TravelCent

Chosing a spot to stay in Melbourne

Melbourne is possibly the best city for a first time visit to Australia. Full of art and culture, coastal, year round festivals, and a great nightlife, you never know when you will come across a hidden treasure while sampling one of the cities more obvious attractions. Finding the perfect Melbourne hotel to spend your time in Melbourne can be quite the challenge. With so many options to choose from ranging from luxury suites at a well known international chain to hole in the wall local accommodation that has it’s own atmosphere and a personality.

The first thing to do when picking where to stay in just about any city is making sure to match your trip to the city district you plan to stay in. You don’t usually stay at a boutique hotel in the middle of the art district if you’re traveling for business. Nor does anyone enjoy landing and getting all your things to the hotel only to discover ninety percent or more of the sights to be seen are all the way on the other side of the city (or worse country) so be sure to scout the regions and districts. If you are in search of nightlife, glamor a quick stumble from your room, South Yarra and Toorak in the city’s east are the absolute best regions for your stay but if live music and pubs are more your speed along with affordable hotels , or for more expensive beach side accommodations, you should head to St Kilda.

Many travelers will have a hard time deciding but thankfully, since this is a city full of attractions where no matter where your accommodations land you, you’ll find something great to pass your time just about anywhere. Transportation isn’t even limited to street bound traffic, you get the option of river taxis to ferry you to parts of the city.

Melbourne, Australia is full of contrasts and extremes you should definitely go experience it for yourself.

Cape Town Botanic Gardens and Beautiful Geography

Cape Town is one of the most diverse and internationally appealing cities in South Africa and continues to gain larger numbers of tourists every year. In addition to the amazingly beautiful geography found in and around the city there is a tremendous amount of intriguing cultural elements and fascinating entertainment options. There is a thriving theatre and performance scene in the city and an extremely diverse and highly respected arts community. And there are some gorgeous beaches within easy access of the city, which provide an excellent afternoon in the sand.

Regardless of the reason for visiting South Africa and staying in one of the Cape Town hotels , guests are always captivated by the natural beauty of the place. And most people end up exploring one or more of the beautiful gardens and parks that are found there. The Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden is one of the favorite ways for many tourists to experience some of the beautiful flower and plant species found in South Africa. The amazing gardens are incredible displays of the flora that is indigenous to South Africa and are known and respected for showcasing only the plants that are native to the country. Not only does this provide an incredibly beautiful and aromatic experience it is also educational and informative.

Live Music and Beautiful Parks in Austin

When most people think of visiting Austin, Texas one of the first things that comes to mind for them is the great live music scene. And while this is certainly something that the city is famous for and is an extremely vibrant and an essential part of the culture, it is not the only great thing going on in this capitol city. There are a lot of intriguing, significant and impressive organizations, buildings and landmarks that also contribute to making Austin the progressive beautiful city that it is. Many of the tourists who visit the Austin luxury hotels are immediately impressed with and sometimes surprised by how beautiful the city is, while they are also incredibly fascinated by the parks and recreational options as well as the major entertainment venues.

There is always something to do in Austin and that is true regardless of your interests or budget needs. You can spend an afternoon at Ladybird Park, which has become one of the city’s most prized areas and is a favorite place for residents to ride bikes, jog or relax in the grass. And then a great evening agenda includes stopping in at one or more of the popular live music venues. Any day of the week you can find great live music in Austin and this will range from open mic venues to clubs, concert arenas and festivals. It’s all there in this great city.

Meanwhile, there are countless other entertainment options and cultural attractions. The Ziker Rose Gardens are a beautiful and environmentally inspiring place to visit and so is the Taniguchi Japanese Garden . And to further explore some of the cultural dynamics and attractions of the city you should visit the George Washington Carver Museum and Library and also spend some time at the Capitol Building . The Capitol is an amazing building and is frequently recognized to be one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the country. It was designed and completed in the late 19th century and was styled according to Renaissance Revival. It has been placed on the list of National Historic Places. These are just a few of the great cultural aspects that make Austin the vibrant and unique city we love it to be.

