Tips for your travel in New York

Exploring top attractions in New York City, will surely make your visit memorable.Assuming this is the first visit to NYC you must do some of the most common but worth to do activities such as:

Museum of Natural history

The American Museum of Natural History(AMNH), in Manhattan, New York, USA, is most famous museums in the world.

There are several tens of millions of exhibits in his collections. The American Museum of Natural History employs at least two hundred museum staff. He annually finances many scientific expeditions. The museum is also known for its famous scientific library.
The museum is on 79th Street, and is accessible via lines B and C of the New York City Subway.

Emipre State Building

In New York, you can climb several skyscrapers. But for a tourist, all this is paid.
You can climb Rockefeller Center, or you can climb the Empire State Building. We were both there and there… Empire is the first building in the world above 100 floors – a 103-storey skyscraper, located on Manhattan Island, on Fifth Avenue between West 33rd and 34th Streets.

I also suggest a walk through the streets of SOHO for some shopping or maybe just window shopping. While here you can stop for lunch or dinner either at Il Barolo or at I tre Merli on the same avenue West Broadway and same owner. Down the avenue there is also Cipriani Downtown location  If you are in the mood for a simple Panini sandwich you can look for Café Borgia off of West Broadway on Spring Street.

Speaking of Cipriani you should book one night the Rainbow Grill (same link above) at Rockfeller Center where you can enjoy a beautiful view on Manhattan.

Manhattan has to offer great views also at the Hotel Marriott Grand Marquis at Times Square here there is “The View” Bar and restaurant you can go here for a drink, the bar rotates around the building and you get to enjoy a 360 degrees view of New York.

Also not to be missed if the weather allows, at 59th street and 5th ave the Peninsula hotel offers a rooftop garden bar which is elegant  and offers a different view in fact you can see the stylish fifth avenue from the top, nice atmosphere worth a drink .

One night you can book the World Yacht dinner cruise http://www.worldyacht.com/ which certainly is a different way of dining and enjoying the view of Manhattan from the water.

Last week we took some friends from Italy to a Brazilian restaurant http://churrascariaplataforma.com/ it was great nice atmosphere excellent food but you must love meat!

Speaking of meat a steak house is a must and I can suggest Gallagher’s  http://www.gallaghersnysteakhouse.com/index.asp

To end the night if you have energy and like to walk you can cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot, something different and absolutely unique views here some info http://www.nyctourist.com/bridge2.htm Actually this can be done during the also but I only walked over the bridge at night and New York at night has a unique charm.

Top 10 Restaurants in Shanghai

Food lovers must visit Shanghai to taste China’s most delicious foods! Not only for its cultural attractions, Shanghai is also popular for its abundant excellent restaurants that provide top service and cuisines. Here are some recommended restaurants for you to try while in Shanghai:

1. Shanghai Classical House
Shanghai Classical House offers special Shanghai cuisines. The Eight-Treasure Duck is one of the most often ordered foods from the restaurant. The restaurant opens from 10.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 21.30. There are 36 private rooms available. Both cash and credit card are accepted.

2. Tang Gong Yi Hao Restaurant
Tang Gong Yi Hao restaurant features Cantonese cuisines. The dim sum is great, only 10 tables in the hall available. Seventeen private rooms are available, cash and credit card are accepted. The restaurant opens from 11.00 tp 21.30.

3. Ye Shanghai Restaurant
Ye Shanghai restaurant comes with special Shanghai delicacy from steamed dumplings to shrimp balls. There is no private room available. The restaurant opens from 11.00 to 14.30 and 17.30 to 22.30. Cash and credit card are accepted.

4. Weng Jia Shark’s Fin
As the name suggests, the restaurant’s special menu is shark’s fin. The main cuisines offered are seafood. It opens from 11.30 to 14.00 and 17.30 to 21.30. Thirteen private rooms are available Cash and credit card are accepted.

5. Yongfoo Elite
Yongfoo Elite features Shanghainese cuisines. Japanese and Korean foods are also available. There are 5 private rooms available. The restaurant opens from 11.00 to 22.00.

6. Lost Heaven Restaurant
The restaurant nestles in a classical 1920’s villa. It features Yunnan and Thai cuisines. The restaurant opens from 11.30 to 14.00 and 17.30 to 22.30. Cash and credit card are accepted.

7. A Shan Restaurant
A Shan Restaurant offers traditional style in serving the traditional cuisines. It is one of the oldest restaurants in Shanghai. The restaurant opens from 11.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 21.00. Only cash is accepted.

