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Cosmopolitan Travel News

V & A Waterfront in Cape Town

Posted by Brody on September 3, 2010

Get out into the fresh ocean breeze as you take a stroll in some of Cape Towns most visited stops. Head over to the V&A Waterfront for a chance to get in some sight seeing, shopping and refreshments. There are a few historical sites to enjoy along the way and it is always peaceful to watch the boats bloat by in the harbor.

Enjoy seeing the historic Cape Town hotels along the water like the Victoria and Alfred Hotel. It is right along the Alfred Mall where visitors like to shop and dine. The building was built int he early 1900s and was used as a coal store, warehouse and baggage store.

In the near by areas visitors can see the Breakwater Prison that was built in 1860. The Chavonnes Battery is also an interesting stop along the way. It was built between 1714 and 1725 by the Dutch East India Company to help protect the Cape. Visit the first restaurant in the Cape Town harbor, the Harbour Cafe 1903.

See where the Port Captain’s headquarters were with the first office at the Clock Tower when it opened in 1882 and then to the Port Captain’s Building that opened in 1904.

If you plan to visit Robben Island, you may want to see the Robben Island Embarkation Building which is where the prisoners were held before moving to the Robben Island Prison. All in all there are some great things to see and experience along the V&A Waterfront.

Biofeedback and Dreaming

Posted by Brody on August 27, 2010

Everyone dreams, even though there are quite a number of people who claim that they don’t. Even mammals dream, where dogs will run, sniff, snap at the air, and display the same rapid eye movement that humans do. Dreaming is still one of the most mysterious behaviors, and it’s never been understood completely.

There are some schools of psychoanalysis that claim that dreams are simply the way the mind empties itself out at night, where the strange and random images are not meant for contemplation, but merely distractions to be rid of. There are others, many others, who imagine that dreams are really the hidden vocabulary of the psyche, or even soul. While it might be impossible for anyone to remember every single one of their dreams, it is possible to increase one’s ability to recall them.

Learning how to slow down one’s own internal rhythm is a very good beginning. Using techniques such as biofeedback , it’s possible to modulate the heartbeat and the breath, along with many other physical functions, and this has the effect of putting the mind in a meditative state. In this state, one is more receptive to the things of the imagination, and here, it’s possible to recall dreams with a very surprising clarity.

The Fountain of Youth

Posted by Brody on August 23, 2010

There are some searches that have possessed the minds of seekers since the beginning of time. For nearly everyone, the endless quest for the Holy Grail is somehow connected to love and money, and these are inevitably the most elusive. The Fountain of Youth, however, has always been somewhere lurking at the center of all these things, holding the promise of an eternal energy, where one has the time to find what they are looking for.

Scientists have been rather determined to prove that no such thing could exist , whether it exists on a mythical plane, like the fountain Ponce de Leon was looking for, or the metaphorical one where one can reverse the aging process. The idea is still very powerful, and sometimes contemplating it can lead to a feeling of being refreshed, energized, and perhaps most importantly, hopeful.

One can get these same effects by contemplating their own garden fountains . These can add an extraordinary touch to any garden, because their beauty speaks for itself. At the same time, they do hold the same mythical promise that the imaginary fountain of youth holds. Water does have a certain regenerative power. It’s the source of life, and it’s also the element that resonates most with the human being, because the cells are water. There are moments of solitude when one can find that inner source that really is the energy of life.

An Action Packed Cancun Vacation

Posted by Brody on August 19, 2010

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy the best of Cancun, but don’t want to venture far from your Hotel. Cancun , La Isla Shopping Mall is located In the Cancun Hotel Zone right on the lagoon. This mall is home to an interactive aquarium that will allow you to safely dive with Sharks and swim with dolphins. But you want to swim with the worlds largest shark in it’s natural habitat there are diving tours that for $175 will take you diving with Whale Sharks.

For those who want to travel more inland this region is littered with ruins and there are an abundance of jungle tours perfect for the active tourist. If you are willing to hike, pedal, or take any number of other modes of tour available. There are even tours available that let you pedal through the rain forest canopy. Selvatica Canopy Extreme Adventure Tour lets you use zip lines to explore the jungle. This company is perfect if you’re looking for an action packed vacation where you can even take ATV off road tours. Since Most of the jungle is nocturnal this company offers a real treat of night time tours on their zip lines.

Bata in Phoenix

Posted by Brody on August 17, 2010

The musical traditions of the world are alive and well in Phoenix. It’s been a place with a strong musical presence since the late 60s, when the Tubes played here in their first incarnation as the Beans. Through years that saw punk, hiphop, and blues come alive, there have always been musicians whose strengths lie in percussion. The rhythms of Latin America have been present in almost all contemporary music, and their African roots gave the time signature to rock and roll. It’s no surprise, then, to see the evolution of these rhythms continue. Phoenix’s eclectic mix of cultures makes it a particularly promising place to listen to some of the sounds.

