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Vacation in the Canadian Rockies

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Trying to plan a vacation on a budget can be frustrating. If you have dreamed for years of visiting far off places and foreign countries, the current state of the economy is probably preventing you from taking off to Africa or Asia or South America. Relax. You do no’t need to settle for yet another trip to California or Los Angeles. You can get your foreign travel without leaving the continent — just head to Canada.

Canadian Rockies vacations are perfect for anyone who loves the great outdoors. There are stunning mountain views, pristine forests, abundant wildlife and sparkling glacier-fed lakes. While much of the range will seem familiar to those who have spent time in the American Rockies, parts of the Canadian range evoke the Alpine slopes of Europe. This only serves to emphasize the fact that you are in a completely different country.

The Rockies are easily accessible by flying to Calgary and then driving or taking a tour up into the mountains themselves. There are major national forests, beautiful lakes, and countless small towns and villages that cater to tourists. You can hike, fish, canoe, go horseback riding or even try your hand at glacier climbing. In the winter the region is perfect for skiing and other snow sports — and because of the northern latitudes, the winter is longer than the in the US.

The Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel in New York

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It’s been a long day, Alex thought to himself. The train from New Haven, Connecticut was peaceful enough, but he was tried nonetheless. Alex’s train had just arrived at the Grand Central Terminal in New York; today Alex was in town on business. It was extremely urgent business too—the kind that forces a person to board the last train leaving New Haven immediately without making hotel reservations. So here he was in New York feeling exhausted and without any place to stay yet. Alex wasn’t sure yet which hotel he would stay in, but he knew it would be a nice one, he deserved that much. Alex was the only one in the office with the patience and flexibility to cooperate with these urgent requests. Even though his trip was unexpected, Alex still had his phone with him, which he used to go to look for a hotel whenever he had to run these urgent errands in New York for his employer. Alex didn’t feel like walking far and lucky he wouldn’t have to, because he decided to stay at the Grand Central hotel. He had heard his coworkers mention it before as a great place for the family vacations as well as business, and it was a four star hotel after all. What could be better than that? So he booked his room online and was surprised that he even received a bit of a discount. He put his phone away and began to walk the 12 blocks from Grand Central Terminal to the hotel on 141 East 44th Street.
Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel

He made his way past the lines of limousines and valets at the entrance of the hotel and up to the concierge at the front desk. The concierge confirmed his reservation and informed Alex that his stay at the Fitzpatrick included complimentary access to the New York Sports Club which has a full gym, sauna, and offers exercise classes. The concierge continued to state that the hotel also included 24 hour in-room dining, same day laundry and dry cleaning services, and free internet access. “Thanks”, Alex interrupted, “but I’ve already read about all of that from the website I used to book my room.” Alex then proceeded to make his way to the elevators and up to his room. Even for a four star hotel Alex thought his room was very impressive: it had a 37-inch flat screen television, a king size bed, and even a work desk.

Fitzpatrick Hotel SuiteHis bed was clearly a pillow-top and the hotel even went so far as to triple-sheet the beds and even though he was here to work he wasn’t worried about getting a good’s night rest in that bed. It past eleven o’clock before Alex decided to go down stairs to the Wheeltapper pub in the hotel for some dinner; conveniently the pub stayed open till 2am. For dinner, Alex ordered the Shepherd’s Pie with an herbal tea and after feeling very satisfied made his way back up to his room.


On his way back to his room Alex noticed the Vico Boardroom and made a mental note to let his boss know that the Fitzpatrick would make a great place for their company’s next meeting. When Alex got back to his room he was starting to fall asleep, but he already knew that he would have to stay at the Fitzpatrick again. Although, Alex thought to himself that next time he’s in town on urgent business maybe he would try the Fitzpatrick’s Liam Neeson Penthouse Suite.

Images via Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel site

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Keep Up With the French Open

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If you’re a tennis fan trying to keep abreast of everything going on at the french open you may be inundated with websites, social media profiles, and forums to keep track of — to say nothing of the broadcast schedule of your favorite sports network. There is no way for anyone to keep on top of everything, there is just too much going on. You’re going to need to make some decisions about your priorities.

First off you need to figure out if there are certain players that you just have to watch. If there are, you’ll want to find their official website, blog, and/or twitter account. These will be your best bet for knowing when they are going to play and for getting results once the match is over. They may also point you to places where you can see watch the match live or get video archives of their games.

If you are more concerned with seeing the best matches, no matter who is playing, then you will want to look carefully at the french open schedule , taking note of the seeding and ranking of the players. There are always going to be upsets in the early rounds, but if you follow the seedings you are likely to see the best matches and be able to catch up on the other matches later. As the play advances, it will be even easier to watch all the important matches as they happen.