8. Di Shui Dong Restaurant
Di Shui Dong Restaurant offers spicy Hunanese cuisines. Most of the cuisines are spicy so be careful when ordering some foods. The restaurant opens from 10.00 to 22.00. There are 3 private rooms available. Cash and credit card are accepted.

9. M on the Bund
The M on the Bund offers modern western and traditional Chinese cuisines. There is no private room available. Opens only for dinner from 18.15 to 22.30, the restaurant accepts cash and credit card.

10. T 8
The T 8restaurant features fusion cuisine, but the most famous cuisine from the restaurant is caramelized salted salmon. The restaurant opens from 11.00 to 14.30 and 18.30 to 22.30 and does not provide any private room. Cash and credit card are accepted as the way of payment.

How to Travel and Alienate People

We meet all kinds of people when we travel. We sit beside them in the flight, we share the same floor in the hotel, and we meet them on the cruise. Some of them are darlings, but there will often be people you’ll want to run away from. These are the travelers most people hate. Here are some of the common tell-tale signs to look out for to see if your new “friend” is really going to become your travel foe.

The Been There, Seen That Type – You will often meet people who have seen stuff most people haven’t yet heard of. They have been to lakes that are impossible to spot on maps. They have explored canyons that crumbled as soon as they left. You’ll feel self pity just because you haven’t seen it.

The Everyday Travel Blogger – It’s good to blog about your travel experiences, but these people are so into it and so fascinated with their effort that they will keep asking you to visit their blog until you want to scream out of sheer frustration. Something like “I’ll make it a point to visit your blog” will never satisfy them. They will want to sit next to you and make you read every line.

The Statistician – OK, so he’s a blogger. OK, his blog is a roaring success.  But does this mean that he has to keep shouting about all those page views and comments? Probably not! But who’s going to tell him? He is so obsessed with it that he eats blogging, sleeps blogging, and, the worst part, drags you into it as well.

The Language Connoisseur – Once in a while, you will meet a traveler who can speak more than one language. He can speak quite a few. But, actually, he can’t speak any–not well, anyway. The result: he will mix up five languages in the same sentence and sound like an idiot while doing so.

The Snobby Backpacker – They’ll scorn at anybody who carries more than a couple pairs of underwear and two shirts. These extremists will never realize that there is more than one way of traveling. Not everyone can be a backpacker, but they’ll just never understand.

The Hostel Hussy – There are guys and girls who love co-ed hostels because they can hop-in and hop-out of a different bed each night. That’s around the world sleeping for you. And as a dorm mate, lucky you gets to hear all kinds of moans and groans instead of the sweet sound of snoring.

The Drinking Student – You can see a country by studying abroad. Yes, certainly. But you’ll meet many students who just sign up for a class and then show up with a hangover every morning. They will see a few places, but the priority is always drinking.

The Hottest New Travel Trends

The travel industry is dynamic and is always changing. And that’s because travelers are changing themselves all the time, too. Preferences never really stay the same, and this year is no different. Here are some of the hottest new travel trends:

River CruisingTo be honest, there is nothing new in cruising. Vacationers have been going on Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska, and Asian cruises for decades. But it seems that the latest buzz is in river cruising. Nile cruises and those on the Rhine, Amazon, and even on the Volga River in Russia are in top demand. River cruises are becoming big news in Asia, too. A lot of travelers are opting for these cruises in China, Laos, Thailand, and India.

Healing Vacations – Frankly, there’s nothing new in wellness vacations either. People have been visiting the baths in Eastern Europe ever since we came to know about their therapeutic effects. But it’s never been as popular as now. Thousands of visitors are seeking good health and inner peace at the wellness centers in Thailand and a lot of ashrams have come up in Rishikesh and elsewhere in the Indian Himalayas that teach ayurveda and yoga.

Vintage Train TripsThere are, indeed, some wonderful train rides to experience. And they are extremely enjoyable journeys, too. The coaches are sleek and extremely comfortable, and the trains of today offer almost all of the amenities present in modern-day hotels. Large windows present stunning, constantly changing view alongside rivers, through picturesque mountain passes, and around gorgeous valleys. Train rides are becoming popular in the US as well, and there is even an $8 billion budget to promote high-speed rail travel.

Medical Tourism – Medical expenses have gone through the roof in the western world. The good news is that hospitals and clinics in countries like Thailand, India, and others are now offering the same level of medical treatment as the west for a fraction of the cost. For instance, the fertility clinics in India have a waiting time of two months, with a constant flow of inquiries from the West. The success rate is as high as the western countries. Many people like to see an exotic destination and get treated at the same time.

