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Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

The history of the American pioneers makes its final decent into the Portland Oregon area and there are a few places to see the how the pioneers made it to this beautiful state and what they contributed to the cities and towns.

Leave your bags at one of portland best hotels and head over to Oregon Historical Society and get the history of the forefathers in the state of Oregon. This museum has state of the art well presented exhibits on the subject of the pioneers who first came to the area.

The Oregon My Oregon exhibit occupies a complete floor of the museum and has two theatres, many interactive displays, a couple of made up environments reflecting a pioneers daily life and they include the pioneers who came by wagon and by ship. There are lots of great artifacts that have been well preserved. Photographs, artwork and document are also on display. Visitors can see the growth of Oregon from the earliest recording of times in the area to what is happening today.

This museum also has many other exhibits of human life in the area including some wonderful information on the automobile. What a great place to get the whole scoop of Oregon and the transition from east coast to west coast America.

Portland is a great city with a lot of intriguing cultural attractions and dynamic features. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Pacific Northwest and has an incredibly city loyal and committed community. And while it is extremely famous for its amazingly beautiful and plentiful rose gardens there is actually a great deal more to the culture. There are some great museums such as the Portland Art Museum and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. These are respected organiztions and major city attractions. Meanwhile there are other unique themed museums like the Velveteria: The Museum of Velvet Paintings which is one of the favorite attractions for guests in the Portland Luxury hotels .

The Velveteria has been in existence for approximately ten years and the bulk of the museum’s collection was found in thrift stores, estate sales, antique malls, even the Internet and of course private donations. There are about 350 paintings on exhibit in the museum though the proprietors estimate over two thousand in total possession. The paintings represent a diverse assortment of artists and the only connecting theme is that they are painted on velvet. Not only is this one of the intriguing establishments in the city, but it also has a tendency to inspire a passion for the genre in many of its guests.

Every major American city has its list of fine museums that display some of the amazing art created as well as the history of the city, state, country and world it is apart of. Boston is no exception. There are a number of fine museums to loose yourself in while enjoying your visit to this historic old city. Many of the major landmarks are considered a city museum themselves, but, there are some designated museums featuring different things. After taking the Freedom Trail walk around the city you may be ready to check out some of the other stories told and art hung.  

Located near most of the Boston USA luxury hotels visitors will find museums like the Museum of African American History which sheds light on the human subject that is special to America. Here visitors will find information on the many African American individuals that shaped the human rights issues of America. From, Martin Luther King Jr. and Congressman Robert Small to Barack Obama, visitors will have a chance to see how each of these people and many more have added to the on going need to come together as one country.  

A unique art experience can be found at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum . Gardner first opened the doors to her museum in 1903. It was an intimate experience to walk in through the beautiful garden filled with flowers and classical music. Most of the museum is unchanged from when it first opened but it has still grown with rich art. There are three stories of established galleries filled with paintings, tapestries, furniture and sculptures. Many different cultures of decorative art that has been collected and saved for up to 30 centuries. It is a beautiful collection in a beautiful place and a nice way to relax while strolling in this atmosphere.  

There are many more museums like the Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Science Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Art and a New England Aquarium. So enjoy.

The St. Simons Island Trolley Tours is the only way to see St. Simons Island, in Georgia. The moment you board the St. Simons Trolley, you’ll thoroughly enjoy your hostess, Bunny, as she hands you a peach candy to sweeten you up, then take your money. Bunny is the only woman in town whom all the tourist should receive their history and culture of St. Simons from. Ever since 1992, this Trolley Company has been conducting a comprehensive and original tour around St. Simons Island; but it’s the southern charm and Bunny’s hilarious, funny and well informed narratives about the life in the Old South that makes this tour a ‘not to be missed’ item on your itinerary.

The St. Simons Trolley tour is one of the most acclaimed in the South and you’ll be able to go past the St. Simons Island Lighthouse ; the first lighthouse, built in 1810 in Fort St. Simons was destroyed in 1861 during the Civil War. The new lighthouse and the additional light keeper’s cottage was build in 1872 and in 1950 the last keeper retired, but the U.S. Coast Guard still operates the beacon today.

Fort Frederica, protecting a settlement in 1735 from Spanish soldiers is another fascinating stop of the Trolley tour. This area of St. Simons was an ideal spot for a fort and it overlooks a branch of the Altamaha and the Frederica River. You’ll get to hear about what happened to this once thriving riverport community.

The next stop is at the Christ Church, which is the 2nd oldest Episcopal Church in Georgia and is the 3rd oldest in America. Back in 1740, Charles Wesley, before the church was built, would preach under the Oaks. During the Civil War, Union troops overtook the building and nearly destroyed it. In 1884, Anson Phelps Dodge, Jr., took on the task of rebuilding the church as a memorial to his first wife. Make sure see the magnificent stained glass windows, and the cemetery where many of the early settlers are buried.

