clarify – what’s going on with Big Freedia? Will she be twerkin’ it into the wee hours of the Tennessee dawn?) People dig on Bonnaroo because it’s two days longer than most other music festivals. There’s also free water which you can find on tap or drizzling out of a giant mushroom. When some of your favorite bands’ minor refrains start weighing too heavily on your heart, you can go to the comedy tent to lighten the load. Aug. 26-Sept. 2; Black Rock Desert, Nev. Pack a bag with all the essentials for desert living. Once you’re in, you won’t care to leave. There isn’t a published lineup, and that’s for a reason. Burning Man isn’t so much a music festival as it is an exercise in immersion. I may or may not be your cup of tea. What’s going on in terms of music? We are. Burning Man attendees become an instrumental part of every performance. In the desert everything is art. Bodies become canvases. Temporary structures reach high above the sand (I’ve seen pictures of some that resemble ottoman temples) and surreal desert vehicles crawl slowly across a desolate moon-kissed landscape. Needless to say, it’s a unique kind of gathering for a unique kind of person. While attendees are expected to fork out for general admission, once in the desert, money is no longer “a thing." Economic activity at Burning Man is governed by potlatch, an indigenous northwestern gift-giving system. Burning Man is cool because it’s wonderfully uninhibited. In the desert, it’s easy to realize a good time is whatever you make it.The festival is incredibly non-corporate, and you sure as hell won’t find a similar sensory experience anywhere else on this plane. Aug. 2-4; Chicago, Ill. It sounds like the medical name for being terminally happy, doesn’t it? But I’d say it’s a solid name for a festival centered around sunny days navigating the soundscape of Chicago’s Grant Park. To me, Lollapalooza seems like a nice starter’s festival. Not only does Kidzapalooza make it a somewhat family-friendly affair, but the vast offerings of its lineup can prove more accessible than that of other music festivals. Acts are diverse and generally range from mainstream pop to popular indie offerings. Very recently, there have been a few controversial leaks of the festival’s 2013 lineup, but I’ve decided to omit rumored appearances as last year’s leaks weren’t terribly accurate. The official announcement happens in April, so keep an eye out. Lollapalooza is a great festival because you’re able to explore Chicago while you’re waiting for your favorite acts to take the stage. The area around the festival is walkable. The city’s transportation makes getting around easy, so hotels are easily accessed. Also, keep an ear out for after parties. I’ve heard about some good ones. Newport Folk Festival July 26-28; Newport, R.I. All right. You caught me. Blame Troy’s buccinators and Misty’s hips. The goal is to have as many people see Trumbone Shorty and Father John Misty as many times as possible this festival season — as if summer isn’t hot enough already. Though I could rant on about the two, I won’t. Instead, let’s talk local. I imagine there’s something really special about seeing a favorite hometown band doing your city proud on a festival stage hours away from home. Hurray for the Riff Raff, a longtime favorite of mine and proud product of New Orleans, will be headlining at Newport Folk Festival this year. Can’t make it to Newport? Catch Alynda and the rest of Hurray for the Riff Raff performing at SXSW in Austin, Texas, next week. Back to Newport. I’ve heard the folks at this festival have a hard time organizing themselves in the face of a big crowd, but other than occasional problems with logistics and visibility, Newport Folk Festival seems to be a real good time, especially if you’re into discovering something new. In addition to serving up a few hard-hitting headliners, Newport offers smaller acts you may have otherwise never run across. I like the thought of Newport Folk Festival because I like the reconciliation of the familiar with exposure to something new. I also like the idea of a venue with views of sailboats skipping across the ocean. Other people like Newport Folk Festival because of the laid-back lineup and because it's a good opportunity to take a water taxi (the best kind of taxi). It’s also enjoyable because the crowd isn’t as overwhelmingly large as it is at Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza. Getting Around Greater New Orleans and Beyond about Tarani Duncan is a transplant from Knoxville, Tenn., where she gained infamy for packing Toby (her magical hatchback) and taking spontaneous road trips all over the eastern U.S. When she wasn’t on the road, Tarani freelanced for an entertainment publication in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and recorded music in a closet at her parent's house. With more than 100,000 miles of road-trippin’ beneath her belt and with the help of all the wonderful people she's encountered along the way, Tarani's seen the local hideaways in just about every place she’s visited. In 2010, Tarani moved to the city of New Orleans where she and her small brown dog currently reside in a cottage only a couple blocks away from the Mississippi River. In addition to writing Travelblogue for MyNewOrleans.com, Tarani crafts cocktails at a wine bar in the Bywater and is currently working towards a degree at UNO. For daily Travelblogue updates, follow the blog's Facebook page or follow Travelblogue on Twitter. recent Chef Melissa Martin and Adventures in Lafitte Paddle Louisiana’s Waterways Down the Bayou: Airboats, Catfish and Gators See Local Acts at Out-of-Town Music Festivals Louisiana’s All-American Road: A Drive in the Prairies of the Marsh New Orleans' Tourism Roots Out Cold: A New Orleans Sleeping Bag Drive Turning Evacuation into a Hurrication A City Slicker’s Guide to Meteor Showers feed Subscribe to the Travelblogue Feed »

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Muzeul Satului - Jurilovca 09 roundimage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurilovca: Jurilovca (Russian: Журиловка; Unirea from 1983 to 1996) is a commune in Tulcea county, Dobrudja, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Jurilovca, Vişina and Sălcioara (6 Martie during the Communist era and until 1996). It was founded by Lipovans at the beginning of the 19th century; the first documentary attestation is from 1826. Although at its beginnings it was a small village, the settlement grew and become, at the end of 19th century, an important fishing center in Danube Delta area. Nowadays it has the biggest community of fishermen in Romania, and it has the most modern fish processing factory in the country and Eastern Europe.[citation needed] Jurilovca is also a touristic center. At about 15 km across the Goloviţa Lake is Gura Portiţei, a beach resort at Black Sea. You can reach there by little vessel and by boat. Another touristic attractions are Argamum Citadel and Doloşman Cape. Entire area is a part of Danube Delta Biosphere Reservation. At the 2011 census, 60.7% of the inhabitants were Romanians and 38.8% Russian Lipovans. The Lipovans are Russians by ethnicity and Old Believers Orthodox by confession. This confession is the result of Nikonian Reform. In 1652, Nikon, the Patriarch of Russian Orthodox Church, initiated a religious reform which had in view adaptation of Russian Church at the rest of the Orthodox Churches, in fact a formal reform. The result was the division of Russian society in two: Nikonians, those who accepted the Reform, and Starovers (Old Believers), those who did not accept the Reform. The last ones, being chased, emigrated outside Russia, a part of them arriving on Romanian territory, north of Moldavia and Dobruja. Copyright: Roundimage Tags: muzeul satului; muzeu; sat; jurilovca; gospodarie; peasant; village; house; kiseleff; park More About Bucharest The World : Europe : Romania : Bucharest Overview and HistoryBucharest, Romania was first mentioned in written history around 1459 AD. Since then it has gradually grown in influence, becoming the capital of Romania in 1862 and even earning the title "Paris of the East" for its cultural magnetism.The city has a population of about two million people and makes up one of the main industrial centers of eastern europe.The origin of the name Bucharest comes from the legendary outlaw and prince Bucur. Linguistic roots from Albanian and Thracian languages connect that name to words like "beautiful", "glad" and "joyous."Bucharest was home to Wallachian Prince Vlad the Impaler in the 15th century. The city was burned down by the Ottomans in the early 17th century, rebuilt, and ravaged by the Plague over the next two hundred years. Battles between the Ottoman empire and the Austrian Hapsburgs saw Bucharest occupied by Austria and also Russia in the eighteenth century.In 1861 Wallachia and Moldova were united to form the Principality of Romania with Bucharest as its capital. This new region was occupied by Germany during World War One and saw heavy Allied bombing in World War Two. In the middle of the war, Romania joined the Russian side against Germany, and was bombed again, ths time by the Luftwaffe.Following the wars, Romania was under Communist leadership by Nicolae Ceausescu. His tenure came with the construction of many large Soviet-style buildings which took over the historic districts of the city. He was overthrown in the 1989 revolution.The 1991 Constitution established Romania as a republic with a multi-party system, market economy and individual rights of free speech, religion and private ownership.Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007.Getting ThereYou'll be flying into Henry Coanda International Bucharest Airport, the biggest airport in Romania. Henry Coanda built the world's first jet powered aircraft, did you know that?The airport is 16km north of the city and connects by bus, taxi and a shuttle bus to the Gara de Nord, Bucharest's main train station.TransportationBucharest has an extensive public transportation system, one of the largest in Europe. There's a Metro along with buses, minibuses, trams, trolleybuses and light rail. They have limited the number of taxi licenses to ten thousand to keep down the traffic problems.The main train station is called the Gare de Nord and it connects to all the cities in Romania as well as Belgrade, Budapest, Vinena, Prague and Moscow. The commuter rail line is currently being extended to unite it with surrounding counties.People and CultureThe currency is the Romanian Leu (RON) which exchanges at about 4.3 RON to the Euro at the time of this writing.The first known art in Romania dates to 10,000 BC as cave paintings in northwest Transylvania. Pottery from the Neolithic Age (4000 BC) has been found widely, all around the country. Around 2000 BC there was a distinct group of Thracian people here, whom the Greeks referred to as "Getae". The Romans called them "Dacians" and Herotodus described them as ""the fairest and most courageous of men," because they believed in the immortality of the soul and were not afraid to die.Things to do, RecommendationsRumor has it that Romania sits on one of the world's strongest magnetic lines, and these are responsible for attracting psychics and... wait for it... VAMPIRES to the area!!!Many "dracula" tours take place in Romania, including such places as Sighisoara, the Snagoc Monastery, Castle Bran and of course, Curtea Domneasca. These sites are all related to the life of Vlad Tepes, the legendary Count Dracula.Apart from that, Bucharest is known for its large neoclassical buildings and fashionable parks (in their day). Visit Cismigiu Park, Calea Victoriei street and the Royal Palace for a taste of the architectural history.Text by Steve Smith.

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Sunset Over the Port Pete Babij View of the sun setting over Long Beach from the fire escape of the historic Ocean Center Building. The cranes of the Port of Long Beach can be seen on the horizon to the left of the Sun. Copyright: Pete Babij Tags: sunset; clouds; red; sky; building; port Metik Sergey Burtya Steppe 5 njohn Tung O Ancient Path Sunset 東澳古道-象山日落 Ackermann Ralf Låtefossen waterfall 2012 More About Los Angeles The World : North America : USA : California : Los Angeles Overview and History Alllllrightie now, here's your soundtrack. Please click on "Hollywood" before you make another move. "LA Woman" is next up on your playlist.Quick math lesson:"If you've got it, flaunt it. If you don't got it, invent it and then flaunt it."Los Angeles is the second biggest city in the USA, it's in Southern California where you can go surfing or snowboarding whenever you want, and it means "City of Angels."LA was first named in 1781 by a Spanish governor who called it "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de la Porciuncula", which means you need to go back to Spanish class.I mean, "The Village of our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porziuncula." (The Porzincula part refers to a chapel in Italy dating back to the fourth century AD, not a native American tribe or anything local.)Mexico inherited Los Angeles when it won its independence from Spanish rule in 1821. Twenty-five years later LA became part of the United States territory in the treaty that ended the Mexican-American War. California became a state of the US soon after, and LA started getting excited for the arrival of Jim Morrison and the Doors.Railroads laid track to LA in 1876, which was very convenient for transporting the oil supply which was discovered in 1892 and Pow! The economy took off. With that, the population exploded, everybody ran out of water, you know, the usual story.Now that I think about it, LA has documented this story in a TV series called "The Beverly Hillbilles." Just watch the opening credits and you'll get the whole concept. This was one of the longest-running and most popular TV shows ever made in the States, which is why most Americans will think "swimming pools... movie stars..." when you say "Callyfurnia."And LA is where the TV and movies come from, specifically Hollywood, or Tinseltown, in the Hollywood Hills. This is where it all comes from, dancing pictures across the silver screen! If you've watched American TV, you've seen it. Here's the Bat Cave from "Batman".The first movie made in Hollywood dates to 1910, ("In Old California") and the first western TV station began broadcasting there in 1947.Oh, by the way, LA sits on the San Andreas geologic fault line. Fault lines are prone to earthquakes, and everybody expects LA to fall into the ocean someday.Getting There As soon as the wheels touch the ground, the cellphones flip open and you start overhearing people loudly telling everyone what their next appointment is. That's how you know you're in LA. The phone doesn't even have to be on.LAX is the main airport where it all goes down. Shuttle buses connect the airport to the city's Metro Green Line.TransportationLA is a driving city; you need a car so you have a place to sit while you are waiting in traffic. Worst traffic jams and road rage on earth.Contrary to popular belief, they actually do have a public transportation system with buses and a metro and everything in LA. Fares cost $1.25 for a single ride, $5.00 for a day pass, if you're interested. See, the thing is you need a window you can roll down to flip people the bird.Visit the LA Union Station just to see one of the last great railway stations, as it's known.People and Culture Rock and roll! Do you know what that means? That means you can do whatever the hell you want, really loud, and it should probably bounce up and down at some point... sort of like the Baroque Period, but instead of gold you can use neon and breast implants too. They both bounce a lot better than gold, anyway.Charles Mingus, The Doors, The Mothers of Invention, Guns N' Roses, Public Enemy, N.W.A, Snoop DoggThese people did not get there by asking anyone else for permission, see what I'm saying? Dr. Dre's classic album "The Chronic" will instruct you in everything else you need to know about L.A.Famous L.A. writers who did the same thing but on paper: Charles Bukowski, Raymond Chandler, John Fante.Q:How do you say, "F--- You" in LA?A: "Call me."Things to do & RecommendationsDisneyland is a massively popular vacation destination, especially for people with children. Walt Disney was the pioneer of animation who created Mickey Mouse, Bambi, Cinderalla and some interesting WWII training films.Architecture: Disney's Concert Hall designed by Frank Gehry. For more architecture, look up the architect Frank Lloyd Wright and visit some of the residences he built.For some of the artistic flavor of LA, you can do lunch at Casbah Cafe on Sunset Boulevard, and catch some live jazz at Spazio.Absorb the genius of Diego Rivera in the LA County Museum of Art, and then ask yourself how you will do something to keep up with him and Batman. Thank you L.A.! Text by Steve Smith.

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You are hereHome › Join and Support › Special Events Special Events Director's Council of the Museum of the City of New York The Museum’s Director’s Council is a group of individuals who have established an on-going commitment to the Museum and its mission. Each fall, they host the New York After Dark cocktail party as well as the black-tie Winter Ball gala dinner to raise funds and awareness for the Museum. Please contact directorscouncil@mcny.org for more information on the Director’s Council events. Spring Symposium & Luncheon At the Museum of the City of New York, it is our charge to celebrate New Yorkers who have made a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of this great city. The Spring Symposium & Luncheon, a beloved annual tradition for more than two decades, will take place on Wednesday, June 3, 2015, featuring Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler. Past speakers have included Gloria Vanderbilt, Jamie Drake, Peter Pennoyer, Miles Redd, William T. Georgis and Alexa Hampton. At this year’s Luncheon, we are inaugurating the City of Design Awards, to be presented annually by the City Museum. The award will recognize those who have made New York the design capital of the world and who inspire future generations of designers to bring their talents to our great city. The inaugural Awards will be given to Jonathan and Simon in recognition of their creativity and influence in New York’s fashion and design communities. To learn more about the 2015 Spring Symposium & Luncheon click here. Chairman’s Leadership Award Dinner Each year, the City Museum presents the annual Chairman’s Leadership Award to an outstanding corporate citizen in admiration of their contributions to the life and well-being of New York City. This year, we are proud to present the award to Scott L. Bok, Chief Executive Officer of Greenhill & Co., Inc., at a gala dinner, which will take place at the Museum on Thursday, June 11th. To learn more about the 2015 Chairman’s Leadership award Dinner click here. Frederick A. O. Schwarz Children’s Center Benefit The Museum of the City of New York will host Hotsy Totsy on Fifth, A Speakeasy to benefit the Frederick A. O. Schwarz Children’s Center. We'll enjoy an evening of cocktails, music and dancing in the Museum’s Fifth Avenue building during this first event of its kind. Co-chairs are Kenneth E. Lee and Susan Jang, Kamie Lightburn, Kathy Prounis and Ann Spence. This fall, the City Museum will present legendary jazz musician and composer Wynton Marsalis with the Louis Auchincloss Prize at the Cabaret! gala, featuring a performance and seated dinner on October 14th, 2015. The Prize recognizes and celebrates his indelible contributions to New York City’s jazz scene; outstanding work with Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz Academy and his enthusiastic support of the next generation of jazz greats. We are pleased to honor one who has ensured the continued vitality of such a uniquely American art form. Past Louis Auchincloss Prize honorees include Philip Glass, Stephen Sondheim, Lynne Meadow, Sheldon Harnick, Ada Louise Huxtable, Pete Hamill, and Elliott Erwitt. Learn about the 2015 Cabaret! gala here. Children's Holiday Party The City Museum’s Children’s Holiday Party has been a beloved New York City holiday tradition for over 40 years. Designed for boys and girls ages 3 to 9 and organized by a volunteer committee of parents, it takes place in the Museum’s landmark building and includes a host of kid-friendly activities and performances, and of course, a visit with Santa. Learn about the 2015 Children's Holiday Party here. Events for the Alexander Hamilton Circle Join us for exclusive receptions and private tours of exhibitions and art collections at the City Museum and beyond.Learn More 2015 Young Members Circle Events Enjoy walking tours of New York City neighborhoods, curator-led exhibition tours, and behind-the-scenes experiences at the City Museum created especially for our Young Members Circle.Learn More Big Apple Bash Join the Young Members Circle, a membership group for rising professionals ages 21 to 39, at the Eighth Annual Big Apple Bash on September 18th, 2015 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Enjoy a specially curated cocktails, dancing on our Fifth Avenue Terrace overlooking Central Park, and private access to all of the Museum's exhibitions! Learn More For more information on these or other special events at the City Museum, please contact Claude Barilleaux at 917.492.3326 or cbarilleaux@mcny.org.

