Three of The Best Ski Areas in Austria

Posted by Rachel in Austria on 11 14th, 2010 | No comments yet - be the first one!

Austria is blessed with numerous excellent ski centres and is the perfect place to visit in the winter for ski enthusiasts. Here are three of the best ski areas in Austria that each offer combined lift passes to numerous ski resorts, giving you a fantastic variety of ski options to enjoy.

1. Dachstein West Ski Area

The Dachstein West ski area, which has skiing above 2,000m, is generally pretty reliable for snow cover and has good ski facilities for a variety of abilities. There’s a total of 97 individual pistes to enjoy and the Dachstein West Lift Pass gives access to the ski resorts of Annaberg, Gosau, Krippenstein, Obertraun/Dachstein, Abtenau, Russbach and Katrin – Bad Ischl, so you get plenty of value and variety for your money.

It’s easily accessible for winter ski breaks, as there are three airports all located within two hours drive from the ski resort.

2. Arlberg Ski Area

The Arlberg ski area incorporates a number of Austrian ski resorts from 1300m and 2811m in height. Between them, this ski area has access to 248 individual pistes and the Arlberg Lift Pass gives you access to skiing and snowboarding in the resorts of Lech, St Anton am Arlberg, St Christoph am Arlberg, Stuben and Zurs.

There’s some fantastic snow coverage and the pistes cater for beginners, intermediates and expert skiers. It’s not just great for skiers though, as the Arlberg area is particularly recommended for snowboarders too.

The Arlberg ski area is easily reached by road and air, with four airports all located within a two hour drive.

3. Zillertal Ski Area

Austria’s Zillertal ski area has ski pistes from 560m to 3280m. There are good slopes for beginners, as well as plenty of ski options for intermediate and skilled skiers, and together the ski area gives access to 91 pistes.

The combined Zillertal Lift Pass provides you with access to the ski resorts of Hippach, Mayrhofen, Fugen and Finkenberg, so there’s plenty of variety to add interest and excitement to a week long skiing holiday. If you’re into snowboarding, or want to try snowboarding as an alternative to skiing, then there’s plenty of opportunities to give this a go.

For short breaks, Innsbruck Airport is only one hours drive away, plus there are other airports just two hours away.

Skiing at Banff in the Canadian Rockies

Posted by Rachel in Canada on 11 1st, 2010 | No comments yet - be the first one!

For fans of skiing, you can’t get a much better location to ski in than Banff in Canada, which is set in the amazing Canadian Rockies. With the 2010 Banff ski season about to kick off, now is a great time to start planning your skiing trip.

Located in the western Canadian province of Alberta, west of Calgary, the town of Banff is one of the most popular ski resorts in Canada. It’s a great place to be based for a Canadian ski holiday and the town has all the essential shops, restaurants and bars that you’d expect to help you enjoy all aspects of your holiday. Even if you’re a non-skier, you can still enjoy the winter atmosphere in Banff and there are lots of other outdoor activities to try.

The main ski resorts in Banff are Sunshine Village, located about 15 minutes drive from the centre of Banff,  Ski Norquay, on the edge of town and Ski Louise, which is a bit further away (about 45 minutes from Banff) but is included in the tri-area lift ticket pass.

Between them, there are a wide variety of ski slopes to try and something for all levels of skiing ability. For example, Sunshine Village alone has over 3,300 acres of slopes, an average annual snowfall of over 30 feet and is one of the biggest ski resorts in the Rockies.

If you’re new to skiing, then you can rest assured that ski lessons are available (and snowboarding ones too, if you fancy giving that a go), and all the equipment you need can be hired or bought in Banff too.

The 2010 ski season in Banff kicks off on 19th November 2010, when the slopes open at weekends, then it’s full pelt from December. Depending on which slopes you’re skiing on and the snowfall, the season runs until mid April or late May. Between January and March there are even opportunities to have a go at night skiing, which is quite an experience!

If you are heading to the Canadian ski slopes, remember to wrap up warm! It may sound obvious, but if you’re used to skiing in Europe, the temperature in Canada is rather cooler.

10 of the Best Beaches in Antigua

Posted by Rachel in Caribbean on 10 14th, 2010 | Read Comments(4)

Best beach in Antigua

Gorgeous beach

The Eastern Caribbean island of Antigua, the largest of the Leeward Islands, has an abundance of beautiful beaches and is the perfect location for a beach holiday in the sun. If you’re debating whereabouts on the island to stay, whether in a hotel or self-catering villa rental, then here are 10 of the best beaches in Antigua to help give you some ideas!

