http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/chamonix-nightlife.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/chamonix-nightlife.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
If you like a flutter, you should certainly check out one the Casinos. They have slots galore, but don’t bother wasting your time on these, the real fun is in the tables and the card games held there every night. There have been people who have been in the casino for the better part of night without even realizing how much time has passed.

Casino de Chamonix is one such place located on the Rhone Alps, the address of the casino is 12 Place Saussure Chamonix, Rhone Alps, 74400 France. The casino has 82 slots and 10 table games and it’s open from 2100 hrs to 0300 hrs.

If casinos aren’t your thing, that is not a problem with a town like Chamonix. There are also arcades that are referred to as game-rooms. These are some of the best in all of France and have all the popular games at hand.

This is a place that can bring out the child in everyone. There is also a modern bowling alley that has the alleys open for most of the night and offers eight lanes and a billiard tables to show the skills of those that are willing to put them up on display.

With its huge collection of restaurants and bars, the nightlife in Chamonix is some of the best the French Alps has to offer. The most famous club is La Cantina, which offers different DJ’s each night. It’s pretty small and can get over-crowded and sweaty.

Le Privilege is a bar located on Rues de Moulins. This is one of the chicest bars in Chamonix with it’s Africantheme, wood décor and jet-set crowd.

For a quite evening by the river you should make a call at the O’Byrne’s Inn, located in the center of Chamonix. They are famous for their Irish malt whiskeys.

However, the most talked about bar in Chamonix is the MBC or Micro Brasserie de Chamonix. It’s not just a bar but Micro Brewery. The food served here is excellent and well known for its home cooking and world flavors.

If you’ve come to Chamonix for a romantic skiing holiday, then maybe hearing thumping music until 5am isn’t your thing. There is plenty of magic to be found at one of the many candlelit restaurants in Chamonix.

La Maison Carrier is a restaurant that belongs to the Hameau de Albert Premier hotel group. This is a traditional French restaurant with a good ambience. One can have a good three course meal for something between 22 to 40 euros.

Restaurant Les Lanchers is a great restaurant that is located at Les Praz de Chamonix. This is a good restaurant with a bar attached and you can make a choice between having your meals on the terrace or indoors. Their specialties are Italian French and Savoyard, in addition to the local food. A three-course meal will set you back by 26 euros.

Another restaurant at Las Praz is the Hotel Eden Restaurant, located at a distance not far from the Flegere cable car station. Their menu is influenced by the modern French and they have an attached bar with terrace option. A three course meal here will cost you 40 euros.

If you are in a mood for an excellent up beat grill then you should move up to the center of Chamonix where you will encounter the Goophy’s Grill. This place doesn’t serve the local specialties, but you can have something for as little as 28 euros.

Many have been to ski slopes of the Alps, but going to Chamonix will give you so much more. With a city like Chamonix you’ll receive the perfect welcome and experience the skiing holiday of a lifetime. There have been many places that have tried to compete with this town but there is only one Chamonix.

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Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, villas, hotels, apartment and chalets in Chamonix

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/eating-out-in-barcelona.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/eating-out-in-barcelona.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
The food is usually light in content and rich in flavour. The meals are served late, but are meant to sate the appetite without being too heavy, meaning that they use less red meat, just like the Italians and the Greeks.

Barcelona may be on the northern region of Spain, but they share much the tastes that are experienced in the rest of Spain. However, with the influx of people and cultures, there have been many changes with the cuisine and this is reflected in their restaurants.

The cuisine of Barcelona now currently enjoys some of the best creative cooks in the world and names such as Ferràn Adrià, Santi Santamaría, Fermí Puig, and Sergi Arola are getting worldwide acclaim for their inventiveness and creativity in the kitchen.

Spanish people are used to eating late; they take their meals around 10pm or later. With this culture pre-dominant throughout Spain, their restaurants normally open after 9pm and some stay open well into the early hours of the day.