For the lovers of anything with a Latin pulse, Jesse Joaquin Parker has been leading a breathtaking career, and it does seem that he has a certain magical touch. It’s a tough town to work in, where the visitors at the luxury hotels Phoenix offers may not consider hearing live music as an option. Any of his projects are worth listening to, and they always deliver very upbeat and sometimes even otherwordly rhythms that keep the rooms very hot. His recent collaboration with Bata Ire is another step on a polyrhythmic road. Under the designs of master drummer Emilio Caruso, the sounds bounce from Cuba to Brazil, and manage to land right in the center of Phoenix, and a city is suddenly elevated.

Museums in Zurich

Posted by Brody on August 14, 2010

Zurich is located at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich, from which it derives its name as well as some incredible views. It is the largest city in Switzerland and has an estimated population of almost two million people. It is an extremely popular tourist destination and this is due to the incredible cultural and beauty of the city as well as the amazing natural geographic elements that surround it. People come from all over the world to visit Zurich and many of them do so for a variety of reasons. However, regardless of the specific reason anyone might go, there are some standard attractions that almost everyone visits.

There are some incredible museums in the city and a large number of them. Some of the most popular with guests in one of the Zurich hotels include the Swiss National Museum and the Zurich Museum of Art. The National Museum’s collection contains a diverse assortment of artifacts and items that relate to the culture and history of Switzerland. There are stained glass works, painted furniture and other items that reflect the aesthetic interests and trends of the country. The Zurich Art Museum has one of the largest collections of Classic Modern art and includes works by Picasso, Munch , Braque and many others. There is also a large library of photographs.

What To Do in a Summer Slow Down

Posted by Brody on August 11, 2010

Summer internships are winding down and school is starting up again. For some companies like Southwestern Company that means that business slows down quite a bit. In fact, any company that regularly relies on students working through the summer has to slow down when school starts back up again and less people are available to sell products. There are a number of things that do pick up during this time though.

If you have a company that is based on these things, now is the time to let the students start to go back to their school work, but that doesn’t mean that you need to lose touch with them. Ask special students to help plan out meeting on campus where you can explain the challenges and benefits to other students who might be interested in selling for you. From there you can plan meetings and interviews with students and move in the direction of gaining new workers for the upcoming year.

They don’t have to sign up until summer is almost there, so doing it early gives them some time to think on it, talk it over with friends and family and decide if having a summer internship is right for them. Doing this will assure that you will get the right workers to help your company grow.

Sharks in Las Vegas!

Posted by Brody on August 1, 2010

There are huge sharks swimming around in Las Vegas! At the Shark Reef Aquarium that is. Located at 3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South, right inside one of the more popular Las Vegas hotels , giving it a most unique distinction amongst other high-end hotels.

Shark Reef Aquarium is not a typical aquarium, it’s more like a total sensory experience that will transport you from the desert scenery of Nevada to an undersea ocean of thrilling sights, sounds and encounters with huge sharks, but first you have to journey through an ancient temple that is slowly being submerged by the sea. Then you’ll get to experience 14 breathtaking exhibits that are devoted to very dangerous aquatic predators. The largest out of the 14 is a 1.3 million gallon shipwreck where you’ll walk through an almost 360-degree acrylic tunnel going right through an aquarium filled with sharks, fish and other aquatic creatures.

Another exhibit, The Touch Pool, allows you to touch an ever-changing collection of animals including rays, sharks or horseshow crabs. Shark Reef Aquarium is a state-of-the-art aquarium where you’ll enjoy a beautiful array of sea turtles, stingrays, blue sharks, eels, alligators, monitor lizards and an educational jellyfish display with black lights.

Tickets are $16 for adults; $11 for children 12 and under, and children 4 years or younger are free. This exhibit is a ‘must-see’ for the entire family.

Wings Over Denver

Posted by Brody on July 26, 2010

There’s a great aeronautic museum in Denver called ‘Wings Over The Rockies Air and Space Museum’ . Located at 7711 E. Academy Boulevard, this museum occupies hangar number one on Lowry Campus, which was formerly known as the Lowry Air Force Base . When you visit, you’ll be able to view 31 aircraft from a World War II Corsair to the B1A Bomber, plus experience many extensive exhibits about the history of Lowry Air Force Base, about World War I and II, former President Dwight Eisenhower, and you’ll even get to learn about the Hubble Telescope at the Science of Flight section, which includes a Space Station simulator.

Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum maintains a collection of over four dozen aircraft and space vehicles. The Highlights of the collection includes: a rare B-18A Bolo; 5 of the Century Series fighters; an RF-84K Thunderflash parasite; an Alexander Eaglerock; and a B-1A Lancer. Their collection keeps growing and aircraft and models are acquired and restored onsite.

If you staying at any of the Denver five star hotels , you’ll want to make it over to the museum, especially if you brought your children, they’ll love running around the aircraft hanger, zooming from one airplane to the next, and they’ll really love the Space Station simulator. Hours are Monday – Saturday: 10am to 5pm and on Sunday: 12pm to 5pm. Adults will pay $9, Children 4 to 12 will cost $6.

Fly Over Dallas

Posted by Brody on July 21, 2010

Every child wants to be able to fly, and there are a number of adults who have felt that way as well. What if you could take your vacation and learn to fly?Not in a plane, but on your own. That is the fun of the Zero Gravity amusement park in Dallas. It is an easy drive from any luxury dallas hotel .