1. Half Moon Bay beach, Antigua – you’ll find this lovely crescent-shaped beach (hence the name) which is now a National Park, on the south east coast of Antigua. One of things that makes it extra special is its very fine pink sand.

2. Jabberwock beach, Antigua – this wonderfully named beach can be found on the north-east coast of Antigua. The beach is a mile long in length, with wonderful white sand and turquoise blue sea.

3. Runway beach, Antigua – found on the north-west coast of the island of Antigua, this large expanse of sandy beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island. It’s also home to many hotels, restaurants, bars and rental villas, so is a good place to stay near if you like to remain near the hub of nightlife and good restaurants.

4. Crab Hill beach, Antigua (also sometimes known as Turner’s beach) – this lovely beach is located on the south west coast of Antigua, between the villages of Crab Hill and Johnson’s Point. If you’re after a quiet atmosphere, head for the Crab Hill end. The other end, near Johnson’s Point is livelier and is frequently used as drop-off point for passing cruise ships.

5. Dutchman’s Bay beach, Antigua – If you’re looking for an active beach where you can indulge in watersports activities, then Dutchman’s Bay, north of the airport, is the perfect place to put your windsurfing to the test.

6. Ffrye’s Bay, Antigua – found on the south-west coast of the island, this is a beach for nature lovers and bird watchers. The sea is calm and, if you’re lucky, you could get to see a pelican or two.

7. Hawksbill Bay beaches, Antigua – located in the Five Islands Peninsula, on the west coast of the Caribbean island, you’ll find four secluded beaches here, including the only nudist beach.

8. Galleon Beach, Antigua – located in Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, this beach is a quarter of a mile long and is blessed with gold sands. The perfect spot to relax and unwind.

9. Carlisle Bay beach, Antigua – located on the south coast of the island, this gorgeous beach is about half a mile long, has fine sand and is a great place to try out your snorkelling skills. It’s also home to an exclusive luxury resort.

10. Rendezvous Bay beach, Antigua – one of the most remote beaches on the island of Antigua, this unspoilt beach is found on the south coast. If you fancy a quiet rendezvous here, the beach is reachable by sea, horseback or a long hike through the hills.

Visiting the Empire State Building in New York

Posted by Rachel in New York, New York City on 08 2nd, 2010 | No comments yet - be the first one!

A trip to New York isn’t complete without a visit to the Empire State Building. Located on Fifth Avenue, at 34th Street, the Empire State Building rises high above the street, and stands at 1,453 feet high.

If you’re intending to visit the Empire State Building, then it’s worth visiting early in the day or late in the evening and, where possible, buying a ticket online in advance. Estimates suggest that, in the height of the tourist season, between 10,000 and 20,000 people a day visit the building, which can cause considerable queues at busy times. A clear day is the ideal time to visit, as you get the opportunity to see for miles from the top of the building, but even on a grey or cloudy day you can still appreciate the great views.

Visiting during the day gives you the chance to see how the city below you looks during daylight and there are great opportunities to see other fantastic sights from above. It’s worth spending an extra few dollars to purchase the audio guide, which you listen to as you go up and around the building. In particular, there are prompts on the audio tour that tell you where to stand in the observatory to get to spot particular sights, such as Brooklyn Bridge, which you may otherwise miss if you’re not familiar with the geographical landscape.

But there’s something magical about visiting in the evening too, as many movies have famously depicted. New York City looks magical when it’s lit up night and, if you time your visit to coincide with sunset, you get to witness the changing city as it moves from daylight to darkness and the flickering lights gradually come on below. Amazingly, the building stays open late into the evening, with the last lift (elevator) heading up the building at 11.15pm.

Whatever time of day or night you visit, do allow plenty of time to soak up the sights and enjoy the experience of the Empire State Building. Most people spend an average of two hours here, but you can easily while away plenty more time. Even if it’s a hot day outside down at ground level, slip in an extra layer to put on when you reach the top, as it can be breezy and colder the further up the building you go.

Cameras and video cameras are widely accepted, but leave your tripod behind, as they’re not allowed in. Be aware too that you’re likely to have to undergo security checks on admittance and there are other objects, such as glass or bottles, that you can’t carry with you.

The Empire State Building is an amazing structure and a huge part of New York’s skyline, so do visit if you have the opportunity.

Top Three Places to Visit in Cape Town

Posted by Rachel in Cape Town on 07 7th, 2010 | No comments yet - be the first one!

A visit to Cape Town in South Africa will provide you with no shortage of things to do and places to see. But if you’ve got limited time, here’s our pick of the top three must-see places to visit in Cape Town.