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New Mexico Magazine The History of NM Magazine Travel New Mexico Travel Guide Cities and Regions Regional Destinations and Maps Tasting NM Tasting New Mexico Blog One of Our 50 Is Missing Tasting New Mexico Customer Service/Renew New Mexico Magazine Oct. 2013 > Art Stars Aligning The 2013 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts By ROB DEWALT | Photography by MINESH BACRANIA It’s time once again to recognize a select group of artistic achievers in New Mexico. A ceremony and exhibition honoring the recipients of the 2013 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts take place Friday, September 27, in Santa Fe. In the September issue we celebrated the work of a handful of this year’s honorees, including Jenny Vincent, a Taos folk musician and cultural preservationist; painter Darren Vigil Gray and ceramist Frank Willett, both of Santa Fe; and the Silver City–based Mimbres Regional Arts Council. In this issue we salute painter and furniture maker Jim Wagner, of Taos; painter and printmaker Edward Gonzales, of Rio Rancho; and potter and arts educator Aria Finch, of Roswell. Jim Wagner, Artist Taos artist Jim Wagner is a living legend among admirers and collectors of work from what has come to be known as the “Third Chapter” of the celebrated Taos Art Colony, along with R.C. Gorman, Woody Crumbo, and Fritz Scholder. By way of Monmouth, Oregon, and Los Gatos, California, Wagner landed in Taos in the early 1960s, at the age of 21. Inspired by the paintings of Agnes Martin (the self-proclaimed abstract expressionist who influenced the Minimalist movement), Taos Modern Emil Bisttram, and others, Wagner soon found himself at a pivotal juncture in his life. “It was a gamble,” he says, “but at the age of 34 I quit my bartending gig at La Cocina, a bar on the Taos Plaza, and took up art as my main profession.” Under the mentorship of—and no-nonsense critiquing from—Earl Stroh, Andrew Dasburg, Louis Ribak, Bisttram, and other notable Taos artists, Wagner began to craft an autobiography in wood, canvas, and paint, one that to this day is as much about Taos as it is about Wagner’s refreshingly unassuming place in it. From first place at the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation Purchase awards in the 1968 Taos Art Association Awards Show, to the recently closed exhibition Jim Wagner: Trudy’s House at the Harwood Museum of Art, Wagner’s success has had as much to do with his unpretentious approach to painting and sculpture as with his longevity in a creative pursuit that has left its fair share of hardworking strivers by the wayside. Wagner also pioneered the painted-furniture movement in New Mexico in the 1980s, a popular decorating style based on Taos furniture from the late 1800s that has since become synonymous with contemporary American folk art. Wagner’s creative passions, however persistent, were frequently challenged by struggles with inner demons, including violence, substance abuse, and addiction. He spent nine months behind bars at New Mexico State Penitentiary for assault with intent to commit a violent felony before being pardoned by governor Toney Anaya in 1978, and he had to cope with the devastating loss of his teenage son in 1980. Wagner’s quirky, colorful abstract painting style often mirrors a delicate balancing act between the beauty of the Taos landscape, people, adobe architecture, and wildlife, and the emotional chaos that sometimes simmers within him. “I’m 74 now,” Wagner says, “and despite all the ups and downs, I’m content. Still, painting for a living doesn’t get easier. The most difficult thing for me as an artist remains the empty canvas staring back at me. It’s the same thing Gene Fowler said about writing.” Wagner paraphrases: “It’s easy—all you do is sit, staring at a blank surface, until your forehead bleeds.” Wagner now has more than 36 solo exhibitions and seven group exhibitions to his name; his work can be found in the permanent collections of the Harwood Museum of Art, the Roswell Museum and Art Center, and the Capitol Collection of the State of New Mexico. After 20 years with the Parks Gallery in Taos, Wagner is now represented by the Rancho Milagro Collection (ranchomilagrocollection.com), a Taos gallery of new and vintage fine art and furnishings from the collection of Ed and Trudy Healy. The collection was overseen by Stephen Parks, owner of the Parks Gallery and author of the art book and biography Jim Wagner: An American Artist (Rancho Milagro Productions, 1993), until his death in August. Edward Gonzales, Painter At the end of World War II, one-year-old Edward Gonzales and his family moved from Los Angeles to New Mexico. Money was tight and their Albuquerque home had no running water, but Gonzales found solace in novels, history books, magazine illustrations, comic books, and colored pencils—as well as the rich heritage of his family and his surroundings. A voracious reader throughout grade school, Gonzales devoured the contents of most of the art books at an Albuquerque library, and by the time he reached middle school, he was acing aptitude tests at the high-school-graduate level and beyond. “My grandmother, who looked after me when my parents were working very hard, had a very difficult life,” Gonzales says, “and as such she was not easily impressed. When I managed to impress her with my own artwork and knowledge, I knew I was doing something right.” Motivated by what he perceived as a severe lack of honest depictions of Hispanic life in American art, Gonzales immersed himself in painting. “I knew my heritage,” Gonzales says, “and it was either not being depicted, or being interpreted in very stereotypical ways: men in sombreros, siestas, etc.” In 1969, a tour of duty in Vietnam interrupted Gonzales’s academic pursuits at the University of New Mexico. While overseas, he got a taste of the ugliness in the world. “When I came back to the States,” he says, “I rejected that ugliness and focused on my art in order to manifest truth and effect change in the Hispanic community.” Varying his technique over the years from the rigorous grisaille (monochromatic) method popularized by fresco masters such as Giotto and Andrea del Sarto, to the multihued, color-washed style of alla prima (wet paint applied to wet paint) used by Baroque masters such as Diego Velázquez, Gonzales counts the work of Norman Rockwell as a top influence on his approach to figurative painting. Although his work may appear straightforward at first glance, many of his paintings depicting Hispanic lifeways—both new and historical—are rife with cultural symbolism and allusions to dreams. That love of the symbolic is a trait he shares with his most inspirational role model, the late Taos woodcarver Patrociño Barela. As a passionate master printmaker, Gonzales also burns and prints intaglio plates on his own press. Along with founding the Organization of Hispanic Artists and overseeing the inaugural Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe in 1990, Gonzales co-authored Spirit Ascendant: The Art and Life of Patrociño Barela; participated in the New Mexico Public Schools Artist-in-Residence program, creating 28 murals and art-literacy projects throughout New Mexico; illustrated Rudolfo Anaya’s children’s books The Farolitos of Christmas and Farolitos for Abuelo; and received the 2006 Outstanding Latino Cultural Arts Award from the American Association for Hispanics in Higher Education. Aria Finch, Major Contributor to the Arts “Once you touch the clay, that’s it—you’re addicted,” says Aria Finch, founder of the 35-year-old Pecos Valley Potters’ Guild. A tireless arts educator who moved to New Mexico in the 1970s, Finch says she first became involved with the Roswell Museum and Arts Center (RMAC) by pure chance. A conversation with a friend who told her where she could kiln-fire her own ceramics led Finch to RMAC, where she subsequently applied for a position as a ceramics teacher “with one of my kids perched on each of my legs.” What began as a tiny, outdated studio at the museum and a class of only two students has blossomed into a ceramics program that now houses three modernized studios. Finch’s passion for the arts, organizational skills, and fundraising savvy have helped the Pecos Valley Potters’ Guild raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the RMAC and its artist-in-residency program. In 1998, with money raised through the popular annual Soup ’n Bowl benefit organized by the guild (soupnbowl.com), a state-of-the-art ceramics studio was constructed for the RMAC’s Patricia Lubben Bassett Art Education Center. Some 780 schoolchildren now visit the studio three times each year, gaining hands-on knowledge about ceramic arts. Besides providing funding and inspiration for Roswell residents and visitors for more than three decades, Finch is also an accomplished potter and sculptor. Her work was included in the Fifth World Ceramic Biennial, in South Korea, in 2009, and her functional and figurative ceramics can be seen at exhibits and fundraisers throughout southern New Mexico. ✜ NEED TO KNOW The 2013 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts ceremonies will be held from 5:15 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 27, at the St. Francis Auditorium of the New Mexico Museum of Art (505-476-5072; nmartmuseum.org). Preceding the ceremony, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., will be a reception and exhibition opening in the Governor’s Gallery, on the fourth floor of the Roundhouse. Both events are free and open to the public. (505) 827-6490; nmarts.org Sign up and get the latest news, events, special offers and more. View the Complete Calendar Features & Guide 2015 New Mexico True Adventure Guide New Mexico Magazine For iPad and iPhone Treasures Made in New Mexico Join the Conversation Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Twitter Watch Magazine Videos YouTube Follow Us on Pinterest Pinterest View Us on Instagram Instagram

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Springwater Trail's Sellwood Gap in Portland will shrink by half Eric Mortenson, The Oregonian View full sizeBikers and runners know it as the Sellwood Gap, a milelong stretch where the Springwater Corridor disappears into a jumble of residential streets in the Sellwood neighborhood of Southeast Portland. The gap is one of the few interruptions of a paved bike path that otherwise allows users to avoid vehicle traffic for a 20-mile stretch from Portland, through Milwaukie, past Gresham and into Boring. Metro, the regional government, recently announced it purchased the rights to extend the trail along a half-mile of Oregon Pacific Railroad Co. tracks beginning south of the Sellwood Bridge and curving southeast across Southeast 13th Avenue. Metro will work with the city of Portland to extend the trail in that area, closing half of the gap. A construction timeline hasn't been announced. The Springwater Corridor parallels the railroad tracks for much of its route north of the Sellwood Bridge and Tacoma Street, allowing bikers and runners to reach downtown Portland, the Rose Quarter and other areas. Metro paid the railroad about $543,000 for what is called a quitclaim deed, meaning the railroad relinquished its right to use the section of the property where the path will be built. As part of the agreement, Metro also sold the railroad a 5,000-square-foot parcel for about $75,000. The vacant property is on the east side of the tracks at Southeast Ninth Avenue and Linn Street. Money for the transaction came from a natural areas bond measure approved by voters in 2006. Under the bond program, Metro buys land from willing sellers and preserves it as natural areas, wildlife habitat or, as in this case, recreational trails. - Eric Mortenson View/Post Comments Oil Trains Rob Davis takes an in-depth look at oil trains in the Pacific Northwest In 2013, 19,065 tank cars moved more than 11M barrels of oil through Oregon. ... More» Living green resources and blogs

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How Moscow's Preoccupation With Sochi Tourism May Hurt Stability in the North Caucasus previousHis Big Idea: Yo-Yo MaShadow Banking Threatens China's Economy—but What Is It, Exactly?next story "It's like Switzerland, only without the roads." Ronan Keenan Visitors brave heavy snowfalls as they attend a bobsleigh test event at the "Sanki" sliding center in Rosa Khutor, a venue for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics near Sochi on February 17, 2013. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)Last year in London a curious gala dinner was hosted by Northern Caucasus Resorts, a Russian government-backed group. Building upon Russian city Sochi's hosting of the 2014 Winter Olympics, the night's event was aimed at attracting international investors to lavish tourism projects in the surrounding North Caucasus region. But before the keynote presentation, a lengthy show took place, with various performers dancing Lezginka, a traditional Caucasus routine in which men wear a sword at their side and, stepping quickly, imitate eagles in an effort to woo the aloof female participants. The performers were later joined on stage by Islam Nazaraliev, Deputy Director General of Northern Caucasus Resorts, who momentarily partook in the dance, extending his arms stiffly like wings. Nazaraliev then began his attempt to convince the audience to have faith in Russia's $30 billion (980 billion roubles) plan to construct luxury ski resorts throughout the restive region. Yet it seems to be a case of life imitating art as, just like the seemingly indifferent female dancers, outsiders have been unimpressed with Russia's bold attempts to demonstrate its ability to transform an impoverished area defined by militancy into a hotbed of tourism. Launched in 2010, progress on the tourism effort has been stilted. Incongruously, the one factor expected to boost Northern Caucasus Resorts, the Sochi Olympics, has spurred power struggles that are hampering both the tourism project and broader political stability in the region. Northern Caucasus Resorts claims its new developments, once constructed, will accommodate 10 million tourists a year. The Russian state has initially contributed 60 billion roubles ($2 billion) to the North Caucasus developments, with outside financiers expected to make up the remainder. The state also provides guarantees to investors for "non-commercial risks" covering up to 70 percent of borrowed capital. Early on it attracted a commitment from the French firm Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations of up to $13 billion, although its spokesman, Laurent Vigier, recently admitted that the project "is not an easy idea". Nazaraliev's London presentation, which mirrored a Northern Caucasus Resorts seminar held at Davos this year, emphasized the natural beauty of the area, with pictures displaying lush green forests and snowy mountain tops that he labeled "the highest and most unexplored peaks in Europe." While true, Nazaraliev could have saved time if he repeated Chechnya's deputy tourism minister, who once said the region is "like Switzerland, only without the roads". The large-scale investment in the North Caucasus is a well-intended approach by the Russian government to boost social stability. Creating thousands of jobs in a region where the majority of militants are aged between 18 and 22 will hypothetically lead disenchanted youth away from radicalization. In 2011, then-President Dmitri Medvedev described Northern Caucasus Resorts as an endeavor to "show how we can beat poverty and terrorism with tourism." The project aims to piggy-back on the anticipated spectacle of the Sochi Olympics, which aims to accentuate all that is attractive in Russia's southwest corner, while concealing anything undesirable. But to ensure everything in the region looks nicely polished, the Kremlin has taken considerable action. In January 2010, Medvedev created the North Caucasus Federal District, effectively carving out the 9.5 million population of the North Caucasus from the Southern Federal District, in which Sochi remains. The move was viewed by some as an attempt to superficially ease security concerns by creating an imaginary barrier between prosperous areas such as Sochi and restive North Caucasus republics like Chechnya and Dagestan. Sochi is about 200 miles from Chechnya and a further 50 miles from Dagestan. Russian author and The Moscow Times contributor Yulia Latynina summarized the futility of the gesture. "What is the deeply ill system doing [now]? The answer is very simple: it is simulating administration," she wrote. The move conveniently isolates the North Caucasus' militancy statistics from the rest of the Southern region. Violence in the North Caucasus remains unsettlingly high. The Caucasian Knot, an independent monitor of events in the region, reports that 96 terrorist attacks were carried out in the North Caucasus Federal District in 2012, with 700 people killed in violent clashes. 124 people were killed in similar incidents during the first quarter of 2013. The Northern Caucasus Resorts project was established later in 2010 with a mandate to develop in six sites throughout the North Caucasus and Southern Federal Districts. Ties to the Sochi Olympics were evidenced by Akhmed Bilalov's appointment to positions as Chairman of Northern Caucasus Resorts and Deputy Head of the Russian Olympic Committee. But blending the two roles perhaps wasn't the best idea -- President Vladimir Putin admonished Bilalov on Russian television before firing him from his positions in February due to delays and overspending on Olympic facilities. The public nature of the Bilalov affair appeared to be an attempt by Putin to demonstrate his authority over the Sochi Olympics while portraying himself as a leader unsympathetic to ineptitude. The dismissal had the added consequence of throwing the corporate structure of Northern Caucasus Resorts into turmoil, further damaging its appeal to outside investors. That may be Putin's intention. The tourism project is viewed as Medvedev's creation, and its downfall would be a vehicle for Putin to reassert his political dominance over the former president. Nonetheless, the establishment of an entity such as North Caucasus Resorts with an independent leadership indigenous to the region is not an approach to stability that Putin was comfortable with. "Moscow was getting worried about the influence Bilalov was acquiring," Valeriy Dzutsev, a journalist from the North Caucasus city of Vladikavkaz told me. "The rationale for building the resorts was to make North Caucasians work for a Russian company and so keep them under full control. But if the North Caucasians themselves owned the company, then it wouldn't make any sense to Moscow. So he had to be dismissed or even rooted out as he had substantial influence and capital." Maxim Bystrov, who has previously held positions in Moscow, was subsequently appointed as the new figurehead at Northern Caucasus Resorts. The Bilalov firing can be interpreted as one stage of the Kremlin's intent to rein in North Caucasian autonomy; something it is eager to achieve in the prelude to the Sochi Olympics. This process has also resulted in changes at political level, particularly in Dagestan, the most troublesome of the North Caucasus republics. In January, Magomedsalam Magomedov was discharged as Dagestan's president. Magomedov, an ethnic Dagestani Dargan, was an appointee of Medvedev in 2010 and was an advocate of dialogue with radical Islamist groups. Magomedov was replaced with Ramazan Abdulatipov, a hard-line politician with closer links to Moscow than to the various ethnic peoples of his region. Seemingly "soft" initiatives advanced by Magomedov, such as a rehabilitation facility for Islamist militants, were shut down and the Russian government forces intensified their counter-insurgency operations. One operation in April saw the forced relocation of Gimry village's 5,000 population, including hospitalized patients, to a temporary shantytown as police forces hunted a group of militants. Mass damage was reported in the village and three suspects were killed. Such activities give the impression of progress against Islamic militants but leave the broader population resentful of authority. "The village was full of power agents in masks and camouflage who came in different military machines," reveals the text of an appeal signed by 300 Gimry residents, who say they were given no prior warning about the operation. "Shooting was opened. Residents began hurriedly leaving Gimry. From a fright, some elderly villagers had heart attacks, and one had a stroke. [The agents] turned everything upside down, broke doors and smashed household equipment." Continuing with changes in the region, in early June the mayor of Dagestan's capital city Makhachkala, Said Amirov, was arrested along with a dozen companions by an elite Kremlin-affiliated commando squad and taken by helicopter to Moscow on charges of criminal activity. Amirov was mayor since 1998 and, like Magomedov, enjoyed strong support from the Dargan ethnic group. He was regarded as the last strong authority figure in Dagestan. The timing of the leadership upheavals was not a coincidence. "[The timing] was done deliberately," Emil Souleimanov, a writer and professor at the Department of Russian and East European Studies in Prague's Charles University, told me. "The recent events in Dagestan are closely [linked] to the Kremlin's efforts for the security of the Sochi Olympics. Moscow is carrying out a number of significant 'clean-ups' of the republic's elites." In the space of several months, three of the most prominent Dagestanis, Bilalov, Magomedov, and Amirov were swiftly banished from power. But while the Kremlin ostracism of locals in favor of loyalists may give the impression of taking control over an unruly region, such tactics will likely be ineffectual in curtailing the radical ideologies that are the true threat to stability. The Caucasus Emirate, the largest and most active militant group in the North Caucasus, was responsible for the bombings of Moscow's Metro in 2010 and its airport in 2011, killing 76 people and injuring hundreds more civilians. In 2007 the group's leader, Doku Umarov, labelled Russia and other Western nations as the enemies of all Muslims. Such statements by Umarov have been oft-quoted in the media, elevating the perception of a militant threat at the Sochi Olympics. However, more recently the Caucasus Emirate has moderated its stance, and it has little to do with pressure from the Kremlin's strong-arm tactics. Last year, following the surge in Russia's anti-Putin protests, Umarov released a video in which he stated: "Events in Russia have shown us that Russia's peaceful population does not support Putin's Chekist [security state] regime." He added that militant operations should be carried out "with precision against the security services, the special services, and the reprobates who are officials ... Our religion tells us to take care of the peaceful population and not to touch them." Then in April this year, the Caucasus Emirate made a statement distancing itself from Tamerlan Tsarnaev and the Boston bombings, noting the "order by the Emir Doku Umarov, which prohibits strikes on civilian targets". The ability of civilians in Moscow and St Petersburg to openly demonstrate their discontent prompted the militant network to change the tone of its campaign. But diminishing the autonomy of the North Caucasus may undo any progress toward the group's moderation. Regardless of whether the Caucasus Emirate reverses it outlook or if offshoot groups attempt attacks, tight security at Sochi will dampen the potential for violence at the Olympics. The event will likely pass off peacefully and be deemed a success, but it will be a temporary mask over the wide-ranging suppression and disenchantment in the North Caucasus. The Kremlin's latest efforts at spreading its wings and establishing centralized rule in the vast, multi-ethnic region will likely prove to be an obstacle to long-term stability. Short-term aesthetics cannot reconstruct a fractured region. Ronan Keenan is a Boston-based freelance writer who has written for the World Policy Institute, the Global Policy Journal, and other publications.