There are many restaurants in Barcelona that cater for a variety of tastes to help make tourists feel at home, but in many cases, these are not the sought after restaurants. Many people want to experience what has made Barcelona and Catalan cuisine into one of the most talked about cuisines.

The few restaurants in Barcelona where you would get the true Catalan experience are; the Los Caracoles which translates to mean "The Snails" - they do cook great snails in this restaurant but there are many other dishes to be sampled in case snails are not your thing. This Barcelona restaurant is located on 14Calle Escudellers.

Another Catalan Cuisine restaurant that is worth mentioning is the Can Culleretes. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Barcelona. This is a restaurant where you can have your whole course of meals with starters and wine for as little as 30 euros. They have a wide assortment of mousses and an excellent wine house. The service is prompt and friendly.

Other restaurants include the Safra 18, Buda Bar Restaurant, Basque restaurant, the Costa Gallega restaurant and a Spanish sea food restaurant, the Cal Pep at Placa Del Olles, 8 Barcelona.

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Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, villas, hotels and apartments in Barcelona

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/prague-nightlife.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/prague-nightlife.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
There are many dance clubs in Prague playing either Hip Hop or techno and these are generally located in Stare Mesto, meaning Old Town in Czech. Whether you seek serious clubbing or just a late drink and a night of cheesy tunes, Prague has it all.

The Karlovy Lazne Dance Club is the one that sets the standard for dance clubs across Europe. It’s a club that houses 4 dance floors and can keep the most dedicated of dancer busy until they close at 5am. The best time to go is after 10pm and during the weekends; it’s the hottest place to be.

There are a number of other clubs that are just a tram ride away from the center and all you need to do is take the tram.

There are many clubs in Prague that are worth checking out and here are a few with their addresses; The Aloha Wave Lounge, located at Dusni 11, Prague 1; The Angle club located at Kmochoya 8, Prague 5, the theme here is 21st century lifestyles; the Klub Cross located at Plynarni 23, Prague 7;

The N11 located at Plynarni 23, Prague 7; The Nebe which offers free dance club for cool kids located at Kremencov 10, Prague 1. Other clubs and dance bars that are located in Prague are Radost FX, Roxy, Zero, Matrix Club, the Club, Abaton, Akord, Alma, Bar Piranha, Batalion and the list is endless. There are some 142 clubs and dance bars that are mentioned in the official website of Prague.

Other nightlife activities include a visit to the casino, or viewing a cinema, or you can just visit any concert hall. There are some erotic clubs, sports bars and for the less party minded people; tea rooms. There is no place like the strip clubs of Prague than anywhere else in Europe. They require a word worth mentioning in the pages of Prague.

The restaurants of Prague offer you a wide variety of dishes; they are internationally renowned in French, Korean, Thai, Afghan, Kenyan, Australian or Brazilian.

There are also many traditional Czech pubs in Prague that serve you excellent food and wine. They are the “U Sedmi Svabu Medieval Tavern” located at Jansky Vrsek 14, Mala Strana Prague 1.

The décor here is one of cast iron with fair maidens serving your food. One of the finest cellar pubs Prague has to offer is the Double trouble Bar and club. The evenings are quite mild, but when it turns to midnight the dancing begins on the tables and chairs; which is the norm here.

Some of the modern pubs that are traditional built are the U Medviku pub, the U Vejvodu Pub and Beer hall restaurant and the Café Louvre.

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Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, villas, hotels and Apartments in Prague

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/visiting-siena.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/visiting-siena.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
The Piazza del Campo is the center square of Siena. It is a formation of the conjunction of the three hills on which the city was formed. The site was built in the 13th century and is considered to be one the greatest medieval squares in Europe. It is in this square that the famous Palio is held bi-annually.

After undergoing Feudal rule and Episcopal rule, the area broke up into a number of small autonomous regions in 1115. In 1167 the commune of Siena was declared independent and by 1179 there was a written constitution available for its governance.