As one would expect out of an amusement park that lets you fly there is just about as much falling as there is flying, but what goes up must come down again. Coming down doesn’t have to be boring or painful though, as can be seen from their bungee jumping attraction. You will fall seven stories. It is nothing like their sixteen story free fall into a net, but there are more safety features so it is usually a good attraction to get started on. Their bungee jumping equipment is made to keep you safe and make sure that you don’t hit the ground.

If you are wanting less of a fall and more of the flight, try out the Skycoaster which will let you glide at over 100 feet above the ground. Three people at a time can go, so it can be mom, dad and one of the kids, or each parent can take up to two little ones on the ride at a time. You are laying on your stomach and there is no better way to make you feel like Superman.

Hoyt Arboretum is a Jewel in Portland

Posted by Brody on July 17, 2010

Portland, Oregon has the most amazing attractions that will provide enjoyment for any visitor and for locals alike. Bring the entire family, because Portland has something for everyone, especially if you’re the outdoor type; the beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery and magnificent landscape will hold you captive for hours on end, such as the Hoyt Arboretum.

Located on 187 acres, Hoyt Arboretum is a living museum of trees, plants and flowers from all around the world. Just 2 miles west of downtown Portland, at 4000 SW Fairview Boulevard, conveniently located next to some of the best Portland hotels around.

The all volunteer staff at the Visitor Center will gladly answer any of your questions and help with identifying any tree you’d like the name of or its classification. The Arboretum offers several trails and trail maps, and for educational self-guided tours, take a brochure , which is free to all visitors.

The Arboretum may not seem to be the ideal attraction for the entire family, but you’d be surprised at just how fascinating the place can be, because every tree has a story to tell and all the trees are organized by plant families and geography. The identification labels help you learn about any of the trees that capture your interest. Plus, the Arboretum is a living laboratory, where scientists and students can study trees and plants that would otherwise not have grown in Portland’s climate.

There are well over 1,000 trees in the Hoyt Arboretum collection, and all are exquisitely beautiful.

Great Beaches, Theatre and Ballet in Miami

Posted by Brody on July 13, 2010

So, you’re planning on spending your summer vacation in Miami, Florida? Well, so are tons of other people. And while that is definitely into intended to change your mind or reduce your interest or even fear that all of the south beach Miami hotels will be full, it’s actually intended to let you know you will be in for good company. Miami is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and while the summer is definitely its most busy season, it is actually full of tourists all year long. And there are many reasons for this.

Of course one of the main reasons that people visit is that it is full of incredible beaches and gorgeous views. Water sports and beach party fun is one of the strongest summer attractions, though there are numerous others and Miami is actually a major cultural center. The Miami City Ballet is one of the top dance companies in the state and is known for presenting a variety of dance forms. In addition, the city has thriving theatre scene and companies such as the Actor’s Playhouse, Coconut Grove Playhouse and the Jackie Gleason Theatre provide quality entertainment and intriguing performances. Regardless of your main reason for visiting Miami or your specific entertainment preferences, there is something for everyone in this great city and you are sure to have a wonderful time when you visit.

Denial and Drug Addiction Treatment

Posted by Brody on July 4, 2010

Most people in this country who are over the age of twenty-one have been intoxicated at least once in their lifetime. In addition a large portion of the population has tried at least one illegal drug. There is also a substantial population in this country that regularly consumes large quantities of alcohol and regularly uses one or more illegal drugs. And so far the population of prescription medication abusers has not even been mentioned, though that number continues to rise every year. And while drug addiction continues to remain a social taboo and addicts frequently experience a social stigma along with their disease, larger numbers of people are fitting into this population than ever before.

And with all of that disturbing information, many people find it difficult to recognize that they have a problem and when they do are unsure of how to address it. One of the standard associated aspects of drug addiction is denial of the issue. This is built into the disease and is part of what makes it flourish. And denial extends far behind the actual addict. Family members, friends, coworkers and loved ones are frequently willing to overlook potential signs of addiction and pretend that everything is as it should be. Society itself is willing to overlook the degree of drug addiction in this country and this is one of the things that contributes to an addict’s reluctance to seek treatment. It is easy for a single addict to feel like they’re on the social fringe, though they are in much greater company than what most people realize and are willing to admit.

This is one of the issues that drug rehab treatment programs deal with and work to reverse. So many people are eager to ignore potential addiction issues until the problem becomes too destructive and the behavior of the addict is so out of control that prison time may be imminent or family members simply can’t take the manipulation, and frequently theft, that is standard to the addicts behavior. Finally they are willing to accept the problem and openly support the addict’s treatment. One of the things that could greatly assist the ongoing war on drugs is nationwide acknowledgment that the problem has hit home and to let go of the need for secrecy and taboo on the subject.

Planning Your Retirement

Posted by Brody on July 2, 2010

Anyone who has ever had to work full-time can appreciate the benefits of retirement. Spending the days doing what you love without anyone telling you what to do, when to come or when to go is enough to make you want to speed up the clock. But before we wish away our lives it is important that we plan ahead for our retirement so that we can live it to the fullest.

Most retirement planners will tell you to begin saving and planning for your retirement as soon as possible. It is never too early to begin taking the steps to ensure your future financial security . The earlier that you start the less you will have to put away each year to reach your desired goal, and the more likely you are to exceed that goal.