Dallas Holds on to its Roots

The Old Red Courthouse, located at 100 S. Houston Street, in Dallas is an outstanding historical building, built in 1892 in the Romanesque Revival style. The red Pecos sandstone is rough-cut, but the trim is the smooth Arkansas Blue Granite. Listed on the National Register, the Old Red Courthouse is listed as the City of Dallas Landmark and is a recorded Texas Historical Landmark, but even though this structure is of historical interest, it currently houses the Dallas Visitor Information Center and a high-tech Internet Cafe is situated in one of the turrets.

This building is the fifth out of four prior courthouses gracing the same location. Inside the building are theaters representing the four previous ‘eras’ of Dallas County, covering a span of two centuries up till 2007. On the 4th Floor, visit the Hatton W. Summerlee Court Room, it was just recently restored to it original appearance. You’ll end up spending several hours at the Old Red Courthouse, especially if you take in all the theaters and all the touch-screen interactive displays. The 2nd floor is where the Museum and gallery is located; artifacts from each of the 5 versions of the Red Courthouses history are expertly displayed.

The exhibit, or theaters are: ‘The Trading Center: The Sumnerlee Foundation Trading Center Gallery – 1874 to 1917. With the arrival of the first two railroads in 1872 and 1873, Dallas experience its first boom period making Dallas an important regional center for trade; ‘Big D: The Ruth Ray and H.L. Hunt Gallery – 1918 to 1945, displays how Dallas gained national recognition and at the same time faced the challenges of a major metropolitan area; ‘World Crossroads’: The Linda and Mitch Hart World Crossroads Gallery – 1946 to 2007, with post-war times just beginning, Dallas takes on a new direction and reinvents itself for the 21st century.

Nestled amongst skyscrapers, massive freeways and five star hotels, Dallas seems to stand still, if just for a moment by continuing to hold on to this very historical and distinctive building.

Vermont Maple Syrup and Lake Champlain

One of the great things about the New England states is that each of them seems to be known for specific food items that are inherent to their geography. This is particularly true for Vermont maple syrup and Maine lobster. Oh, and we don’t want to forget Boston clam chowder . And while these are prominent aspects of each of these regions there is much more to them than the individual food item. Such is the case with Vermont, though syrup is a major part of the state’s economy as well as being something for which it is extremely famous and loved. It is also the reason many people plan a stay in one of the luxury Vermont hotels or quaint bed and breakfasts. They plan on indulging in some of the delicious syrup over a plate of hot cakes in the morning. And thinking about it, this does seem like a great way to spend your weekend.

Even if it is the syrup that brings you to Vermont, and of course there is nothing wrong with that and the locals even love that fact, there are many other aspects of the state that will contribute to the enjoyment of your stay and entice you back again. Most of the towns in Vermont are relatively small, and this is part of the overall atmosphere of the state. Burlington is the largest city in the state and its population is just around forty thousand. However, what it lacks in size it makes up for in cultural and enthusiasm. There is also the amazing geography that affects the social climate of all the towns. Lake Champlain is just outside of Burlington and it is one of the most beautiful lakes in the nation. It is a fresh water lake that extends into New York. There is a quiet, peaceful beauty to it that agrees with the overall temperament of Vermont. The lake is also a popular place for camping and outdoor recreational activities.

Maui, Hawaii: A Perfect Vacation Spot

Maui, Hawaii is designed for those who wish to actively explore and for those who aren’t content to sit on the sand and watch the waves roll in. There’s so many natural wonders, from the top of Haleakala volcano to the bottom of Molokinin crater and all the things in-between such as snorkeling and surfing, you’ll be hard pressed to pack up your bags and leave your beach hotel, Hawaii will capture your heart, soul and make you want to miss you’re flight out of Maui. Consulting a travel directory, guidebook, or other resource will help you plan your dream vacation.

