Lindsay Lohan Hawaii vacations

Lindsay Lohan is in Hawaii on a beach vacation approved by her probation officer, according to TMZ. According to the terms of her probation, Lohan is allowed to travel, but only with permission from her probation officer.

Lohan’s probation officer was apparently impressed by the fact that she is ahead of schedule in her court-ordered morgue duty and psychotherapy sessions, sources told TMZ.

Lindsay Lohan had hoped to reveal her first-ever Playboy cover during an appearance next week on “The Ellen Degeneres Show,” but as with most things Lohan, this, too, did not go according to plan.

The sexy cover shot was leaked online Tuesday on the website The Insider.com. It shows Lohan, in just a pair of black heels, straddling a red plastic chair in the shape of Playboy’s iconic bunny to strategically cover her up. The “Mean Girls” actress runs her hands through her long blond cascading hair.

“I think the Lindsay Lohan pictorial is spectacular. I couldn’t be happier,” tweeted Hugh Hefner, who called Lohan’s issue a “true Collector’s Edition.”

“Lindsay Lohan was the top search name on the Internet yesterday. Her issue goes on sale late next week. Hot. Hot. Hot,” wrote Hefner on Twitter.

Source and more info: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2011/12/lindsay-lohans-hawaiian-vacation-approved-by-probation-officer-report/

Fabulous Travel Destination: New York

New York is the financial, commercial and cultural nerve centre of United State. The city offers a wide range of pursuits and tourist spot which will add to the sheer delight of tourists. Get to know New York better and enjoy cheap flights to New York.

New York is the most populous cosmopolitan of the United States. A large number of people behold the dream of travelling or staying in this glamorous city. Vibrant, Fashionable, ritzy, expensive, dynamic, vivacious and prosperous - these qualifiers best describe the city. There are innumerable things to do when you book a cheap flight to New York. Whether you are visiting here first time or been here multiple times, this hotbed of culture and couture will delight you to the core.

New York is the most expensive city of the United States. It is easy to spend a fortune here. The city is popular as an obsessive shopper's paradise. A traveler can shop till he/she faints at New York's famed Park Avenue. In the similar vein, you can splurge in window shopping at the Saks Avenue and few designer shops. Besides, loosing your pockets to buy at swanky shopping malls in New York, you can visit various tourist spots and spend quality time there.

The city is eclectic and abounds many worth seeing places which will mesmerize tourists. Ellis island is one of the major tourist attraction of NY. Now with the New York pass, one can get a free ferry ride to this place. You can book window seat in your New York flight and enjoy the sight of the Statue of Liberty.

Secondly, Empire State Building is another famous place which entices visitors with its magnificence and design. The building remained tallest edifice in the world for 40 years till World Trade centre or Twin Towers were constructed in 1972.

Be it partying or museums or botanical gardens, green spaces, or night clubs, or bustling market places, the seductive city offers something for everyone. One must try a virtual helicopter tour to enjoy amazing now York sky ride. You can gaze your favorite celebrities at the famed Madame Tussuad museum that has an interesting collection of 220 illustrious personalities. The Cathedral of St. John the divine is also a must see attraction which is the largest cathedral.

New York city seems dream destination to discerning travelers due to numerous activities which one can do here. I you like to be a part of thrill, entertainment and beauty, New York is the place to be at. Don't want much, save your moolah and book cheap flight tickets to New York.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6544970

Travel to Liverpool

Situated on a broad curve on the Mersey river, prone to fogs, battering seas and long rains, Liverpool is a seafarer's dream. Liverpool was and still is one of the world's great ports, and was second only to London as the greatest city in an enormous empire that stretched across the world. A cosmopolitan and diverse city, Liverpool was the departing port where millions of immigrants left for the Americas. If you live in North America, your ancestors more than likely left from the famous Mersey docks.