The final spot on the Trolley tour is Bloody Marsh, where in 1742, Spanish troops landed on the south end of St. Simons Island and forced General Oglethorpe’s men back to Fort Frederica. The Spaniards eventually retreated back to the beach, but not with out a lot of blood shed.

It’s best if you book a night at a hotel St. Simons offers its tourist in order to be at the St. Simons Trolley tours starting point before 11am. The Trolley tours only happen once a day and lasts one and a half hours, but it is first come first hop-on the Trolley, and space is limited.

New Delhi is one of the more fascinating cities in the world. Part of a huge country with a dizzying array of cultures, it’s one of the main centers where people from all over come to gather. Art and life blend in unusual ways, reflecting a multiplicity of sensibilities. It’s one of those places that’s impossible to grasp. There’s simply too much of everything at once, and once it starts to make sense, it will very quickly dissipate and turn into a whirlwind once again.

That’s part of its appeal, of course, and the reason why millions are drawn to Delhi, to either live, or to simply enjoy some time in the Delhi hotels .

Many people come to the city and hope to get some idea of the local culture, and art is a gateway for certain. It creates more problems and confusion, and fortunately these are displayed in their loveliest and most provocative forms. There is no one style that characterizes the place, just as there is no center for Indian art. Too many influences, too many schools, and too many languages enter into a sphere that is already ripe for influence from the realms of inspiration. These realms also prove themselves as infinite, and this is perhaps seen, even clearly at times, in the work of Anjolie Ela Menon .

She is of Bengali and U.S. heritage, and has made Delhi her home after having lived all over the world. Her journey has taken her to Paris, New York, and beyond, and she still travels frequently, because her success as an artist makes her schedule very demanding.

Menon
‘s body of work is nothing less than stunning, and she has been prolific in painting and glass sculpture in the past 35 years. Having completed 40 paintings before she left school at 16 years of age, she followed this remarkable pace all her life, and continues to create new and challenging works today. Her work sometimes has what may be termed “traditional Indian themes,” with images of goddesses and gods, but they are more frequently inhabited by images of her close family, reflecting a very personal reality that in turn shapes a very lively city.

To be honest, few people go to Nevada in the summertime to take a walk in the desert. If you’re going, you’re going to stay in one of the 4 star hotels in Las Vegas , to relax, and to see the shows at night when the temperatures are cooler and the neon lights are brighter. After a day of air-conditioned casinos, it’s time to stroll over to New York New York and get in touch with your Zumanity. What kind of entertainment is this? It’s a more provocative version of Cirque du Soleil , aimed at adult guests over the age of 18, providing incredible acrobatics where the human performers take part in a show that’s half burlesque and half cabaret — a true blending of the old and new in Las Vegas.

“Zumanity, The Sensual Side of Cirque du Soleil” is only one of many shows this group produces across the world. This Canadian company began in Montreal, Quebec in 1984 by a pair of street performers known as Guy Laliberte and Daniel Gauthier. The show began as Le Grand Tour due Cirque du Soleil (or the Grand Tour of the Circus of the Sun), as part of a government grant celebrating the 450th anniversary of the discovery of Canada by Jacques Cartier. The show was a success, leading to more funding, and the company became a proper circus, albeit one with a theatrical and character-driven approach, without animals, and with the emphasis entirely on human beings. Over the decades, the Cirque du Soleil expanded, employing about four thousand people and traveling in over 40 countries and 19 distinct shows, of which the current production at New York New York is just one.

“Zumanity” is described as a seductive twist on reality, and urges its patrons to leave their inhibitions at the door. In some cities that might be a problem, but Las Vegas is known as a place where people can let go, even dwelling on its famous advertising that what happens here stays here; although, if you attend “Zumanity” chances are you’ll bring back a number of memories from the experience.

Santa Rosa, California is in the heart of wine country, but what makes this city special is its Downtown Farmer’s Market and Street Fair , open every Wednesday Night. This extraordinary market is Sonoma county’s most popular and largest event from mid-May through September. The Downtown Market is where the community comes together and celebrates the bounty of the freshest produce, fine foods, handmade arts and crafts, superb entertainment and city tours. This market fills up Santa Rosa’s downtown from 4th Street from Mendocino Avenue to E Street, beginning at 5pm until 8:30pm.

The Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce , 22 years ago, so liked how San Luis Obispo’s farmers market brought together its community, that they decided to get with the business and community leaders of Santa Rosa to organize a farmers market of their own. The Wednesday Night Market has been a success ever since. All ages come into downtown Santa Rosa to participate and enjoy the summer evenings with their family. Visitors staying at the hotels Santa Rosa offers also get a real treat when then see downtown come alive with thousands of locals walking around, purchasing produce and listening to great music. The market boast of an attendance of anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000 Sonoma County residents and tourists every week, making this one of the hotspots in all of Sonoma.

