Travel Locations

View Toronto From Above at the CN Tower

CN Tower is one of Canada’s greatest man-made wonders.  It offers visitors a great view of all of Toronto during both the day and night.  There are two different platforms that you can visit.  One, the Look Out Level, is 346 m high, while the other, the Glass Floor, is 342 m.  There are also several restaurants, the SkyPod, a film, and even a motion theatre ride for you to enjoy!

Heading out from your most Toronto hotels more than walking distance from the CN tower, you’ll want to take the subway and get off at the Union Station.  From there, you only have to follow the Skywalk to reach the CN Tower.  Once you arrive, you’ll have several ticket options.  If you have a Citypass, you’re in luck—you get a free ticket that includes a visit to the Look Out and Glass Floor levels and either the chance to watch The Height of Excellence film about the tower or go on the motion theatre ride.  If you want to visit the SkyPod, which is the world’s highest observation deck, you’ll have to purchase an additional ticket.

CN Tower is open from 9 am to 10 pm, although the hours do change during some seasons, and the weather may require some of the higher decks to close.  It’s best to go before noon or in the later evenings since the tower is usually less crowded.

Once there, you can have a light meal at the Horizon’s Café, or, if you have some extra money to spend, eat in the 360 Restaurant.  As the name suggests, the restaurant actually revolves as you eat.  It’s quite the experience.  The Glass Floor observation deck, likewise, is exactly like it sounds—you can actually walk across very thick and strong glass panes and look down at the rest of the tower below you.  Quite the experience and one definitely not for those who are afraid of heights!

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Thursday, February 19th, 2009 Travel Locations No Comments

Coral Castle – an Amazing Experience

If you’re in Miami, you may find yourself with way too much to do.  You might find yourself leaving your hotel really early in the morning and not getting back until late at night.  In fact, you may be so busy that it seems like you never get a moment to just stop and enjoy the view.  If you’re looking for a place to visit that allows you to slow down and take a leisurely stroll, you may want to visit Coral Castle.

Coral Castle features over 1,100 tons of different coral, all carved into amazing shapes and sculptures.  The castle, also known as Rock Gate, is located a bit south of Miami proper where most hotels in Miami are found, giving you a chance to get out of the busy downtown part of the city.

Coral Castle was built entirely by hand by Ed Leedskalnin over nearly 30 years.  He began in the 1950s, and he was incredibly secretive with his project.  He built the castle as a tribute to his lost love, Agnes.  The two were to be married, but Agnes cancelled the wedding the day before it was to occur.  Leedskalnin was heartbroken, and to get over his loss, he began carving coral.  Because he refused to let anyone see what he was carving and because it’s incredible that so slight a man as Leedskalnin could move such huge blocks of coral, rumours that Coral Castle was created using paranormal powers circulated for some time after it was opened.

While it may sound odd that someone would spend years carving coral in remembrance of their past love, Leedskalnin’s creations are amazing.  You can take a 30-minute audio tour of the castle, or you can simply wander the grounds on your own.  Coral Castle is open seven days a week, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday.  If you have purchased a Go Miami Card, admission is free.

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Monday, February 16th, 2009 Travel Locations No Comments

Top Locations to Visit in Berlin

Berlin, Germany, has many different places to visit and things to do, but there are some things that simply everyone must check out when visiting the city.  Here are a few of these that should be on any travellers list.

The Berlin Zoo features almost 15,000 animals, making it one of the largest zoos in Europe, if not the world.  If you’re an animal lover, you simply have to see the huge variety of creatures featured at the zoo.  A large aquarium is next door, providing a fascinating look at sea life.  For children, a petting zoo is also available.

The Jewish Museum provides a historical look at Jewish culture and their history in Germany, including an unbiased view of the Holocaust.  For those of you looking to find a kosher meal, the restaurant in the museum is one option.

Checkpoint Charlie, a border control point, details the history of the city when it was split into East Berlin and West Berlin.  It gives visitors an interesting look at the Berlin Wall and Post-World War II Berlin.  The Checkpoint Charlie Museum, located near the area, provides further details on wall and the checkpoint itself.  The Brandenburg Gate, another area where people passed between the two parts of Berlin, is another historical area that

If you’re looking to do a little shopping while in Berlin, the Kaufhaus Des Westens (just down the road from one of the most famous Berlin hotels is the place to go.  There’s only one larger store in Europe (Harrods in London).  The Kaufhaus sells just about anything and everything—food, clothing, toys, you name it, it’s there.  Even if you aren’t planning on buying anything, visiting the store simply to ride one of the huge glass lifts is a lot of fun.