Right now is an exciting time for Liverpool as it is recovering from a depressing slump and it is revitalizing its streets. The city is bracing for an exciting future and taking its rightful place as one of Europe's premier cities. Liverpool is a city alive with music, sport, good humour and vitality. It is a progressive city which is proud of its past. One can experience the maritime heritage of this major seaport, enjoy the Victorian, Georgian and Neoclassical architecture, visit one of the many museums and galleries, or walk in some of the 3000 acres of Liverpool parkland. Liverpool is a city famous for its football, music scene and nightlife, and for the countless well-known personalities that originated here. Liverpool is one of the liveliest and most exciting places in the British Isles.

There is no denying that Liverpool is a large commercial city but it also has many large parks and impressive public buildings which reflect the city's rich heritage.

Because of Liverpool's position on the Mersey estuary, the sea and shipping have been an integral part of city life for several centuries. The city is currently undergoing a major transformation, as a result of the injection of hundreds of millions of pounds of funding from Government and European (Objective One) sources. A recent example of a successful redevelopment is the Victorian Albert Dock which has now become a major tourist attraction, of chic cafes, restaurants and designer shops, which attracts more than 5 million visitors to Liverpool each year.

Impressive stuff, no doubt, but it’s the culture on offer that really has us buzzing. The city’s store of superb museums and top-class art galleries – all free – have put paid to the scurrilous rumour that Liverpool peaked with the Beatles: in 2004 the whole of the waterfront and docks was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site because there are more listed buildings here than in any other city in England except London. And then, of course, the nightlife: as rich and varied as you’d expect from a good northern city.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org; lonelyplanet.com

Travel to Fiji

Fiji is one of these paradise islands in the Pacific. But the island has more to offer than just beaches where you can bum, and water where you can snorkel.

There are many scenic and historic attractions in Fiji. The capital, Suva, has many old shops and markets with various foods, artefacts, handicrafts and especially seafood. Places of historic interest include the National Museum, situated in the lush surrounds of Thurston Gardens next to Government House and the old Parliament Buildings. Other sites of interest on Fiji include the Cultural Centre at Orchid Island, just outside of Suva, the mysterious earthworks at Taveuni and the old colonial houses (situated around Fiji).

Very typical for Fiji are three things : The first is the word “Bula”! This will probably be your first word when arriving in Fiji. Meaning “welcome” but also “be at ease”, it will most definitely make you feel both. Secondly it is common refrain repeated by all who travelled to Fiji, is that the islands of Fiji are not only among the most pristine in the world, but also inhabited by the friendliest people. And last but not least the world renowned Island Resorts, resorts on private islands, many of them within easy reach from the international airports of Nadi and Suva.

The ethnic variety of Fiji society can be seen mainly in the towns. There are powerfully built Fijians dressed in wrap-around sulus, numerous Indians, men in Western clothes, women wearing colourful saris and a scattering of European, Chinese and other Pacific Islanders. One tradition of both the Indians and Fijians is the practice of fire-walking. Fijian fire-walking has its origin in legend, while Indian fire-walking is done for religious reasons; although tourists can pay to see these ceremonies, the ritual remains a religious penance and not merely a tourist attraction. Cruises on large schooners or yachts to the different islands can be arranged, and tours around the main islands in comfortable coaches are also available.

For the hardier, hiking in the mountains with dramatic views of the islands is another option.

If you are interested to view the Map of Fiji, please do not hesitate to check out the Fiji Mapserver Website on http://map.mrd.gov.fj. Fiji is a very nice place to go and visit although it has many island i suggest that you try a cruise to visit all the islands.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Hong Kong

Hong Kong (Heung Gong in Cantonese, Xianggang in Mandarin, meaning "fragrant harbour") has the big city specials like smog, odour, 14 million elbows and an insane love of clatter and the city. But it's also efficient, hushed and peaceful: the transport network is excellent, the shopping centres are sublime which sell donkey outfits, the cuisine is legendary, and the temples and quiet corners of parks are contemplative oases.

The best thing about being in Hong Kong is getting flummoxed and fired by the confluences and contradictions of a Chinese city with Chinese and Western elements. It's about savouring new tastes, weaving through human gridlock and humming some dumb Cantopop tune while slurping your noodles.