1. Table Mountain

Take a cable car up Table Mountain in Cape Town

One of the most famous landmarks in Cape Town, Table Mountain rises high above the city and is over 260 million years old. The highest point reaches 1085m or 3559ft. A World Heritage Site, it’s home to fynbos, an endangered collection of plants and shrubs.

Cable cars will take you up the mountain at regular intervals throughout the day – as one goes up, another goes down – and it takes less then 10 minutes to reach the summit of Table Mountain. The cable cars give fantastic 360 degree views, and at the top, you can enjoy exploring some of the 2km of pathways or simply enjoy more of the spectacular sights from the 12 or more viewing decks.

2. Robben Island

A former site of imprisonment from the 17th to 20th centuries, Robben Island is located off the coast of Cape Town and is must-visit location. Some of South Africa’s most famous political prisoners were held here, including Nelson Mandela, and since 1999, the island has become a World Heritage Site.

Ferries depart four times a day, weather permitting, from the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Waterfront in Cape Town. You can book your tickets in advance and online, or buy them from the ticket office at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. Tours of Robben Island last for three and a half hours, which includes the two half-hour ferry crossings.

3. Victoria and Albert Waterfront

Located in the heart of Cape Town and with the stunning Table Mountain as its backdrop, the Victoria and Albert Waterfont successfully blends together the old and the new in Cape Town.

The historic harbour, which started off life as a small jetty, built in 1654 by Jan van Riebeeck, has been transformed into a thriving hub of museums, shops, restaurants and nightlife. Whether you want to soak up the atmosphere of Cape Town, dine in one of the many international restaurants, or take to the sea for a spot of adventure or excitement, the Victoria and Albert Waterfront is the place to be.

Exploring the Cape Town Wine Routes: Constantia Valley

Posted by Rachel in Cape Town on 06 18th, 2010 | Read Comments(1)

If you’ve been inspired to visit South Africa through seeing the country during the World Cup coverage, then there are plenty of wonderful places to visit.

Cape Town is famous for many things, including its wine routes. For anyone who enjoys a tipple or two of fine wines, and wants to see where the grapes that produce many South African wines originate, then the wine routes are a must-see.

There are numerous wine routes located around Cape Town – known as the Cape Winelands – and you can either pick and choose to visit one or two, or incorporate several of them into your trip. One of the routes that is definitely worth incorporating into a trip is the Constantia Valley wine route.

The Constantia Valley Wine Route

One of the oldest wine routes in South Africa, the Constantia wine route is located very close to Cape Town, only about 20 minutes from the city centre. The Constantia Valley has a moderate climate and very fertile soil, which has been cultivated since 1685. The first Governor of the Cape, Simon Van Der Stel is renowned for establishing a farm in this area and the award-winning wines produced here are still as sought after as they used to be.

Some of the main vineyards to visit include – Steenberg, Constantia Uitsig, Buiternverwachting, Klein Constantia and Groot Constantia.

The Steenberg Estate is the oldest farm and the very first wines were produced here in 1695. You can visit the vineyard, taste the wine, eat at Catharina’s restaurant or stay a night at the luxurious Country Hotel. For golfers, there’s even an 18-hole golf course here too, so you can indulge your passion of wine and golfing.

Constantia Uitsig means Constantia View and this estate has 40 hectares producing award-winning wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay and Merlot. The wine shop is packed to the brim with wine and you can dine at the Constantia Uitsig Country Hotel.

Buitenverwachting aptly means Beyond Expectations and this is certainly likely to be the case for visitors. The estate produces multi award-winning wines and has a restaurant rates amongst the top 10 in South Africa.

Set in the upper foothills of Constantiaberg, the historic Klein Constantia estate has been owned by the same wine produced for four centuries. It specialises in wines such Sauvignon Blanc, Vin de Constance and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Finally, the Groot Constantia estate is a must-visit, as it was the farm established by Simon Van Der Stel. It now houses a museum depicting the early days of wine making, plus you can see the original Cloete Cellar, which dates back to 1791.

New York City – Rockefeller Center

Posted by admin in New York, New York City on 06 5th, 2008 | Read Comments(1)

Welcome to the ‘city within a city’ – Rockefeller Center. The project started with the intention to build a new opera for the Metropolitan Opera but was changed due to the drop out of the Metropolitan after the stock market crash in 1929. John D. Rockefeller Jr. stated “It was clear that there were only two courses open to me. One was to abandon the entire development. The other one to go forward with it in the definite knowledge that I myself would have to build it and finance it alone.” Thank god he chose the second option.