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First Transpennine Express Buy for any UK train We'll save you money Ticket Types Destinations & Offers FTPE Family The Friends of Scholes Recreation Ground Granted Greener Pastures 01 Dec 2013 First TransPennine Express teams up with the Forestry Commission donates over £20,000 to tree and woodland conservation projects. For the 7th consecutive year, local train company First TransPennine Express has joined forces with the Forestry Commission to give biodiversity projects in Kirklees the opportunity to win a grant up to £2,000 to help them make green-fingered improvements to their local environment and the votes are in for the worthy recipients. One of these impressive projects selected for funding is, The Friends of Scholes Recreation Ground, based in Kirklees. Whilst working alongside the council, they will be using the money to dramatically improve the recreation ground in the village, which is currently underused and uninspiring to locals within the community. Anna Waterfield, Treasurer of The Friends of Scholes Recreation Ground Garden commented: "We are delighted to have been awarded this grant, our aim is to create an area of beauty, by planting an orchard of fruit trees and native British trees around the perimeter of the recreation ground. The trees are being sourced from a plant nursery which grow the trees on a farm in the village and we plan to hold a planting day in February 2014 for all the community to get involved in." FTPE has been helping improve the environment and encourage the growth of wildlife in the North of England and into Scotland since 2007. The competition is open annually to community groups, charities, allotment associations, schools and other individuals who allow open access to their land. Applicants could apply for up to £2000 in green grants for environmental projects. The donations form part of FTPE's long-term £125,000 commitment to providing and protectin

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Destinations Similar to Northern Virginia Trans-Siberian Railway Lošinj Discover More Great Destinations in Virginia Charlottesville & Blue Ridge Petersburg, Virginia photo: Carolyn M Carpenter/Shutterstock.com Arlington, Alexandria, Mount Vernon and Manassas, Virginia are excellent daytrips from Washington DC. Some key sights in Arlington are: the Lincoln Memorial, a tribute to President Abraham Lincoln by American sculptor Daniel Chester French; across the Potomac River from the memorial lies Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of U.S. service men and women as well as the eternal flame at President John F. Kennedy's gravesite; near the cemetery is the Marine Corps War Memorial honoring Marines who were killed in the World War II battle for the island of Iwo Jima. Historic buildings line the ... Historic buildings line the streets of Alexandria's Old Town District: Gadsby's Tavern built in 1770; Christ Church, which George Washington and Robert E. Lee attended; and the Lee-Fendall house where Lee was born. At Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, many of the Washingtons' original furnishings are on view, including the bed that Washington died in. On July 21, 1861 the Union and Confederate armies met on Manassas Battlefield in the first battle of the Civil War, known to southerners as the Battle of Manassas, in the north as the battle of Bull Run. The Union army expected to win easily; they didn't count on the skill of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and his troops. The Confederates won that day and again in August of 1862. Frances Folsom is the author of CitySpot Palermo, a contributor to the Reiskits guides to Milan and Italy's Lakes Region, and Thomas Cook's Independent Traveller USA. — Frances Folsom for Triporati Must See, DoSave It for Next Time Marine Corps War Memorial Alexandria's Old Town District George Washington's Mount Vernon Gadsby's Tavern Museum Location: Eastern United States, incorporating the Virginia portion of the Washington DC metropolitan area Research: Wikipedia | Wikitravel Weather: Daylight | Rainfall Best times are April-early June, September-October; avoid summer because it's crowded, hot and humid. About Us FAQ

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Georgia River Could Take Appalachian Hikers To Coast Updated: Sat 8:23 PM, Nov 10, 2012 A national group is working toward a long-term vision of providing a way for hikers on the Appalachian Trail to continue south until they reach the ocean. They envision the Chattahoochee River, which runs through metro Atlanta, as a way to allow hikers to reach the Gulf of Mexico after they finish the Appalachian Trail, either on trails along its banks or in a canoe or kayak. The Chattahoochee's headwaters, in the north Georgia mountains, are only a few miles from the southernmost section of the Appalachian Trail, which ends in Georgia. Curt Soper, the Georgia-Alabama state director of the Trust for Public Land, says the group has already managed to acquire 17,000 acres of land that touch 76 river miles from the Chattahoochee's headwaters to Columbus.

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NavigationDiana ChapterAbout Us (Founding)About Us (Misc. History)Indiana's EvergladesUpcoming EventsNewsGrounds & FacilitiesPrograms/ActivitiesMembership InformationCalendarContact UsConstitution/By-lawsAppreciation and acknowledgementsMisc. InformationDiscussion BoardPhotos - Page 1Photos - Page 2Photos - Page 3Sitemap Other LinksIndiana Division Indiana Division Chapters Diana Chapter The Diana Chapter was formed exclusively for scientific and educational purposes; to conserve, maintain, protect and restore the soils, woods, waters, wildlife, wetlands and other natural resources of the state of Indiana; to promote means and opportunities for the education of the public with respect to such resources and the enjoyment and wholesale utilization thereof. With a strong membership comprised of conservationists, sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts, the Diana Chapter promotes our natural resources through activities such as: River Watch, certified Hunter Education classes and cooperative Hunter Recruitment Events with local State Fish & Wildlife Areas. Our site is a work in progress .... check back frequently for updates! Become a Diana Chapter Fan on Facebook Diana Chapter, Izaak Walton League of America on Facebook

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Chef Zane Holmquist- Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City UT As executive chef, Zane Holmquist leads the talented food and beverage team at Stein Eriksen Lodge and oversees the Lodge’s biannual menu development as well as the management of overall kitchen operations and special events. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., Holmquist displays his culinary versatility through the variety of dishes served to the Lodge’s guests, which range from Seared Fois Gras and Crisped Bananas to Braised Utah Boneless Kobe Short Ribs to the famous Stein’s Wild Game Chili. The majority of Holmquist’s award-winning dishes feature local produce and organic products, and the chef was invited in 2005 to showcase his work at the renowned James Beard House. Holmquist joined the food and beverage team in 2000 and was promoted to executive chef in 2001. Prior to the Lodge, he served as executive chef and food and beverage manager for Goldener Hirsch Inn in Park City. He also founded the upscale restaurant, Fuggles, in Salt Lake City in 1994 and served as the banquet chef for the Hyatt Grand Champions Indian Wells, a AAA Four Diamond property. The chef’s passion for food extends to his enthusiasm for community involvement and he is a participant in the annual Taste of the Nation, a culinary event to support the fight to end hunger. About Chef Zane Zane's Links Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City UT The Chef’s Garden Chef’s Garden at Home No longer just available to the top chefs of the world, The Chef's Garden, in partnership with Stein Eriksen Lodge, is proud to offer a selection of healthy, sustainable products to the home cook. The Chef's Garden is the premier grower and provider of specualty micros, herbs, vegetables, lettuces and greens to the Lodge. These products are now available to Stein Eriken Lodge's guests to purchase online. Shop with Chef's Garden Follow “Chef Zane Holmquist- Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City UT”

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A peek into horror’s past in Bristol October 18, 2013by SARAH JOHNSON Drive up toward Chippens Hill around Halloween and it becomes apparent that there’s something special happening on Battle Street. The Witch’s DungeonClassicMovieMuseum, run by Bristol native Cortlandt Hull, has been scaring and delighting people from all over the country since 1966. “People make this a Halloween destination,” Hull said. “I got started on Witch’s Dungeon when I was 13 years old. I had a rare blood condition as a kid and spent a lot of time in hospitals. I got interested in art and film and my folks encouraged it.” Hull is a freelance artist for a living, but creating wax creatures is his hobby and passion. “I always charge only two dollars so it’s affordable to just about everybody. I want to share my passion.” The $2 admission to the Witch’s Dungeon, which includes classic horror films projected onto a movie screen on the front of the property, actual monster movie props from classic films and a haunted graveyard, supports the non-profit museum. While there is some grant money available for what Hull does, he prefers to be self-sufficient via admission proceeds and sales of documentaries about his work and the industry. Hull’s great uncle, Henry Hull, played The Werewolf of London in 1935. “He introduced me to makeup and effects people in the business. In the early days since I was only a teen, my work was crude. One of the first was Zenobia the Gypsy Witch, who is still in the museum and I improved as time went on. I worked with John Chambers, who created the original ‘Planet of the Apes’ makeup. He was one of the early ones who helped me learn how to make life-sized figures. I got to know Vincent Price and he did the opening and closing dialogue and he gave us the original suit he wore in ‘House of Wax.’ The voice of my witch was recorded by June Foray, whose voice is best known as Rocky the flying squirrel and Natasha from ‘Rocky and Bullwinkle.’” The Witch’s Dungeon has been recognized by “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” and “Entertainment Tonight” as the longest running Halloween attraction in the country and was truly a forefather in its field. “The museum is more like a wax museum of classic movie monsters than it is a haunted house,” Hull explained. “It’s rather unique in that there’s no blood or gore. In the old days, it was more or less like fairytales for old movie monsters. All ages could enjoy it. I think that’s why Witch’s Dungeon has lasted so long.” “In 1966, all there really was to do was go trick or treating and bobbing for apples at Halloween. I always loved going to wax museums but in their torture chambers they never had classic movie monsters.” Hull has lived in his home since childhood, when it belonged to his family. “My mom was a professional costume designer who worked for a number of companies. She recreated the unique costumes in the museum based on the movies. The house is full of more creations. I’ve got more material that I’ve worked on than I have room to display.” This is the final season for The Witch’s Dungeon as it’s known now and there are only limited dates interested patrons can view it. With time, the demands of time and regulations have changed. “We had some technical problems this year and the space we have would need some upgrading,” Hull revealed. “We had a good offer in New York for a larger, more move-in-ready space. My friend Bill Diamond, who I have done documentaries with has a video studio there.” Hull will provide more details as they become available. As for what he will be up to once the Dungeon’s seasonal showing dates are through, Hull has a busy schedule. “I do a lot of film conventions in different cities like Pittsburgh, Boston and Burbank on the off-season. I drive to all the conventions because that’s how the figures need to be transported. The monsters and I take trips together.” What to expect on your visit to The Witch’s Dungeon 90 Battle St., Bristol Oct. 18, 19 and 31 You can park all along the street and into the dead end adjacent to the property. Hours are 7 to 10 p.m. each of these nights. If you’re in line by 10 p.m., you will be admitted through. The space is a tight, single file attraction. Strollers and wheelchairs will unfortunately not fit through the space. The attraction is not recommended for children under six years old. A ghost host guide will take you through. The average time to view all the figures is about seven minutes. Groups of two to four people can move through together. $2.00 admission. www.preservehollywood.org Documentaries on for sale on website, all proceeds benefit museum. Movie props that are on display include the alien head from “Mars Attacks,” the original “Planet of the Apes” make ups, the original spinning head prop from “The Exorcist,” and the original “ET” head in the milk crate from the bike riding scene. DVDs and postcards are also for sale. Treats given out for kids. Witch’s Dungeon on Battle Street in Bristol is open this weekend and on Oct. 31.

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What's New | Calendar Browse www.ColonialWilliamsburg.org Colonial Arrangements – Rooted in History By Karen Gonzalez There is a secret hiding place in the basement of the Williamsburg Inn. It is filled with flowers. Few people know that the Williamsburg Inn floral design studio is down there. Three full-time staff persons create hundreds of floral arrangements in the tiny rooms. Most have been arranging floral art for Colonial Williamsburg for over 20 years. Clearly a labor of love, they sometimes work 14 days straight to keep pace with the crowded event schedule and hotel properties. Clark Taggart, floral designer and manager, is responsible for continuing the Williamsburg style – and he’s passionate about the legacy. Taggart makes sure the arrangements that are placed throughout the hotel and guesthouse properties coordinate with the fabric and architectural elements in both the Inn and the Lodge. “Louise Fisher began the tradition when she moved to Williamsburg in 1933,” Taggart says. “She started working as a hostess at the Raleigh Tavern and brought flowers from her own home garden to decorate the tables.” The arrangements were impressive and she was soon given the title of floral curator. She researched and studied 18th-century prints and primary sources to develop the now well-known Williamsburg style, which reflects colonial influences without attempting to re-create actual arrangements from the era. She was the first designer to use fruit in her arrangements. Fruit brought from Jamaica would have been available in colonial times, and in fact, Fisher is believed to have been the first to use oranges, apples and pineapples, which are now commonly displayed in large floral displays and Christmas decorations. "We have over 75 years of flower arranging in the Williamsburg style."- Clark Taggart. Fisher insisted that only fluted bowls, posey finger vases and pitchers be used as containers. These were popular during the 18th century and provided a colonial touch. Following Fisher came Edna Pennell, Libby Oliver and now Taggart. “We have over 75 years of flower arranging in the Williamsburg style,” Taggart says. Each curator has stayed for more than 20 years, creating a well-established floral design reputation that is recognized worldwide. Successors have added their own personal touch while carefully maintaining the distinctive Williamsburg style. John D. Rockefeller’s original vision and desire was to support the local Williamsburg florists. In 1985, a Colonial Williamsburg department was established to handle the volume of flowers needed to supply the historic area, offering more internal control over the look and design of the flowers. The work of floral designer Clark Taggart and his team of florists is evident throughout the Inn from the moment guests enter the lobby. Trained at the National Trust of Scotland’s Threave estate, Taggart’s ingenuity and sense of style add elegance to every hallway and public space, reflecting the colors of the Inn and themes of the seasons. The traditional Williamsburg style is prevalent in the furniture, upholstery, wallpaper and subtle decorative touches throughout the Williamsburg Inn. “Just look at the Poet’s Laurel, which is echoed in the drapery treatments in the Inn lobby, as well as the architectural elements in the furniture,” Taggart says. “We have tried to incorporate history into the flowers in the hotels. You will never see orchids in one of our lobby arrangements because we only feature flowers that are seasonal and are growing in our own gardens at that time of year.” "...we only feature flowers that are seasonal and are growing in our own gardens at that time of year.”- Clark Taggart. “Selecting a signature flower for each of the hotels is important. For instance, the rose is the signature flower for the Inn. Because it is our national flower, it is also very formal and ties in well with the décor of the hotel,” he says. Creative “tablescapes” incorporate globes, maps, flags, feathers – anything that reflects the theme of the event. “Where else would you have resources like we have here?” Taggart asks. “When they started the construction on the Anderson Armoury, we decorated the tables with wood shavings, bricks and mortar. During the Antiques Forum, we will tie in leather, wooden pigeons, slipware -- all representative of items in our collections.” On holidays, such as Mothers’ Day, hotel and dining guests receive a traditional red rose. White roses are placed in every bathroom and on every room service tray for the Lodge and the Inn. Typically Taggart and his team will place about 500 roses a week. Christmas is an especially busy time for the floral studio. Small potted Christmas trees are placed in each of the 700 rooms with a small tag explaining the history of the Christmas tree in Williamsburg. How often do they change the flowers? “We do a weekly change-out of the floral arrangements in the public spaces of all of the hotel properties, as well as the five VIP houses. Additionally we maintain fresh flowers at the president’s house.” said Taggart. “We also service the two golf club houses, the Woodlands Conference Center, the Governor’s Inn as well as the 28 colonial houses. “ “I have made arrangements for everyone from Tina Turner to Margaret Thatcher. In between, we have serviced kings and queens from Queen Elizabeth to King Carl Gustaf of Sweden, the Bush family, the Reagans, the Clintons and Barbara Streisand.” Taggart says. The distinctive Williamsburg floral style lives on in Colonial Williamsburg and around the world. Through Taggart and his team, hotel guests will continue to enjoy the tradition honoring the rich heritage of Louise Fisher and the floral designers before him. Louise Fisher: Floral Designer from 1933-1956 Edna Pennell: Floral Designer from 1955-1976 Libby Oliver: Floral Designer from 1975-1998 Clark Taggart: Floral Designer from 1980-present

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http://www.photius.com/countries/georgia/climate/georgia_climate_climate.html << Back to Georgia Climate Georgia's climate is affected by subtropical influences from the west and mediterranean influences from the east. The Greater Caucasus range moderates local climate by serving as a barrier against cold air from the north. Warm, moist air from the Black Sea moves easily into the coastal lowlands from the west. Climatic zones are determined by distance from the Black Sea and by altitude. Along the Black Sea coast, from Abkhazia to the Turkish border, and in the region known as the Kolkhida Lowlands inland from the coast, the dominant subtropical climate features high humidity and heavy precipitation (1,000 to 2,000 millimeters per year; the Black Sea port of Batumi receives 2,500 millimeters per year). Several varieties of palm trees grow in these regions, where the midwinter average temperature is 5� C and the midsummer average is 22� C. The plains of eastern Georgia are shielded from the influence of the Black Sea by mountains that provide a more continental climate. Summer temperatures average 20� C to 24� C, winter temperatures 2� C to 4� C. Humidity is lower, and rainfall averages 500 to 800 millimeters per year. Alpine and highland regions in the east and west, as well as a semiarid region on the Iori Plateau to the southeast, have distinct microclimates. At higher elevations, precipitation is sometimes twice as heavy as in the eastern plains. In the west, the climate is subtropical to about 650 meters; above that altitude (and to the north and east) is a band of moist and moderately warm weather, then a band of cool and wet conditions. Alpine conditions begin at about 2,100 meters, and above 3,600 meters snow and ice are present year-round. Data as of March 1994 NOTE: The information regarding Georgia on this page is re-published from The Library of Congress Country Studies and the CIA World Factbook. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Georgia Climate information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Georgia Climate should be addressed to the Library of Congress and the CIA. Please put this page in your BOOKMARKS - - - - -

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1903 Mam'selle Napoleon is Anna Held in this musical at the Knickerbocker Theatre. Produced by Held's husband Florenz Ziegfeld, with a score by Gustav Luders, this show will have a 43-performance run. 1911 Birthday of actor Lee J. Cobb (1911-1976), who will create many memorable roles in the 1930s to 1950s, most notably Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. 1925 "Why a duck?" The ineffable question is first asked on Broadway today, the opening night of the George S. Kaufman/Irving Berlin musical The Cocoanuts at the Lyric Theatre with four young stars who overshadowed even the august writing team: The Marx Brothers, Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zeppo. The anarchic nonsense about the Florida land rush runs 377 performances and is made into a classic film (minus most of the songs). 1925 Also today: birthday of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. (1925-1990), who will begin in small clubs and rise to become a Las Vegas headliner, film star and member of the "Rat Pack" of 1950s swingers. His Broadway work will include starring roles in Mr. Wonderful and the musical Golden Boy. 1930 Cole Porter scandalizes Broadway with the streetwalker's lament, "Love For Sale," in the musical The New Yorkers, which opens tonight at B.S. Moss's Broadway Theatre for a run of 168 performances. Included in the huge cast are Jimmy Durante and Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians. 1937 It's a short Siege at the Longacre Theatre. This Irwin Shaw drama about a group of Spanish Loyalists will last only five performances. 1943 John Van Druten's romantic comedy The Voice of the Turtle opens today at the Morosco Theatre, and goes on to a remarkable 1,557-performance run. 1948 Rex Harrison is Henry VIII and Joyce Redman is Anne of the Thousand Days, by Maxwell Anderson. This drama dealing with the King's betrothal and marriage to Anne Boleyn will run 286 performances. 1949 Carol Channing blinks her big round eyes and warbles "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" on the opening night of the musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at the Ziegfeld Theatre. It will run 740 performances and make Channing into an icon. 1965 Lauren Bacall and Barry Nelson star in Cactus Flower. Abe Burrows directs and also adapted this work from Fleur de Cactus by Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre Gredy. It will run 1,234 performances. 1979 Today's Saturday matinee of Grease is the 3,243 performance, making it the longest running show in Broadway history to that point. Grease passes Fiddler on the Roof, which had overtaken Life With Father in 1972, when this production of Grease was 128 performances into its pre-Broadway run. The long-run title is now held by Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. 1991 One of the biggest musical flops of the 1990s, Nick & Nora, opens tonight at the Marquis Theatre — and closes 9 performances later, despite a book by Arthur Laurents, score by Charles Strouse and Richard Maltby, Jr., and performances by Joanna Gleason, Barry Bostwick and Faith Prince. 1994 Not a good date for Faith Prince, who opens on Broadway playing a dead housewife who returns to life in Donald Margulies' What's Wrong With This Picture?. It runs 12 performances at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. 1996 The epic musical Ragtime, with a book by Terrence McNally and a score by Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, has its world premiere in Toronto. Reviews are strong for the show's subsequent Broadway mounting, but the show's high cost, coupled with other financial woes, would eventually wreck its producing organization, Livent, Inc. SFX Productions would buy what remained of the company, only to be taken over itself by Clear Channel. 1999 Liza Minnelli opens her new show, Minnelli on Minnelli, tonight at the site of her mother's triumphant stage appearance decades earlier: The Palace Theatre. Minnelli on Minnelli is a musical tribute to Vincente Minnelli, featuring songs from movies that had been directed by Minnelli, sung by his daughter, Liza, such as "The Boy Next Door" from "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "I Got Rhythm" from "An American in Paris." 2002 Baz Luhrmann's staging of the opera La Boheme opens on Broadway today, with a directorial concept that makes it resemble a Broadway musical. The show will run 228 performances and win a special Tony honor for its three rotating casts of leads. 2011 The LeVay family of Lydia R. Diamond's Stick Fly gather at their plush Martha's Vineyard home for a summer weekend of scrabble and secrets. Tony winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Dule Hill, Mekhi Phifer and Tracie Thoms star in the comedy that opens on Broadway at the Cort Theatre. More of Today's Birthdays: Georges Feydeau 1862. James Thurber 1894. Maximilian Schell 1930. Herb Gardner 1934. David Carradine 1936. Graciela Daniele 1939. John Rubinstein 1946.