From the vantage point of Victoria Peak, overlooking the world's busiest deepwater port, you can see a city geared not only to making money but feeling good about it. At night, it's like looking down into a volcano. The view is breathtaking.

Despite its British colonial past, Hong Kong has always stuck to its roots, and the culture beneath the glitz is pure Chinese. That didn't stop locals from feeling apprehensive about being reunited with the motherland when the British handed the colony to the People's Republic of China in early 1997, but their unease has largely evaporated.

Hong Kong is divided into four main areas - Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Kowloon and the New Territories are on a peninsula of the Chinese mainland, on the northern side of Victoria Harbour; Hong Kong Island is on the southern side of the harbour facing Kowloon.

The city itself is centred around Victoria Harbour. The main business district is Central, on Hong Kong Island. East of Central lies the Admiralty commercial district; Wan Chai, known for restaurants and clubs; then Causeway Bay, a major shopping area. Towering above it all is the Peak, Hong Kong's premier scenic outlook and residential district, which happily has plenty of public green space. In Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui (on the southern tip), Jordan and Yau Ma Tei are busy hotel and shopping areas, while Mong Kok is a bustling residential and shopping area.

Hong Kong Island, the busy financial and commercial centre with its high skyscrapers, has a lot to offer: shops, bars, headquarters from companies and, for those who feel like it, a handful of culture namely a few museums and some sights. Make sure you go to Victoria Peak where you can have astonishing views of the surroundings. One of the nicest beaches, despite its shark warnings, is definitely Repulse Bay. A tram ride is a must. For those who want to see a bit more of the Hong Kong Island, it might be a good idea to visit Aberdeen.

Kowloon is the southern tip of the peninsula and faces Hong Kong island. This paradise of shops, bars and hotels is not only popular with tourists but also with inhabitants of Hong Kong island who can easily take the ferry to this melting-pot of everything relating to spending your money. Besides the important shopping areas, such as the shops and street markets around Nathan Road (sometimes also known as the ‘Golden Mile’) and Mong Kok, there is an abundance of bars and cafés. However, there is even more in Kowloon. Although they are not dipped in neon-lights, there are a few nice temples you can visit, such as the famous Wong Tai temple, and a couple of quite interesting museums.

The Northern part is known as the New Territories. Although many travellers just rush through NT to arrive at the border, it might be an idea to explore this area with its dualistic character. You will see small ancient rural villages alternated with modern towns.

The Outlying Islands simply refers to any of the other 235 islands, including the popular destination of Lantau Island, where you can find the giant Buddha, Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong International Airport, and Tai O - a characteristic fishing village built on stilts. Other smaller islands worth visiting are Lamma and Cheung Chau, both village islands and completely different from Hong Kong Island.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel Guide Paris

Paris is known as The City of Lights and it absolutely deserves this name. But Paris is much more than just the City of Lights. Paris is one of the best travel destinations in the world as it offers everything a traveler could possibly hope for.

Unlike most major cities traveling in and out of Paris by plane is relatively simple due to the accessibility of Charles de Gaulle International Airport

A stay in Paris should always include at least three of the most popular Paris activities for visitors including: a visit to the Louvre -- one of the most impressive and well known museums in the world, a climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and a climb to the top of Notre Dame Cathedral. If you have time, you should also climb the steps to the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre, stroll around the Place du Tertre, and visit the saucy Pigalle district. Take a walk around the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) -- St. Germain, Boulevard, St. Michel -- and bask in the creative energy of the street performers outside the Centre Pompidou.

In the neighborhoods of Paris you can visit Fontainebleau and Versailles, with its magnificent palace of Louis XIV, as well as Vaux-le-Vicomte and the inspiration for Versailles. All of these Paris activities make perfect day trips just about any day of the week.

Another wonderful sight that shouldn't missed on your visit to Paris is the world famous Musee Picasso (Picasso Museum). At Paris' Picasso Museum, you can browse through the famous artist's masterpieces housed in one of the most significant private residences in the Marais' the Hotel Sale. The Picasso Museum features a spectacular collection of Picasso's works including drawings, sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and engravings, as well as the artist's private collection highlighting paintings by Cezanne, Braque, and more.