Much like Venice, Siena is a place of mystery and romance. The mystery associated with Siena stems from medieval times: during the battle of Montaperti, it is believed that a white cloud descended and provided cover to the Seines, aiding them to crush the enemy.

The Duomo di Milano or more commonly known as the Duomo is a famous gothic cathedral. The striking white marble is a sight to see. The main feature of the cathedral is the Madonnina’s spire which is placed at a height of 108.5 meters and was designed by Francesco. The construction of the cathedral began well back in 1386 and was completed in1965 by which time renovation work was also taking place along with the construction work.

There is an international event that is held annually which is called the Palio. This is an event held on the second of July and the Sixteenth of August every year and is facing more controversies in recent years with the ill treatment meted out to the horses and injuries that the riders suffer from. The horse race is conducted throughout the city over a set track and has become a major tourist attraction for tourists from all over the world.

The race is conducted between the different contradas of Siena; these are made up of the neighborhoods of the city of Siena. In the ancient times there were seventeen contradas, each depicted by a design of the contrada.

This is the color and the arms of the contrada. Although there are seventeen contradas, only ten horses are allowed to participate in the race. In this year ten contradas participate, the following race sees the other seven contradas taking part by default. Three other horses are selected randomly.

The first horse race in the region began with the Grand Duke Tuscany setting bull fighting as an out lawful activity. The first Palio took place in the year 1650 and was held only on the 2nd of July. This day was chosen as it was the day of the feast of the Visitation. This day was also marked as the day of a local festival in the honor of Madonna of Provenzano.

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Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, hotels, apartment and villas in Tuscany

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/visiting-sorrento.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/visiting-sorrento.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Many of the older sights have been well preserved and even with the advances of modern living, the roots of the past are still evident throughout this wonderful city. In essence, Sorrento is a gateway between the past and the present. It has been a place that has been the source of philosophy and technology combined.

The town is easily accessible from Naples and the Pompeii. It also over looks the bay of Naples. With its breath taking views, and beautiful green hills, this has been a land of resting and pleasure right from the time of the Roman rule. The Romans were so enthralled by the beauty of the place that they chose this land to be their holiday destination for their Patricians.

Tourists from all over the world plan their excursion in the land to Capri, Pompei, Ischia, Amalfi, Ercolona, Positano, and the Vesuvius.

Mythology states that the land was named after a creature half woman and half fish called Sirens. The name later evolved to be Sorrento. These creatures sang for the sailors in the deep seas.

The city of Sorrento has also gone to huge lengths protect the sites of historical interest from the effects of weather and the pollution damage. This is something that can be seen in the sites of the ancient past that have been uncovered from as far back as 1000 A.D. that were once the foundations to modern thinking.

This makes the city of Sorrento a hot spot not just for tourists, but also for those that are seeking to learn more about where we came from and in some ways the direction of where we are heading to.

The beauty and the greenery of the place has drawn a number of people to Sorrento; among them were poets, men of literature, painters, musicians and in the recent years photographers of high esteem.

To name a few, people like Goethe, Stendhal, Lamartine, De Bouchard, Ibsen, and Douglas of literature have been here. Musicians and painters who were inspired by the place are Rossini, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Wagner, Pinelli, Lindstrom and Fernet. The most noted among them being the Soviet Writer Maxim Gorky.

With the inflow of tourists the place saw a boom in the growth of villas and hotels for residential purposes. It is believed that there are more than some fifteen thousand accommodation facilities for tourists alone in the small city.

There are many places of interest in and around Sorrento that are not to missed. The Basilica of Saint Antonino (dedicated to the Saint Antonino where he is laid to rest, is the place of preserve of some ancient paintings and has pieces of an ancient

Majolica tiled floor), is a cathedral built in the fifteenth century with ancient wood work. Others include the Sedil Dominova (a monument where meetings took place to discuss the developments of the city), the Saint Francis Convent, Marian Grande, the Correale Museum, The Sorrento Cape and the Marina Puolo.