Although the number is continuing to decrease, there are still companies out there that offer retirement plans. Investigate what your company’s options are and begin investing as soon as possible.

If your company doesn’t have any retirement benefits, and even if they do, it is a good idea to begin saving on your own through a retirement savings account or an IRA. Sometimes your local bank or credit union can help you set one up or else there are many financial investors like Edward Jones that assist you.

Many people early in life invest in property anticipating the value will be greatly increased. There are a couple of things that you can do with investment property, depending on the type of property it is. Residential or commercial property is ideal for rental property and, if you hire a property manager like Transglobe Property Management services , it requires little work from you. This is a great way to earn some extra income that can be saved or invested further. You could also hold on to the property and sell it for a profit when the market peaks.

There are many options for those looking to retire in comfort and style. The key is to start young and, depending on your choices, be willing to work with experts in the field; retirement planners, bankers, property managers like transglobe property management services , and real-estate investors. Together they play a large part in helping you achieve the retirement of your dreams.

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Washington

Posted by Brody on June 30, 2010

By far, the NASA Air & Space Museum is one of the most compelling offerings of the Smithsonian Institute. Located on the National Mall in Washington DC, near the Capitol Building, it contains such historic sites as the Spirit of St. Louis, Charles Lindbergh’s aircraft that he flew solo across the Atlantic ocean, and such incredible artifacts as the space suits Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin wore when they became the first men in the history of the planet to walk on the surface of the Moon. For travelers to the nation’s capital, this is one of the first stops after checking in to some of the best hotels in Washington . As the history of air and space has continued to move on in the 21st century, though, so has the NASA Air & Space Museum, which has opened a sister facility, near the Washington Dulles International Airport.

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center continues the story of man’s journey into the air above and space beyond. The center opened in 2003, after Steven F. Udvar-Hazy provided the single largest donation in the 153 year history of the Smithsonian Institute — 60 million dollars. This aviation businessman continues to work to collect more funds for the museum, enabling the center to expand, exhibiting artifacts from space and the field of aeronautics, including aircraft and spacecraft.

Among other items, visitors to the center will see the Space Shuttle “Enterprise,” the first space shuttle orbiter, which was used for flights in the atmosphere and ground tests. This particular shuttle was not designed to fly into space, but to test various aspects of the shuttles that did. Among the space exhibits, guests will encounter a Mercury Capsule from Freedom 7 and a Mobile Quarantine Facility. There are displays of various rockets and missiles and artifacts from World War II aviation, as well as exploration of commercial aviation, including a Concorde jet plane as well as a Boeing 367-80 Jet Transport. The Concorde, of course, was the first supersonic airliner to enter service and could fly at twice the speed of sound, taking passengers across the Atlantic in fewer than four hours (compared to the original solo Atlantic flight by Lindbergh, which took about 33 hours and 30 minutes).

Combined, the two museums give a comprehensive look at the world of air and space travel — from Lindbergh to the Concorde, from Freedom 7 to humanity’s first landing on the Moon.

Aimed for Boston

Posted by Brody on June 23, 2010

The praises of a city like Boston can only be sung by those who know how to hit many notes. There’s too much happening at any one time to be able to speak with any authority. There are just too many circles of influence, and too many cycles of activity to keep track of all of it. But there are some who know how to sing it, not just because they’re from here, but because they have a gift in their voice.

This is where Ed Ames is able to show where he really excels. He’s been a famous singer in a few incarnations, not the least of which were as the lead vocals in the Ames Brothers . No one could forget the solo work that saw such songs as “Who Will Answer?”, a hiphop anthem if there ever was one, and one that preceded the form by a generation. Like that song, the man himself has never been afraid of asking complicated questions, and he asked them with a life that’s been lived to make things known.

He is a master of languages in the spoken realm, too, not only the singing planes. Graduating from Boston Latin School, he speaks six languages. He also graduated from UCLA after having made a career already, showing a dedication to learning that comes from roots and generations. Those visiting his hometown with a stay at a Boston hotel might find traces of the mental stimulation that got him wondering as a child what the world was.

Of Ukrainian descent, he had a look that, at the time, was confusing to Hollywood and the entertainment industry at large. He would find himself cast in the role of Native Americans throughout his career, interestingly enough. He played the Chief in the stage play for Cuckoo’s Nest, played Mingo in Daniel Boone, and also famously threw a hatchet at Johnny Carson. He also has been very outspoken and active in Native issues, suggesting that he understood that there are important issues of representation here, and that some voices cannot stand in the place of others, not even for a dashing man from Boston.

San Francisco’s Haight Street Fair

Posted by Brody on June 21, 2010

It’s a question that inevitably comes up for anyone who’s thinking about visiting San Francisco. Is Haight Ashbury still like that, the way that it was, back in the 60s? Of course, the answer is mixed, and depends largely on who one might be asking. There are some who say it can never, ever be like that again, that it was one golden moment, and it’s closed forever. Still others will argue that it’s even more like the 60s than the 60s ever were.

One look around at the Haight Ashbury Street Fair that happens every June, and it certainly seems to be the same. Or at least, there’s people who look like the ones in the old photographs. But there are some very marked differences, and the main one might be that there’s a whole lot more that one can buy nowadays.