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Destination of the month - London SAA operates the Airbus 340-300s, 340-600s and 340-200s on the route to London. This year, South African Airways has taken delivery of six new A330-200 aircraft, one of which is already operating to London Heathrow, with more to follow by the end of the year. This modern aircraft offers supreme ergonomics, an airy open cabin and sophisticated personal touch-screen TVs. The A330-200 is the most cost-efficient, wide-body twin aircraft in operation and its green credentials are impressive. The cabin consists of 36 Business Class seats and 186 Economy Class seats. Business Class customers will have flat-bed seats and laptop power at each one, as well as a USB port. The new aircraft will also offer a new and improved in-flight entertainment experience. Airport Lounges Business Class travelers are invited to retreat into world-class comfort as they prepare for their journey. The luxurious lounge facilities offer the same high standards you would expect from the aircraft. South African Airways Business Class customers are also entitled to use The Star Alliance Departures and Arrivals Lounges. London Heathrow Departures The lounge is located in the duty-free shopping area in Heathrow Terminal 1, offering guests business facilities, complimentary food and drinks, dining and TV areas, complimentary international newspapers and magazines, free internet access and a children's play area. Arrivals The Star Alliance Arrivals Lounge offers customers a chance to refresh after their flight. The lounge overlooks the check-in hall and features showers, a breakfast buffet, a business centre and suit-pressing facilities. Johannesburg

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Home > Destinations > Asia > Thailand > Bangkok Glimmering golden temples and sacred statues of Buddha; khlongs (canals) bustling with river boats and floating markets; sensuous silks and fragrant orchids; sparkling sapphires and rubies; exquisite "spirit houses" and people with perpetual smiles on their faces -- that's what the Kingdom of Thailand is all about. As one of the most developed and progressive nations in Southeast Asia, Thailand -- once known as Siam -- is bordered by Myanmar (Burma) to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Cambodia to the southeast and Malaysia to the south of Thailand's isthmus. The government is a constitutional monarchy, and Westerners are eagerly welcomed -- even though con games and price-gouging aimed at tourists can be rampant. Thailand's roots reach back to the 10th century, but Bangkok, the nation's current capital, wasn't founded until 1782, when Rama I became the first king of the Chakri Dynasty. Since that time, this "city of angels" has been an economic and cultural powerhouse in the region. Photos: 11 Best Thailand Experiences Known as the Venice of the East, due to the many canals slicing through the city, Bangkok lies at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River an

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Museums > Illinois > Lena By Alphabet A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z By Museum Type · History (1) · Historical Society (1) Lena Area Historical Society Lena, Illinois History, Historical Society The museum building was built and occupied in 1986 and contains local memorabilia. In 1987 the first log school house was dismantled and moved to the museum site and reconstructed by a group of volunteers. It has been furnished as it probably was when built, in 1849 by Samuel F Dodds in his orchard. At the same time an old building was moved to the site and converted into an old time blacksmith shop. Results: 1-1 of 1.

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Bahia Ballena Among Hottest Vacation Destinations for 2013, According to Travel & Leisure Famous for its sublime beaches and migrating whales, Bahia Ballena Costa Rica is named one of the world’s top places to visit by T&L Magazine. The Whale's Tail on Costa Rica's Bahia Ballena Dominical serves as the perfect base for exploring Bahia Ballena's gorgeous beaches. San Jose, Costa Rica (PRWEB) Located on Costa Rica’s south Pacific coast, Bahia Ballena made Travel & Leisure’s latest list of the “Hottest Travel Destinations of 2013.” The respected U.S. magazine is enjoyed by nearly 5 million people worldwide and recently rated the planet’s up-and-coming travel destinations, which included such far flung places as Nepal, Argentina’s Uco Valley and Zambia, along with a few that were closer to home. Ireth Rodriguez, Marketing Director for the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), commented that Bahia Ballena – or Whale Bay – is home to biodiversity, and is an attractive destination for responsible travelers, nature lovers and sustainable tourism. Named after the humpback whales that frequent its temperate waters, this alluring beach vacation rental destination is situated just south of Dominical – a seaside hamlet that often serves as a base for visiting tourists. Rodriguez added, “This recognition is very important because it reinforces the work that has been done to promote the destination. The area is visited by large numbers of tourists, who are attracted by the beauty of the South Pacific and the variety of activities.” Bahia Ballena is perhaps most renowned for its phenomenal whale watching opportunities, as the warm seas host humpback whales from December through April. Visitors can also observe bottle-nosed dolphins throughout the year along the rugged coastline. Aside from dolphin and whale watching, the region boasts a variety of tropical flora and fauna, and breathtaking beaches like Uvita, Playa Ballena and Dominical. In light of the growing number of travelers to the south Pacific area, Escape Villas – a local vacation rental operator – has recently expanded its portfolio of beach vacation rentals in this burgeoning holiday destination. Spokesperson Sara Hopkins confirms that the company acquired nine new properties in Dominical this past year, including a deluxe villa rental that overlooks the Dominical shoreline, just a few minutes from Ballena National Marine Park. Featuring authentic Guatemalan architecture, this Dominical beach rental has 8,500 square feet of living space, and offers five bedrooms and a private infinity edge swimming pool with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. In regards to current vacation rental bookings in the Bahia Ballena area, Hopkins stated “With so much media coverage on the spectacular adventure and nature offerings in the region, Escape Villas wanted to offer more choices for travelers seeking comfortable and affordable accommodations in Dominical. We are extremely excited about this new oceanfront luxury rental, and have had great feedback from guests who’ve enjoyed its amenities thus far.” Costa Rica has been on travelers’ radars for decades and has long been considered a premiere eco-tourism destination. Visitors to Bahia Ballena have access to a wide range of tours including horseback riding, surfing, nature hikes, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. And those who visit between May and November also have a chance to witness endangered sea turtles nesting along the protected beaches – both the Olive Ridley and hawksbill sea turtles frequent the crescent-shaped shores of Ballena National Marine Park every year. The 13,000-acre park protects crucial habitats such as coral reefs, mangrove estuaries, rocky islands and beaches. Costa Rica has garnered several international awards for tourism over the past year, and as Sara Hopkins believes, the country’s reputation as a world-class vacation destination will continue to attract millions of tourists in coming years. Hopkins states, “With the increasing popularity of Costa Rica vacation rentals, Escape Villas is anticipating another terrific year and are bookings are up by ten percent. Our new Dominical villas are just 11 miles north of Bahia Ballena, which is one of the nation's national treasures.” Indra Levy EscapeVillas.com 1-888-672-3673

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Rotana makes Turkey foray with 2 hotels Istanbul, February 24, 2013 Leading hotel management company, Rotana, has announced its first foray into Turkey with the Tango Arjaan and Burgu Arjaan in Istanbul, which will increase its portfolio by a total of 410 rooms. Rotana will manage the hotels for the Turkish group Dap-Yapi, which markets its properties located in the Maltepe area of the Turkish city as ‘residence-hotels’, a statement from the company said. On completion, the Burgu Arjaan - divided into two connected towers, Burgu 1 and Burgu 2 - will have a total of 222 rooms, while the Tango Arjaan will be a 188-key hotel. The two Burgu towers, with 111 rooms each, will share a host of vital facilities such as the lobby, lobby café, business centre, restaurant, health club and indoor pool, outdoor pool and landscaped areas, as well as five to six meeting and conference rooms. Selim El Zyr, president & CEO of Rotana, said: “The new properties will answer the needs of the hospitality market in the Istanbul region with two highly sought-after product offerings. Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana are designed to close the gap between hotel and home and we are entering the vibrant Turkish leisure market for the first time with this concept.” “The new properties will represent a milestone for Rotana - the Tango Arjaan and Burgu Arjaan will be the first step in taking our brand, which is already iconic in the Middle East and Africa region, to the wider world.” “The Tango Arjaan by Rotana and Burgu Arjaan by Rotana also make great economic sense for both residents and investors. With the ‘rent while you are away’ scheme, which is common worldwide but is yet to gain ground in Turkey, the properties provide an alternative source of income for owners,” El Zyr said. “The weekly, monthly and annually-rented apartments will be operated and managed by a professional system and apartment owners will have the choice of an extra income by renting their places through Rotana to immediately begin earning returns on their investments.” The new Istanbul properties to be operated by Rotana will offer a privileged city life to families and guests who want to stay for a long time in some of the most beautiful buildings in the region, the statement said. Starting from the moment guests arrive to the second they leave, they will feel at home in the fully furnished apartments with 24-hour room service. Each apartment offers fabulous views of the surrounding areas and the aim is to give every resident a sense of belonging, as well as to create a hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, it said. Ziya Yilmaz, chairman and owner of Dap Yapi, said: “Rotana was chosen as a partner for being a hospitality pioneer in the Middle East and Africa which is evident in the development of its brand of hotels, already a proven success across the region.” The projects are located on Turkey’s longest coastal lane starting from Fener and ending at Tuzla, which is convenient for both leisure and work, the statement said. The area is experiencing high visitor traffic and demand for temporary as well as long-term accommodation making the hotel apartments attractive choices. Apart from the comfort of a five-star hotel in terms of quality and service, these projects will have health, entertainment, shopping and sports facilities on-site and host a warm home environment, it said. - TradeArabia News Service Turkey | Istanbul | Rotana | More Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Stories

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Forests and woodlands Forests & woods in Perthshire Explore nature and geography in Perthshire The woodlands of the Blair Atholl estate Lady Mary's Walk beside the River Earn, Crieff The Moness Glen and burn, Aberfeldy The forested countryside of Strath Tay, near Aberfeldy Discover why Perthshire is known as ‘Big Tree Country’ on a visit to its many beautiful forests and woodlands. Visit in autumn when the trees are resplendent in gold and crimson, see one of the tallest trees in Britain and a gnarled oak at Birnam said to be the last survivor of the wood portrayed in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Perthshire is home to some of Europe’s most remarkable tree and woodlands. Enjoy a tranquil stroll along Lady Mary’s Walk which runs beside the banks of the River Earn beneath a canopy of beech and oak trees. Explore Scotland’s oldest managed forests, Craigvinean, first created from larch seeds planted by the Dukes Atholl during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Atholl Estate contains the Hermitage, a wild ‘tree garden’ located on the edge of the Craigvinean Forest. Here you’ll find one of the largest Douglas fir trees in Britain, the Falls of Braan and romantic Victorian follies. See the Meikleour Beech Hedge, the longest hedge in Britain which dates from 1745, and legendary trees including the Fortingall Yew which is estimated to be between 3,000 and 9,000 years old. Some of the region’s ancient trees include the Birnam Oak and Eppie Callum’s Oak which, according to legend, sheltered both Rob Roy MacGregor and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Walk amongst the Birks of Aberfeldy, beech trees which line the slopes of the gorge through which the Moness Falls tumble and which inspired Robert Burns to pen the poem of the same name, and visit Faskally Wood in autumn when is transformed by stunning light and otherworldly sound effect into the Enchanted Forest. These are just some of the extraordinary forests, woodlands and trees that have earned Perthshire its title of Scotland’s ‘Big Tree Country.' Take a look at the information listing below to find out more about the forests and woodlands in Perthshire. Atholl Woods Type Forests & Woodlands Gradings Dunkeld Atholl Woods are situated a short distance from Dunkeld, on the Atholl Estate in Perthshire, and include a diverse range of trees and wildlife. Birks Of Aberfeldy Gradings Aberfeldy The Birks of Aberfeldy is a circular walk through mature mixed woodland on the western outskirts of Aberfeldy. The Birnam Oak Gradings Dunkeld The Birnam Oak is an iconic tree on the outskirts of the Perthshire village and celebrated in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Quarrymill Woodland Park Gradings Perth Quarrymill Woodland Park is situated on A93, half a mile north of Perth, and includes three excellent waymarked walks. Allean Forest Gradings Blair Atholl The Allean Forest forms part of the Tay Forest Park, seven miles west of Pitlochry and close to the Queen’s View Visitor Centre. Faskally Wood Gradings Killiecrankie Faskally Wood is an extensive woodland area within Tay Forest Park on the banks of Loch Dunmore, approximately one mile north west of Pitlochry. Gradings Kenmore Drummond Hill lies six miles west of Aberfeldy, forms part of Tay Forest Park, and is thought to be the site of Scotland’s first managed forest. Eppie Callum's Oak Gradings Crieff Eppie Callum’s Oak is an ancient oak tree in Crieff which is said to have once sheltered notorious outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor from his enemies. Craigvinean Forest Gradings Dunkeld Craigvinean Forest forms part of the Tay Forest Park and is situated 1 mile north of Dunkeld in Perthshire. Moncreiffe Hill Type Hills & Mountains Gradings Bridge of Earn Moncreiffe Hill Wood is a beautiful mixed woodland covering a hill, just 3 miles south of Perth.

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ES EN Walking Audio Tours Let us guide you to fascinating new places in cities around the world, and tell you captivating stories along the way. Walk through London in the times of Jack the Ripper. Stroll the streets of Rome with Emperors and Gladiators. Enjoy a day in New York City with the Gossip Girls. Plug in your earphones, and dive in! Walk. Listen. Feel. New York Haunted New York is not all shops and huge skyscrapers. New York has many hidden secrets and great legends from the past that even nowadays can send shivers down anyone’s spine. The spirits of the past remain with us in the present and we all know of some such presence. They and only they have spread their myths across many locations around the world capital. We invite you to follow us in this trip defined by fear, terrifying stories and ghosts. I hope you are ready to discover the dark side of the Big Apple. Ladies and gentleman, Haunted New York! New York Gossip Girl Do you dream about Chuck Bass? Do you want Blair Waldorf’s wardrobe? Would you die for endless blonde hair like Serena ? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, there is no doubt that Gossip Girl is one of your favourite programmes. Fashion, good taste, money and love scandals, has left everyone talking about the Upper East Side crew of NYC. We know all the series’ secrets, and we have prepared the best walk for you to discover each and every one of the haunts where these stars record the episodes. Rome Emperors and Gladiators Ancient Rome is highly regarded as the ultimate fighting force that built an Empire and introduced civilization to the western world - but in reality its rulers were often depraved, deceitful and self-obsessed. In this tour, you will hear about the myths, assassinations, treachery and ironies of the men who ruled and conquered Europe. So join us and learn about the intriguing lives of the Emperors that built Rome and discover the history of the men whose lives were put to the sword. Munich The Third Reich After the First World War, Bavaria was in the grips of hyperinflation and was tainted with assassinations and ideas of a revolution. From the debris of political and economical collapse, a new leader was to emerge with a captivating presence and an unfaltering promise of reviving Germany´s failing fortunes. His name was Adolf Hitler, an honorary German from Austria residing right here in Munich. Hitler made a lasting impression on the Munich public and in 1933, the Bavarian capital became the birthplace of the Nazi Party. Throughout the regime of the Third Reich the city remained the spiritual capital of the movement and subsequently left a big legacy. Join us for a walking audio tour as we delve into the dark past of the Third Reich in Munich and learn of a past this modern city is trying to sweep under the carpet of history. Paris Montmartre The word ‘bohemian’ and the Montmartre neighbourhood have always gone hand in hand. That’s why we have prepared a walk that will show you the best of this Parisian neighbourhood and we think you’ll fall in love with its little world. Montmartre was the artistic centre for singers, writers and painters such as Picasso, Renoir or Toulouse-Lautrec for many decades. There is no doubt about it, its bohemian air can still be felt nowadays. The pavement cafes are full of artists looking for a lucky break. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has the best views of Paris and the Moulin Rouge gets ready to reveal a new story every night. We promise to show you everything. The Montmartre residents are used to going up and down all the hills in this neighbourhood, are you ready? Paris Cinema Are you cinema lovers? Well, this is the tour for you! We wanted to show you Paris from a different point of view that only a camera lens can offer! Films such as French Kiss, Ocean's 12, Munich, the Da Vinci Code, the Pink Panther or Sabrina were shot here and Paris does not disappoint as a film setting. We’ll feature films like and I’m sure you’ll love it! Amsterdam Rembrandt Best known for his evocative masterpieces, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn is recognised as one of the Dutch Masters to have emerged in Holland´s Golden Age of the 17th century. But life was not all light and pretty brushstrokes for the painter. Born in Leiden, Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam to continue his art studies in the studio of Pieter Lastman. The impressionable young man was greatly influenced by Lastman and the techniques he learned aided his career; but it wasn´t so much his artwork that Rembrandt had problems with, but his personal life. Join our walking audio tour of Amsterdam Rembrandt and learn about the life and times of the Dutch Master. Amsterdam World War II It took just 44 days for the Nazi´s to steam roller through the Netherlands and take control of the country. Hardly surprising considering the Dutch army only consisted of 250,000 soldiers and one tank. During the war, the Dutch and their Jewish counterparts did their best to defy the occupying Germans and you can learn all about the torment, the retaliations and the misfortunes of Jewish families like the Franks in the walking audio tour of Amsterdam. Chicago Mafia During the 1920s, a series of increasingly spectacular acts of violence spread like wildfire throughout Chicago´s gangland. The trouble started after the government had banned the sale and use of alcohol. At first the beer swilling community were grateful to the gangland criminals that risked their freedom and their lives and turned a blind-eye to the bloodshed. But illegal activities is big money and it wasn´t long before the mobsters got out of hand culminating in the Valentine´s Day Massacre and the death of a newspaper reporter. It came to a point when something had to be done. For all their brutal violence towards each other, the goodfellas of the mafia have a strict code of conduct not to harm police, media or the general public and in return for lenient favours they feed the pockets of judges and politicians. Join us on our walking audio tour of Chicago´s gangland and learn about the amazing stories of the 1920´s cut-throat prohibition, the dazzling and dangerous lifestyle of gangsters or the mystery of the St. Valentine´s Day massacre, to name few. Chicago Cinema The towering city of Chicago has been the setting for numerous high-profile films, most notably, Ferris Buellar´s Day Off, The Dark Knight and The Untouchables which gives a fictional account of the real-life story of Prohibition in Chicago and the Treasury Office´s project to put notorious mob leader Al Capone behind bars. Join us on an walking audio tour round Chicago and discover the venues that have appeared in films and learn how the prohibition became an multi-million dollar business and lead ordinary people to commit crimes and rival gangsters to kill each other. London Jack the Ripper If Jack the Ripper doesn’t mean anything to you then maybe you don’t know the meaning of fear. If that’s the case we are going to make it our duty to ensure you don’t sleep well over the next few days. Killings, fear, blood and butchery are the ingredients that we have based this walk along London streets on. We don’t have any control over who might be hot on your heels though, as you never know if a new Jack is prepared to relive the legend of this serial killer who killed several women from across the British capital in 1888, especially women in Whitechapel. Are you ready to start? Don’t wander off and let anyone go off on their own…because maybe they’ll never come back. London The Beatles Do you like the Beatles? If you do we’re sure you will love this walk! London is full of hidden places that tell their story bit by bit. So keep your headphones on as we are going to walk by places like the famous zebra crossing and Ringo’s house. Are you up for it? Well that’s not all, as I’m sure many of you would like to know on which roof they did one of their most memorable performances, or the location of the shop dedicated exclusively to the Beatles. Ready to get started? Sign up for newsletter: FAQ | Imprint