Paris is full of surprises; the city even offers an interesting breakfast place called "Breakfast in America". Located at 17 rue des Ecoles, 5th arr., this Paris restaurant is a great place to fuel up before a long day of exploration and energetic Paris activities (www.breakfast-in-america.com). Just give it a try; you'll be amazed at Paris's take on American cuisine! For an authentic Paris breakfast, try any Boulangerie Patisserie for excellent Paris pastries and coffee.

Be your own Paris travel guide -- take a walk and discover some of Paris' treasures for yourself!

Things to Do in Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral - A climb to the top of Notre Dame Cathedral also offers nice views of Paris, and if you have time, you should also climb the steps to the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre. www.notredamedeparis.fr

Champs-Elysees- The avenue runs for two kilometres (1.25 miles) through the 8th arrondissement in northwestern Paris, from the Place de la Concorde in the east, with its obelisk, to the Place Charles de Gaulle (formerly the Place de l'Étoile) in the west, location of the Arc de Triomphe. The Champs-Élysées forms part of the Axe historique.

One of the principal tourist destinations in Paris, the lower part of the Champs-Élysées is bordered by greenery (Marigny Square) and by buildings such as the Théâtre Marigny and the Grand Palais (containing the Palais de la Découverte). The Elysée Palace is a little bit to the north, but not on the avenue itself. Further to the west, the avenue is lined with cinemas, cafés and restaurants (most notably Fouquet's), and luxury specialty shops. Aux champs Elysees run under the famous l'Arc de Triomphe the famous arch napolean built to honor his war victories. www.champselysees.org

Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) -- The Latin Quarter lies in the 5th Arrondissement around St. Germain, Boulevard St. Michel. Here, visitors can bask in the creative energy of the street performers outside the Centre Pompidou.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Ibiza

Ibiza, an island which is one in a thousand! It is undoubtedly popular within the international club life scene. Every one who loves nightlife clubbing should have been at least once on this magical island.

In the sixties, the island dissociated itself from the rest of the European resorts with the arrival of Baghwan Shree Rejneesh. This religious cult hero was the leader of a rather strange sect and his hippytrain followed in his wake to Ibiza. The party community was born.

From all over the world, top DJ's are attracted to play records at this party island. Real die-hards, however, think that Ibiza has become too much commercialised. The island, with its 84,000 inhabitants, attracts over a million visitors every year. Despite this, Ibiza remains a draw. During the whole summer, the island is the scene of non-stop parties, which can be said of only a few other places in the world.

Ibiza Town is the place to head for - it has everything the island is famous for; the other towns are nothing compared to the capital of the islands. San Antonio Abad has lots of ugly hotels and appartment complexes, Santa Eulalia is nice daytrip but not much more

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Miami

Welcome to Miami -- the sunny southern city in the sunny state of Florida. To most people who have never taken a Miami trip, just think of Sonny Crocket and Ricardo Tubbs in a speedboat chasing some drug dealers. Be your own judge and take a Miami vacation to find out what this city really is like: a melting pot of cultures, a warm and friendly city on one of the most beautiful spots in the world, a city of great architecture and the perfect starting point for exploring the rich variety of sights and sounds in Florida.

But most people think Miami is only a city of fun and games based just on tourism. Miami is a lot of fun, but it is also a huge financial center of the world. Downtown Miami has the largest concentration of International Banks in the United States. Miami was named a Gamma world city based on its economic importance especially towards Latin America. U.S. Southern Command Headquarters are in Miami, also the National Hurricane Center calls Miami home. Miami also how the highest percentage of foreign- born residents in the world! 59% of Miami residents were born outside the US. This makes Miami one of the most diverse cities in the world.

Miami is also known as the capital of Latin America and the Caribbean for economic, transportation, and cultural reasons.

When you are in Miami, one thing is sure, you will not be bored! There are too many Miami activities to enjoy such as going to museums, hanging out at one of many Miami restaurants, cafes, or bars, and dancing until dawn at a hot nightclub.