There’s plenty of memorabilia from what some would consider to be the golden moment in human culture, posters, flyers, and artwork, and a very lovely collection of trinkets. But even this isn’t new to the hippie scene, when early on into the Summer of Love in 1967 , people were already starting to complain that it was all getting much too commercial.

There is a lot more to see in the city than this cross street, and for five star hotels, San Francisco has plenty of excellent choices all over the city. However, it is pretty nifty to take a little trip, at least once, to the area. Today, there are plenty of things to do besides visit the historic markers, although that’s also certainly worth it. There are also excellent restaurants, and coffee shops where one can go to just be for awhile. It is a lot more expensive than it used to be, but after a quick look around, it seems apparent that there is a whole new generation of young people who are trying to make living simply work.

A Jungle-Themed Miami Vacation

Posted by Brody on June 17, 2010

Miami is the most tropical city in the United States outside the Hawaiian islands. Located south of the everglades and north of the Caribbean it’s a sultry humid environment that lends itself to sitting in the shade and drinking a nice daiquiri or margarita. This city is both an urban jungle and located on the edge of what equates to a natural one so you may want to explore the idea of a jungle themed vacation. You might even be able to find the perfect hotel to fit your tropical vacation theme among the multitude of boutique Miami hotels available.

It’s Miami so you’re going to have a blast in the sun and along the beaches. Make sure if you plan to make the most of your “jungle get away” that you hit up Jungle Island. Jungle Island isn’t your standard zoo. Many of the birds fly free and the habitats seem very natural. Of course the natural feeling is partially due to the island being a man-made jungle paradise. In the 1930′s Franz Scherr moved to the Miami area with a dream of building an attraction where birds would be free to fly where they pleased and despite expectations they would fly off settled on the island. Now the island is home to thousands of birds and tropical plants. The Jungle is also home to the largest cat in the world; Hercules the liger is a Guinness record setter at over 9ft tall.

For a taste of the local nightlife fitting our theme there’s no better club in Miami than Mango’s Tropical Cafe . This club is open all day until last call so you can stop in to enjoy a bite to eat at lunch or you can come and dance your heart out after dusk. There’s no telling what you’re likely to hear played on a given night so be sure to check their calendar for a live band.

When it comes to dinner theater you want to be entertained, join the actors in their fun and get to eat some of the finest food. Nothing delivers on this better than Tony and Tina’s wedding . When you first see that name you might think like many have why you are being allowed to join in a stranger’s wedding, but when you find out what it is you quickly realize that not only is it fun and silly, but is perfect for a number of occasions including bachelorette parties , birthday parties or just a night out on the town.

The characters in this party are hilarious, but what makes it even more funny are the guests reactions to them. Arriving for the dinner party you stop being guests really quickly and enter a role that you have probably practiced a few times: friends of the bride and groom. This is not your conventional wedding however and how things turn out are really up to the party guests who influence the play as much as the play entertains them. The bride is still a party girl and her soon to be husband is raudy and charming. The priest thinks he’s hip, the maid of honor is obviously pregnant. It turns out that everyone there is a little bit wacky.

Tickets might seem a little expensive, which is why most people use this as a special event plan instead of a regular everyday event. Tickets can be as high as one hundred twenty dollars per person but they include a night of entertainment, interactivity, food, wedding cake and dancing. There really isn’t another event quite like this anywhere else, except maybe the other locations it is shown. It has taken of exceedingly well in San Francisco where you can get to it easily from many of the San Francisco Bay hotels , but it is also doing fairly well at the other locations in places like New York and Las Vegas. The same person has been going around putting up productions of it, so it stands to reason that if you can’t see it while you are in Sn Francisco you may be able to find it if you travel to one of the other locations as well.

Philadelphia Pen Collectors

Posted by Brody on June 12, 2010

The history of writing is a fascinating one, as history is inextricably connected to the act of writing. Putting a pen to paper is a daily activity that most of us don’t even pay much attention to, it has become so natural. At the core of it, however, is the notion that this is an act of placing symbols in a particular order on a thin sheet of wood or other materials. The symbols are used to stand for other symbols, where the written language is a reference point for an oral language. The oral language is itself a construction of symbolic sounds that in turn refer to something else.

In the philosophy of language, then, the act of writing is something that’s removed at least two times from actual meaning, and from here it gets even more complex. It would make sense, then, that there is an interest in writing in Philadelphia, home to many philosophers and academics engaged in the process of meaning making, and also home to the place where writing literally created histories. People travel far and wide to stay at luxury Philadelphia hotels to enjoy the city and get a first-hand look at some of the country’s most important historical sites and artifacts.

So it comes as no surprise that there are groups here like the Philadelphia Pen Cpllectors Group . It’s a conglomeration of pen enthusiasts, devoted to collecting famous, interesting, or simply lovely fountain pens. They have regularly scheduled meetings, and take trips together to all the pen shows in the world, and there are a large number of these. The most dedicated members can talk at length about their hobby, but at the root of all the enthusiasm there is a deep interest in the act of writing. It’s a new history being created, where writing is seen as important as history itself, and in some respects, they might be the same thing.