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Contact UsShop D’Artagnan Posts tagged ‘julia childs birthday’ 1 Comment Remembering Julia Ariane Daguin and Julia Child had many things in common – height, boldness, creativity, humor and a healthy dose of irreverence. But the thing that bonded them was their passion for sharing the pleasures of French food with America. While Julia had TV audiences eating out of her hand, she took time to encourage Ariane in the early years of D’Artagnan to help the fledgling business grow. August 15, 2012 would have been Julia’s 100th birthday and it’s a time to celebrate her life. Here, Ariane reflects on how much Julia meant to her, sharing memories of the culinary icon that inspired a generation, and who continues to do so. D’Artagnan exists today in part thanks to Julia Child. First, because she was the initiator of the good food crusade; in our world of gastronomy, there are definitely two Americas: the one before, and the one after Julia! Certainly, she was the pioneer who elevated good food to a higher priority in this country. Without her, legions of dedicated artisanal suppliers like us, passionate chefs, and prolific writers would not be here today, arguing about the true meaning of organic, what constitutes local and seasonal boundaries, or the proper age of a Berkshire pig to achieve ideal belly fat. Second, because not only did she help advance the “good food” cause in general, but she also helped me promote D’Artagnan’s mission, in the early days of the company. I met Julia while her influence was at its height. She could not participate in a cooking seminar, enter a restaurant, or even cross the street without creating a mob scene. So I learned quickly that once we entered a public place, whether intimate or not, there would be no more one-on-one conversation. At the time, 28 years ago (when D’Artagnan started), she was actively working to organize the gastronomes of the country, and constantly invited us to participate in her events and gatherings. When we were together at those gatherings, she would take me under her wing, like a second mother this side of the Atlantic Ocean. While giggling in French between us, she would make a point to introduce me to everybody in sight who was “somebody.” I remember, in particular, one of the first conferences of the A.I.W.F. (American Institute of Wine and Food), that she helped create. We had, after she introduced us to each other, extremely animated discussions: one with Calvin Trillin on cooking spare ribs, and the other with Alice Waters, on which kind of thyme can grow where. At every food show where she knew we were participating, she would come and get me at D’Artagnan’s booth. We would then walk the aisles together, creating an instant mob scene wherever we decided to stop and taste the goods. The last time I saw Julia was in Boston, just before she left to retire for good in Santa Barbara, CA. She had invited me to do a talk about foie gras, in the afternoon, then brought me to a Les Dames D’Escoffier cocktail event where, as usual, all the guests flocked around her the minute we entered the room. That evening, for the first time, she had to ask for a chair and continued her greetings while seated. The next day for lunch, she asked me to meet her at Biba, Lydia Shire’s restaurant which was then THE place to be in Boston. I arrived slightly late (visiting chef clients and getting lost in Boston in the morning). When I got there, Julia was already at the table, seated in front of a tall drink that appeared to be tomato juice. Going with what I assumed was the flow, I asked the waiter for a Bloody Mary. To which Julia added, in her unmistakable multi-tone voice: “Oh, what a good idea! Could you make mine one, too?” At which, Lydia arrived on the double, with a bottle of vodka in hand. Glasses were filled (constantly) and I remember nothing but that sentence that I try, very badly, to imitate once in a while. It’s wonderful to see the world celebrating her life on the 100th anniversary of her birth this month. But I’m not surprised, because there is no other “food celebrity” that inspires more affection and devotion than Julia. Actually, she was the beginning of our modern concept of a food celebrity. Her personality was so huge and so generous that it came through the TV. Whether she was tossing a limp, American-style baguette over her shoulder in disgust or burning her eyebrows off making bananas flambé, Julia embodied the spirit of adventure in cooking. She was always learning, even as she taught. She made cooking entertaining, took it from drudgery to artistry—and beyond, to fun. And she did it in a very approachable way, making mistakes, dropping things on the floor, the way you do in real life. Suddenly, French food wasn’t so fancy; it was food you could make at home. It seems to me that you can’t overestimate the importance of a cultural phenomenon like Julia. Without her, would we even have multiple TV channels dedicated to cooking shows? Or so many food blogs? I think that the cult of the kitchen started with Julia. She made people want to cook, talk about food and challenge themselves in the kitchen. And even now, years after her death, her fame grows with biographical books and movies. This month, to celebrate the 100th anniversary, there are restaurants around the country offering special menus of her recipes. But most of all, there are people cooking her recipes at home. That’s her true legacy. She got people to embrace French cuisine in their kitchens, with her confident voice ringing in their ears and her inspired (and tested!) recipes as a guide. Her joie de vivre and passion for food were infectious. Sharing that on her TV show made French food accessible to Americans. It made her a star, and she even created a catchphrase–that sing-song trademark sign off, “bon appétit!” – Ariane The Linen Theme.

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Capitol Square 1111 East Broad Street Visitors revel in the rich history and charming stories of the Executive Mansion. The oldest, continuously occupied governor's residence in the United States, this Federal-style structure has been the home of Virginia Governors and their families since 1813. Today's residents include Governor Terry McAuliffe and his wife, and their family. The Mansion, which is both a Virginia and National Historic Landmark, was restored and furnished with antiques in the early 20th century. The original rooms across the front of the mansion contain most of their original woodwork, plaster cornices, and ornamental ceilings. During the Civil War, the Mansion served as the center of state leadership, when Richmond was the Capitol of the Confederate States of America. Please contact the Executive Mansion for the current tour schedule.

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Play It Safe Eyes Another Record Year Posted on 06/26/2008 by DispatchAdmin OCEAN CITY – Rising gas prices may be affecting some vacationers this year, but it certainly didn’t deter thousands of senior weekers from flocking to the resort, with over 13,000 turning out this year for the planned Play It Safe events. Play It Safe events occur each year during the month of June, providing fun, alcohol-free events for the recent high-school graduates to participate in. The mission of Play It Safe has remained the same throughout the years – “encourage high school graduates to make informed, healthy choices while having responsible fun without the use of alcohol and other drugs.” Last year was a record-breaking year for Play It Safe, with 13,148 recent graduates turning out during the month of June for the events. With 13,095 already reported for this year’s Play It Safe campaign and two events left to add to the final total, it look as if 2008 could be another record breaking year. Donna Greenwood, chairwoman of the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee, which organizes the annual events, reported this week it was another successful year with the senior week visitors. Play It Safe kicked off on June 1 this year with the popular Play It Safe OC Idol and wrapped up on June 20. Greenwood reported that the first week was the busiest this year, surprising officials as they anticipated week two to be the strongest. “More and more of our local kids were with us this year,” said Greenwood. Despite media reports of senior week mischief and a few Boardwalk brawls amongst the younger crowd, Greenwood reported a good group of kids this year with few problems. “We don’t really have too many problems with the kids. They have to sign in and we can ask them to leave if they are not in any condition to participate,” said Greeenwood. “We do try to screen them, we also try to watch out for age or for people who shouldn’t be at the events. If somebody is alcohol impaired, we really don’t want them with us.” Despite some of the unavoidable pitfalls, Greenwood reported that she was pleased with this year’s graduates, noting how enjoyable the events were for them as well as for the volunteers. ‘The kids are appreciative and grateful, always saying thank-you,” she said. Greenwood explained most of the kids visiting Ocean City are simply here to have fun with a fraction of the thousands getting into trouble. “You really can’t paint them all with the same brush,” said Greenwood. Play It Safe events range from pancake eating contests to rock climbing to miniature golf, with over 60 events held throughout the month. Karaoke is typically the most popular event amongst the senior week crowd, said Greenwood, reporting more than 1,100 graduates turned out for each of the two Play It Safe OC Idol events. “The kids really like it, it’s right off the Boardwalk, right on the beach, its really fun,” she said. For the first time this year, Play It Safe was provided with the driving intoxicated simulator, a go-cart that simulates for grads what it is like to drive impaired. “It gives the feeling of what it’s like to be in that situation,” said Greenwood. Other mechanisms are also used to encourage the students to stay off the roads during their visit. The Town of Ocean City provides free bus passes for all senior weekers who participate in the Play It Safe events in an effort to keep the grads and the streets safe. “We are so grateful to the town. Having the bus passes is a real blessing. It keeps the kids off the road and it helps our community,” said Greenwood, adding that parents are particularly grateful for the encouragement to use the bus instead of driving. Each year, in an effort to spread the word about Play It Safe events, a grant is received, through the health department, allowing for 75,000 booklets to be printed and distributed to all counties in Maryland. Booklets are also provided to local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, the Visitors Center and to local realtors and hotels. Realtors and landlords are manned with plenty of booklets and usually hand them out to the students as they arrive, said Greenwood, noting that keeping the kids active and out of trouble is beneficial to landlords and realtors as well. The Play It Safe website has also become a powerful tool in spreading the word, said Greenwood, noting the program has seen students from as far as Kansas participating in the events. “The website has spread the word so far and wide,” she said. Greenwood attributed this year’s success to everyone involved, from the town employees, to local businesses to the volunteers. “If we didn’t have the businesses that help us and the donations from all across the community, this wouldn’t be possible,” Greenwood said. “We’re really fortunate to have so many volunteers.” Next year will mark the 20th year for Play It Safe and it’s grown each year. “We started out with just an eight-page booklet. Now we have a 32-page booklet and over 60 events,” said Greenwood, remembering the first Play It Safe event, a dance at the Ocean Pines Beach Club. As for plans for the 20th year, Greenwood said, “we’ve been thinking a lot about it, but no plans yet. We want to do something spectacular to celebrate 20 years.”

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Get your daily dose of news from Destinations › Central & South America Controversial Documentary About Costa Rica Tourism Gets Second Chance Robert Isenberg, The Tico Times - May 07, 2014 3:40 pm Still from the documentary "The Goose with the Golden Eggs: Tourism on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast" CREST / Vimeo The Takeoff Episode 03: Why Team and Culture Matter for Travel Startups + Conversations with founders and CEOs on building the travel company of the future. Follow Amadeus: Read More Usually we’d be against someone rewriting a story to make others happy, but in this case it appears it will allow the story to reach a wider audience that may make the proper changes. — Jason Clampet Everybody knows that Costa Rica is a tourists’ paradise. But in the documentary “The Goose with the Golden Eggs,” we hear another side to the story: The industry may be a boon in general, but not every kind of tourist is good for the country. Originally titled “Cracking the Golden Egg,” the film stirred controversy in 2011 and was withdrawn from circulation. After significant revision and a new title, the documentary has been re-released and is making rounds at film festivals. An Alarming Study When Dr. Martha Honey visited Costa Rica in 2008 to do a talk on tourism, she met residents who were concerned about the rampant development on the Pacific Coast of condos and large-scale hotels, along with infrastructure and businesses to accommodate cruise ships. “It became clear that a lot of people were not on top of fast-paced development in Guanacaste and some of the challenges this was presenting,” Honey recently recalled to The Tico Times. “We began talking about the possibility of doing a study. It became clear that this was something that would be welcomed by the Costa Rican government.” A seasoned journalist and expert on tourism development, Honey is co-founder and co-director of The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), a nonprofit research institute based in Standford University and Washington, D.C. Between 2009 and 2010, Honey and a 15-person team studied the impact of the tourism industry on Costa Rica, particularly in the northwestern province of Guanacaste and the Osa Peninsula, in the Southern Zone. The project received a grant from the environmentally focused Blue Moon Fund. Their findings were alarming: Many hotels were not up to code, cruise line passengers contributed little to the local economy, and swimming pools and golf courses were detrimental to local water supplies. One of the leading contributors: Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, which services direct flights from the United States, accelerating the flood of foreigners — and by extension, foreign entrepreneurs. “It happened so quickly that it kind of caught Costa Ricans off-guard,” Honey said. Because of the development hysteria, the study claimed that building projects were often hasty and conducted illegally. “Part of it was bureaucracy, and part of it was that developers found it easier to pay the fines,” she said. A Controversial Film The CREST staff felt it had produced a groundbreaking study, but they couldn’t expect the average citizen to read it. Such studies are often difficult to slog through, and many of the people affected by rampant development are not sophisticated readers. So CREST decided to commission a documentary. “What was missing were the voices of people on the coast — how they had experienced this tremendous growth of tourism,” recalled Honey. CREST Demo, Costa Rica Tourism from Richard Krantz on Vimeo. CREST found filmmakers Charlene Music and Peter Jordan, a U.S. husband-and-wife team with lots of experience in global and progressive subjects. They interviewed locals on the Pacific Coast and put together a film that illustrated the findings in CREST’s report. When the film was first released in Costa Rica, CREST faced a great deal of criticism. “Basically, we ran into some buzz saws,” said Honey. “It caused a huge uproar, particularly from ICT [the Costa Rican Tourism Board]. And I think some of their criticisms were valid.” While Honey felt that the film was factually accurate, and CREST did not recall the copies that were already available in Costa Rica, they shelved it for two years. But not everyone was happy with this decision, and many organizations lobbied for the film to be rereleased. Before committing to a second round, CREST found two major allies: the Corcovado Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting Corcovado National Park, and Margarita Penén, former First Lady of Costa Rica (1986-1990) and a past lawmaker. Penén was interviewed in the film and has been one of its most ardent champions. “It is our hope that this film and the CREST study will stimulate a much-needed public discussion of what types of tourism are most appropriate and beneficial in Costa Rica,” Penén said, as quoted in press material. “If properly managed, tourism can bring benefits to communities and to conservation, and Costa Rica can choose now to turn the tourism industry into a green and sustainable industry. It can choose not to kill the goose that lays golden eggs. We hope you will give us a hand in this endeavor.” Still, CREST responded to scrutiny by modifying the original cut. “We basically redid large parts of the film,” Honey said. “This is not a marketing film. This is for education. Costa Rica has the right stuff to do ecotourism well. Those ingredients rarely exist in other developing countries. Costa Rica is kind of an exception — not totally, but it certainly has its advantages: a strong middle class, good infrastructure, and an incredible park system. There’s an entrepreneurial spirit. All those ingredients actually made it possible to move into ecotourism extremely rapidly.” The revised version of “Golden Eggs” had its premiere at the World Bank in 2013, and the film recently debuted at the Environmental Film Festival in Washington, D.C. Copies are currently making rounds among policymakers in Costa Rica, and the Corcovado Foundation has been using the film extensively to educate supporters. The film is currently available for download, in Spanish and English, on CREST’s website for $8.98. “We’re very, very pleased,” said Honey of the film’s long road to redistribution. “A film, unlike a report, can really have an impact.” (c)2014 The Tico Times (San José, CRI) Visit The Tico Times (San José, CRI) at www.ticotimes.net Lebanon to Win Back Tourism Base After Gulf States Lift Travel Warning Tags: costa rica, tourism This Week in Travel Startup Funding: Freebird, Travo and More Venture Investment Trends in the Travel Industry 2015 Skift MeetingsIQ: Smart City Meetings in Vienna, Smart Content in L.A. Deep Dive Into Google’s Travel Ambitions

