Monthly Archives: February 2009

Feb28

Traveling to Dubai

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Traveling to Dubai

In recent years Dubai has become the center for trade, tourism, and entertainment in the Middle East. The city is located in the emirate of Dubai, one of the seven that constitute the United Arab Emirates. For centuries, Dubai has been a trade center for the region. However, in the past decade or so, the city has exploded into a major magnet for business and leisure travelers, especially the incredibly wealthy yacht and jet-set.

Thanks to the establishment of “Free Zones” by the government, many businesses can now operate in Dubai as if they were an off-shore company. This removes virtually all taxes from transactions and has made Dubai a hub for the importing and exporting of goods. Add to this the thriving real estate business and Dubai’s importance to financial markets becomes evident.

Corporate travelers will find that the many business hotels in Dubai are modern, clean, and have all the technology and services needed to do conduct business on a global level in the 21st century. A quick perusal of the restaurants Dubai will show cuisines from all over the world, so that any diet, preference, and budget will be easily filled.

Once the day’s business is complete, visitors can take advantage of the many entertainment venues throughout the city. Films, theater, performing arts, and concerts fill the calendar. Dubai is also developing their sporting venues, offering major competitions in tennis, golf, horse racing and cricket among other international sports. And if one can get away during the day, the waters around Dubai offer a variety of fishing, diving, and sailing options. Those wanting to take the dry route can take a desert safari and go dune bashing in the desert surrounding the city.

Feb25

Visiting Cape Town

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Visiting Cape Town

Second only to Johannesburg in population, Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa and one of the more popular destinations in Africa. Known to locals as “the Mother City,” Cape Town is a meccas of art, culture, music and food just waiting to be experienced.

The National Parliament makes its home in Cape Town. The National Gallery is also here. Other historic sites worth exploring include the Castle of Good Hope, the Slave Lodge, the Rhodes Memorial and the South African Jewish Museum.

Cape Town has a strong cultural and arts heritage. It is the proud host of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival as well as the Spiers Summer Arts Festival. Theater, music, and galleries thrive in this modern city, providing a multitude of opportunities for visitors to soak up the multicultural ambiance.

Those who prefer outdoor recreation will find plenty to do in Cape Town. With its prime location on Africa’s southern coast, visitors can indulge in a variety of water sports. Deep sea fishing, surfing, diving, kayaking, and swimming are all popular activities. There are sunset cruises, helicopter tours, and whale watching excursions. Those venturing inland can go hiking in Table Mountain National Park or up and down the coastline for stunning views.

The city is thoroughly modern, though it retains much of its historical charm. There are urban shopping malls, modern office buildings, and trendy restaurants and nightclubs. All the conveniences of 21st century life can be enjoyed in a Cape Town luxury hotel or visitors can choose to “rough it” by staying in one of the many accommodations that cater to the packpacking set.

Visitors will want to take time to relax and enjoy the energy and atmosphere of the city. Linger over a leisurely meal in one of the city’s many restaurants, sip a drink on the beach, or simply enjoy the view from the top of Table Mountain.

Feb20

The Appeal of the Sports Car

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The Appeal of the Sports Car

Even though the news is full of stories of economic hardship, there remains a pre-occupation with the finer things in life. Even those who might never afford these luxury items spend an inordinate amount of time watching television programs and reading magazines about five-star restaurants, multi-million dollar mansions, fabulous luxury vacations, and the ever-popular sports car.

While there are a variety of definitions available for the term “sports car,” the term is usually referring to a lightweight vehicle that sits low to the ground and has an extremely powerful engine. Most are two-door, two-seaters with rear-wheel drive and provide more precise handling and faster acceleration rates. They are also usually much more aesthetically pleasing than other vehicle types.

It is the mechnical performance and the physical beauty that are the big attractions in a sports car. Fuel economy and passenger space are far down the list of important features for a sports car. Instead superior maneuverability, road handling, and high power are premium. Many popular sports car brands have established reputations as race cars which add to the cachet of owning such a vehicle.

Of course, it is possible to get sports car performance from a more mundane vehilce. “Tricking” or “Pimping” a car with a more powerful engine and improving its performance features is a popular pastime in many parts of the world. And some people will stretch the definition so that they can list a sports car for sale that is really a muscle car, sport compact, or hot hatch. Latching onto the sports car image improves the marketability and price of these lesser cars.

Many of the better sports cars aren’t available in the US or Canada. This is due to stricter safety regulations than are in place in Europe, the UK, and the Middle East.

Feb17

The City of Hong Kong

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The City of Hong Kong

The organic blending of Eastern tradition with western urban life is one of the most striking features of Hong Kong. The city began as a trading post that became some pivotal to the region that it was occupied by Great Britian during the First Opium War. It then became a British territory until 1997 when control of the region was returned to China. Despite fears to the contrary, the city has continued to flourish with a capitalist economy in the decade since the transfer.

Not only is the city a business, commercial, and financial center for Asia, but Hong Kong also exerts strong influence in culture and the arts. The culture of Hong Kong is actually multicultural, bringing together a variety of ethnic and racial heritages and customs. The city is especially known for its film and music, but also offers its unique blend of art, performing arts, food, and fashion.

The city’s skyline is one of the more beautiful urban panoramas in the world. From the top of Victoria Peak or approaching from the sea or the countryside, the skyscrapers provide a stunning view, especially at night. There are also good views of the cityscape and the Harbor from the Avenue of the Stars, which celebrates Hong Kong cinema.

Shopping in Hong Kong ranges from street markets to upscale boutiques and everything in between. Bargain hunters and luxury shoppers alike will find much to delight. The food in the city is also delightful. While regional cuisines featuring local ingredients and flavors are not to be missed, the city also has many international restaurants, with cuisines from around the globe. Settle into one of the best hotels in Hong Kong or venture out to one of the country inns surrounding the city for a quieter experience.