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Monday, January 12th, 2009 Travel Locations No Comments

The Louvre Museum – a Must See in Paris

Many people love to visit Paris.  In fact, it’s easily one of the most romantic destinations in the world.  With the Eiffel Tower, some incredible little restaurants, many vineyards, and more, it’s easy to see why Paris is such an ideal holiday spot.  Some people would say there’s almost too much to do in the City of Lights, and they would be right.  If you only have a week or so to explore Paris, you really don’t have time to do everything. However, there is one place everyone truly needs to visit while in the city: The Louvre Museum. Even if you’re not a big museum fan, the Louvre features some works that you have to see. The museum has been open since 1793, so you can just imagine how many impressive pieces of artwork have been added to the collection in over 200 years.  Now, you may say that you don’t know about artwork and don’t care to learn, but there is one piece of work in the Louvre that everyone knows.  In fact, it’s worth going to the Louvre simply to see it.  This piece is, of course, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. If the small painting of da Vinci’s mysterious woman isn’t enough, you’ll find works by many other famous artists and sculptures in the Louvre.  Works by Raphael, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and more can be found within the huge museum. The Louvre is divided up into eight different sections, and you can spend a day or more in each.  They include sculpture, decorative arts, painting, prints/drawings, Islamic art, Egyptian antiquities, Near Eastern antiquities, and the department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman arts.  In addition to this, visitors will also be amazed at the central courtyard and its dual pyramids—the giant glass pyramid and its mirror image, the La Pyramide Inverse, or the inverted pyramid, a giant skylight that hangs down into the Louvre’s underground shopping mall. There are also some great hotels in Paris around the Louvre. One notable one is the Louvre Hotel that looks out on the Louvre from one side and looks out on the Opera Garnier, the Comédie Française and the Place du Palais Royal from the other three facades. Are those enough reasons to visit the Louvre?  If you’re having a hard time convincing someone to go to the museum with you, perhaps you can appeal to their love of movies.  The Louvre has been featured in a number of different fictional adventures.  The most popular is probably The Da Vinci Code.  Movie fans will love seeing the Mona Lisa, the Louvre pyramids, and the other works that featured in the popular novel and movie.

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Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 Travel Locations No Comments

Las Vegas Travel Guide

Las Vegas, the adult’s playground. You cannot talk about this wonderful place without mentioning the many casinos and wonderful attractions that it has to offer. However if you are looking for something to do that doesn’t involve you frittering away your hard earned cash, there are plenty of things that could catch your eye.

There is the Centaur Art Galleries for people looking to involve a little bit of culture into their trip and for those that want life to be a little bit more exciting, there’s always Ultrazone Laser Adventure or the MGM Grand Spa. Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix can be used to excite even the biggest kids in your group and for those that just want to relax you could always take a look at the Guinness Book of Records Museum.

Las Vegas offers everything you could want in a holiday from magic shows to theatre to gambling and comedy, with each casino decoratively adorned and themed with their own appeals for different tourists. With a wide range of casinos, entertainment and hotels in Las Vegas there is bound to something here for everybody!

Of course, those that are looking for a little bit of night life will not be disappointed either with a diverse variety of bars and clubs to be taken advantage of. Among the most popular you will find the Luxor which boasts a massive celebrity fan base and LAX also. For those that are not so celebrity focused however, Rumjungle is an amazing nightclub with an indoor waterfall and Mandalay Bay hosts a rather impressive and extensive rum bar.

These clubs are also famous for their fine cuisine as well as their exotic nightlife but can be at the more expensive range of the budget, so for those that are looking to eat without forfeiting their gambling money, there is always the Oyster Bar at Penazzi, Harrah’s where you can eat for just $10, and Maggiano’s at the Fashion Show Mall is another place where you can eat for cheap.

Any holidaymaker travelling to Las Vegas will realise that despite its reputation for being the gambling capital of the world, there are hundreds of other activities to excite and amuse that are suitable for the whole family.

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Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 Travel Locations No Comments

Los Angeles

Los Angeles has several places to spend for a visitor. Beverly Hills and Hollywood are only two of the places. For a visitor it is a city of entertainment. Night life of the city is a class by itself. Perhaps you may not find so many night clubs and bars in any other city in the world. There are some people who spend the whole weekend in these clubs and bars. There are different joints for the very rich and the ordinary people suiting each one’s pocket.