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www.thelope.com The Lope: The End of Route 66 The Lope The End of Route 66 Ace Jackalope celebrates the end of a long, fruitful journey to the western end of Route 66. It was August 6 and we reached the end of our Route 66 journey; we returned with a different entourage on August 11.And where, exactly, does Route 66 end? I've always seen Santa Monica Pier or Pallisades Park listed as the end, but, technically, the consensus seems to be that it ends at Lincoln and Olympic Boulevards, a few blocks inland. I was chatting about this with a friend at a restaurant, when serendipity dropped the answer in my lap. A lone gentleman on the booth behind me apologetically interjected that he's been listening and that he had lived for many years in Santa Monica, about which he spoke wistfully. I asked him, "where, technically, does Route 66 end?""At the park" he answered definitively, as if it had been silly for me to ask such an obvious question. So, there ya go. Tradition and affectionate regard win over technicality in my book, so, as far as Ace and I are concerned, Route 66 ends with Palisades Park and the Santa Monica Pier. Funny how we say it "ends" here rather than "begins" here; most of the guidebooks and websites treat Rt66 as an east-to-west journey. Maybe its an echo of the old dustbowl migration days.At the Northern end of Palisades Park you'll find this plaque. It bears the inscription: "Will Rogers Highway; Dedicated 1952 to Will Rogers; Humorist; World Traveler; Good Neighbor; This Main Street of America, Highway 66, was the first road he traveled in a career that led him straight to the hearts of his countrymen"By the way, lest you think the pithy humor of Will Rogers outdated, I'd like to offer the following quotes:"We always want the best man to win an election. Unfortunately, he never runs.""A fool and his money are soon elected.""If we ever pass out as a great nation we ought to put on our tombstone 'America died from a delusion that she had moral leadership'"But, back to Route 66 and the plaque. It was placed here by Warner Brothers, Ford and the Main Street of America Association, not only to honor Rogers but as part of a publicity campaign for the 1952 movie The Story of Will Rogers. Not that we have any misgivings about adopting it as the our own personal end of Rt 66, but isn't it fitting that a city so associated with make-believe would have a plaque marking the end of a road where it isn't but where we would like to to be? Palisades Park is beautifully landscaped with palm, oak, and eucalyptus trees lining paved and natural paths that run past gardens with exotic and native plants. It is also inhabited by homeless people. One of the days I was there, the homeless out-numbered the tourists; Michael Wallis wrote about a soup kitchen here in his book "Route 66, The Mother Road."When I shot the picture below, I was thinking "what a cool looking place; maybe we should have stayed there instead of the Motel 6 in Hollywood." Nope. While researching the The Pacific Sands Motel, 1515 Ocean Avenue, I ran across a slew of bad comments at tripadvisor.com: "Disgusting beyond imagination", "I never saw a dirty motel like that", "I have visited Hellville", "Like living in the Projects", "I wished for the first time in my life that I had a handgun license" and "a miserable den for who knows what illicit activity".Back up in Palisades Park is Santa Monica's Camera Obscura at 1450 Ocean Avenue. I didn't get to go inside, but you can see interior pictures here, and an in-depth history of the device, here. "Camera obscura" is Latin for "dark chamber", and that's precisely what this is - a dark room in which an image is projected via lenses and mirrors from a rotating turret above. The concept, with a very few refinements along the way, stretches back over 2300 years to designs by Aristotle and others. The mechanism in this particular one dates back to 1899 when it was a very popular sideshow attraction. Sadly, it is largely neglected and under-promoted.A pedestrian bridge spans Highway 1 from Palisades park over to the beach. Highway 1 is also called the Pacific Coast Highway. You can see Santa Monica Pier in the distance. Shall we walk over to the beach?Looking back from below, I was struck by the eroded rock formations at the top of the 100-foot bluff that Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park are perched upon.Those towers look like....well, never mind.On the beach, just north of the pier, is "Walk on LA", a 1988 "art tool" designed by Carl Cheng. When pulled by a tractor, it leaves the imprint of a city in the sand. The project was commissioned by the City of Santa Monica Percent for Art program with funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Santa Monica Arts Foundation. There's a good listing of public art in Santa Monica at santamonica.com.Ace meets a new entourage in LA. The two new female drivers decide to set foot in the Pacific......and discover the water is cold today.So, I'm in the park, minding my own business and doing nothing that should attract attention - just watching a jackalope check out an observation telescope, and I hear "Oh!...is so cute!" The scent of perfume wafts into my personal space. I turn around and see a young woman dressed to the nines and made up for a photo shoot. Her photographer and, I assume, agent, helps translate for her since she's from...well, I forget where she's from, but it was an ex-soviet country. Anyway, they ask if I'm publishing my pictures and I tell them about this blog. They don't know what a "blog" or a "weblog" is, but she brightens at the term "internet" and she wants to hold Ace - many women do for some reason - and he never says no. Such is the life of a cultural investigator.Journeys often start and finish with a passage through a ceremonial arch. Ace Jackalope poses for the classic "end of Route 66" photo at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier, the spiritual end to our Route 66 journey. The entry arch was built in 1938 by the federal Works Project Administration. It was August 6, seven days after we drove under another arch near the beginning of our road trip on July 30, below. Yes, ceremonial arches...Tolkien's Moria, Paris' Arc de Triumph...in our case, the McDonald's in Vinita Oklahoma and the arch at Santa Monica Pier.There is a steep ramp down to the pier. I believe the ramp is also a WPA project and dates from 1938.One of the first attractions you'll see is, in our opinion, the best. It's the only one that has much history attached to it. This carousel replaced an earlier one and was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1922. It resided in a few places before coming to rest here in 1947; it was restored in 1990 and has appeared in numerous TV shows and movies, including "The Sting."Even unpainted, there is an appeal about these things. A little motion blur gives the unsettling visage of a baby being pulled by a spectral horse.And if you ever wonder at the wisdom of maintaining such things, just read the expressions.Ace meets a new friend, "Da Munkee" in the carousel giftshop.As I was editing this photo of this cool, kinda retro-looking Santa Monica Police station on the pier, I ran across this note in Route 66 News about surveillance cameras being installed on the pier: "Some men were videotaping in a manner that was inconsistent with tourist photography. They were photographing access roads and security structures" said the Chief of the Santa Monica Police Department.I wonder if they realize that some movements around the pier can be monitored by a 24 hr webcam?Now that's what I call art. I'm serious; I love the giant Testors bottle.The pier has the usual tourist trappy features.Kids play with remote-controlled boats.There's a pirate themed nine-hole miniature golf course which can be played for $5. The mural at top advertises an aquarium under the pier at the east end.It must be cool to be a seagull at a tourist trap... ...there's always someone wanting to feed you the cheese that goes crunch.The harbor office sits beside an old observation building which currently houses Mariasol, a Mexican restaurant where we had lunch. The observation building is a Santa Monica landmark and Mariasol got into a bit of controversy with the city government a few years ago when they made unauthorized changes to the upper part of the building, which is supposed to be an open viewing deck. The restaurant installed some windows which did not open, but managed to get approval after they had done so, provided they make a few changes.Mariasol's food was good, but they charge for drink refills. This was our view from downstairs. The pier is a popular place to fish.Mariasol's decor uses one of my favorite tiki bar decorations, the puffer fish...too bad this isn't a tiki-theme location; that'd rock, especially on a pier.Soon, Ace would be saying goodbye to two of his drivers as they had to return to the Midwest. This one was made slightly uncomfortable by the musicians.The other departing driver holds her purse at the ready, a signal she is done with this place and ready to seek other touristic venues.A view from the Pacific end shows the original pier stretching back to the shore, and the connected "amusement pier" at right, which is currently home to Pacific Park, an amusement park of recent vintage. Previous to this amusement park, there had been another one called Pacific Ocean Park which operated from 1958 to 1967 and was demolished in 1974.This young tourist has found the facility to her liking.I'm just glad I never take pictures "inconsistent with tourist photography." It would look as if Da Munkee, who is nowhere to be seen, has given Ace the shirt off his back.Ace and I would like to thank the people that aided us in August's Route 66 journey and our subsequent exploration of LA: Barb, Mark, Mia, Natalie, Patsy, Richard and William - seven very patient fellow explorers. And, thanks to Mark for the second plaque picture and to Richard for the two pictures of the girls in the surf.After finishing Route 66, we explored quite a few of LA's mid 20th century architectural treasures, we basked in googie and we swam in tiki. Ace even hopped a cruise ship to Mexico, but that is another story.For our entire 2005 Rt66/I-40 trip, see:Joplin to AmarilloAmarillo to HolbrookHolbrook to WinslowLa PosadaGrand CanyonSeligmanwestern AZFrom the California border onward, we stayed to Route 66:Colorado River crossingNeedlesNeedles to FennerFenner to AmboyAmboyAmboy to BarstowBarstowBarstow to VictorvilleVictorville - California Route 66 MuseumVictorville to RialtoRialto Wigwam MotelOuter Los AngelesLos AngelesSanta Monica PierOther posts concerning California:The Future was so Cool in 1961Goodbye, Sam's Seafood posted by Ace Jackalope at 3:55 AM fran said... hi, by chance i happend to come across your blog, this summer i went to santa monica and some other places along the cost of california, i've loved route 66 for so long, i didn't know it ended there in the park, i didn't even see the sign in fact, which makes me kinda regret it.. but thanks anyways for sharing your trip with everyone ;)cheers,fran Thu Feb 08, 09:52:00 AM Name: Ace Jackalope Location: Hutchinson, Kansas, United States From his base in Hutchinson, Kansas, Ace Jackalope ventures forth - sometimes to foreign lands and sometimes to his own backyard - in order to drink in the wonders of the world around us. Happy Mardi Gras! A 'Lope in the City of Angels - LA Route 66 Rt 66 in outer LA: Neon Jewels in the Suburban Spr... The Last Wigwam Happy Valentine's Day! Twilight Zone on Route 66 - Victorville to Rialto "Here are a host of signs you may see" - Californi... Barstow to Victorville - Last of the Desolate Mile... Not so Anchored Winter Frog

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Home » Your Visit » Stations » Bishops Lydeard Bishops Lydeard Postcode for Sat Nav: TA4 3RU Bishops Lydeard Station is the southern terminus of the West Somerset Railway. It is four miles from the County town of Taunton and the M5 Motorway (Junction 25). Please be aware that there is a maximum height barrier so access to the car park is for vehicles under 2.1 metres. Bishops Lydeard Station has a booking office and sells the full range of West Somerset Railway tickets. Please see the Fares Pages to find out more about fares from this station. The station has toilets, with facilities for disabled passengers and baby changing rooms. There is a large free car park and coach parking is available. The Gauge Museum on Platform 1 has many items of local rail interest and shows how the railway affected the people who worked on and used the line. The Museum also contains a working model railway open normally at weekends and Galas. Platform 1 is also home to the Taunton Model Railway Group whose layout, Bath Green Park, is intricately detailed and can be viewed when it is open on Gala days. On Platform 2 you will find the station shop and the Whistle-Stop Cafe, adjacent to the Signalbox, selling a comprehensive range of model railway equipment old and new, books and other souvenirs. The Whistle-Stop Cafe sells hot and cold snack items as well as a soft drinks and sweets. The village of Bishops Lydeard is situated at the foot of the Quantock Hills and is about five minutes walking from the station. The old village is a mixture of red sandstone and brick buildings which are all very charming to look at. Further up the road into the village is Mill Lane which, if followed, takes you to the village watermill which has been spendidly restored. Bishops Lydeard Mill welcomes visitors on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays from 30th May to 30th September (plus Bank Holiday Mondays) and Saturdays in August between 11.30am - 4pm. The mill is home to a working water wheel, the wheelwright�s shop and the blacksmith�s shop. Once back on the main road further into the village is the Bird in the Hand Pub offering food and drink, garden and a children�s play area. Alongside the pub is a small craft shop. The Village Church is the very impressive St. Mary the Virgin and the earliest part dates from the 14th Century. There are some beautiful wood carvings in the church and the village charter from 1291 can be viewed. As you make your way from the station towards the village you will find the Lethbridge Arms, an old established inn, which offers food and drink including real ales in a number of rooms. The large wall in the car park is of historical interest as having been built for the playing of Fives, a Somerset game which was once very popular but which has now died out. A Fives Wall in West Somerset is unusual as the most popular area for the game was the south of the county. Near the church is a fascinating relic of the tram system in Taunton, a post that supported the electric wires, now in use as a lamp standard. The trams were closed in the 1920�s and no one is really sure how it got there. Other local attractions include Cedar Falls Health Farm and the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. History of Bishops Lydeard Station The station, opened with the original Taunton to Watchet Line in 1862 and originally had only the main building, Goods shed and the Station Masters House (opposite the Shop on Platform 2 - it is now let out as a holiday home) until the Great Western Railway added the other platform and Signalbox in 1906. The station is home to the West Somerset Railway Association, the supporting charitable body of the Railway. Please visit the West Somerset Railway Association Web Site for further information.

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Puget Sound : King County : Seattle Revision as of 17:05, 26 May 2012 by 71.219.147.51 (Talk) Districts Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods North of the Lake Washington Ship Canal South of Downtown and I-90 Get around Navigating By public transit See Landmarks Parks and outdoors Cope Newspapers Consulates Get out Ferries The Space Needle with Downtown in the Background Seattle is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — have a look at each of them. Seattle, Washington, [1] is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. Located between Puget Sound and Lake Washington in King County, of which it is the county seat, and overlooking Elliott Bay, Seattle is nicknamed The Emerald City. The city is a damp green gem, with an abundance of evergreen trees throughout, and spectacular views of the Cascade mountains to the east and the Olympic mountains to the west. The cultural and business center of the Pacific Northwest, the city and its surrounding areas are the home of the Space Needle, Boeing's aircraft assembly plants, Microsoft, Amazon.com, Costco, Nintendo of America, Starbucks, and the University of Washington, as well as a vibrant arts scene and an excellent park system. Seattleites usually describe Seattle locations in terms of "neighborhoods." This is partly because of a potentially confusing system of street addresses (see Get around). The breakdown into neighborhoods is informal and mutates over time, and while there are often signs on major arterial roads to let you know that you are "entering" a particular neighborhood, the placement of these signs is arbitrary. Still, knowing what neighborhood you're looking for can be a good sanity check when you're looking for an address. A Seattleite would describe 1401 45th Ave SW as being in West Seattle, and 1401 NE 45th St as being in the U-District (University District), which you'll note are diagonally opposite on the map. See Get around for an explanation. The Seattle City clerk maintains an interactive map [2] that starts with the high-level districts, but lets you click on those to get the detailed neighborhoods too. Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods Overview of Seattle districts Downtown Seattle's retail core, home to the waterfront, the Pike Place Market, and some of the most stunning architecture in the city Pioneer Square-International District The oldest neighborhoods in Seattle, containing art galleries and innumerable restaurants Queen Anne-South Lake Union Perched on the hills northwest of Downtown and home to the Seattle Center and the Space Needle Capitol Hill-Central District A diverse, densely-packed cluster of neighborhoods, rich and poor, from the nightlife of Pike-Pine to the quiet residences of Madison Park. This area is also said to be the gay capitol of Seattle. Ballard A mostly residential area, home to the canal locks. The area is known for its Scandinavian heritage and thriving Historic Downtown Ballard. Fremont and Wallingford The self-proclaimed "center of the universe", a bohemian (though rapidly gentrifying) area noted for its public art University District Home to the sprawling University of Washington campus and its adjacent neighborhoods North Seattle The city's mostly residential northernmost tier, bordering Shoreline SoDo-Georgetown Continuing south of downtown past the sports stadiums, this industrial district contains the well-hidden but thriving Georgetown neighborhood South Seattle A mostly residential area that's home to the lovely Seward Park West Seattle A scenic residential area with numerous parks and good vistas over the harbor The "Eastside" refers to the region east of Lake Washington comprising the suburbs of Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond. Seattle was founded on the rough, physical industries of fishing, logging and coal mining, with San Francisco as her primary customer. Boeing, founded in 1916, grew to be Greater Seattle's primary industry as natural resources were depleted. The region's strong economic dependence on Boeing gave the oil recession and cancellation of the SST (Supersonic Transport) in the early '70s a grim effect. Over the last twenty-five years, the area has become less seedy and more developed with the massive influx of Microsoft money (and other software and biotech proceeds), but Pioneer Square is still the original Skid Row. (Yesler Way was a "Skid Road" for logs skidded downhill using dogfish oil to Henry Yesler's lumber mill). Seattle is also substantially influenced by the presence of the University of Washington (the largest single campus in the state and recipient of over $1 billion in research grants annually), as well as multiple smaller colleges and universities. Seattle is also the center for financial, public health, and justice systems in the northwestern part of the U.S. Daily highs (°F) Nightly lows (°F) Precipitation (in) 5.1 3.7 3.3 2.2 1.7 1.4 0.7 0.9 1.6 3.0 5.1 5.4 Check Seattle's 7 day forecast at NOAA The weather can be rainy (but is usually just drizzly) on any given day. It can also be sunny and pleasant in January. Mid-June through early September is often sunny. The record high is 103°F (39°C); the record low is 0°F (-18°C). The warmest months are July and August, with average highs in the high 70s (about 25°C), though often having days in the 80s and even 90s (32°C). The coldest month is January, with average lows in the mid-upper 30s (about 3°C), although occasionally can get cold, especially when it is not cloudy. The dark, short, and overcast winter days can be unpleasant and depressing to some, although the bright side is that they are not as cold as the latitude (47.6 degrees North) might lead you to think. The summer, however, is very pleasant. Temperatures are very mild, and most locals do not have air-conditioning in their homes, though all hotels will, and it is advisable to have it for a car if you are there in the summer. The days are also very long, and sunset (let alone twilight) is after 9PM for weeks. Also, the vast majority of days in the summer have no rain, and despite its reputation, many people's lawns go brown in the summer if they do not water. The main challenge of Seattle's weather is more the overcast skies than the rain. One interesting fact is that Seattle has less annual rainfall than New York City; however, the rain is spread out over a larger number of days, so while NYC gets heavier downpours, Seattle's rain usually comes in a drizzle, which only occasionally strengthens to a full-blown torrent. Despite this, if you come in the summer, you should see plenty of sunny weather. The month of December tends to be extremely wet, although due to the fact that Seattle weather is unpredictable, it can still be sunny and mild. A rule of thumb sums up Seattle's month-by-month weather as such. January starts the year off with a relief from December's torrential rains, but just as quickly subjects the city to what is, for the area, an intense chill. Temperatures can fall below 30°F and snow may fall on several occasions. As Seattle's infrastructure is not built around this, even a moderate freeze creates major problems. In February, the weather is still cold and easily prone to snow, but often is sunny with entire weeks of sunshine. This is only a tease, though, as March is windy and unpleasant. April is when spring makes itself apparent, with schizophrenic weather which will see rain, then sunshine, then hail, then more sunshine, all in one afternoon. May is almost always the best non-summer month, as rain is rare and sun is in ample supply. Temperatures can hit 80 or more. But then June hits and the weather becomes cloudy and rainy once more, though fortunately it's a warmer rain and there is still good weather occasionally. An often said phrase in Western Washington is that summer does not start until the Fourth of July. July through September, however, are what make Seattle a bearable place to live, as rain almost never falls, and temperatures hover around 70 to 80 the whole way through. Toward the end of September, the weather cools, and by early October, it is once again very unpleasant with frequent cold rain and cloudy skies. November and December just get worse, and add possible snow to the mix. Then the cycle begins again, and with the passing of Christmas, the anticipation of increasingly longer days is tempered by the inexorable advent of freezing weather and black ice. A view of the Seattle waterfront The Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau operates two visitors centers: Seattle Visitors Center and Concierge Services, 7th and Pike (inside the Washington State Convention and Trade Center), [3]. Daily 9AM-5PM during summer, M-F 9AM-5PM during winter. Market Information Center, 1st and Pike (on the southwest corner), [4]. Daily 10AM-6PM. Services are more limited than the main location at 7th and Pike. Get in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (IATA: SEA), [5], universally nicknamed "Sea-Tac", is located in the city's southern suburbs. Domestically it's a major hub for Northwest and West Coast destinations, and internationally handles especially frequent trans-Pacific routes, as well as direct flights to the major European airports. The airport is about a 25 minute drive from downtown Seattle when there isn't heavy traffic, much longer during rush hour. All international flights arrive at the south satellite terminal, but after immigration and customs, passengers are then funneled onto a train back to the main terminal, outside the security checkpoint. You'll need to pick up any checked bags to clear customs, then place them right back on the conveyor for transit to the main terminal. Reclaim checked bags once again from carousel 1 in the main baggage hall, to the right after leaving the train and going upstairs. Allow plenty of time for this dance! All connecting passengers will need to re-check their baggage with their airline and pass through security. There are several choices for getting from the airport to the city center: Sound Transit's Link Light Rail [6] connects the Airport directly to downtown Seattle. Trains run 5 AM—midnight (11 PM Sunday), taking 37 minutes to reach the terminal at Westlake Station in the central business downtown (Pine St. at 3rd and 5th Aves.). Tickets are $2.75, available from vending machines at every station. At the airport, the rail station is connected to the Main Terminal via the far left side of the parking garage, as you enter the garage from the terminal. Taking the bridge nearest baggage carousel 16 and the United Airlines ticket counter is the shortest walk. Commercial shuttle buses [7] are about $5.00-12.75 and probably not faster than public transit if you are going downtown, though they do have more room for luggage. Catch them at the Ground Transportation Center, located on the third floor of the parking garage, one level down after crossing the Skybridge. A taxi trip takes about 25 min (expect to pay $30-40 plus tip); catch one on the third floor of the parking garage, one level down after crossing the Skybridge. Rental cars are available at the airport. On a weekend, you might want to shop the internet for rental cars, since they can be less than $12/day (plus roughly 18% tax; also consider hotel parking fees, if any). Beware of the fact that taking a rental from the airport will incur an 11% "airport tax" surcharge. If you are able to rent a car from a downtown location you will not have to pay this and will save a considerable amount of money. Amtrak [8] provides service from all along the west coast from King Street Station [9], located south of downtown near Safeco Field. The Amtrak Cascades [10] runs four trains a day between Seattle and Portland (two of which continue to Eugene, Oregon) and two a day to Vancouver, British Columbia. These trains are more reliable schedule-wise than the long distance trains and offer certain amenities not available on regular Amtrak trains, such as more space for bikes, more laptop outlets, a "Bistro Car" which serves local foods and