Majorca Travel Information

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Over ten million visitors descend on the island of Majorca every year to enjoy the incredible beaches, warm ocean waters, and wonderful food and drink. Equally famous for its beaches and its nightlife, Mallorca (known also as Majorca) is a Spanish island on the Mediterranean Sea.

The best beaches on the island can be found on the east and north coasts with a few others scattered along the southern coast. Sun worshippers will find that the temperate climate offers few clouds and more active visitors can enjoy scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, and swimming. Those who venture to the northwest coast of Mallorca will find gorgeous mountains in the sSerra de Tramuntana range and can try their hand at rock climbing, hiking, and even cycling. Other natural wonders offered by the island include the National Maritime Territorial Park at the Archipelago de Cabrera and the S’Albufera Nature Park.

Mallorca has a number of historical sites that are worth a visit. La Seu Cathedral and Bellver Castle are popular tourist attractions as is the Monastery of Lluc. The island is also home to the Museo de Arte Español Contemporáneo (Spanish Contemporary Art Museum) and the Baluard Museum. Both can be found in the capital city of Palma de Mallorca.

Food is Mallorca is outstanding. Spanish dishes featuring the island’s abundant seafood can be found everywhere from small beach stands to beautiful fine dining restaurants. Visitors can stay in the many five star hotels on Mallorca or in popular beach resorts. In addition to the food, be sure to sample the world-famous nighlife on the island by visiting one of the many bars, lounges, and nightclubs on the island.

Visit Ibiza

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ibiza travelThe Spanish island of Ibiza is one of Europe’s top tourist destinations attracting thousands of visitors every year.  It is one of the three Balearic Islands along with Mallorca and Majorca.  It has a reputation as having the best nightlife and is home to a burgeoning scene of electronic music.  Some of the islands nightclubs, bars and discos are world famous and offer music parties and concerts throughout the summer months.

Ibiza is popular with water sport enthusiasts.  Surfing, snorkeling and diving are common activities for tourists who are looking to augment relaxing on the beaches and in the sea.

As well as the nightlife Ibiza is also renowned for its culture and its character.  Much of the island includes areas that fall under World Heritage status.  These sites can be remote and are ideal locations for tourists looking for a quieter time and are also popular with artists, photographers and film makers.

Away from the beaches and nightclubs the island features traditional villages, villas and cottages that shows the other side of life on the island.  Within the towns there are many Ibiza boutique hotels and in the outlying areas bed and breakfasts and small hotels can be found.  There are also many opportunities to rent villas and cottages that are off the beaten track and away from the crowds.

So Ibiza offers something for everyone – culture, scenery, exciting nightlife, beaches and friendly people.  You can decide to relax or be active.  It truly is a jewel of the Mediterranean.

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New York’s Chelsea Market

Posted by admin in Food & Drink | Travel - (0 Comments)

One of the favorite destinations for foodies in New York City is Chelsea Market. This complex takes up two entire city blocks and comprises twenty-two buildings. While mostly a shopping mall and food court, the complex includes offices for broadcast and media companies including the Food Network. An enclosed ground floor concourse was completed in 1997 that connects all the back lots of the buildings and creating a large retail space with entrances at both ends.

NYC Chelsea MarketThe retail shops in the Market sell mostly food and cooking products. Many of these vendors supply the various restaurants in the complex. Fresh produce, meat, and seafood is available to the public as well as to commercial accounts.

Some famous New York restaurants are located in Chelsea Market, including eateries owned by Iron Chefs Masaharu Morimoto and Mario Batali of Food Network fame. Food Network films several of their shows in studios in Chelsea Markets as well as location shoots throughout the complex.

The synergy created by suppliers, restaurants, and media all located “under one roof” provides a unique environment and a “must see” for any food tourist.

Chelsea Market was originally a Nabisco factory complex. Oreo cookies were first invented there.

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Exotic Bangkok

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Visitors to Thailand will want to make time to visit the exotic capital city of Bangkok. In addition to being the country’s capital, Bangkok is easily the largest, and most interesting, city in Thailand. Home of the both the government and the royal family, Bangkok is a city that preserves the history and tradition of the Thai people while celebrating the modern global nature of a world capital.

BangkokThe House of Parliament is located in Bangkok, as is the Grand Palace, which is the official residence of the Thai royal family. The city is easily the political and diplomatic center of Thailand, but it also exerts its influence in finance, business, education, fashion, entertainment and the arts throughout southeast Asia.

The city’s population is a mixture of Indian, Chinese, and European heritages and its architecture, music, languages, and culture reflect this melting pot. The city manages to blend traditional aspects with modern city life in a unique and exciting way — all the while maintaining the slower, more appreciative pace of life that is the hallmark of Thailand. The city bustles, but it does so at a slower pace than most urban capitals.