Hong Kong is full of museums, temples, palaces, and other interesting attractions. Some of the more popular are the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Victoria Peak and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Visitors may also want to check out the Ping Shan Heritage Trail, Ocean Park, or even Hong Kong Disneyland.

Feb13

Airport Ratings Released

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Airport Ratings Released

A new survey by WAYN.com questioned 2250 air passengers on their experiences at major international airports. WAYN is an acronym for Where Are You Now? The survey questions covered passengers on baggage handling, security, passport control and customs.

The worst three airports were Heathrow, JFK (New York City) and Los Angeles International. In addition to having the slowest passport lines, the three were voted most likely to damage luggage and as having the longest baggage waits. The fastest times are at Amsterdam, Singapore, and Frankfort.

In the security area, however, these London, New York, and LA were seen as the safest airports. The least thorough security was found in Bangkok, Rome, and Amsterdam.

In terms of friendliness of customs officials, Australia was tops, followed by Heathrow and Canada. The rudest official are found in the US, India, and Russia.

New Yorkers will doubtless find it reassuring that their airports are tops in safety. With the most international flights in the US, JFK can’t do much to overcome the sheer numbers involved in customs. Visitors to the city can take comfort in the fact that there are a number of excellent New York airport hotels nearby. And, realistically, New Yorkers tend to be a bit proud of their rudeness, so was there really any surprise there?

Feb7

Delhi’s Unique Appeal

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Delhi’s Unique Appeal

From its amazing street food ot its historic landmarks, the capital of India offers a diversity of experience and culture that leaves many visitors astounded. The stark contrasts provided by “Old Delhi” and “New Delhi” offer a unique picture of India’s history, still alive in this modern yet ancient city. Delhi has been destroyed at least seven times since its establishment. Each time it has rebuilt itself with pride and fortitude.

Old Delhi is marked by India’s Islamic past. This part of the city houses palaces and mosques that reflect the architecture, decorative arts, and religious heritage of those earlier eras. The Old City was the capital of the Mughal Empire. The Red Fort and the Jama Masjid are located in Old Delhi. This is also where many of the traditional markets and open bazaars of Delhi are located.

New Delhi offers the heritage of the city’s time as a colony of Great Britian as well as the contemporary influences of Indian independence. It has evolved into a moderna business and commercial center. In addition to swanky Delhi five star hotels, the area is home to trendy clubs and modern shopping malls. Some of the best Indian and international cuisines can be found in cafes and restaurants in New Delhi. There are also remnants of colonial architecture remaining in the area with palatial homes and monuments to British rulers.

Other attractions in this beautiful city include the stunning Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb, the Raj Ghat Memorial (honoring the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi) and the famous covered bazaar or Chatta Chowk.

Feb5

Mumbai Attractions

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Mumbai Attractions

There are so many things to do in Mumbai that visitors will find it impossible to see everything in one trip. As the largest of India’s megacities, Mumbai (which used to be known as Bombay) is bustling with modern conveniences, such as cutting edge Indian restaurants, five star Mumbai hotels, and urban shopping malls. However, the city is proud of its ancient and colorful history that stretches back to 250 B.C. and encompasses Buddhist, Islmaic, and British rulers as well as modern Indian democracy.

As the financial and business capital of India and the entire region, Mumbai is home to the offices of many major global and Indian corporations. It is also the home of the largest port in India, the largest film industry (the world-famous Bollywood), and the National Stock Exchange and the Reserve Bank of India.

Historical sites that shouldn’t be missed include the Gateway of India, the Elephanta Caves and the temples of Mahakali, Kanheri, Jogeshwari, and Mandapeshwar, which were cut from rock in two thousand years ago. Museum lovers will want to visit the National Gallery of Modern Art and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maaraj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly known as the Prince of Whales museum). There are numerous palaces, mosques, and temples throughout the city demonstrating various eras of Indian architecture and the foreign styles introduced by various rulers.

The food in Mumbai is some of the best in all of India. While the local cuisine is marvelous, the city is also home to restaurants offering dishes from all over India and even newer restaurants offering cusines from other parts of Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Tourists can stay in beautiful five star Mumbai hotels or find smaller, charming hostels. Shopping ranges from designer boutiques to family-run shops and traditional bazaars.

Some of the less traditional attractions in Mumbai incldue the Water Kingdom, which is Asia’s largest water park, the Veermata Jijabai Udyan (zoo), and the Sanjay Gandhi National Park which includes a wildlife sanctuary. And don’t forget the “Hanging Gardens” and the Borivali National Park which offer beautiful greenery in the midst of the modern concrete landscape of the city.

Feb1

The Sónar Music Festival

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The Sónar Music Festival

The dates for Sónar 2009 were recently announced. This International Festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia Art will be held in Barcelona on June 18-20, 2009. For three days every year, the festival draws 80,000 visitors to the city and the various 5 star Barcelona hotels, guest villas, and pretty much every type of hotel fill to capacity.

Sónar is officially described as “the essential meeting point for an alert public, cutting-edge artists and the most influential professionals from the sectors of music and modern arts.” For three days and three nights the city bustled with music, art and wonderful food.

Technology demos, live concerts and multimedia art fill the day schedule of the festival. There are also clothing and record fairs, DJs, and cinema offerings. Daytime activities are usually held at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Center of Contemporary Culture. There are also workshops and lively debates on the status of advanced music and art.

Nightly the festival is divided into four areas. Each area offers its own concerts, VDJs and DJs and highlights internationally recognized performers from the various genres of electronic music. Simultaneous concerts and dances will feature House, Technol, IDM, Hip Hop, and Electro music. Avante Garde and other experimental music is also performed.