Miami Gossip

Posted by Brody on June 9, 2010

Celebrity gossip can be a kind of love-hate thing. On the one hand, there’s an attitude that says people should just let people be people, and let them live their own lives. On the other hand, these are celebrities, who made decisions to give their lives over to the pursuit of attention, and gossip is just part of the big scheme of things in that realm. There are plenty of other attitudes toward fame that affect how one might think about gossip.

However, at the end of the day, most people, no matter what their attitudes, react to it like the proverbial traffic accident. It’s impossible to look away, because it is so terribly interesting.

In Miami, this is no exception. In fact, it’s become kind of a rule. The city continues to build itself into something that resembles an alter-ego of Hollywood, with a lot of the same players involved in both teams. It’s never been more exciting to visit, as stars and celebrities come to hang out and relax at the beach, shoot music videos , attend awards ceremonies, and sometimes even come just to be seen.

There’s something almost charming about a story where a movie star got into a little trouble during a night on the town here, and they claim they just wanted some time to themselves. Oftentimes, it turns out that the attention was the exact thing they were after.

It’s a funny game, and it’s almost like a house of mirrors, where it’s hard to know who’s real and who’s playing another role. And whether or not J-Lo is saying something about animal rights with her tiger-print dress or not, these sightings do bring people to the five star hotels in Miami . If there are no celebrity sightings nearby, the lifestyle is so good, that it doesn’t really matter, because everything is all play, just like the Frenchman says.

Romantic Getaways in Vermont

Posted by Brody on June 7, 2010

Although it may not be the first thought when romance is mentioned, Vermont has a number of romantic getaways for the newlywed couple, the couple who have been married a number of years, or even the couple taking their first vacation together. It is important to get away together at least once a year and let the rest of the world bubble away. Whether that is in the summer, winter, Valentines day, or a birthday, here are a few ideas to make a stay in Vermont one of the most romantic trips you take together.

Since the key to any great romantic adventure is the hotel, make sure to get a deal on one of the best Vermont resorts . It should be the type of place that you wouldn’t have to leave for the whole vacation if you don’t want to. Talk to the hotel staff before hand and discuss what ways there are to make the room more romantic. Many hotels are happy to scatter petals through the room, or decorate with flowers, have some chilled campaign or fresh made chocolates available as soon as you arrive.

If you two ever do decide to get out of bed try going on a scenic backroad tour through the wilderness of Vermont. Like any good tour, there are a number of ways to go about this and there are a few companies that can show you about out there. If you are interested in going back out again on your own after the tour, make sure to get some information about how to tell which roads are safe to explore on your own and where the hiking trails are. There are also tours for those people who have not yet been married but are instead just about to be, such as the bachelor’s, or bachelorette party tours that are sometimes made available. If you remember anything the next morning you can show your spouse once you are married all the beauty of Vermont.

If you are staying in one of the small towns throughout Vermont you may also want to check out a farmers markets , or just go to the farms on your own. There are many of them around the cities that offer fresh produce and will bring you back to the smaller towns of America some years ago. Buy some food, take it back to your hotel room and make a special meal just for the two of you.

Melbourne Australia Live Music Clubs

Posted by Brody on June 2, 2010

Let’s open up one of the nights in Melbourne with Bennetts Lane Jazz Club for some amazing local and international jazz. Yes, this is a locals hang with great music, nice atmosphere, a down to earth staff and crowd. You may want to check ahead to see who is playing while you are visiting. This place is simply cool.  

A couple of the live music venues in Melbourne of notability are actually not to far from each other. You should be able to find a cozy Melbourne hotel room right down the street for a place like the Billboard Night Club which is were the city is gonna rock. Check out some of Australia’s own rock bands as well as many traveling favorites from around the world. It has been around for more than forty years and has been the host club for such acts as AC/DC, Tina Turner, The Little River Band, Cut Copy and many many more great bands. This club has a great stage and lots of open space for everyone to dance and rock out to who ever is playing for the night. So head on in with the other 900 people and rock.  

Also right around the corner is the Palace Theatre which is another cool rock club. This venue has a crowd gather along the stage edge and the balcony railing for some great ways to see a great show. The Cult was just there in May and Slash will make an appearance on August 11 2010. Oh, and a couple of days after Slash check out EELS in the 15th. Wow! This would be a great venue to see some of your favorite artists and bands because it is a little more intimate than some of the other venues you may have seen them play in the past.  

If you still have more nights to fill check out the Prince Bandroom. It is cool. Really cool.

Segway Tours of San Francisco

Posted by Brody on May 24, 2010

Why not make touring San Francisco a green event. The Segway PT is a great way to get that up close and personal with the local sights with out exhausting ones self. All one has to do is lean forward or backwards to get the unit to start and stop. It is powered by a battery so you won’t have to worry about gas mileage or exhaust. They travel at about 12.5 miles an hour so it won’t be to over bearing on the sidewalks. There is a computer on board that helps keep the unit moving and the passenger just needs to keep balanced.  