Beverly Hills has many places for entertainment. The bands and rocks of hotels and eating places are famous. Beverly Hills is the place of residence of the famous actors of Hollywood. It is the place of the rich and the famous. Fabulous mansions occupied by these people are worth seeing. The opulence of the city has no comparison. The city is meant for the people who can afford and enjoy the best things of life. The restaurants here have the best of dishes and entertainment.

Hollywood is another place you cannot miss in Los Angeles. The famous film studios are situated here. Everybody knows that Hollywood is the most famous place for the film industry in the world. The place has got several shooting sites. Hollywood is also the residence of many rich and famous people. It has got many beaches frequented by famous actors, directors and producers of films. The residential buildings and the environment are fabulous. Expensive and noisy restaurants are many there. There are also very quiet and dignified restaurants which are frequented by the celebrities.

There are some very uncommon places worth visiting in Los Angeles. One of them is the city’s County Coroner’s Gift Shop. There you can buy certain thing that no other gift shops sell. The gift shop is located right at the county morgue. It will be funny to note that one thing they sell is a toe tag key ring! Bunny Museum in Pasadena has live rabbits around. They have stuffed rabbits too!

In spite of all the glamour attributed to the city, it is also the city known for its technological promotion. It is one of the big business centers of the United States. It is America’s second biggest city. The population consists of many races. It is dominated by the white Americans. The Native Americans are the smallest minority. Others are from China, Korea, Arabia, South Asian Peninsula, Africa, Philippines, Persia and many other places. This multitude of nationalities has actually contributed to the advancement of this place. Such contributions are not only visible in the cultural field but also in the field of technology. The language spoken at home by these people are as diverse as their races.

People from over a hundred countries speak over two hundred languages. Religions of people range from Zoroastrianism and Buddhism to Christianity and Islam. Among Christians the dominating group is that of the Catholics. Many sects of the Eastern Orthodox Church are also there.

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 Travel Locations No Comments

The famous seaquarium of Miami

When people travel to another city or country they do so for a reason. They visit these places either to enjoy or for business. Miami which lies in the state of Florida is a top tourist spot and many people visit the city of Miami along with their family and friends during the holiday season or just for recreation. Like with most other popular tourist spots, Miami too has many places of interest and those who visit the city should take some time off and try to view a few of them. There are some people who have special thoughts about Miami engrained within their thoughts.

People who think about Miami close their eyes and dream about bikini clad girls, the tropical weather this city is famous for, its famous beaches and the tans that they can obtain by sunning themselves in these beaches. Apart from these, Miami is also famous for its cumin cigars. There are few people who have not heard about Miami Vice and one can even find a video game of this name. There is no doubt that these things do exist in Miami, but then, Miami is not just about Miami Vice and there are many other interesting aspects to this city as well. If you are planning to visit Miami, you can be sure that you shall be experiencing other interesting stuff there too.

There are many locations in Miami that are packed with lots of activity which you can enjoy by yourself or in the company of your family. In a nutshell there are many things that a tourist to Miami can do. If you are interested in getting a tan then the South Beach of Miami city is a must visit spot for you. After all what is the use of visiting this city if you do not soak yourself in the sun its famous beaches offer? Apart from the pretty bikini clad girls the background of this beach in Miami offers the photo enthusiast a great background for taking his snaps.

Since Miami has a tropical climate one can visit it throughout the year, winter or summer. During the night time the beach is worth seeing, especially when the lights are turned on. This spot is famous for its nightlife too and offers great entertainment value for your money. While in Miami, do not forget to take your family to some of the top and popular spots like the Miami Children’s Museum and the Miami Seaquarium. If you have an interest in sealife, many Miami hotels offer beginner courses for diving. The museum has many exhibits that just do not provide entertainment but one can also gain knowledge by studying its exhibits.

Regardless of your age, you will no doubt enjoy visiting the famous Miami Seaquarium. Try and beat the dolphins over there while swimming with them and at the same time, try checking out the huge selections of the marine wildlife that are exhibited over there. You can be rest assured that your kids will squeal with delight when they see these cute dolphins.