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Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, apartments, hotels and villas in the Amalfi Coast

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/yucatan-peninsula.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/yucatan-peninsula.html Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Cancun is world focus for tourism and more people come to this region than the rest of Mexico put together. Cancun in factearns twenty-five per cent of Mexico's tourist revenue.

The only drawback of the region is that it stands right in the path of hurricanes that sweep in from the Caribbean. During the hurricane season June-October, tourism comes to a screeching halt until the storms pass; again the tourists returns in full force by the end of November.

This Yucatan Peninsula was once controlled and inhabited by the Mayans and during the later centuries of the pre-Colombian era, it was mostly controlled by the Maya civilization which extended south and west from the Yucatan, down to Guatemala and into Honduras.

There are many Maya archaeological sites throughout the peninsula; including some of the best preserved such as Chichen-Itza, Tikal, Tulum and Uxmal. They were invaded by the Spanish and this was to be an area that would be occupied until the early 1900’s when it was finally incorporated into the Mexican government. It now makes up three of the thirty-one states that comprise Mexico as a country.

The Yucatan Peninsula is one of Mexico’s biggest tourist attractions and the population explosion here is proof of appeal. Tourists are not limited to those of the United States and Canada alone, tourists from all over the world flock over here to drink in the Mexican culture and enjoy the beauty of the landscape. Cancun has earned an impressive reputation and is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the world.

The Yucatan Peninsula is now considered among the top tourist spots in the world and soaring numbers of tourists come to experience the incredible beaches of Mayan Riviera with its enticing Mayan ruins and the lush and warm tropical climate.

The beaches that are famous in the peninsula are Puerto Morelos, Playa car, Puerto Aventuras, Kantenah, Akumal, Tulum, Xcacel and Xpu-Ha. The cabins of the beaches of El Cuyo will give you a beautiful view of the nesting site of the pink flamingos. It is also one of the rare beaches where you can find the nesting of the hawksbill turtle. El Cuyo is not far from the city of Cancun.

Yucatan-Peninsula is considered to be one of the best archaeological zones of the ancient Meso-American world. Here you can find vestiges of Pre-historic culture. The more you explore this land, the more you will be enthralled by its greatness in cultural and science. The places that are famous for the ruins are Uxmal, Tulúm, Chichén-Itzá Edzná Chacmul, Cobá, Palenke, Cumal-calco and Bonampak. You will enjoy the experience because it’s still guarded by the heavy forestry and rough terrain.

Sites that are being restored are Ek-Balam, Uxmal, Chichen-Itza and Oxkintoc and people who work there or travel there feel a kind of presence which they are unable to explain. It is a thing that can only be experienced and cannot be described.

The sand beaches of Cancun have a reputation of its own with an unbelievable clearness of the water with different tones of blue. The dolphins that are found in this region are friendly and play with the tourists in a fashion that they have known them for a long time. The entrances to the longest under ground rivers are also situated here. They are being explored now and present a mystique that one is not able to explain.

The sky is covered with a pink that is possible only with a flock of flamingoes, the likes of which can be witnessed at Yucatan.

Other places of interest include the Cenotes in Chichen Itz and Cenotes of Sotuta and Dzibilchaltun. One can also visit the many ramparts and the bulwarks that are built around the city. This was built with an aim to keep out the plunders in the 16th and 17th century.

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Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, apartments, hotels and villas in Mexico

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/a-little-overview-of-rome.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/a-little-overview-of-rome.html Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Rome is all about everything wonderful, from delicious cuisine, history and tradition, a great nightlife to stunning art and fashion.

All by yourself in Rome? If so then you will notice that Italians are nothing like the characters in Godfather movie, but rather they are friendly, fun and, let’s admit it, beautiful. A family trip to Rome or a solo trip can be both educational and entertaining. Romance is all around and if you’re with the loved one, be prepared for extra butterflies in your stomach.

The history of Rome began three thousand years ago, but archeologists discovered 13,000 year old traces of civilization. Rome’s tumultuous and legendary history gave birth to some of the most beautiful monuments and pieces of art. The Pantheon, or the temple of all gods, is the oldest best preserved building in the world.