Now, if you haven't taken a Miami trip for Memorial Weekend, you are missing out. Imagine BCR weekend in Daytona with class and about 100,000 more people. There are three main streets where all the action can be found: Ocean, Collins, and Washington. All three streets are within walking distance from one another. A great place to find excellent Miami hotels is along the ocean -- and it's well worth the money. You're always within walking distance to the beach, of course and a Starbucks is always nearby. Hey, did you know you could stay in Versace's house for about $1,200.00 per night?

The beach is beautiful, the water is very warm and the view to the bottom of the ocean is crystal clear. You can rent an umbrella and 2 lounges for about $24 for the entire day. It's not as hot as you think it would be on the beach, however. It's actually hotter on the strip than on the beach. Collins offers plenty of shopping and lots of expensive boutiques. The Miami restaurants in the area are pretty amazing as well and reasonably priced. Ocean drive restaurants may be a bit more expensive, but the excellent cuisine and service is well worth the price tag.

The Art Deco architecture in the old section of Miami Beach alongside the beach is impressive and worth a leisurely stroll to view its beauty.

Top Five Miami Attractions

Biltmore Hotel – Located in the Coral Gables area of Miami, the Biltmore Hotel is sits on 150 acres of pristine land. The hotel features a magnificent 18-hole Donald Ross-designed golf course, 10 tennis courts, a pool, a wide variety of restaurants, and a world-class fitness center. The Biltmore is much more than just a hotel, it is one of Miami’s star attractions. If you plan stay at Miami’s Biltmore Hotel the hotel features 275 guest rooms and suites including the famous Poolside Cabana Suites. 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables FL, 33134, Ph: 800-915-1929, www.biltmorehotel.com.

The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens - Agricultural industrialist James Deering built the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in 1916. The site features 10 acres of formal gardens, a main house, and an historic village. This National Historic Landmark is open to the public 364 days a year. 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami FL, 33129, Ph: 305-250-9133, www.vizcayamuseum.org.

Coral Castle – Some people call it The Eighth Wonder of the World and others call it a mystery. But one thing is true about Coral Castle – it is the most amazing sight you will see during your Miami vacation. One man -- Edward Leedskalnin, a five-foot tall 100-pound man, built Coral Castle from 1920-1951. The amazing part is the stones that were used to build the castle weighed several tons each. The question still remains, how did Edward Leedskalnin build the castle alone? 28655 S. Dixie Highway, Homestead FL, Ph: 305-248-6345. Open daily from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Bass Museum of Art – The Bass Museum of Art is located in the center of Miami’s historic district and it has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. The museum features works by Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, and Julio Gonzalez as well as works by pop artists such as Andy Warhol and Richard Linder. The exhibition schedule changes every several months or so, so please check the website before your visit. 2121 Park Avenue, Ph: 305-673-7530, www.bassmuseum.org. Admission $8.

Elian Gonzalez’s House – Who could forget that heartbreaking scene that took place in the home of Elian Gonzalez’s relatives on April 22, 2000. Federal police, were forced to remove Elian by force in order to return the child to his father in Cuba. The home, now a shrine, can be photographed on Sundays from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. 2319 N.W. 2nd Street at N.W. 23rd Avenue, Little Havana. Cost: Free.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel To Rome

The name inverts neatly to form amor[e]. No wonder that a natural occurrence is to fall in love with Rome -- her magnificence will leave you breathless. Rome is the fabled Eternal City and Rome activities and sights create fascination in the mind of the traveler. Rome -- romantic, resplendent Rome, can reward as no other city can. Do not expect her playful, exuberant fountains to cease from casting their liquid diamonds into the sky, even during the quiet hours of the night, for there is no stopping the flow of her hundreds of miles of aqueducts, which will also be serving your grand Rome hotel room. Yet, as no other city has been the focal point of the world for such a long period of time, as any text book or Rome travel guide will explain, few have such a long and turbulent history as has Roma. Lavished with architectural jewelry from republican to imperial to early-Christian to medieval to renaissance to modern times by history's greatest artists, the queen of cities has also experienced sieges and raids that left their scars.