Tours are given every Wednesday by the Downtown Library in collaboration with the Farmers Market; beginning at 6pm and at 7pm, from the corner of E and 3rd Streets, each tour last about 45 minutes. On July 7, 2010, the ‘Church of One Tree’ tour begins; July 14th, the ‘Fountaingrove Colony: History and Art’ tour begins; July 21st, the ‘Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery: Where Our Streets Got Their Names; July 28th, the ’28th 90 Miles of Creek in Santa Rosa: a partial tour’ and on August 8th, the ‘Art in Public Places: Artists in the Streets’ tour begins.

The entertainment happens on 4 stages: The Main Stage on 4th and E Street; on the Corner of 4th and D; 600 block of 4th Street; and on the 700 Block of 4th Street. The music varies as much as the stages and there are also Chef Demonstrations. So, when you book a room at a hotel in Santa Rosa, make sure to book a Wednesday night!

There are plenty of things to do in Singapore, and that might be a self-evident statement. However, many people who now visit the island as a tourist originated their interest in it due to business trips. This is actually a semi common occurrence for many preferred vacation destinations. People travel to various places for work related reasons and then fall in love with the place and want to return for vacation or possibly even consider moving there. However, with this being acknowledged, Singapore continues to gain international attention and tourist interest for more reasons than having a strong business travel community.

One of the main aspects of the city that many people only realize once they are there is the amount of food that is available there. Singaporeans love to eat and they love their food. It has even been unofficially declared as the national pastime. And if you plan to stay in one of the beautiful hotels in Singapore you will almost immediately notice that cafes, restaurants and food stalls are all over the place and people are constantly eating. People are even found walking down the street, or standing on a street corner enjoying a bowl of hawker food, which is another new discovery many people encounter when they visit Singapore.

Hawker food is a type of fast food and it is available in take out food stalls, which can be found all over the city. They are frequently noodle based seafood bowls and sometimes there are large tent covered picnic table settings that can be filled with people enjoying a quick bowl of this popular food. If you’re looking for a hawker food vender, you can always try major transportation hubs such as can be found near one of the busy Mass Rapid Transit stations and also major commercial centers like the popular, not to mention beautiful Esplanade . And while you’re there you can attend a great performance in the main theatre or the concert hall. This incredible performing arts complex is also one of the main cultural attractions of the city so you’ll want to spend some time there after you enjoy your bowl of hawker food.

When one thinks of museums in New York the first one to come to mind are the The Metropolitan Museum, The Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art. However, there are so many more museums to enjoy in New York. With everything available in New York it only makes sense that there are lots of museums to showcase most things. There seems to be a museum for everything that can be seen, heard, felt and tasted. Well, almost. Take the history of the city and its relationship to the sea. The sea is what brought so many people from foreign lands to New York and there are a couple of places to learn about immigration.  

Check out the South Street Seaport Museum . This is a great museum for those who love sea vessels and other early technology. It is the home of former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s personal collection, which was large. He was quite the sailor were he learned to use the sea as a way to escape the pressures of public life. This museum is joined with the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The museum itself, has quite a history and all of the ships it has on exhibit have plenty of sea stories to tell.  

If movies are a passion one may want to check out the Museum of the Moving Image . Catch a cab from your accommodating hotel and see what you will find with in the exhibits of movie history. They have thousands of television and film artifacts that tell the story of many of the most popular shows of entertainment. It is all done in a high tech multi-media experience that is interesting on its own. Come and learn what the behind the scenes life and efforts it takes to make audiences feel something.

There are few places on earth that offer even a portion of the magic and beauty of the Hawaiian islands. There is an unusual sense here for the good things in life that is the result of a unique combination of local tradition and the desire from tourists to enjoy a vacation near the water. It makes for a constantly shifting landscape in the interior, where cultures meet and negotiate their way through another day. In the natural world, there are also constant shifts and alterations, so that one can never visit the same island twice. It’s no wonder, then that Lanai hotels are such a popular choice among travelers.

There are plenty of fantastic times of year to visit Lanai, and it’s well-argued that there is really no bad time to be here. Those who are looking for special deals on Lanai travel can usually find a host of appealing offerings, and the amenities will be appreciated by travelers of all ages. Planning a visit to correspond with Lanai’s Pineapple Festival is just one way to get to know the place, as the pineapple has a special place here. It also has a pretty interesting history, and this is a good chance to learn about it.

It’s hard to have a vacation in Lanai without coming across a pineapple, and might actually be impossible, because it’s a part of the island’s culture. Many think that its origins are here, due to the ubiquity of the canned pineapple in all the supermarkets everywhere. However, Dole came to Lanai in the 1920s, and before then, they weren’t known here. Their origins are in Brazil and Paraguay, where the native populations there grew the fruit and began to use them in trade. Eventually the pineapple trade extended to Europeans, who adopted the tradition and made it a symbol of royalty and hospitality in the world at large. At one time, they were so rare that people might rent one for a party. They’re easier to find now, of course, and you don’t need to rent one here. But if you enjoy the taste, you are sure to be in for a culinary paradise within a natural one.