Its architecture has been a source of inspiration for monuments all around the world.
And speaking of large buildings, you wouldn’t want to miss the Colosseum. This was the largest amphitheatre in ancient Rome, with a capacity of 50, 000 people.

Here is where the legendary gladiator fights took place. Romans are also known for their amazing public baths and systems of canalization. Visiting a public bath, such as The Bath of Diocletian, was a social “must do” as one could bath, have a massage, eat, relax in hot water or have a cold bath, not to mention enjoy the ancient equivalent of a jacuzzi.

The baths were divided by social status; this is the place where great historical decisions were taken and where the latest rumors around town were being spread. Circus Maximus (Latin for large arena) is where celebrations took place and games were played.

Although some of the ancient monuments are not perfectly conserved, they could make one feel like they’re living in another era. The death of Roman Empire seems to be a legend. From this perspective, it’s interesting to take a look at The Catacombs of Rome. Since the Romans believed in life after death, cremating was out of the question. The Catacombs were underground burial places, an ingenuous solution to celebrate eternity.

When traveling anywhere in Italy you cannot miss, simply cannot miss the Vatican: the smallest independent state in the world, the capital of Catholic Church and the Pope’s residence. A collection of beautiful museums, basilicas, monuments and paintings by Boticelli, Michelangelo or Benini will delight all your senses.

Since sightseeing is exhausting, make sure you eat well, and there is no way not to eat well in Rome. Italian food is fabulous, and good food can only come along with good wine.

A typical roman meal begins with bruschetta (full of garlic), followed by the eternal Italian pasta. Be sure not to miss spaghetti alla carbonara, bucatini all'amatriciana, bucatini cacio e pepe or gnocchi alla romana. Rome is the home of the pizza as well, so it would be a pity not to try it since you are already there.

You can also freshen up with "grattachecca," the typical Roman crushed-ice drink.

Wine cellars are widespread and so are the market places, such as Campo Dei Fiori. Historical café shops are combining traditional drinks with modern technology; famous café’s to be seen are Caffè Greco, Babington’s Tearooms, Caffè Rosati and Caffè Canova.

Rome is full of seasonal events; it’s most prestigious arts festival, RomaEuropa, runs from September to November and features music, dance and theatre with an ethnic edge.

At Christmas and Easter, pilgrims flood into the Vatican to attend Papal masses in St Peter’s square.

Yet there are other various religious events around the town. On 9 March, for example, devout drivers head to the church of Santa Francesca Roma in the Foro Romano to have their cars blessed on behalf of this saint, who was said to have the gift of bilocation (being in two places at once).

Spring arrives early in Rome, bringing masses of blooms. Azaleas are praised; when they bloom (end of march), 3, 000 vases of them are arranged in Spanish Steps. Shopping is a “must have” in Italy, the capital of fashion. And naturally there are fashion boulevards: Via Condotti, Via Borgognona, Piazza di Spagna and Via Frattina.

Last, but not least, the nightlife! Young Italians meet in Campo Dei Fiori, then gather in numerous bars around the square. Rome is also an endless recourse of nightclubs, some of which are extremely popular: Gilda, Goa, Ex Magazinni.

We recommend Black Out Rock Club for live music fans.Of course, Rome wasn’t built in a day. And, at the end of any day, there’s still something new to be discovered. There’s just something about Rome…

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Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, villas, hotels and Apartments in Rome

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/a-quick-overview-of-mexico.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/a-quick-overview-of-mexico.html Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
From deserts to volcanoes, ancient ruins to modern resorts, Mexico has something for every tourist.
Mexico is full of history, as befits a country that was once ruled by the passionate and warlike Aztecs, one of the most advanced civilizations in the western hemisphere.