But those mundane facts give no hint of the excitement to be found within those boundaries. Built on top of underground corridors, known as ”the catacombs” which stretch from 47th Street to 51st Street, the area is home to restaurants, shops, NBC Studios, a skating rink and much more.

Take a stroll around the plaza and watch the ice skaters, or join in! From the plaza level (the rink is sunken) above the skaters you can see the giant, prone Prometheus sculpture.

Above the gilded Prometheus – bringing fire to mankind – is the massive 70-story RCA (now General Electric) tower, housing the Rainbow Room and the observation deck. The Rainbow Room is on the 65th floor and makes for a memorable meal to accompany unforgettable Art Deco décor.

The observation deck, Top of the Rock, has re-opened after a 20-year closure in 2005 and the view is simply breathtaking. On the 20 foot wide viewing area people have the chance to enjoy a 360 degree view of New York City.

The deck sits on top of the famous Raymond Hood designed RCA Building which is now named GE Building due to the acquisition of RCA by General Electrics. Home to the well-known, and still going strong, Radio Corporation of America, the tower is an architectural landmark. It is also well known for the famous picture of workers lunching on a steel beam without harnesses taken by Charles C. Ebbets in 1932.

Should you be visiting during the Christmas holiday period, you can watch the lighting of the 50 foot (or more) Christmas tree here. Don’t forget to walk around and spend some time taking in the sights, including the huge Atlas statue bearing a ringed world on his shoulders.

Shops line several of the ground level buildings, including the popular Nikon House which attracts photographers from all over the world. All around are ample opportunities to find things and people worth snapping, as well. This part of the complex is heavily frequented.

But the shops and restaurants don’t stop at ground level. In the Underground Concourse fast food and other dining, clothing boutiques, card stores and a blizzard of other stores can be found. For those who missed it uptown, the Metropolitan Museum has a store in the complex as well.

Due to the nearby subway entrances running through the concourse, travel to and from the Center is easy from any part of the city.

Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas

Posted by admin in Las Vegas, Nevada on 05 16th, 2008 | No comments yet - be the first one!

The Las Vegas Strip is popular all over the world for its glamorous hotels and casinos. The Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas is one of the most elegant complexes and was inspired by the Lake Como resort of Bellagio in Italy. Gambling, entertainment, dining and accommodation are first class at the five diamond establishment.

The hotel was featured many movies but most prominently in Oceans Eleven and Oceans Thirteen which starred George Clooney and Brad Pitt as part of a team of gentleman thieves who intended on robbing casinos. A fictional vault of the Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas was indeed robbed in that story! The hotel was opened in 1998 and cost a staggering $1.6 billion to build. The interior is luxuriously furnished with fountains and the lobby ceiling is decorated with colorful hand blown glass flowers.

The grounds are also worth visiting and the 18 acre artificial lake at the front of the hotel is the location for the much loved Fountains of Bellagio display of music and lights. The musical extravaganza is repeated throughout the day and features a variety of music including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Aaron Copland and Gene Kelly. The natural world is also on show at the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens which has free admission and the gardens are open 24 hours a day.

The Bellagio rooms contain a flat screen TV with pay per view movies, mini bar and an in room safe. There are numerous market stores in the Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas complex including Tiffany and Chanel. Guests can choose between six different swimming pools. Dining at the Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas is also an experience. There are several restaurants including the award winning Le Cirque, a French cuisine experience by the lake. Japanese and Chinese restaurants are also first class and there is a traditional steakhouse.

The Spa and Salon offers a variety of treatments for guests of the Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas including facials, yoga and water massages. Fitness equipment is also available to have a good workout. A personal instructor is on hand to give advice.

The poker room attracts professional poker players, who take advantage of the high table limits and call it “The office”. The Bellagio has hosted several tournaments of the World Poker Tour. It is rare for a Las Vegas hotel to have a permanent show but the Cirque du Soleil’s production of ‘O’ is outstanding. It’s an aquatic show featuring synchronized swimmers, divers and acrobats. It’s a combination of street theater, folklore traditions, martial arts and circus fire stunts.

Las Vegas – Cirque du Soleil

Posted by admin in Las Vegas, Nevada on 04 14th, 2008 | Read Comments(1)

The astounding Cirque du Soleil is a world famous acrobatic act… and still so much more. If you have an image of an old time circus with clowns and acrobats, be prepared for a shock. Cirque du Soleil has all this and much more but in a form that you have never seen before.

With dozens of artists – tumblers, fire-eaters, clowns and others – the show has many of the traditional entertainers but that’s already where the similarities end. The difference is immediately visible the very moment you see the entertainers. Carefully crafted makeup and costumes, it has to be seen to be appreciated. Deep blue or orange suits with tie-dyed designs, Chinese red capes and kaleidoscope makeup are only the beginning of a wonderful experience.