But each time the Eternal City recovered from her injuries in glorious form.

Roma’s history is tightly connected to the history of Europe as a whole. Not just the Roman emperors but also medieval emperors and kings, such as Charlemagne and Otto I, regarded Rome as the true seat of power; only here could their authority, through benediction by the popes, be sanctified.

"Non basta una vita," it is said: One does not have to be one of the countless academics residing in her many foreign institutes to declare that one life is not enough to get to know Roma. You could easily spend nine, like the stray cats that populate the city, and still find more to discover. At each corner of each street there is a multitude of stories to tell, with layer upon layer of history beneath the feet. A modern school occupies a renaissance palace built on the foundations of an imperial bath complex whose mosaics and aqueduct conduits can still be seen, and a baroque church incorporating the structure of a medieval basilica stands on the foundations of a republican temple. These are only two of the myriad stories in Roma, which together hardly even begin to reveal the history of this 3000-year-old city.

Be certain not to miss The Eternal City's Trevi Fountain (remember Anita Ekberg in the classic scene in La Dolce Vita), the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Piazza del Popolo, as well as some of the Roman heritage sights, such as the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Forum Romanum. Be sure to visit a few of her world-famous churches, such as Il Gesu, S. Giovanni in Laterano and Sta. Maria Maggiore; and the Vatican, which features the incredibly huge St. Peter's Basilica and the unrivaled Vatican Museums. In addition, sunrise on the Gianicolo and sunset on the Pincio, with vistas of a sea of golden domes and bell-towers, are sure to record unforgettable images on the mind.

Not far from Roma you can find the wonderful Ancient Ostia, the ancient port of Rome, where you can enjoy a great day walking among bath complexes, squares, temples, and lots of well-preserved stores, like the Tabernae, an ancient take-away Rome restaurant/pub.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Cancun

The city is actually split in two main area, the Zona Hotelera, which is a an 18 Km long island which is located facing the caribbean on one side along a long sunny beach strip with many large fancy hotels and on the other back side it is surrounded by a beautiful lagoon called Laguna Nichupte. The second part of the city is called Ciudad Cancun, which is in the mainland. This is where most of the Cancun local people live, and also where tourists can find more budget accommodations. Ciudad Cancun and Zona Hotelera are joined by this long causeway/bridge. They are literally two different worlds. Ciudad Cancun has some nice restaurants and bars along Avenida Yaxchitlan, and a more Mexico feel to it. The Zona Hotelera has the opulence of Las Vegas, Nevada with a beautiful beach, nice malls, fancy bars but no casinos.

Nearby are many Maya sites that are easy to explore. They offer a unique insight in the precolombian civilization of Mexico. Many tourists get packages to visit Chichen Itza,a good 2-3 hrs away by car.

But, if a tourist takes local buses, or even better, rents a car...there are many wonderful places to see. Some of the closer ones to Cancun are Cobá and Tulum, which are near Playa del Carmen, which is also another tourist ocean area on the so called Ruta Maya, within an hour from Cancun. Tulum ruins are near the water, so it is a scenic place, Cobá is about 45 mins. inland from Tulum....very wonderful place. Renting a bike on site is recommended in order to visit the whole site, as it is very spread out. There is also a nice tall pyramid to climb with an awesome view of the surrounding jungle....

Near Chichen Itza, just north of the city of Valladolid, there are the recent excavations in a place called Ek Balam. The place is very well preserved, and it is worth a visit...and you'll miss most of the crowds that go to Chichen Itza.

If you are into Mayan ruins, it is recommended that you visit the surroundings near the city of Mérida (on the west side of Yucatan, 4 hrs. by car from Cancun) and do the Ruta Puuc. This route is best enjoyed in a couple days, but, if you are in a rush, you can do it all in one day if you have an early start. The most impressive one is a place called Uxmal...it is well preserved and very large. There are several other ones...about 5-6 of them, among them Sayil and Labna. They are all great, well kept, and uncrowded. From there, after Ruta Puuc, you can drive to Chichen Itza...visiting some small Yucatecan small towns and villages on the way, such as the town of Oxcutzcab, famous for their citrus industry and see their main downtown square, church and market.