Responsible TourismYou will find this travel trend everywhere now, by way of green hotels, volunteerism, and eco-tourism. Many tourists are not able to stay indifferent to the poverty outside of their five-star hotel, working with nonprofit organizations to support their efforts in whatever way they can.

Help with Kids – Here’s a unique one. Those who are traveling on Gulf Air can now avail the services of onboard babysitters, lovingly called “sky nannies.” Parents can relax as the nanny takes care of and entertains their little one.

Small Tubs, Big ShowersMore and more hotels are now replacing their built-for-two bathtubs with showers. Single bathtubs are also in decline as most people now prefer showers.

How to Enjoy Shanghai in One Day

Shanghai is famous for its historical landmarks. So if you are about to visit Shanghai, make sure all the popular classical buildings are included in your itinerary list, especially if you have the chance to visit the city only for one day.

1. Shanghai Museum
Shanghai Museum is one of the main attractions in Shanghai. International tourists will not skip this spot particularly when they have a certain interest to the history of ancient China. There are 11 exhibition rooms, but since you only have one day in the city, just pick 4 or 5 that attract you the most.

2. Renmin Guangchang
Renmin Guangchang or People’s Square is the center of attractions in Shanghai. It used to be a horse-racing track during the colonial era.

3. Shanghai Urban Planning Museum
Jump to another museum, the Shanghai Chengshi Guihua Zhanshiguan. The giant scale model of Shanghai city as the people will see in 2020 is jaw-dropping.

4. Nanjing Lu Pedestrian Mall
Nanjing Lu is one of the top shopping areas in China. The street is full of vendors. You can walk through the street while hunting for souvenirs.

5. The Bund
There is one museum that features Gothic-Art Deco style. The area is the witness of how the early modern trading houses and banks in China adopted the Western-style after the Opium War in 1842.

6. Shanghainese cuisines
The Bund area has lots of shops and restaurants. You can pick the New Heights at Three on the Bund for lunch. The rooftop is the best spot to enjoy the city from above.

7. Jin Mao Tao Tower
The Jin Mao Tower is a 88th floors building located in the central area of the city. The highest floor is the best spot to get the most perfect views.

8. Old Town
The Old Town is where you can get a glance of China’s past. Many shops around the area that provide antiques souvenirs. Most of them are fake so the price is cheap.

9. Yu Yuan
China has a garden, too. The Yu garden contains ponds, bridges, greenery and pavilions for the tourists to unwind after a tiring adventure in the Old Town.

10. Shanghai acrobat
The Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe would be a nice finishing touch. After enjoying the performance, you can have dinner at Mr & Mrs Bund at Bund.

St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland

St. Patrick’s Day is a special event in Ireland. There are festivals and parades everywhere celebrating Irish culture. The biggest parade is held in Dublin, of course. It is estimated that more than a million people take part in the St. Patrick’s parade in Dublin. Actually, it’s such a big occasion that the festivities get spread over several days–not just March 17.

But often, the smallest of all villages will also have their own parades and celebrations. Local musicians will almost always be playing in these parades, in addition to visual and performing arts. Millions are expected to don their greens and head for the parades on March 17^th, finishing up the day with a visit to the pub for a pint of the best beer they can find.

The pubs and stores are all open on this day, though the post offices, banks, and other offices are closed. The Irish people have been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for more than 1,000 years.

For the traditional Irish family, it would always start with a visit to the local church in the morning and celebrations in the afternoon. This is one reason why the pubs all over Ireland open a bit late in the day. The traditional families would also have a meal of cabbage and bacon.

The first parade was interestingly not held in Dublin or anywhere else in the country. It was held in New York City in 1762 when Irish soldiers from the British military marched through the city in order to reconnect with their Irish roots and unite all the Irishmen who were serving the British army. It was a hugely successful event, thus prompting the opening of “Irish Aid” societies such as the Hibernian Society and the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. It eventually became a wonderful tradition, which is now followed all over Ireland and elsewhere too by the Irish people.

St. Patrick’s Day is a religious event, but it has become more of a day of fun and an occasion for the Irish to celebrate, as well as for everybody to come out on the streets and enjoy.

Winter Travel Getaways to Warmer Weather

Chilly temperatures can definitely get you down. Do you find a lot of love in scraping all that ice from your car or shoveling snow from the driveway? If you don’t, then it’s time to think of going on vacation to a place where the weather’s warm and where you can have lots of fun in the sun. It’s time to start thinking of a warm-weather getaway. Here are some places to consider.