The performers are the best acrobats from all over the world. Displaying their talents inside huge arenas that seat over 1,600 they astonish audience members with their skills. But those skills are in service of the most unusual, individual and innovative choreography you can imagine.

Whether it’s the Aerial High Bar act making death-defying leaps that seem as if they truly can fly or the Alexis Brothers with their amazing tumbling the shows never let up for a moment. For 90 minutes at the Mystere Theatre, the audience is agog with wonder as they watch how the show unfolds. At the MGM the KA show dazzles the eye. The O performance is as wondrous as its title signifying ‘everything’.

One of the highlights of the Cirque du Soleil are definitely the dancers. Combining traditional movements from their native countries with modern twists and turns that surprise at every step, the artists leave you with something to remember for a long time after the show has already ended

But the show isn’t all just traditional high wire acts, comedy or dancers in new costumes. Every show has its own theme that weaves and tangles and then resolves like a complex detective story. It might be necessary to attend a show several times to unravel all the mystery that’s packed into the performance.

Performances can be crowded. Once an insider tip, Cirque du Soleil has taken the center stage in Las Vegas and became an important part of the whole ‘Vegas experience’. Like many shows in Las Vegas, ticket prices are a bit high but a web search might yield a discount with one of the many available Las Vegas Vouchers.

Well worth the price, the Cirque du Soleil is an unforgettable theatrical experience. Don’t miss seeing it in the Desert City of Lights. Whether O, KA or Mystere, or any of the several other shows that are brought forth over the months and years, Cirque du Soleil will always leave you guessing what’s next and asking for more.

Las Vegas – The MGM Grand

Posted by admin in Las Vegas, Nevada on 04 9th, 2008 | No comments yet - be the first one!

MGM has a long and glorious tradition as an entertainment company. After its foundation by Marcus Loew in 1924 it became on of the leading film studios in Hollywood. MGM was always known for having a large variety of stars and also of putting them in one big movie like “Grand Hotel” in 1932 with stars such as Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford. But in the last decades of the previous century, the company branched out to other forms under the lead of Kirk Kerkorian. The MGM Grand is one excellent sample.
Completed in 1993 and located on the Strip – a four miles long boulevard filled with the largest casino, hotel and resort properties in the world – this 30-floor hotel covers almost 7 acres and houses over 5,000 rooms. In addition, the site offers a 380,000 square foot convention centre, the CBS Television City in Las Vegas and one of the largest casinos in town. At over 170,000 square feet you’ll find more games than anywhere else.

If you’re in the casino you should grasp the opportunity and enter the Lion Habitat. Behind glass walls you can observe lions lounging on an artificial savannah so close that you might think you could reach them. They’re changed on a regularly basis and have a permanent home at the owner’s ranch about a dozen miles outside of Vegas.

Watching the lions is free and you can take a picture (without a flash of course) with the animals in the background, then walk over to the gift shop and buy something to support them. A portion of the proceeds goes to preserve these majestic creatures.

The perception of Las Vegas and the MGM Grand in particular, changed over the past 20 years. The city came a long way from its gambling image to a city which offers all kind of sources for family-friendly amusement. The MGM Grand carries that theme to its pinnacle.

There’s the elegant La Femme production that celebrates the ‘artistry of the nude’, with 13-ballet trained dancers. The show is in the tradition of the Crazy Horse in Paris and is equally tasteful. It’s also possible to do your own dancing at the MGM recreation of the popular New York Studio 54. Undoubtedly tamer than the original, it offers plenty of opportunities for getting a ‘high’ in a drug-free way.

The world famous Cirque du Soleil offers its dazzling hire wire show KA at the MGM. Combining world-class acrobatics with epic-scale theatre, KA tells the tale of Imperial Twins on a journey to fulfil their destinies. If you want to narrow down a Cirque du Soleil performance to just one source, it would be an Asian theme. It offers an array of martial arts moves elegantly combined with the troop’s world-renowned acrobatics.
The hotel itself is a form of high-wire entertainment for guests. After the First World Hotel in Malaysia the MGM Grand is the largest hotel in the world if it comes to rooms. Besides the over 4,000 regular rooms, there are 751 suites but that’s not where it stops. The Skylofts are 51 luxury rooms within the hotel that offer butlers, catering and every form of pampering imaginable. But there is the small matter of the fee – between $800 to $6,000 per night – to contend with. Better bring some lion-sized plastic.