Visitors can choose from a variety of hotels in Bangkok Thailand ranging from luxury resorts to small boutique hotels. Restaurants offer cuisines from around the world, though where else can one get Thai food at its source? Shoppers will love Bangkok as prices here tend to be significantly lower than other large cities. There are traditional open markets as well as modern malls and shopping centers.

As for attractions, Bangkok has more than its fair share of interesting places to explore. In addition to the grand Palace, there is the Victory Monument, the Anantasamakhom Throne Hall, and the National Museum. Outside Bangkok is the Ancient City which showcases historic buildings and architecture from all over Thailands. The city also has a lot of green space, with many parks and animal sanctuaries showing off the region’s natural wonders.

The mix of skyscrapers with ancient temples, of historic relics and modern Thai art, of traditional restaurants with cutting edge global cuisine are just a few of the juxtapositions that make Bangkok such an exciting and memorable place.

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Visiting Madrid in Spain

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Madrid Spain TravelMadrid is the capital city of Spain.  It is a wonderful European city to visit and has a culture rich amongst artists and writers.  The city came into its own in the early twentieth century and the artistic element flourished in the coffee shop environment.

Things changed after many changes in government and the Spanish Civil War and many of the artists went into exile.  After the monarchy was restored  Spain has regained it’s place as one of the most important cultural centers in the world.

As well as culture Madrid is famous for its Museums, its architecture and its bustling night life. It is also the home to Spanish kings, bull fights, flamenco dancers and great food. One of the worlds greatest soccer teams Real Madrid is located in the city.  If you visit the city there is an impressive range of five star Madrid hotels available.  The good thing about the city is that it is so easy to get around and so a central hotels will serve you well.

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Scotland – A Land of Contrasts

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ScotlandScotland is a popular tourist destination.   What makes it popular?  Well its a land of many contrasts – from the mountains in the interior to the rugged coastline and sandy beaches, from the rural villages to the cosmopolitan cities, from the historical castles and monuments to the fines modern architecture. But the truth is that what makes Scotland popular is the warmth of the welcome you will receive from the locals.

Scotland is a small country with an amazing amount of things to see and do!  At any time of the year you can find whatever you desire – culture, music, drink and food , history, sporting events to name but a few.  Rest assured that the Scots love to find a reason to get together and celebrate!!

In Scotland you will have many options for accommodation.  One of the most popular is Scotland bed and breakfasts.  The owners take you into their own homes and as well as a comfortable bed you will receive a traditional Scottish breakfast and a chance to interact with your Scottish hosts.

Scotland has abundant wildlife including golden eagles, sea eagles, swans, ospreys, whales, dolphins, otters and many more animals living in their natural habitat.There are also many wild flowers which are beautiful in the summer month. It rain a lot in Scotland but even in the rain it is a beautiful country. When you visit be prepared and bring clothes for all weathers. The rain and mist are a natural part of the landscape and contrasts well with bright glorious sunshine.

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Coffee Shops in Amsterdam

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Anyone traveling to Amsterdam is well aware of the fact that one can enter a cafe or perhaps the coffee shop of five star Amsterdam hotels, and purchase drugs. And furthermore, a waiter will give you a menu, offering up specials of the day. It is legal, and inexpensive. Not so understandable to many countries around the world is that this is a solution for drug use and trafficking in the Netherlands. It is the most unique drug policy in the world. The laws and policies put matters of personal health into each person’s own hands. This is considered as a fundamental rule by the Dutch, a people and the only country in the world wherein part of the considerations for the treatment if terminally ill patients, is to let them decide. Legal, medically assisted, and voluntary euthanasia is an option in this country and no other. People’s lives in this country are really in their own hands.

AmsterdamAnother idea concerning the policy is that just by hiding the negative effects of society and of, in this case, substance use and the possibility of misuse, does not make problems go away, it just makes them worse. If for no other reason that what is illegal and hidden is much harder to control than that which is out in the open. By decriminalizing drug use, it becomes the private responsibility and matter of each person. Not something surrounded by laws and necessary governmental enforcement. In the United States the war on drugs began with Nixon in the 70′s, and then there was the ‘Just say no’ slogan in the 90′s. Well, what is more appealing to some, then something they can not have? True in love and true with drugs. Half of Americans will admit to smoking marijuana. And it’s illegal so they are getting it somewhere. The Dutch will mention in any given debate that the Prohibition in the States during the 20′s led to more criminal acts and violence than any positive effect that it had.

There are regulations concerning the type of drug, soft drugs-such as marijuana, hash oil, and hashish are legal. Whereas hard drugs are determined by their danger…such as heroin , morphine and LSD are still illegal. The legality refers to personal use. Just as one in the States needs a license to sell tobacco and alcohol, such is true for all forms of cannabis in the Netherlands. Sale is legal to only adults and there are limits in the coffee shops to what one may consume in a given time period, just as is true in bars and taverns in many countries. There are educational programs regarding drug abuse, but again they are leaving it up to the individual and not the government.

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