After exploring the volcanic wonders of Haleakala , you’ll want to try a more refreshing, but not less wondrous adventure: snorkeling. Maui’s vibrant underwater life is full of fascinating and colorful sea life. Maui has a dozen places to snorkel, and most are reached by kayak, but for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, take the 3.5 hour charter to Moloknin Crater. It’s truly one of the best dive sites in all of the Pacific. Then there is Hulopoe Bay located on Lanai and is a favorite for many snorkel fans. It will take you 5 hours by Ferry ride to reach the bay, and on a calm day, this spot offers excellent visibility, and plenty of fish and coral formations.

Surfing at Honolua or at Lanaina Harbor is a very traditional activity in Hawaii. Practiced for over 300 years all across the islands, this thrilling sport is a way of life for many Maui residents. If you’ve never surfed before, then you’re in luck, because Maui is the best place to learn. The island’s southern and western shores offer gentle breaks, which is perfect for first-timers. There a many surfing schools that offer lessons at very reasonable rates, plus they’ll rent you a surf board. They will start you out with a longboard, which is easier to stand on and to maintain your balance with. Even though surfing looks easy, it really does take practice, so don’t get upset if you keep falling off; be patient, relax and your wave will come.

Boston French

Boston is like a lot of cities in this part of the world, where there are varied and exciting mixes of cultures and languages, reflecting the migration patterns of people all over the world. At times, it seems as though the patterns all converge here. It makes for a very heady mix of traditions and cultural displays, and it keeps things exciting, where the city has a heartbeat that plays in polyrhythms. For travelers looking at staying at a boutique hotel, Boston USA is a perfect choice.

It’s not hard to find evidence of culture here, because it’s all around the city. And all around the city, there are celebrations throughout the year that mark a people’s presence here. On Saint Patrick’s Day, the Irish population comes out in full force, along with everybody else, to make a holiday that’s bigger than the one in the native land. It’s hard to compete with France, however, on Bastille Day, because it’s such a local focal point in the history of the country, but there are efforts in Boston to mark that day in unique style.

Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity are in the air here on July 9th. The official holiday is July 14th, but this is the time to see a whole lot of French culture. Bands playing Gypsy jazz and music from Haiti will be performing their favorite songs to the delight of the crowds, suggesting that the French are not at all limited to one border, but have an influence all over the world.

There is also the local Boston French Party who celebrate events all through the year. This is a much more locally-based group, where people of French descent, or have interest in French culture, can participate in meet-ups, which can be anything from a night out at a cafe or pub, or watching the World Cup together.

There are many other events in town, centered around music, theatre, film, and many other forms of expression. It all contributes to the fact that Boston is a very lively place.

What is a Boutique Hotel?

What is a boutique hotel? Since the 1980’s they’ve been growing in popularity in many of the major tourist cities around the globe. They are intimate hotels that have a tendency to be themed or have quirks geared at certain clientele. Often known as “lifestyle” or “design” hotels they are generally smaller than the mainstream hotel chains; often having from three to, depending on the location, as many as fifty rooms.

While you know for sure what amenities are going to be available at a chain hotel you should do your research when hunting for a boutique hotel. Some boutique hotels aren’t much more than bed and breakfasts while others are experimental offshoots of larger hotel chains . A majority have on site dining, lounges, or bars for patrons to mingle in or that are open to the general public. Some are rustic having only the bare necessities for your stay while others are complete with wi-fi, cable TV and other modern conveniences.

Different cities have different clienteles the boutique hotels cater to. New York was the birth place of the American boutique hotel movement with many hotels catering to various themes from historical to modern or futuristic. In New Orleans a boutique hotel may focus on anything from the antebellum French Quarter or Mardi Gras to a hotel geared at the thousands of fans that flock to New Orleans to see the streets roamed by Anne Rice’s vampires. The boutique Miami hotels tend to cater to the Art Deco feel of the city and Caribbean weather, these are almost always located along Ocean Drive or other ocean-side streets. No matter the city you go to you can easily find a boutique hotel that’s perfect for you, you just have to know where to look.