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 Travel Locations No Comments

The world’s fashion capital…Milan

There is nobody who is interested in fashion and who have not heard about Milan. The city of Milan, apart from being the fashion capital of the world is also famous for its churches and other tourist spots. Milan, located in Italy is much sought after by tourists and it is not just those who are fashion conscious. People love to visit this city because of its old architecture and the fact that unlike other Italian tourist spots, the city of Milan is not crowded with tourists hence allowing the visitors lots of breathing space and at the same time allows them to study and visit the landmarks of the city easily. There are some cities in the world that have many tourist attractions and Madrid hotels are in abundance, but visitors cannot cover all these spots because they are always filled with tourists and therefore does not permit one the freedom to explore as they would have loved to.

Located in northern Italy, Milan is in the Lombardy region and is considered to be one of the top draws of fashion lovers from all over the world. If you are interested in visiting an European tourist spot you should keep Milan at the number one spot in your itinerary, especially if you love fashion. When one visits a foreign tourist spot, they must have a bit of knowledge about its history and it does well to know that the region of Lombardy has seen attacks by Spaniards, French, Etruscans, Romans and Gauls in the past millennia. Apart from being the fashion gateway of the world, Milan is also famous for its churches and the Cathedral of Gothic Duomo is one of them.

The construction of the Cathedral was started in 1386 and the construction was completed in 1809. Having a capacity of 40,000 this church is the second largest one of Rome. The art and architecture that one can find in this Church are so vast that it requires an extended stay to savor all of them. The Cathedral of Gothic Duomo is superseded only by St. Peter’s Cathedral which is situated in Rome. Close to the Gothic Duomo Cathedral of Milan, one can find the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. This is a huge 19th century fashionable shopping mall and it is named after united Italy’s first king. If you are planning to shop during your visit to Milan then this is the right place for you.

However if you are planning top search for bargain shopping in Milan, it is advisable that you try somewhere else. One more famous place of Milan is the La Scala Opera House. Open to the public for just six months per year this opera house can seat 2800 persons and the demands for its seats are so high that it is tough to secure a ticket to the same. Apart from its exquisite beauty, this opera hall of Milan is famous for its acoustics too. One can enjoy some of the top class opera functions of Milan over here. While you are visiting La Scala Opera House of Milan, do not forget to check out on Museo Teatrale alla Scala too.

Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 Travel Locations No Comments

Dublin – Island Destination

An ideal travel destination is one which fills your heart with joy and gives you a handful of sweet memories to cherish. Though there are many such destinations all over the world, Dublin is one of a kind. It is unique in several ways. The capital city of the island country, Ireland, offers much more to tourists than just a vacation spot.

The temperature in Dublin is chilling and you can feel the difference from the moment you land in Dublin airport. Though the city is small in geographical area a short visit would not be enough to enjoy the surprises that the destination has to offer. The first thing that people notice is the excellent infrastructure including roads, conveyance, etc. A high degree of civic sense and discipline can be seen everywhere and that is exactly what a typical tourist would look for. You will be surprised to find the absence of traffic police in the streets, yet the rules are strictly observed giving utmost respect to the pedestrians. The city welcomes each tourist with great joy and pride.

No matter whatever destinations you choose to cover, it just is not comprehensive. Therefore, the best method is to choose those that would suite your interest. It could be the Guinness Store House, Guinness Brewery, the monastic site at Glendalough, or the elegant stone structures of Powerscourt estate. One of the main attractions of Dublin is the Phoenix Park, which is a municipal park in O’Connel Street. This is the residence of the Irish Presdient and US Ambassador.

Getting around Dublin is way easy compared to other destinations. Highly recommended is the open-topped double-decker bus tour that covers all the important destinations of the city. For those who love history, a visit to Newgrange and Knowth is unavoidable. There is a tomb erected here in around 3200 BCE, which is even older than the majestic Egyptian pyramids. It is more than just a tomb. There are authorized guides available who will enlighten you with facts associated with the tomb. There is even scope for getting adventurous. You can in fact enter into ante-chamber and climb the tomb to its top.

Nature itself is enough to offer a splendid vacation. Everywhere you look, you will find beautiful landscapes, tulips, Japanese gardens, etc. Activities as humble as driving through mountains or taking a walk along river Liffey provides lasting impressions to the traveler.

Listing even the major attractions is an ordeal. If you are planning for a short visit, then you should plan your time with great care so as to gain optimum from the entire tour program. Try and plan your trip before you look for hotels in Dublin

There is nothing that can be more welcoming than friendly people. Dubliners’ friendly attitude and sense of humor is well known and that adds to the beauty of the whole vacation. Without doubt, it can be said that anyone who visits Dublin once will long to make it their permanent home – such is the beauty and ambience of this travel destination.

Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 Travel Locations No Comments