Their capital, in Modern-day Mexico City, was full of massive stone pyramids and temples, the remnants of which lay under the modern city. The colonization of Mexico by the Spaniards provided a great deal of colonial architecture, and the violent centuries that followed provided the continent with one of it’s strongest independence movements, which can be found by visiting the Centro Historico and Coyoacan..

Although the Aztecs were wiped out as a political group, their descendents still live in Mexico City, and the ancient culture exists in events such as the Day of the Dead, feast-day of dead souls which falls at the beginning of November. Many people are fascinated by this festival, and anyone with an interest in the native culture should certainly visit Mexico in time for this celebration.

As well as ancient history, Mexico also provides some of the most interesting modern resorts. Mexico City itself provides many modern entertainments, which considering its size (it is the third largest city in the world, with a population of 22 million), including art galleries and restaurants.

Baja California can offer some of the most exciting holidays in Mexico, with kayaking, diving, and whale watching in the Sea of Cortez, as well as the possibility of guided RV tours of the area, aerial tours of the Copper Canyon (a canyon four times larger than the Grand Canyon), which can also be accessed by the famous ‘train ride in the sky’, a mysterious and inspiring place. Even if you wish to do nothing besides go sailing or fishing Baja California can cater for your desires.

Cancun, as well as offering kayaking and diving, also has facilities for golfing. It is here that you can see the famous bullfights once a week, and cockfighting and dancing can also be found at the Plaza de Toros Cancun.

Anyone interested in adventure holidays will like to know that Actun Chen, the famous cave system full of stalactites and stalagmites and natural stone formations. Beyond the caves is jungle, 988 acres of wildlife trails and tropical vegetation. Not too far from Cancun is the Tres Rios, which boasts snorkelling in its section of the Great Mayan Reef.

For those who want a more relaxed experience, Guadalajara is noted for its cultural arts, such as the Degallado Theater, and the mural by Jose Clemente Orozco (part of the 1920’s Mexican mural movement) which is at the Cabanas Cultural Institute.

The city has many interesting museums, as well as a fantastic selection of resorts, all part of a city which has become more business orientated.If you are looking for beaches, Mexico boasts some world-class white sands, with surfing, fishing and clear waters, plus parts of the Great Mayan Reef just a few feet from the shore.

Some of Puerto Vallarta’s beaches are only accessible via boat trips, and the Isla Contoy (reached by boat from Isla Mujeres) has a fantastic, almost uninhabited beach, and Los Cabos’ rocky beaches are great for laying back and catching the sun.

If you want beaches with exclusivity, there are some private beaches at the Costa Alegre, which also boasts exclusive resorts; while Punta Allen’s low-cost hotels are some of the best getaway locations in the country.

Of course, Mexico is not just about history and beaches. Mexico City has a fantastic nightlife, as you might imagine from the mix of Latin, Cuban and alternative music clubs in the city. It also boasts trendy nightclubs and an area nicknamed the ‘Soho of Mexico City’. Other places, such as Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, also have sophisticated nightlife.

Son Cristobal has a music scene that is fun and exciting, while not taking too much out of your budget. It is the ideal place for people who want to spend their nights barhopping, and everything is in walking – or staggering – distance).

It would not be fair to talk about Mexico’s nightlife without mentioning Cabo San Lucas; the capital of Baja California for an after-dark scene, casual bars line the main streets, as well as the beach front. A rowdy, lawless feel makes this the nightlife for the adventurous.

Mexico is so full of different aspects that at times it can seem surreal; you can walk the paths of the ancient Americans in the morning, surf or laze on the beach in the afternoons, and go out clubbing at night, and usually all these things are within the same city. Lively and fascinating, this country is a must-see for both the adventurer and the sun worshipper alike.

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Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, apartments, hotels and villas in Mexico

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/florida-miami-vacations.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/florida-miami-vacations.html Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Then there is the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden that has tons of rare tropical plants and the Miami Metro zoo with over 2,000 animals, and almost 400 species.

Miami’s zoo is much larger than an average U.S. zoo. For anyone who likes aquariums they have a nice one to visit, the Miami Seaquarium. They have a Superstar there that you might know, Flipper.