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July 5 2008 Vienna D Schonbrunn From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ViennaVienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.7 million[3] (2.3 million within the metropolitan area,[citation needed] more than 25% of Austria's population), and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre. It is the 10th largest city by population in the European Union. Vienna is host to many major international organizations such as the United Nations and OPEC.Vienna lies in the east of Austria and is close to Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. These regions work together in a European Centrope border region. With the close by Bratislava, Vienna forms a 3 million inhabitants metropolitan region, referred to as Twin City. In 2001, the city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site[4] and in 2005 an Economist Intelligence Unit study of 127 world cities ranked it tied with Vancouver for first for the quality of life.[5] This assessment was mirrored by the Mercer Survey in 2009 and 2010.[6][7]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SchonbrunnSchönbrunn PalaceFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaSchönbrunn Palace (German: Schloss Schönbrunn [?o?n'b??n]) is a former imperial summer residence in Vienna, Austria. One of the most important cultural monuments in the country, since the 1960s it has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. The palace and gardens illustrate the tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs.I had the chance to visit this wonderful town in July 2008 when visiting a good friend - Equipment used was Canon 350D + 8mm Sigma Copyright: Valentin Arfire Tags: schonbrunn palace vienna Mekong delta vietnam Jochen Knepper Meilenwerk Unten Emir Sultan Moschee Hilden Alf Leila wa Leila Sunset Alexandre Duret-Lutz Montmartre Sunrise Sunrise from a bench in Montmartre Montmartre's Caroussel More About Vienna The World : Europe : Austria : Lower Austria : Vienna Overview and HistoryThe history of Vienna is synonymous with that of Europe's biggest empire, so hang on to your weiner schnitzel.Vienna was named "Vindomina" by Celtic tribesmen around 500 B.C. The Romans called it "Vindobona", which means "good wine," and some remains from the Roman garrison there can be found at Hoher Market. Since it was on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, it suffered much chaos and destruction during Volkerwanderung (AKA "let's pillage").Throughout the later Middle Ages Vienna lived under the rule of the Babenberg family. They steadfastly warded off those persistent Mongolian raiders who keep popping up just when you least expect them.During the third great Crusade (1192 A.D), Richard the Lionhearted was captured near Vienna and held for a ransom most foul which amounted to eleven tons of silver! This tidy sum was collected from England and used for the creation of a mint and city walls, major steps in Vienna's ascension to proper city status.Good old kidnapping, who can get enough of it? You can still see remains of these city walls in the metro stop at Stubentor.1278 A.D. marked the beginning of Hapsburg rule over the Austrian lands, snatched from the clutches of Bohemian King Otokar II. This reign would last almost seven centuries and grow to be Europe's largest empire.Vienna twice defended against Ottoman attackers in the 16th and 17th centuries. As the story goes, the Viennese strained coffee technique traces its roots back to these Turks, who left sacks of coffee beans in the wake of their hasty retreat.Emperor Josef II granted freedom of religious expression in 1781, immediately attracting the likes of Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven. These composers created masterpieces of western music in service of the blossoming Viennese opera houses and concert halls.Vienna officially became capital of the Austrian Empire in 1804, of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after 1867, and capital of First Austrian Republic after WWI. The Hapsburg dynasty ended in 1918 with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, which launched WWI.Between the two World Wars, Austria experienced a revolution (the February Uprising) and autocratic government. Austria was captured by Germany and then Russia during WWII, but emerged as a sovereign nation again at the end of the war. However, it remained a divided and occupied city for another ten years, a period when international espionage cloaked more than a dagger or two within its four bristling regions.In recent history Vienna has become like a second capital of Europe after Brussels. In the 1970's Vienna built the Vienna International Center, a complex to house one of the four United Nations offices. Along with the UN, this complex houses OPEC headquarters, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Nuclear Test Ban Organization, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Did you know that OSCE is the world's largest intergovernmental organization?I wonder what Sigmund Freud would say?Getting ThereVienna International Airport is connected to the city by a sixteen minute train ride on the CAT system. Eight Euros and you're there! TransportationVienna has a smooth, well-built public transportation system. Like Prague, the city layout is organized by numbered districts which begin in the center and radiate outwards.You can get around here on buses, trams, trains and the underground metro. Don't forget to stamp your ticket in the blue machine!People and CultureWell, the border guards still check passports even though Austria is part of the "borderless" Schengen zone. In other words, Austria is a lot more formal than neighboring Slovakia and Czech Republic. Be advised.Food to sniff around for:wiener schnitzel -- pounded flat veal, breaded and sauteed in clarified butter.Eat it with dumplings, chase it with apple strudel, remember it over your palatschinken the next morning (these are like crepes).And of course, about every forty-five minutes you should be visiting a cafe for another magic coffee. Austrian caffeine addiction is legendary.Vienna is also one of the world's few capital cities which still has its own vineyards. Go for a Riesling tasting next time you're in town.Things to do & RecommendationsFirst off, location is everything. You can get to Vienna by bicycle on the greenway bike path, how cool!Opera, baby! We didn't really get into detail, but Vienna's opera houses and theaters are some of the best in all of Europe. Visit the Burgtheater, Volkstheater Wien and Theater in der Josefstadt, at the very least.Across the Danube you should take a stroll through the Karmeliter district, which has a cool art scene and lots of bars. You know how art makes you thirsty.For late night munchers, head to the area around Naschmarkt, maybe Cafe Drechsler or Grafin vom Naschmarkt, serving traditional Austrian chow for longer than anyone can remember.If that's not enough, you can throw pretzels in the world's oldest zoo, or maybe even at the Vienna boy's choir, but not in any of the 100+ art museums.And of course we are skipping all the obvious stuff such as Maria Theresien Platz, the residences of Beethoven, Mozart's grave... the list goes on. Seven centuries of royalty will accumulate quite a bit of architecture and noteworthy collections. Have fun!Text by Steve Smith.

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London Tower Bridge Buses Art Print Poster - 36x24 London Piccadilly Bus and Taxi Art Poster Print London Landmarks Red Bus, Telephone Box, Big Ben Photo Art Poster Print London Piccadilly Circus Art Print Poster Paris Red Girl Art Print Poster Rue Parisienne Paris Cafe Art Print Poster Title: London Tower Bridge Buses Art Print Poster Details: This poster shows some red double-decker tour buses on the London Tower Bridge. The buses are red, while the rest of the picture is black and white. London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. London is one of the world's most important business and financial centers, and its influence in politics, culture, education, entertainment, media, fashion, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the key global cities. It is a major tourist destination, with landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye.

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Escape Villas, in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, the perfect destination for an ecotourism in one of the most beautiful place on Earth Escape Villas, the perfect example of sheer comfort and luxury in total harmony with Ecotourism and Conservation in one of the most recommended destination of the planet. Enjoy magical National Park and pristine white sand beaches without leaving a single print of your visit. Escape Villas, the perfect example of sheer comfort and luxury Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas, Costa Rica (PRWEB) Eco Tourism is defined as being a responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment while improving the wellbeing of local people. The progress of Ecotourism in Costa Rica has so far been steady and continuous. Ecotourism was first heard of in the 70s during the first environmental movements, however it has a far deeper and wider worldwide impact today. Ecotourism was first heard of in Costa Rica during the late 80s, and it soon became its main source of economic development as a follow up to its natural resources and bio diversity. To date the tourist industry brings about 2 millions people per year in the country. Julie Dasenbrok is a writer for TED case studies, Trade Environment Database Projects; she wrote that Ecotourism is currently the fastest growing sector of the world’s largest service industry: Tourism. Ecotourism has contributed actively to the conservation of the natural cultural heritage of Costa Rica. The country as devoted about 26% of its land to National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and protected land and sea. This is not bad for a small country measuring just 19,730 square miles! What makes Costa Rica an excellent candidate for Ecotourism? It is of course this incredible bio diversity and natural beauty. It is one of the several countries that have embraced ecotourism as a conservation and development plan. Today the magnitude and maturity of its ecotourism industry puts it in the lead compared to neighboring developing countries, making it one of the tops ecotourism destinations of the world. It really has all it takes; apart from its biodiversity and National Parks, it has a stable democratic government, no army, and a lovely climate with great people. Costa Rica is a safe country with high standards of living, two international airports, a good infrastructure, a good education system and a public health care. Tourists are happy to come here, and they are even happier to know they are contributing towards the conservation of the environment and sustainable living. Costa Rica has basic ingredients for the success of Ecotourism: Nature. It is blessed with an abundance of Natural Resources like pristine beaches, mangroves, rainforests and cloud forests, a magnificent flora and fauna that mesmerize every single visitor who come here. Some never leave! Manuel Antonio National Park is viewed as a model for ecotourism and sustainable development. It offers a unique habitat to a huge variety of flora and fauna together with some of the most beautiful Beaches of Costa Rica. It was actually declared to be one of the most beautiful national parks of the world in a new issue of Forbes Magazine, where adventure traveler and writer Matt Villano and National Park expert and Ovation Vacation President Jack Ezon helped the writing of the list of the “12 most amazing National Parks to grace the world”. While it is certainly the smallest park on Forbes list, it is also the most popular, with 143,000 visitors in 2011 who came to enjoy the Beaches and National Park of Manuel Antonio. TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Award placed it third in the world as a beach and sun destination, thanks to its Blue Flag (symbol of cleanliness and environmental care), its primary and secondary forests, its mangrove and careful residents. TripAdvisor is chosen by millions of tourists everywhere for its sound evaluations and inspirational advices. Escape Villas, in Manuel Antonio, is without a doubt the finest choice for those who seek a successful, stress-free ecological vacation. In the days when Beach Vacation Rental was never so much in demand, these stylish villas offer elegant design, gorgeous views and locations and safety within the natural elements of this magical area. Escape Villas, designed for comfort and privacy are the perfect solution for families or groups. Submerge yourself in the splendor of one of the most beautiful places on Earth with the knowledge that you are also contributing to its preservation. Enjoy the chance to benefit from a Property in Manuel Antonio, the most proficient and sought area of Costa Rica. In 2005 Escape Villas bought a large track of primary rainforest that it has managed ever since, for the mere purpose of preserving and to compensate for the visitors and clients footprint during their stay in Costa Rica. This reserve can actually be visited; this 100 hectares reserve can be found in Damas, that is 15 minutes before Quepos on the main road. This land is treasured so that the future generation can also enjoy the magnificence of Nature and the value of Conservation. Escape Villas spokesman also explains how proud they are to have acquired this piece of land and to take part in the conservation of Costa Rica, and that additional trails are planned in the near future. Most of the villa rentals of Escape Villas were built exclusively with the protection of the environment in mind, together with the well being of its occupants. The living rooms are bright with open air living areas thus reducing the need of air conditioning. The hot water and Jacuzzi are heated up by solar power and they have been fitted with special environmental septic system. Furthermore, they have extra insulating system with special four layers ceilings. The garbage is automatically recycled and the occupants do not have to worry about anything, as it is automatically sorted for them. The ecology goes further with special tours in the Manuel Antonio Park and with a guided tour of the mangroves. Horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking are all available upon request. Outside of the park there is a multitude to see and to do. Those who like a bit of action will appreciate White Water Rafting in the Savegre River, providing Class II, III and some IV rapids that are manageable in sturdy rafts that accommodate 2 to 6 people comfortably. For more action go to the wild and ever-changing Naranjo River White Water Rafting; this challenge trip is recommended for physically fit adventure lovers and experienced rafters who are familiar with Class III and IV rapids. Manuel Antonio Kayaking gives you the opportunity to admire the stunning coastline of Manuel Antonio and of the National Park as you kayak in the deep blue sea. Vanessa Alvarado, the Escape Villas administrator, points out that most visitors leave in awe of the beauty of Manuel Antonio, the natural elegance and succor together with an infinite sense of well being and peace. She also stresses that the visitors leave with the strong feeling that they have learned something; the have learned about the importance of ecology and sustainable living and how we can all play our part in protecting it; this not just because of blissful beauty of Manuel Antonio, but also because of the efforts and dedication of Escape Villas and its professional staff. There is simply nothing to compare. Escape Villas,Costa Rica Vacation Rentals, offers first class real estate and provides a program that cares and respects the environment like nowhere else, while it teaches people of the value and importance of the well being of nature, and how we can have fun and still care for it. Indra Levy EscapeVillas.com1 888 672 3673

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Rider Magazine > Features > Ride North Dakota! Open Spaces Open the Mind Ride North Dakota! Open Spaces Open the Mind Colorful fields in North Dakota. Rick Cowine October 9, 2003 Filed under Features, Motorcycle Rides, Roads and Self-Guided Travel The phrase “Ride North Dakota” doesn’t usually bring a motorcyclist’s blood to a boil. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t any good roads in North Dakota—after all, anywhere we ride on our favorite mode of transport is a good road. Some are just better than others. North Dakota has some of my favorite vistas. On this trip, riding west on Interstate 94 from Fargo, the sun rises over my shoulder and the wide-open spaces of the northern plains stretch out in front of me. Grain elevators dot the horizon in every direction like monoliths. The landscape is so stark it seems like the farm fields changing from corn to beans to grain are the only variances in the scenery. The furrows in the farm fields extend out from the highway perpendicularly and click past like fence pickets. I enjoy a sunset over the “pyramids” of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This land is so flat, it seems as if I stood up on the pegs I could see to Montana, but of course I can’t. Then off on the horizon there’s something bright yellow. As I get closer and closer it gets bigger and bigger. Now out of nowhere there’s a field of sunflowers, hundreds of acres of 6-foot tall plants turning the left side of my world into a sea of yellow. Out of the so-called mundane comes the spectacular. They say open spaces open the mind. This is the eastern part of the state and flat, open spaces are the nature of the landscape. I’m heading for the western fringe of North Dakota to the town of Medora and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where the North Dakota Badlands got their name. Small town North Dakota. Local café, gas station and a grain elevator—what else do you need? Medora was founded along the east bank of the Little Missouri River by the Marquis De Mores in 1883 and named for his wife. The Marquis was a rich French entrepreneur with a knack for both grandeur and failure, but he never seemed to run out of money from home. He built a meat-packing plant to service the emerging cattle ranching industry in this part of the western plains. Trying to put a better spin on the name “Badlands,” early Chamber of Commerce types attempted to change the name to Pyramid Park, after the predominant buttes and mesas in the Badlands that resemble pyramids. But one of the early white explorers, General Alfred Sully, described the Badlands as “Hell with the fires out.” Which is very appropriate, as much of the exposed geology of the area has a rosy red glow to it called scoria, formed when layers of coal caught fire and burned, baking the nearby earth to a rich red color. Summers can be brutally hot, over 100 degrees, and winters even worse with temperatures well below zero and winds that never seem to stop. There was just no way they were going to shake the name Badlands. A pair of Harleys rumble across Lake Sakakawea on Highway 23 toward the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. After crossing North Dakota on I-94 I arrive in Medora, which relies upon tourism from the adjacent Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Gone are the cowboys and the cattle ranchers, the steer rustlers and the vigilantes who hung them from the nearest tree. But the old west is still the prominent theme in Medora, with wagon rides and a cowboy on horseback clopping around town for the tourists to photograph. Several of the original buildings, like the Rough Riders Hotel and Joe Ferris’ General Store, still stand. But the town is best known for the Medora Musical. It’s an old-west singin’, dancin’, toe-tappin’, Teddy Roosevelt-themed variety show for the whole family that appears every night at an outdoor amphitheater on the edge of town, with a Badlands sunset for a backdrop. It’s all very corny and very fun. But don’t think of Medora as a tourist trap, as there’s still no water park and only one miniature golf course. In the north unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park the scenic drive first meanders through sagebrush and rock formations of the Little Missouri River bottoms. Theodore Roosevelt National Park consists of two separate parks within Little Missouri National Grassland. The south unit is adjacent to Medora and where I first venture into the park. After I pay my entry fee the ranger warns me that the bison who roam the park freely have taken offense to motorcyclists and bicyclists on occasion and that I should keep my distance. That’s fine with me—I’ve always made it a policy to stay clear of 2,000-pound hairy creatures with horns and a bad disposition when I’m on my bike. Inside the park is a 36-mile scenic loop that takes you first along the Little Missouri and then through some of the best (or baddest!) of the Badlands. There are frequent prairie dog towns and overlooks, and of course the bison—which I observed at a distance—a herd of wild horses and one of Roosevelt’s restored cabins from the time he spent here as a cattle rancher. Roosevelt arrived in this area in September 1883 to hunt wild buffalo while there were still buffalo to hunt. When he got off the train it was clear to the locals this was a “city dude.” He was a thin, fresh-faced easterner with a moustache and, of all things, glasses, which the folks of Medora considered to be a sign of “a defective moral character.” Roosevelt set out to arrange for a hunting guide, but because of his appearance was turned down over and over again. He finally contracted with Joe Ferris, whose descendants still live here in Medora. Another North Dakota phenomenon, thunderstorms, here along Highway 85 between the north and south units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. After a 10-day hunt in the rain and mud, which exhausted Ferris but only seemed to enliven Roosevelt, he finally got his buffalo. Roosevelt earned the respect of the Ferris’ and friends because of his tenacity and determination on that hunt. They saw that in spite of his inexperience, he clearly was no “dude.” On that trip Roosevelt decided to buy some land and to raise cattle in the badlands. That same determination continued to mark Roosevelt as an exception to the normal easterner throughout his tenure in the badlands. He gained respect as a hunter, rancher, horseman and community leader. Roosevelt’s experiences in North Dakota had a profound impact on his life. In 1910 he told a crowd in Fargo, “If it had not been for what I learned during those years…here in North Dakota, I would never in the world have been president of the United States.” After a short trip back east on the interstate I head north on Highway 85 for about 45 miles to the North unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The 14-mile scenic drive has a much different flavor than the South Unit. You start out in the Little Missouri River valley and follow along its shore for a few miles. This view is from the bottom looking up, unlike the South Unit’s drive looking down into the valleys. The road winds through rock formations and sagebrush and then begins to climb out of the river bottom and up onto the grasslands. Cowboys and wagon rides are among the attractions in downtown Medora. Once on top the character of the road changes. This road wasn’t engineered, it was composed. Most twisty roads are that way because of obstacles that need to be gotten around or over. Here, there’s nothing in the way, only the rolling grasslands of the western plains. This road could have been very straight with only a few bends but it has a flow that few roads have. It’s as if an enticing ribbon of asphalt was loosely draped across the landscape. When I leave the Theodore Roosevelt National Park north unit I continue north on 85 to Waterford and East on 23. It doesn’t take long to leave the spectacular geography of the Badlands and get back to those wide-open spaces, still the land has a gentle and continuous roll to it. Now I’m riding along the north edge of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and I come across a celebration of some sort. It was never quite clear to me exactly what the observance was for, but there were crafts for sale and dancing in full native Indian costume and drums everywhere. The Rough Riders Hotel and Dining Room, downtown Medora. I leave the powwow and head east to cross Lake Sakakawea, which is the reservoir created by the Garrison dam on the Missouri River. The lake was named for the Indian guide of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the whole area is rich with the history of their journey. I turn south on 37 to 1804 and back to 37 in an attempt to follow the eastern shore of the lake. The roads here are string-straight, and the lake obviously is not, so it ducks in and out of my view as I head east again. I turn south on Highway 83 and then back east on 200—this leads me through a string of small towns—Mercer, McClusky, Denhoff, Goodrich, Hurdsfield, Chaseley and Sykeston. All small farming villages with a gas station and a grain elevator surrounded by small homes of people who weather this rugged land 365 days a year. Highway 200 turns into 52 and swings southeast to Jamestown, where I pick up the interstate and track back eastward. Although I’m back on the superslab, the North Dakota marvels haven’t yet come to an end. I stop for an impromptu air show by a crop duster and finally, just off exit 331, is the Casselton Can Castle, an architectural marvel of the roadside art genre, built from discarded tin cans. It just doesn’t seem to make a difference where I travel, even across North Dakota and back. As long as I’m on my bike the trip is filled with spectacle and awe. MAP BY BILL TIPTON Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation www.medora.com www.nps.gov/thro Discover North Dakota www.ndtourism.com (800) HELLO-ND (This Ride North Dakota! article was published in in the October 2003 issue of Rider magazine.) I-94 curves through the North Dakota Badlands. Horses graze in a pasture. The little Missouri River meanders through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I-94 wanders through the North Dakota Badlands along the south boundary of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Tags: Great Roads North Central, Motorcycle Travel, North Dakota Motorcycle Rides, Travel Stories Last 5 stories in FeaturesMeandering the Texas Hill Country - November 5, 2015Tour Review: Leod Motorcycle Escapes’ Mugello & Italian Backroads - November 3, 2015Edelweiss Bike Travel’s Pearl of the Adriatic Tour - October 9, 2015Pacific Northwest Odyssey: Mountains, Coulees and the Palouse on a Tri-State Ride - October 6, 2015Stayin’ Safe: Goldilocks and the Three Gears - September 15, 2015