CaribbeanYou will get all the sun, sand, and the surf you need in the Caribbean Islands (tourism official site). Each one of them is amazing. And there are plenty of options for you to choose from: Jamaica, Trinidad, Dominican Republic, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Barbados, the Bahamas.  Those are just a few of the names that come to mind, but there are many other unexplored islands as well. Just relax on the beach and take in all of that island beauty. Of course you could get busy and play some beach soccer or volleyball.  But be sure to balance out that hard work with a dip in the sea or a relaxing fishing or diving trip.

MoroccoRich in nature, Morocco could also make for an exotic destination for winter. Morocco is a beautiful country, sitting on the edge of the Sahara Dessert with the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea covering it from two sides. And all of that coastline means, you will get miles and miles of beaches and lots of sun as well.

Buenos AiresYou might consider visiting Buenos Aires during the winter. This is the Southern Hemisphere, so it is the summer here this time of the year. Buenos Aires is a sizzling city with young designers, incredible food, and the passionate tango. You can work up a sweat during a tango lesson in the Argentinean capital, so be sure to pack your dancing shoes.

SydneySydney, also in the Southern Hemisphere, should be worth a visit, too. Sydney is a beautiful city with many famous landmarks, like the Opera House and the harbor. Explore the flea markets and pick up some souvenirs. Take a walking tour to see some stunning buildings in unique architecture or go on a cruise around the harbor. Visit the Blue Mountains as well if you have time.

MexicoYou will find plenty of reasons for visiting Mexico in the winter–not the least of which is the warm weather and sunshine. There are the famous Mayan ruins in Mexico such as Chichen Itza, Palenque, and Teotihuacán. Then there are the incredible beaches of Acapulco, Cancun, and Los Cabos. There are exotic forests to explore and food to savor as well.

Luxury Hotels in Prague

The city of Prague is blessed with a network of luxury hotels, offering some of the best facilities available in the world. The hotels of Prague have their own identity when it comes to welcoming their esteemed customers. The staff in these hotels is well-versed in customer care management. The hotels are big, luxurious, and have everything you need as a customer. These hotels are located mostly in tourist spots and in the main city center, where you’ll can have easy access to all of different places you’ll want to visit.

The rooms in these hotels are very comfortable and specially designed, keeping in mind that customers love to relax after long days of travel. These hotels offer you a full range of facilities, which will make you stress-free and relaxed. The interiors of these rooms are carefully designed and the aesthetics will make you happy. The price will be on the higher side, but then they also offer discount rates on special events throughout the year. All these hotels offer the facility to book rooms online.

Hotel Art Deco Imperial is a five-star Prague hotel located in the middle of the city. The hotel offers you a mixture of Egyptian and Mediterranean art in form of its design. The service is world-class and the hotel staff is very humble and cooperative in their approach. The hotel rooms are elegantly designed, spacious and clean, making you feel fresh all the time.

Hotel Grand Bohemia is also a 5-star hotel in Prague. The building is almost 80 years old but it’s well-preserved and looked after in such a way that it gives a contemporary look. It is located in the center of Prague, where from you can easily go to Powder town and Old town square.

The New Smart Business Hotel in Rome

For business travelers, finding a place to stay during their work travels is a vital part of having a successful business journey.  Accessibility to getting in and out of the host city, as well as to and from business meetings, plays a big part of choosing a business hotel to stay in.  With that in mind, a new Rome business hotel has opened up, taking advantage of its fantastic location to cater to business travelers.

Smart Hotel is a new business hotel in Rome located near Termini Station, meaning it’s very accessible for those traveling in and out for a business meeting or for those attending multi-day conferences in Rome.  Being a short walk from Termini Station, guests of the Smart Hotel will be able to have quick access to their train, the Fiumicino Airport express, Rome’s two metro lines, and nearly every bus line in the city.  Getting around Rome for both business and sightseeing purposes couldn’t be easier.

Business travelers to Rome will also be able to take advantage of Smart Hotel’s business amenities, including a conference room that fits 70 people theater-style.  It’s a comfortable place to host a conference or meeting in Rome, and the state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment will help guests pull off a successful event.  Business travelers will also appreciate the complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel, as well as the lobby-level restaurant, which is the perfect setting for a business lunch or dinner. 

The guest rooms at the Smart Hotel are also great for the business travelers, as they each feature a comfortable work space, lots of sunlight, and free WiFi.  They are all decorated very modernly and even feature a PowerTV, which is a great way to pass the time watching programming, searching the web for information, and finding out everything about Rome.  The bathrooms inside of the hotel’s guest rooms are all ample in size and feature modern fittings.

Those traveling to Rome on business will love the Smart Hotel for many reasons—not the least of which being its convenient location and its extra attention to the amenities businesspeople need.