Monkey Jungle has all types of monkeys for the monkey lovers and Parrot Jungle Island has a huge crocodile, and over 500 species of plants, and over a whopping 3,000 animals.

A few cruises and tours you might want to check out include the Dragonfly Expeditions. They have lots of tours, including some for the day and also some that last overnight. They have them for individuals, or groups.

EcoAdventures have a lot of adventure activities; they include kayaking, snorkeling, and canoe trips along with others. Everglades Safari Park has airboat tours, wildlife nature shows, and much more. Island Queen Cruises Sightseeing Tours takes you to lots of nice places to sightsee on their tour boats. They also take you by some homes that belong to the rich and famous people.

Miami also has the Miami Performing Arts Center. They open in 2006, and they will have three state of the art theaters. They will also have an education center, a plaza, the landmark for the 1929 Art Deco Tower, and more. They offer theater, music and even dance.

They are dedicated to entertain, challenge and educate their guests.
For the fishers out there they have some good fishing places. One of these is the Action Charters of Miami. Here you can experience deep sea fishing on a 46 foot boat.

This is open for all ages. You can fish almost all day on this. Masita Fishing and Cruising Charters is also one you might like. They offer the most complete fishing and boating charter system. They have the cleanest fleet.

There are some museums you may want to visit as well. One of these is the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. They have lots of educational programs. You can discover the past and present here.

Jewish Museum of Florida is in a nice old Art Deco building. Lowe Art Museum opened in 1952. They have western and non western art.

The Miami Art Museum has international art. Miami Children’s Museum is for the children to learn. There are lots more museums and historic sites to visit as well.
For the golfers they have some nice places to play golf. The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club is one of these. If you want to play here in season it costs 150-175, and if you want to play when it is out of season, it will cost 95-120.

The Biltmore Hotel is another place to play golf. To play here in season it will cost 95 to 121, and 35 to 71 out of season. Doral Golf Resort and Spa, which is a Marriott Resort is a place to play golf, but it will cost you more. Their in season rate is 250, and their out of season rate is 175 to 195.

For those shoppers out there are plenty of places to go shopping. One of these is Aventura Mall, it South Florida’s number one shopping place. The Village of Merrick Park has plenty of fashion and style for you. Prime Outlets has nice architecture, landscaping food court, and even a playground.

This place is one of a kind. Bayside Marketplace is very nice and popular. They offer many things, they even offer you savings. If you like to sip tea or you like live music then Cauley Square Historic Village might be a place for you. They have many more stores for you to visit, too many to list.

Do you like to camp? If so, maybe you would like to come to Miami and spend some time camping. They have some nice places to go camping. One of these is Goldcoaster, they have 547 sites. Miami Everglades Campground is another, and they have 258 sites. Gator Park has 34 sites. Embassy RV Park has 67 lots.

There are other camp sites as well for the campers. They are a nice place to relax and visit, or even have a cookout.

If you like to go to a park, then they have some parks for you. The Barnacle Historic State Park is one of these. Everglades National Park offers cabins, boat ramps, hiking trails, and fishing.

Homestead offers a place to set up a tent, concessions, boat ramps, hiking trails, and fishing areas. Key Biscayne offers concessions, hiking trails, and fishing. Majory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center only offers hiking trails for any of you hikers. Oleta River State Park offers cabins, concessions, boat ramps, hiking trails, and fishing.

A couple events you might be looking to attend include John Rosenquist. He brings some of his unique imagery. Another is Miami Beach’s America’s Tropical Resort.

Here you can see photographs, hotel brochures, postcards, restaurant menus, souvenirs, and even bathing suits. There are other events to that you can look out for. Just check with your travel agent to see what is going on when you travel.


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Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, apartments, hotels and villas in Florida

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/major-attractions-in-venice-italy.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/vacations/major-attractions-in-venice-italy.html Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500
There are also events and La Dolce Vita that you might want to experience. There is plenty of entertainment in Venice, they include, casinos, cinemas and theatres, operas, clubs, horse racing, live music, and sport matches.

