Month: August 2009

Beautiful Laguna Beach

Posted by admin – August 24, 2009

What a beautiful spot, Laguna Beach is, so much so that a television show about the teenagers that live there and get tan and discuss their love lives is shot there as the backdrop. Other people might want to visit there for the sheer beauty of the city and its coastline rather than the drama. A vacation here feels like a break from reality that will leave you refreshed and relaxed.

What makes Laguna Beach so attractive as a vacation spot? The scenery of the beaches along with the outdoor activities help to make it as popular as it is. This may be the main thing to do but not the only thing to do-Laguna Beach is also home to art festivals, nature trails, tours and so much more. People always expect shopping, spa facilities, golf and tennis and great restaurants on vacations and Laguna Beach has no shortage of all those!

The world-renowned Festival of Arts in the summertime is a collection of living portraits presented to music and narration. The Sawdust Art Festival is less showy and focuses on local talents and the Laguna Dance Festival draws dancers and dance-lovers to show off their grace, beauty and athletic abilities each October. A whole vacation can be planned around an event of your choice so that you can have it all!

Those that want more adventure and excercise can venture into Laguna Coast Wildnerness Park to go on a three hour hike while others prefer something easier like examining the tide pools at Crystal Cove State Park. Other activities for those that prefer a more ‘active’ vacation include dolphin and/or whale watching, surfing (of course!), scuba diving, kayaking along with a variety of other outdoor activities along the coastline. Main Beach has a series of volleyball and basketball courts for the public to use.

Believe it or not, a winery is also in town. If you would like to see the whole process of how grapes are made into wine, make sure to schedule a stop here. You might consider getting a case of the wine to take home to enjoy and pretend you are still on vacation while sipping it. You can even go to the culinary school in Laguna Beach to test your kitchen skills. If you don’t like to cook, go out to one of the many restaurants in the city and you will be amazed at the variety of types of foods available. Whether it be Mexican, fresh fish, Italian or Asian it is available. After dinner go for a walk in the beautifully lit city and enjoy the night life. Bars are open with all kinds of music available and many places have dancing. There is always a place available to party at.

Where to stay in Laguna Beach is always a decision but the many hotels and vacation properties in this coastal city offer a great variety of different amenities. You can stay in a heavily visited part of town or off in a more private setting in the hills. Wherever you stay you will enjoy the sun and the beauty of this great coastal city.

City of Love and Romace

Posted by admin – August 15, 2009

The capital of France is Paris and is one of the world’s best loved and romanticized cities.

Paris is in the heart of the Ile de France region in northern France and is situated on the River Seine.
Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport is Paris s main airport. The metro is inexpensive and fast and it is the best way around Paris running until midnight. Car parking is limited and driving around Paris is challenging with high volume of traffic.

Views of Paris can be seen from the Eiffel Tower. It is possible to walk most of the way up and around this metal structure. The most spectacular views of Paris are witnessed from all floors of the Eiffel Tower. It is possible to walk most of the way up and around this fascinating metal structure. A lift completes the journey to the top.

Notre Dame Cathedral was built in 1163 but not finished until 1361.

Most of the city s operas are now staged at the Bastille Opera contemporary architectural masterpiece with a stunning glass facade.

Paris is still considered Europe’s leading city for world music, and jazz music, particularly Latin and African. Classical music is not the cities selling point, though events such as the summer classical concerts in the Bois de Boulognes Parc Floral, the month-long Chopin Festival Orangerie de Bagatelle, and medieval music at Saint-Chappelle stand out.

Paris is still considered Europe s leading city for world music and jazz. The Opera Garnier is 19th century and its showpiece is it marble Grand Staircase.

The city s top department stores Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are on Haussmann and are always popular. The world’s largest antique market is found at the Parisian institution of Saint Ouen. January and July are the sale months. Markets are closed on Mondays and most Parisians take August as their holiday.

The Parisian shops are the epitome of style and class with lots of boutique stores. If you are after haute couture, head for, Faubourg Saint-Honor Rue du Bac and Avenue Montaigne picks up the finest cosmetics and perfumes. You will find shoes leather goods and bags on rue du Cherche Midi and jewellery at Place Vendome.

Top of many shoppers list for a true taste of Parisian charm are the serene, 19th century arcades at Les Passages or Galeries between the Boulevard Montmartre and Rue St-Marc. Galleries Vivienne and Passage Colbert are particularly appealing examples and more are now being renovated.

Best Places to Visit in Las Vegas

Posted by admin – August 7, 2009

When traveling to Las Vegas, even the most veteran travelers will have to admit that it is practically impossible to see and do everything the city has to offer. It would take months, if not years, to experience all that is Las Vegas, so savvy travelers will take the time to do a little homework beforehand and scope out the best places to visit in Las Vegas. As you plan your next Vegas trip, make sure your “things to see” list includes these locations:

Bellagio

The Bellagio Hotel is one of the places you must experience on a trip to Las Vegas. It is one of only two certified five diamond hotels in the city, and everything inside the towering structure is both grandiose and spectacular. A massive ceiling skylight lets natural light into the entry way, and fountains, glass sculptures, and fine art are found around every corner.

Attractions within Bellagio include the “O” by Cirque du Soleil, a mesmerizing acrobatics performance, the Bellagio Conservatory, a beautiful garden for those who want to escape the city scene for a moment, and a luxury shopping center. The Bellagio Fountains, which are just outside of the building, are one of the most spectacular nighttime attractions in the entire city. Keep in mind that you must be 18 to enter this prestigious hotel, so you cannot visit with kids in tow.

Mirage Hotel

The Mirage Hotel is one of the landmarks of Las Vegas. Outside of the hotel you can watch the famous volcano erupt. This volcano is made of lights, fire and fountains and erupts every hour between dusk and midnight.

Inside Mirage, visitors can experience a variety of natural wonders. The wall behind the front desk is not a wall at all, but actually a live coral reef aquarium. Here guests can watch sharks, stingrays, and beautiful tropical fish swim behind lighted glass. The aquarium houses over 1,000 live animals.

A highlight of a trip to Mirage is a visit to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. Here guests can come face to face with exotic animals, including white lions, panthers, white tigers, and leopards. Of course, bottlenose dolphins are also found there, and each habitat is housed in a lush, garden atmosphere.

Circus Circus

If you are visiting Vegas with kids, you must visit Circus Circus. This resort features a live circus and carnival midway that is open all day. Guests can watch free performances from acrobats in the circus tent and play for prizes at the games that surround the center ring. A highlight of a trip to Circus Circus is the Adventuredome, a large indoor amusement park complete with water rides, roller coasters, and traditional amusement park rides. This is a great place for the kids to burn off some energy, and admission is free. You simply pay for the rides you wish to experience.

These are just three of the many attractions you must visit while you are in Las Vegas. They did not include such icons as Excalibur, Paris Las Vegas, and the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Vegas. The attractions in Sin City are simply too many to list, so do your homework before you leave to ensure that you see everything you wish to on your next Las Vegas vacation.