The Segway was first brought to the public in 2002 and the Electric Tour Company has a fleet of them ready to take you all over the city. They have different tours set up so you could actually take a different tour on a Segway each day for six days. They will give you a lesson on how to operate the unit before they hit the streets. Everyone has to be safe an confident. You can take a tour of the waterfront day or night. During the day you will see all of the amazing sights across the bay and up the hills. Once you are comfortable with the Segway then sign up for the advanced Segway Tour where everyone is lead up the hills into the neighborhoods and even down the famous switchback road, Lombard Street.  

You may even zip past your fantastic SF hotel  but you wont be able to get to Alcatraz. The Segway doesn’t tread water yet but you just never know what they will come up with next. That would be crazy, seeing all these battery powered, single person vessels scooting across the bay, like mad, trying to get to Alcatraz. The tour would need a satellite head seat to get the historical facts. Anyway, have a great time visiting San Francisco on the Segway. You won’t be disappointed.

Corsica’s Sun By Any Other Name

Posted by Brody on May 21, 2010

There is an incredible, delicate beauty about Corsica, that breathes the salt air and hints at an afternoon spent in exile, in longing, and nostalgia. There is also a furious beauty at work here, and the two sometimes come in on the waves at the same moment. It doesn’t have to be an afternoon, a morning will do, but the light is particularly powerful when the day is about to end, and it’s easy to imagine how this might go on forever.

With any kind of moment in exile, in nostalgia, that thought is coupled with equal parts fear that it will fade, and parts that resemble the moment before falling asleep after the night finally works its magic. Remembering Matisse, who found something here that made impressions on his eye and heart for the rest of his life. It could be his wife, Amelia Parayre , or it could be the landscape she introduced him to, or perhaps they are the same thing.

Not to participate in the usual fit that marries body and landscape, it was her influence that brought him here. This was the beginning of a career that was obviously failing, and one that made him a very anxious young artist. After Appolonaire declared him reasonable, and thereby offering the worst offense one could give at the time, it was difficult to find the things that fed his vision.

Although there are many who credit Picasso with pushing him into his great phase that lead to Fauvism , the seeds were already there. With Amelia, he was able to see the colors that matched an unborn palate in his mind, and suddenly, one day suddenly, one day much later, he could see, and he could paint what he saw in a way that left an imprint on the great beach of contemporary art.

A night on the beach could soothe a soul, and a night in a hotel in Corsica might also lead to unimaginable longings, and it’s impossible to predict where they may lead.

Cutting the Cactus in Austin

Posted by Brody on May 12, 2010

The Cactus Cafe , which is a small, famous, and live music performance venue, located at the University of Texas’ student Union building is closing due to budget cuts; about $122,000 a year will be saved by the University when it will permanently close the cafes’ doors in August. This also means that the informal classes program held in The Cactus Cafe will be shut down at the same time.

The Cactus Cafe acquired its national reputation by showcasing top local, regional, national and international acoustic music, with the likes of the Dixie Chicks, Lucinda Williams, Alison Krauss, Suzanne Vega, Lyle Lovett and Townes Van Zandt. The cafe not only helped launch the careers of many musicians, many of the famous musicians would return again and again to play at the intimate venue, because they loved it so much. The Cactus Cafe was also the venue for informal and formal, inexpensive classes that were hosted at the Texas Union allowing non-University professionals to offer classes ranging from graphic design, fencing and wine pairing to the general public; workshops and certificate programs were offered as well and were designed to give the most information in the least amount of time. The Cactus Cafe was a popular place to take classes, it’s was reported the around 10,000 people attended the classes last year and most of them were not UT students.

Austins citizens are outraged by this budget cut and there is a movement to save the Cactus Cafe. Austin hotels , near the University, would book up quickly when a concert was being held at the Cafe, so with it’s closing in August, they too have jumped on the ‘Save The Cactus Cafe’, bandwagon. Some people have even called up the UT’s football coach asking him to give a fraction of his $5.1 million annual salary to save the Cactus Cafe. There is a huge Facebook group dedicated to saving the cafe from budget cuts. Time is running out, students are graduating, so who knows if all the efforts to save the Cactus will have any effect.

A Walking Tour of Frankfurt

Posted by Brody on May 10, 2010

In the state of Hesse, the fifth largest city in Germany is known as Frankfurt am Main, but to tourists and foreign businessmen, the city is known more simply as Frankfurt. The name itself gives a part of the city’s history, which dates back to the Romans somewhere in the 1st Century. Frankfurt on Main, comes from the title Franconofurd from a Germanic tribe known as the Franks; the “Furt” part means “Ford,” which is a part of a river shallow enough to cross by wading. Today, the need to cross a river by wading has long since passed; however, if you still desire to take a walk in this town, then you might want to check in with Frankfurt on Foot .

This three hour walking tour begins every day of the year at ten-thirty in the morning. If you’ve just checked into one of the Frankfurt hotels and haven’t had a chance to make arrangements, there’s no problem here. There’s no need to make a reservation.

Simply arrive at the meeting point which you’ll find on Braubach Strasse. If you get there early, you can pick up a cup of coffee or pastry from the Starbucks on the Romerberg in order to be properly fortified for this informative tour of the city.

The tours cost about ten or twelve Euros and are very popular with people who have not been to Frankfurt before. Conducted by native English speakers, they’re a part of Insider Tours, and you’ll able to see most of the major sights, including the Dom, the Holocaust Memorial Wall, the Alt Nikolai Church, the Stumble Stones, and the Old Opera House .