Back to Cancun:

The other main attraction of Cancun consists of the possibilities to see the world under the waves. Snorkeling and diving in Cancun and nearby Cozumel are among the best of the world.

There are these other things around Ruta Maya, they are these waterholes near mangrove area, sort of like sinkholes filled with clean fresh water. These are called Cenotes, and you can swim in them. There are tons around this area and they are worth checking out.

The town itself is rather disappointing however and if you have not booked a room with your flight it would be better to find lodging somewhere else. The big hotel chains are focused very much on package deal groups and do not cater well to individual travelers. This is correct, yet, to do Cancun in a budget, try Ciudad Cancun for lodging, the hotels are a lot more reasonable there, and there are even a few hostels. You can always catch a bus to the beach area.

Cancun is a wonderful destination. For beachcombers who do not want to leave the sun, they can just do that. But for those who want to get some culture and explore the richness of Yucatan and Quintana Roo, the opportunities are endless. This is a very unique area, very different from Mainland Mexico.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands are one of the most beautiful places on earth. The weather is friendly. The temperature ranges from 60-90 degrees all year long. It's a little warmer in summer, and a little cooler in winter, but every day is a beach day for somebody.

The environment is friendly. The physical beauty of Hawaii is almost unparalleled. Majestic mountains were created millions of years ago by volcanic activity that thrust these islands three miles from the ocean floor. Wave action across endless eons of time created coral reefs, and then battered and broke them to create miles of white sand beach. Our position at the center of the Pacific ensured that almost every plant and animal who would find a home here would come as an invited guest. There are no strangers in Paradise. Perhaps the most beautiful part of Hawaii is the genuine warmth of our people. We call it the spirit of Aloha. It has allowed a melting pot of cultures from all over the world to find common ground, and a new home, in this most gentle of places.

Hawai'i is an archipelago of over nineteen distinct volcanic islands located over a geological "hot spot" in the Central Pacific. The Pacific plate on which the islands ride moves to the northwest, so in general the islands are older and smaller (due to erosion) as you move from southeast to northwest. There are eight major islands, six of which are open to tourism.

Hawaii, the "Big Island," is the largest of the islands and home to Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa (the largest and one of the most active volcanoes on Earth), Hawaii Volcanoes National Park [2], coffee and macadamia nut plantations, working ranches, and even green sand beaches. Kailua-Kona is the busiest part of the island on the dry, leeward side, and near the mega-resort Kohala Coast area with nearly zero annual precipitation. The saddle road (quite passable and a must see--despite what rental car companies say) passes between the massive volcanoes and connects Kohala with Hilo, the largest town on the windward side with annual precipitation of more than 300 inches per year. Unlike anywhere else on Earth and definitely worth a look.

Oahu, nicknamed "the Gathering Place," is the most populous and developed island. Its southern shore is home to the city of Honolulu; four out of every five Hawaii residents call it home. It is the governmental and commercial center of the state, and Waikiki Beach is arguably the best known tourist destination in Hawaii. Outside the city are pineapple fields, and the North Shore of Oahu, which is known each winter as the home of some of the largest waves in the world. The USS Arizona National Memorial at Pearl Harbor is also very popular visitor destination.

Maui is the second largest island in the chain and is home to 10,023 foot (3,055 m) tall volcanic mountain crater of Haleakala. It is nicknamed "the Valley Isle" for the narrow plain between Haleakala and the West Maui mountains. On the west side of the island are the resort areas of Lahaina, Kaanapali and Kapalua, While the south side is home to Kihei, and Wailea. On the east side is the tiny village of Hana, reached by one of the most winding and beautiful roads in the world.

Kauai, the "Garden Isle," is home to several natural wonders, such as the Wailua River, Waimea Canyon, and the Na Pali Coast. Mount Waialeale is known as one of the rainiest spots in the world.

Molokai, the "Friendly Isle," is one of the least developed islands in the chain. It is home to Kalaupapa, the leper colony on Molokai's north shore that was the home of Father Damien.