Events Around the Year in Florence

Florence is a vibrant city which offers several art events, music concerts, and many special events to travelers to enjoy through the year. Music, dancing, and painting represent the real prestige of Florence. Travelers from all over the world gather to visit the city of arts: Florence.

Festival of Rificolina
During this festival, children carry lamps in their hands and march through the streets. The concept originated from the fact that in earlier times, peasants on their way back home in the dark would carry candles, and so today young children honor this custom during the Festival Riflicolina.

Florence Tango Festival
During this Florence festival, some of the top international tango dancers present their art at the Saschall Theatre. An evening program is held during the festival and travelers enjoy exhibitions, dinners, and some other shows throughout the festival.

Winter in Florence
Winter in Florence is really fabulous. Travelers visit Florence during winter in order to get pleasure from concerts, exhibitions, and events. They enjoy participating in cultural activities in the city as well. Christmas is also a great time to be in Florence. Sports are enjoyed here as well.

Italian Moto GP
This is one of the most famous rallies of Florence and the Autodromo Internazionale Del Mugello hosted it in the year 2008. This rally was a great success in terms of bringing enthusiastic viewers to the stadium. Italians are known for their passion for motorbikes.

Fochi di San Giovanni
This festival in Florence is celebrated in a way to memorialize the birthday of St. John. Travelers enjoy a wonderful fireworks display.

On the whole, all of the events in Florence around the year are wonderful. Travelers from all regions, religions, and ethnicities can attend and enjoy participating.

ISTANBUL WALKING TOURS

Istanbul is a famous city in Turkey for its location which is suitable for international business. It is the largest city in Turkey and second largest in world for its population. It is holding a good position for Turkey’s annual revenue growth though it is not capital of Turkey and that’s why this place good choice for many migrants. This is located on the coast of Bosphorus strait which is the busiest water root between western Asia and Europe. It is having importance in international business with oil and refineries materials. For this only from a long past many rulers choose this location to keep in their control. You will see many marks of Byzantine, Ottoman and other Turkey ruler’s palaces and monuments at Istanbul. Also there are many architectures which were built in long past. The Silk Road which went to Europe from Middle East Asia is also gave a great importance to Istanbul. With the kind of business importance along with historic touch attracts millions of foreign tourists every year to Istanbul. So it was named as European Capital of Culture in 2012. Anyone can plan a trip to Istanbul very easily by taking help from Istanbul tour operator. Also there are many Turkey package tours designed by multiple tour operators in an economic way. So you can have a look at those and choose the one which will suit you to complete your Istanbul tour.    

Famous Places in Madrid

Madrid is the most popular destination in Spain. The city is bestowed with marvelous tourist attractions and an amiable culture as well. There are a number of beautiful places, which you will love to visit. Some of them are:    

The Best Destinations for Foodie Honeymoons

There are several types of honeymooners. Some like to enjoy panoramic and beautiful views, but others pay more attention to food and want to eat their way through their vacation.  And some couples want it both!

If you are the kind of honeymooner who really cares about the taste of the food in the places you travel, here are the best 5 destinations for foodie honeymooners.     

A New Boutique Hotel Experience in Rome: Hotel Metropolis

Rome is full of hotels–luxury hotels, economical hotels, hostels, B&Bs, apartments, and even boutique hotels. But there’s a boutique hotel in Rome that is putting a new twist on the boutique hotel experience by offering even better quality service and some of the coolest amenities in the Eternal City. 

Hotel Metropolis in Rome is a 4-star boutique hotel in the Prati district of the city. This unique location is across the Tiber River from most of Rome’s main attractions; however, it makes the hotel extremely close to St. Peter’s and the Vatican. It’s also just a short walk across the river to Piazza del Popolo, Villa Borghese, and the Spanish Steps. Staying in the Prati neighborhood means you’ll be living amongst locals, dining in some of the city’s most authentic restaurants, and shopping in some fantastic stores dotting the busy streets.    

The Best Places to Get Married

Weddings are the best day in the lives of the couple exchanging vows, so it’s no wonder that people want to make the day absolutely unforgettable. 

In order to create an amazing wedding ceremony, some couples don’t hesitate to shell out big bucks to make every little detail perfect.  There are other couples, however, who have trouble choosing the perfect place to marry their beloved fiance. Here are some places that are really highly-recommended to put in your wedding destinations’ list.

1. Four Seasons Hotel in Florence

Those looking to have a religious yet luxurious wedding will love the spiritual decorations and plush decor.  Most people come to the Four Seasons Hotel in Florence to get married in its famous chapel. The groom and bride will be given the nuance of classic romance and a religious party with luxurious wedding decorations and elaborate reception tables.