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Search HomeAbout UsGovernmentThe Bahamas Ministry of TourismTourism Offices & LocationsNews & VideosVideosEventsStatisticsServicesCrisis ManagementCruise ScheduleFilm & Television CommissionHotel Licensing DepartmentOwner Occupied Rental HomesHuman ResourcesMarketingOur ProgrammesPeople-2-PeopleBahamaHost TrainingIndustry TrainingStudent CornerTourism Careers You are here:HomeAbout usTourism History Tourism History • Tourism History Pre-1950 • Tourism History 1950-64 • Tourism History Post 1964 • Chronology of Events • Heads of Tourism The History of The Ministry of Tourismby AuthorThe Early YearsThe Bahamas first recognized the potential of a tourism industry way back in the middle of the last century when its Government passed a Tourism Encouragement Act in 1851. This was followed by a second act passed in 1854. A third act passed in 1857 authorized the Government to purchase land to allow the construction of a “grand hotel”.In 1859 the government of the day entered into a business relationship with Samuel Cunard, the owner of the famous steamship line, to guarantee regular service to the islands at an annual cost of three thousand pounds. In 1861 a high quality hotel located in Nassau (which became the famous Royal Victoria Hotel) was opened after its construction had been financed by the Government at a cost of 25 thousand pounds. Little happened after the end of the US civil war and it wasn’t until 1873 The Bahamas received 500 tourists a year.The 1900′sIn 1898 the Government once again passed legislation designed to stimulate its tourism industry and in 1900 Henry Flagler opened The Hotel Colonial in Fort Nassau, the first beachfront hotel in the country and on the site of the present British Colonial Hotel. Flagler also started his own steamship line to transport tourists between Florida and Nassau.A Tourism Development Board was set up in 1914 which had the power to advertise and market The Bahamas with an annual budget of three thousand pounds, this being the forerunner of today’s Ministry of Tourism. The first air service to Nassau commenced in 1919 with the introduction by Chalk’s of seaplane service between Florida and The Bahamas.This led to the beginnings of tourism in The Out Islands with the opening of the Bimini Rod and Gun Club in 1924. Pan American added its daily air service between Florida and Nassau in 1929.During the 1920s the tourism industry saw spectacular growth with the rebuilding of the British Colonial Hotel in 1923, after it had been destroyed by fire, and the construction of the Hotel Fort Montague in 1926. The solid growth of the 1920s came to a halt during the great depression of the 1930s and the tourism industry of The Bahamas, along with other economic activity, stagnated.Between the 1850s and 1930s the overall economy of The Bahamas had mirrored that of tourism, showing sharp bursts of activity followed by long periods of economic stagnation. In the early 1860s Nassau had been one of the main centers for blockade running into the southern states during the Civil War and during those war years The Bahamas saw substantial revenues as a result of that traffic.This came to a sudden stop with the end of the war in 1865. In the late nineteenth century the islands invested heavily in pineapple plantations but this success was short lived as production switched to Hawaii which offered better quality at lower costs.In the 1920s, the era of prohibition of the manufacture and sale of alcohol in the United States, Nassau was a center for rum running and again profited substantially from revenues derived from that trade. Though not spoken loudly some of the islands’ most influential families can trace their wealth back to this period. But once prohibition was repealed in 1933 this economic activity collapsed.The economic difficulties of The Bahamas in the 1930s were compounded by the collapse of the Bahamian natural sponging industry in 1938 when the sponge crop was wiped out by disease, similar to the “red tide”.Natural sponges, which grow in shallow water under the sea, were widely used for personal washing and other purposes prior to the introduction of synthetic sponges and this had proved to be a lucrative source of income for many Bahamians.The Government commits to developing a year round tourism industry The 1930s had shown the potential of a viable tourism industry. In 1938 The Bahamas received 57,394 tourists of whom 10,000 were stayovers. In 1941 Pan Am had begun its first nonstop non seaplane service between Florida and Nassau.So it was that in the late 1940s, following the end of the Second World War, the Government looked back at its economic history of short lived booms followed by desperate slumps and decided it would develop two primary areas of economic activity, first a year round tourism industry and second an offshore financial services sector, in an attempt to create a stable economy. In 1949 The Bahamas received just 32,000 tourists.It should be remembered that at that time tourism was limited to a short three to four month season and appealed just to affluent visitors from the USA and Europe escaping bad winter weather.In 1949 the Government passed a Hotels Encouragement Act (substantially amended in 1954) designed to stimulate the construction of hotels by offering refund of custom duties and other similar concessions.In 1950 Sir Stafford Sands, a leading member of the island’s Government, revived the Tourism Development Board, gave it a budget of $500,000 which it used for extensive advertising and the opening of five overseas offices in North America and Europe.During the 1950s a number of new hotels were built and The Bahamas capitalized upon the growing economy of the USA next door to generate more business. In 1950 the country received 51,975 visitors, in 1951 76,758, in 1953 99,867, and 142,689 by 1954.In Grand Bahama Billy Butlin, a British entrepreneur, bought a substantial amount of land at the western end of the island and developed a 250 room hotel designed to cater to middle income Americans. It quickly failed, but was reopened in 1955. In 1959 it became part of the Jack Tar group of hotels and closed again in the 1970s.It should be mentioned that Nassau’s industry suffered a hiccup in 1958 when a strike by taxi cab drivers in Nassau escalated into a 19 day general strike which caused large numbers of tourists to cancel their trips.The 1960′s and beyondThe main stimulus to the tourism industry however was the imposition of the trade embargo by the United States government on Cuba

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Port of Haifa The Port of Haifa. The Port of Haifa is the largest of Israel's three major international seaports, which include the Port of Ashdod, and the Port of Eilat. It has a natural deep water harbor which operates all year long, and serves both passenger and merchant ships. It is one of the largest ports in the eastern Mediterranean in terms of freight volume and handles about 26 million tons of cargo a year. The port employs over 1,000 people, with the number rising to 5,000 when cruise ships dock in Haifa.[1] The Port of Haifa lies to the north of Haifa's downtown quarter on the Mediterranean, and stretches to some 3 kilometers along the city's central shore with activities ranging from military, industrial and commercial next to a nowadays-smaller passenger cruising facility. 2.1 Passenger terminal 3 Expansion Containers in the Port of Haifa. Haifa Bay has been a refuge for mariners since prehistoric times. When the Crusaders conquered Haifa in the year 1100, it became an important town and the main port for Tiberias, the capital of the Galilee. The port fell into disrepair during the Mamluk reign, and acquired the reputation of a pirate lair in the 18th century.[citation needed] Until the beginning of the 20th century, Acre served as the main port for the region. However, the port eventually became clogged with silt, and was unable to accommodate large ships. The first person to comprehend the tremendous possibilities of a port in Haifa was Theodor Herzl, the father of Political Zionism, who in 1902 wrote a prophetic description of the town in his book AltNeuland. Construction of the port began in 1922, and it was officially opened on October 31, 1933 by Lieut. Gen. Sir Arthur Wauchope, the British High Commissioner for Palestine. [2] The port allowed Haifa to blossom, and in 1936, the city had over 100,000 inhabitants. The port was a gateway for thousands of immigrants to Israel after the Second World War.[3] With Israel’s western borders the Mediterranean and the eastern borders sealed by its Arab neighbors, Haifa served as a crucial gateway to the rest of the world, and helped Israel develop into an economic power. Today the port brings both passenger and cargo traffic to a bustling metropolis, much as Theodor Herzl predicted over a century ago. The port has been the scene of two fatal sinkings. The Patria disaster in 1940 killed 267 people; the loss of Shelly in 2007 killed two. Port of Haifa, viewed from the harbor. The Port of Haifa contains many cargo terminals, and is capable of servicing many ships at once. A railroad freight terminal is inside the port and is used for transporting goods across the country. The port also features a passenger terminal, fishing wharf, yacht club, sports marina, and chemical terminal. In 2013, the port processed about 26 million tons of cargo including 1.36 million TEUs, as well as 253,524 passengers. The port opened the first phase in the "Carmel Port" expansion program in 2010 that involved the construction of a new cargo terminal which includes a 700m long wharf capable of handling 9,200 TEU container ships (of up to 15.5 metres (51 ft) draft) as well as the opening of a secondary 250 metres (820 ft) wharf plus adjacent support and storage areas. The new facilities will expand the port's annual container handling capacity by 500,000 TEU. Construction of this new terminal cost NIS1.8 billion (appx. US$500 million) and took five years to complete.[4] The Port maintains facilities for the United States Sixth Fleet.[5] On 4 January 2013, the MSC Chicago docked at the port's Carmel terminal, making it the largest container ship ever to visit Haifa. MSC Chicago has a capacity of 9,200 containers. The previous record ship visit was the MSC Maeva (capacity of 8040 containers) which had visited two months before.

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Asia Europe Africa Middle East North America South America Central America Oceania Adventure Travel Budget Travel Travel Tech Luxury Travel Photography Airlines Hotels Cruises Food & Drink Arts & Culture Articles tagged “LochNess” Does Nessie’s Norwegian Cousin Lurk In Europe’s Deepest lake? by Sean McLachlan on Aug 16, 2012 Hornindalsvatnet in Norway is Europe’s deepest lake. So deep, in fact, that’s it’s never been properly explored. Nobody is even sure exactly how deep it is, with the official depth of 514 meters (1,686 feet) being challenged. Now it appears the unexplored waters may hold a creature unknown to science. A photo has been published in the local newspaper Fjordingen showing what appears to be a serpentine critter undulating along the surface of the lake. Click on the link to see the picture. Although the image has been pirated by pretty much every paranormal website on the Net, we respect copyright here at Gadling. Instead you get this public domain image from Wikimedia Commons of a sea serpent spotted off Cape Anne, Massachusetts, in 1639. They do look similar. The monster was spotted and photographed by three men on the shore. They say they took their boat out to get a better look but the creature had already disappeared. Their photo appears to show a serpent-like creature in the water. Two and perhaps three loops of its body are visible above the surface of the water, along with a disturbance in the water and a wake. Another disturbance in the water is visible below and to the left. Could this be a Norwegian Nessie? Will Hornindalsvatnet become a tourist destination for curiosity seekers like Loch Ness? Also, what do you think of this photograph? Real or fake? Tell us what you think in the comments section! Gadling Blogger Snaps Photo Of Nessie (Not Really) by Sean McLachlan on Aug 6, 2012 On my recent trip to Scotland, I took this shocking photo of a strange creature out in the water. Is it Nessie? Well, no, it isn’t. I won’t tell you what it is, except that the truth is hidden in one of the answers to the poll below. Vote for your most likely candidate and I’ll post the SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT MY NESSIE PHOTO a week from now. Sorry for shouting, I got carried away. While I didn’t photograph the Loch Ness Monster (or did I?), a certain George Edwards did. The Inverness Courier published his photo last week and it’s been making the rounds on the Internet. It shows a fuzzy lump in the water that could be a species unknown to science or simply a fuzzy lump in the water. Mr. Edwards says he saw the dark gray shape “slowly moving up the loch towards Urquhart Castle.” He watched it for at least five minutes but for some reason only took one photo. Edwards claims to have sent the image off to some experts in the U.S. military to have it analyzed. Proof that Nessie exists? Maybe. Maybe not. The fact that Edwards runs Loch Ness Cruises makes me a wee bit suspicious that this is a publicity stunt. Even the popular monster hunting site Crypto Mundo cast some doubts on the story, asking why there’s no wake from a supposedly moving object and why a lifelong Nessie hunter only snapped a single photograph. Whatever the truth behind Edwards’ photo, you’ll learn the SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT MY NESSIE PHOTO next week. Sorry, got carried away again. UPDATE: The correct answer wins by a slim margin! Yes, this was a seal coming up for air. He’s poking his nose out of the water and looks remarkably like a shark, which is why 22 Gadling readers were fooled into thinking it was one. I’m a bit curious as to the six people who thought I swiped a “real” Nessie photo from the Internet. Are there so many blurry photos of the beastie out there that they all begin to look the same? %Poll-76916% Urquhart Castle: The Other Attraction On Loch Ness by Sean McLachlan on Jun 9, 2012 Today the Olympic torch is crossing Loch Ness by boat. While locals are hoping for Nessie to make an appearance, one attraction will definitely be on view: the spectacular Urquhart Castle. This castle sits on Strone Point, a headland jutting out into the loch. It’s unclear when the castle was built. It was certainly there by the 13th century but there may have been a fort there as far back as the 6th century. It was besieged many times over the years in the countless wars with the English and between rival Scottish rulers. It survived these fights until 1692, when the walls were smashed by supporters of the English King William III so it wouldn’t fall into the hands of the rival Jacobites. Although the castle became useless as a place for defense, much of the layout is clearly visible. You can see where the bakers made bread, where the blacksmith fixed swords and where the residents lived. You can even delve into the dungeon to see the miserable conditions of the prisoners. The most impressive and best-preserved portion is the tower, which rises five stories above the ruins. %Gallery-157771%From the tower you get a sweeping view of the Loch. Scotland is a beautiful place for photography and its many lochs reflect the mood of its ever-changing light. On overcast days the loch looks gloomy and forbidding, and you could well imagine a monster lurking in its depths. Then the sun will break through and sparkle across the waters like a scattering of gold coins. Dawn and dusk are great times to take photos, when the sun is low and casts a rich golden hue across the water and shore. The castle is lit up at night and makes for a nice shot as well. Check out the gallery for more views of the fantastic castle. Those wanting to see the Loch Ness Monster should be reassured that the castle is one of the main sites for spotting the mysterious beastie. Perhaps there are secret tunnels underneath the castle where the monster guards a medieval treasure, or perhaps it’s because so many people visit Urquhart castle and gaze out across the waters hoping for a glimpse of the unknown. [Photo courtesy Baasir Gaisawat] Top ten lake monsters (besides Nessie) by Sean McLachlan on Dec 16, 2011 Here at Gadling we’ve reported a lot of news about the Loch Ness Monster. Nessie gets so much media attention that one might think its Scottish loch is the only body of water haunted by a mysterious and almost certainly fictitious creature. Nothing could be further from the truth. Lake monsters are everywhere. Here are ten of the most interesting, most of which inhabit lakes that are easy to get to, so you can start your own investigation. The Lough Ness Monster. A young English upstart in Loughborough, Leicestershire, recently tried to steal the limelight from its Scottish cousin by eating some ducks. Nahuelito. This critter lives in Nahuel Huapi Lake, Patagonia, Argentina. As you can see from this alleged photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, it looks a bit like Nessie. Cryptozoologists, the people who study such things, say both may be plesiosaurs. These swimming dinosaurs supposedly died out 65 million years ago. Interestingly, a plesiosaur fossil was discovered at Loch Ness in 2003. Isshii. Japan’s most famous lake monster lives in Lake Ikeda, where it has been spotted numerous times in the past thirty years. According to the website Pink Tentacle, it’s a super-fast swimmer and once had a run-in with the U.S. military. The story goes that in 1961, an American jet crashed in the vicinity of the lake. The military used sonar to look for it and spotted a large object moving under the water. Divers on the lake floor spotted the creature and said it nearly attacked them. Or so the story goes. Sounds to me like someone was drinking too much saké. The Lake Tianchi Monster. In an alpine lake straddling the border of China and North Korea there supposedly lives a community of up to 20 lake monsters. The first recorded sighting dates to 1903, when something resembling a giant buffalo threatened three people by the lakeside. One guy shot it six times before it gave out a ear-splitting roar and returned to the water. %Gallery-141876%The Brosno Dragon. This beastie lives in Lake Brosno, near Andreapol in western Russia. Some people dismiss the idea of a monster living in the lake and say it’s really a giant mutant beaver, as if this make more sense. Whatever it is, it’s a patriot. It once gobbled up an invasion force of Mongols, and in World War Two snatched a Luftwaffe plane right out of the air. Pravda wrote a long article about the Brosno Dragon, so it must exist. The Varberg Fortress Moat Monster. The 13th century castle at Varberg reportedly has a monster in its moat. It hasn’t been seen much, despite the castle being a major tourist attraction and home to a youth hostel. Some lucky visitors did get to see it in 2006, however, and described it as brown, furless, and with a 16-inch tail. It was summertime, so perhaps it came out of hibernation to check out the sights at the nearby nudist beach. The Lagarfljóts Worm. Iceland is a land filled with legends. Many Icelanders still believe in trolls and other supernatural creatures, so it’s no surprise they have a lake monster too. In the glacial lake of Lagarfljót dwells a strange creature said to be more than 300 feet long. According to the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, the worm was first mentioned in the Icelandic Annals of 1345 and sighting its hump rising out of the water was a sign that good news was sure to follow. Chipekwe or Emela-ntouka. Called by many names in many African languages, this monster of Central Africa is known as the “killer of elephants” by the pygmies, who are the people who have the most legends about it. The creature dwells in swamps, lakes, and rivers, anywhere the water is shallow, and looks a bit like a rhino. Several pith-helmeted white explorers have gone out to hunt for it, but never found anything. Some say it’s really a spirit instead of a monster, but until someone blasts it with an elephant gun, we’ll never know. Bunyip. The Australian Aborigines say the bunyip can be found all over Australia. It dwells in all types of water, not just lakes, so you better be careful. Unlike most of the critters on our list, the bunyip can be downright aggressive. Descriptions of the bunyip vary from a big canine to a giant starfish. Like the Chipekwe, it seems to be more of a spirit than an actual living monster, but that doesn’t make it any less dangerous. Its booming voice is a signal to run, lest you get eaten like the poor fellow shown in the image gallery. Ogopogo. Native Americans say this “lake demon” has been around a long time. It lives in Lake Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada, and looks much like Nessie. Like the Scottish monster, it’s created an entire tourism industry around it, along with groups that study it. Your typical serpent with wavy humps coming out of the water, it’s said to be about 50 feet long. A recent video of the creature went viral on the Internet and can be seen here. To me it looks like a pair of logs stuck close to shore. Perhaps Ogopogo likes to play fetch. And yes, I didn’t mention the Lake Champlain Monster. I wanted to focus on the less famous critters. Heck, I once saw someone wearing a Lake Champlain Monster t-shirt in Ethiopia. Fish farmer snaps photo of Nessie by Sean McLachlan on Sep 17, 2011 Loch Ness has been getting into the news a lot lately. There’s been a rise in sightings this year, Nessie was photographed in July, and a UFO was spotted over Loch Ness last month. Now a new photo of Nessie has emerged. You’ll have to go to the link to see it because we don’t get a photo budget here at Gadling and Nessie photos don’t come cheap. Instead you get to marvel at this fine Lego Nessie photographed by David R. Tribble. At least it’s exactly what it looks like. The “real” monster was snapped by commercial fish farmer Jon Rowe when he got out his camera to take a picture of a rainbow over Loch Ness. Rowe says he, “noticed this really large dark shape in the loch with two humps that were barely out of the water. . .Almost as soon as I took the shot the shape disappeared under the water and out of sight.” Personally I’m skeptical, and so are the experts. The leading cryptozoology website Cryptomundo opines that the image shows a pair of water birds diving for prey. Adrian Shine of the Loch Ness Project says the same thing. Rowe insists that they weren’t birds, however, so the mystery continues. At least all this activity is putting to rest the idea that Nessie is extinct.

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