In the summer months, you’ll be able to take a second tour that starts in the afternoon around three o’clock, titled “Where Once Was a Wall,” and this will take visitors around where the city wall once stood. If you don’t have much time in town, you’ll be able to see and discover far more than walking out on your own. It’s a perfect way to start your trip in Frankfurt, enabling you to find out what you want to see and do later in the week.

San Francisco Bays Alcatraz Island

Posted by Brody on April 21, 2010

One of the most popular tourist attractions in the city of San Francisco, California is visited by millions of people from around the world every year. This is also one of the city’s major landmarks and has been a somewhat controversial island throughout many social phases in recent decades. It is famous for housing one of the most notorious prisons in American history and also served as a military base with a military prison prior to its transition into a federal penitentiary. After this basic introduction it is extremely unlikely that any reader is not able to identify and give the name of this famous landmark. In fact, it can easily be seen by looking out the window of a hotel. San Francisco is known for a lot of reasons, and the island of Alcatraz is one of its most notorious. And touring this island and its infamous prison is the most popular thing for tourist to do while visiting the city.

The tour of the island begins with a beautiful ferry ride from Fisherman’s Warf. The short excursion lands guests at the island where they receive a brief orientation to the services offered and attractions they will find interesting. Most of the military prison is off limits for visiting, which is fine for most of the tourists who are their primarily to see the federal prison that housed so many notorious and famous criminals. There is a introduction video that offers interesting facts and important information about the prison, its history and inmates and is a recommended starting point for visiting the prison. There is also a quality audio narrative that is available on head set, in multiple languages, and guides visitors through the various cell blocks. Some of the most famous inmates to ever have served time at Alcatraz include Al Capone, George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly and Robert Stroud who was known as the Birdman of Alcatraz.

I’ve always been a big fan of Johnny Cash and I’ve always wanted to say I’m going to Jackson. I don’t know why I’ve always had that fantasy, but last summer when a friend of mine said he was going to go visit his aunt who lived there I was more than happy to ride along. Oh, he invited me of course. It’s a six-hour road trip and he wanted the company. And I wanted, well, you know what I wanted. In addition to being able to say the words I was also extremely excited to check out the city. I wanted to know what all the fuss was with this city with soul.

So we took off and Jack told me all about his aunt and the great food she would cook and she even played a little blues guitar. I’m not kidding, Jack said she’s the one that taught him his first chords and apparently they had always been really close while he was growing up. He told her he would be brining a friend and mentioned that we would stay in one of the Jackson hotels , which didn’t sit well with his aunt who quickly told him we would be staying with her. He knew she would have that response but wanted to be polite. I don’t think his aunt thought it was so polite. Anyway, we finally arrived at her place and his old Aunt Maddie greater us on the porch. I could smell something good coming from inside the house and Jack told me it was her famous peach cobbler.

We had a great time on that trip. Aunt Maddie can definitely cook and it’s true she can play guitar. She can also play cards, which we did quite a bit of. The two of them took me around the city and showed me some of the major attractions. We went to the Mississippi State Capital , which is a beautiful building. It turns out the city also has some incredible landmarks and historical sites. We saw the Dupree House and Mamie’s Cottage that was designed in the Greek Revival style. We also went to the Farish Street Historic District. I really enjoyed this area of the city and love to tour the historic areas of any place. It just gives me a strong sense of the personality of the city or something. Anyway, we had a great time, and Aunt Maddie invited back again this summer. So guess what, I’m going to Jackson.

Las Vegas and Hoover Dam

Posted by Brody on March 31, 2010

The land that is now the home of the famous gaming town of Las Vegas was a major stop for the indians and early pioneers who needed water along their journey. It was located along the Old Spanish Trail that carried early traders. In 1844, John C. Fremont, a leader of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, came to the area and gave it some merrit. Then came along Brigham Young with an assignment to build 30 missionaries of the Mormon faith to try and convert the Paiute Indians into their religion. But they abandoned it not long after. I suppose the Indians weren’t going along with the plan. Eventually, Las Vegas became more established with the railroad coming through in 1905. The city would become incorporated soon after in 1911. After some years of mining in the near by areas, Las Vegas got its next big boom with the building of the Hoover Dam in 1935. Right along Lake Mead is America’s largest man made lake and reservoir. This draws people out of their glamorous hotels for an afternoon or evening drive into U.S. history. The draw to the Hoover Dam is so large that they are now building a bypass bridge over it so that the tourist traffic can be avoided. It is not uncommon to be stuck in line for an hour to get over the damn. The main attraction to Las Vegas, however, is still the strip of gaming and entertainment. People come from all over the world to see what has been built up since gambling was legalized in 1931. Even in the 50s, Las Vegas was a small town were the pit bosses and the families knew each other. It was more personal. The early hotels had show rooms with stars playing before they were legends and Liberace sang happy birthday to the local kids during his show. Now the strip is filled with lots of strangers and is so massive in size. It would take so long to see everything that is available. It is an amazing city and filled with some interesting history which can be found in places like the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society were visitors can see how it all came together.

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