USS Midway in San Diego

In Southern California, there’s a number of floating museums, such as the Queen Mary in Long Beach or the Star of India in San Diego. Also in San Diego, there’s one of the most remarkable ships you’ll ever set foot on –the USS Midway , a veritable floating city with 50 years of world history. This aircraft carrier is the longest-serving vessel of U.S. Navy in the 20th Century, and admission to it allows you and your family to take a self-guided audio tour, viewing over 60 exhibits and 25 restored aircraft.

The exhibits include the engine room, the ship’s brig, a post office, machine shops, pilots’ ready rooms, an immense galley and the crew’s sleeping quarters. Throughout the ship, you’ll meet museum lecturers, people who can provide personal stories of life aboard ship, as well as many other statistics and anecdotes.

Most likely, the harbor will be a brief taxi drive or even walk from your San Diego hotel , allowing you to maximize your time aboard ship. Most guests spend as much as three to four hours exploring the carrier. In addition to all the artifacts and planes, there are activities aimed at the family, including different types of flight simulators, short films and music videos, even aircraft and cockpits.

Flight simulators include Strike Fighter 360, where two people can board a state-of-the-art machine that rolls, somersaults, spins and loops; Mach Combat, which contains double-seat simulators for pilot and co-pilot as well as single seat simulators, allowing you to fly for ten minutes of pre-flight and thirty minutes of flight in which you’ll be put through basic aircraft maneuvers and dogfights; and Flight Avionics, which is a group motion simulator that accommodates 12 guests at a time and features a launch from the deck and air-to-air combat in a F-18 Hornet.

It’s possible to see this amazing museum on the water everyday from ten in the morning to five in the afternoon, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Last admission on the ship is at four p.m., and the cost of general admission is $18 dollars. For those over 62 or students, the cost is $15 dollars. Retired military may board for ten dollars; young people from six to 17 may also board for ten dollars. Children five and younger may come aboard for free, as well as active-duty military personnel (and reservists).

If you’re looking for something to do this July 4, you’ll find that the museum will welcome guests aboard after hours for an “Apple Pie 4th of July!” Tickets for these festivities go on sale as of June 10th and are $15 for adults (whether they’re military, retired military and seniors or not), and ten dollars for children (those 17 years old and under).

Everything you Need for Fun is on Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island, off of Singapore. is a wonderful vacation choice, especially if you want to experience an entertaining, fun place. With a variety of attractions like the Tiger Sky tower, which is a free standing observation tower at a height of 110 meters above ground. Plus, the hotels on Sentosa Island offer tourist better deals than the hotels in Singapore.

Once you’re on the Island, visit the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, where you’ll get to see well over 15,000 varieties of butterflies and insects; check out the Oceanarium – Underwater World and see the most fascinating marine creatures, both fresh water and saltwater species; or enjoy watching dolphins play at the Dolphin Lagoon , which is the home to the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. There are also rides a-plenty at the Island, like the Sentosa luge and the skyride. If all those attractions have exhausted you, then head for the beaches and relax under the sun while enjoying a nice cool drink from one of the beach bars or even an ice cream; the beach is handmade , hence is perfect for any beach lover, because the sand is soft to walk on and you’ll enjoy watching huge cargo ships pass by on their way to Singapore harbour.

If you’re not staying at one of the hotels on Sentosa Island , then you can reach it either by the bridge; driving a car or taking a taxi or bus, you can take the local train, or take the Cable Car, where you’ll get a spectacular view of Singapore’s harbour, Singapore’s skyline and a great view of Sentosa Island. As you enter upon the Island, you’ll be greeted by the Merlion, a huge statue, the same as the one on Singapore, but much better and is the ultimate symbol of Singapore. Sentosa means peace and tranquillity in Malaysian, except when the monkeys, which abound freely on the Island, come across your path, just don’t feed them, they’ll never leave you alone if you do.