One of the churches is the Basilica of San Marco. This lovely church was built in 829 to hold the remains of Saint Mark, the city’s patron saint and was devoted in 1024. It has been reconstructed and decorated numerous times over the centuries and the Basilica is definitely the most sensational church in the city. Its main facade is very unique. The church has five arched doorways, and a long terrace.

The work of this church is in Byzantine style. The interior of the church is just as extravagant as the outside. It has a marble floor that has a striking geometric pattern and there are brilliant mosaics on the walls that tell stories from the New Testament.

A bridge that you might want to see is The Rialto Bridge. The Rialto Bridge was the first only continuing association between the two banks of the Grand Canal. It has been said that in 1172, a bridge that was made from barges was designed, which later was then replaced with a bridge with wooden columns a few years later.

This bridge was ruined in 1310. In 1444, another new wooden bridge was built and it was much bigger than the previous one and it even had shops on it. The final stone version of the Rialto Bridge, as we know today, was built in the period 1588-1591 by Antonio da Ponte. Building this bridge was very difficult due to the instability of the site and its height.

The Academy is a museum you may want to visitas well while you are in Venice. The Academy of Fine Arts first opened on September 24th 1750, first by Piazzetta and then by Tiepolo. In 1807, a true art gallery was opened up and inside it, served two purposes.

It offered meaningful models for the Academy’s students and also housed the artistic heritage left by the public buildings that were taken down after the Venice Marine Republic fell from power. By the end of the Second World War, the architect Carlo Scarpa redesigned the Academy.

There is a full range of existent Venetian paintings inside. The original collection was added along with religious artifacts, private heirlooms, restored paintings and paintings that were bought somewhere else.

When you come out of the main entrance of the Academy you will see the Dell’Accademia Bridge, which is one of the three bridges, together with the Rialto and the degli Scalzi bridges, they cross over the Grand Canal.

Some more things you might want to visit would include the Piazza San Marco; it’s the only Piazza in Venice. The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most popular tourist sighs in Venice. This bridge connects Palazzo Ducale; this is where prisoners were tried.

This bridge was made from stone. The bridge was inspired by sighs from the prisoners. Mercerie is the thing that cut the city center into two parts. The Jewish Ghetto was set in 1516. This is where the Venetian Jews had to live; they couldn’t leave this area from dusk till dawn.

Zattere is one of the most romantic and prettiest places in Venice. You can see the whole San Marco bay and San Giorgio island as far as the Lido from here. The Rialto Market is a famous market that has to parts to it. It has the Erbaria which is the fruits and vegetable side, and the Pescaria which is the fish market.

If your hungry then you might want to try some Venetian cuisine, especially some in the city, it is full of traditional dishes that are mainly made using all sorts of fish and vegetables, with only one downfall, the seasons. However, it might be hard to find dishes on the menus of the restaurants in Venice that have ingredients that are out of season.

Venice has lots of events that attract visitors. One of these is The Venice Carnival, it’s a wild, and enjoyable festival. Another event is The Venice Biennale; the first one took place in 1895. There are a few more events including Festa del Redentore, The Venice Film Festival, Regata Storica, and the Festa della Madonna della Salute. Festa del Redentore first plague was in 1576.

This attraction has a firework display. The Venice Film Festival was set up in 1932. This attraction attracts both famous and non famous people, some are autograph hunters. The Regata Storica is one of Venice’s most charming traditional festivals.

This is a parade of historical boats from the sixteenth century, and the crew is dressed in period costumes. The Festa della Madonna della Salute happens on November 21st of each year in Venice.

For this festival there are tables pointed opposite of the Basilica with all kinds of sweets on them. There are also kiosks that sell candles to light and pray for good health for your relatives and friends.

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Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing listings for bed and breakfasts, villas, hotels and Apartments in Venice

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>