Lanai was at one time completely owned by Dole Foods and was the largest pineapple plantation in the world; it is now home to several exclusive resorts.

Niihau is a privately owned island with an entirely Native Hawaiian population. Until very recently, the island was off limits to all but family members and invited guests of the owners. Tourism to the island is limited to Helicopter, ATV, and hunting excursions originating on Kauai.

Kahoolawe, which was once a former US Navy bombing range, remains uninhabited. Efforts are being made to rehabilitate the island, but cleanup efforts continue.

What do in Hawaii ??

The Hawaiian islands offer a vast number of activities. Hiking and eco tours are popular on most islands, with opportunities for horseback riding, ATV, air tours, and other methods of exploring the landscape. Museums and historical sites such as Pearl Harbor are also to be found throughout the islands. Cultural activities such as the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu also make for interesting day-long activities.

Oahu is famous for Pearl Harbor tours, but also popular are Shark Snorkel dives in cages, Waikiki snorkel tours as well as around Oahu Tours where you will see all the major highlites of Oahu including Diamond Head, the North Shore and Dole Plantation where you can sample menu items made from fresh picked pineapples.

Maui is the location for Humpback Whale Watching from December 15 to April 15 each year as the massive Humpbacks migrate to Hawaii's warm waters to bear their calves. Also famous from Maui is the Molokini Crater which is a partially submerged volanco crater that you can snorkel at.

Kauai is untamed and beautiful. It has been featured in many major motion pictures over the past two decades. See this island by land or by air to take in the true beauty of this island.

This Big island is the volano island where you can take a land tour or fly over the incredible huge volanco on a helicopter tour. Doors off flights allow you to feel the heat from the volanco, and amazingly unique experience. Also on the Big Island you have the rare opportunity to swim with Wild dolphins, not capitve one.

Hawaii is best known for its beaches and water activities. Surfing is practically a religion in Hawaii, and scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities exist nearly everywhere. In addition, jet skiing, parasailing and kayaking are available in tourist areas.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city of dreams, fashion, and Hollywood. It is the quintessential 21st century American city with attractions and activities that can only be found in Los Angeles. Los Angeles restaurants, Los Angeles hotels, and all Los Angeles activities are in a class all their own. The city embraces and absorbs everything in its path - from culture to food to people – and makes it its own. It reflects and (to some) warps it back in a manner that is uniquely Los Angeles

Flip through the pages of just any popular Los Angeles travel guide and the word "dream" will be appear over and over and over again. Yes, Los Angeles is America's Dream Factory and the creating of that fantasy rubs off on the citizens who actually live here. Take the base of the American spirit that anything is possible, add in the belief that life is like a movie, and add lots of sunshine – you can reinvent yourself and anything really is possible. No matter your nationality, you too can travel halfway around the world to win an Oscar, live in Beverly Hills, or come penniless from a small Austrian village and become governor of the state.

The city has everything, whether you're jet setting, roughing it, or anything in between. Los Angeles is cosmopolitan, quaint, crazy, quiet, sophisticated, down-home, and everything in between. There is wealth as well as poverty, sometimes only blocks away. You can have and see it all.

Geographically, Los Angeles County really encompasses hundreds of suburbs and other cities. The city of Los Angeles itself encompasses the "downtown" area, much of the urban vicinity to the west and northwest, and a narrow corridor extending south of the center. However, many famous locations such as Beverly Hills and Santa Monica are actually independent cities on their own and not legally part of L.A. But of course, outside of city politics, no one really makes that distinction. So, while we’re really crossing legal boundaries, we just call most of it all Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is all about the neighborhoods (some, as mentioned, are technically cities) – many are world famous – BEVERLY HILLS, HOLLYWOOD, UNIVERSAL CITY, MALIBU, SANTA MONICA, VENICE, BURBANK, SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, PASADENA, CENTURY CITY, SOUTH CENTRAL (now SOUTH LOS ANGELES), as well as MARINA DEL REY, SOUTH BAY, WESTCHESTER, & EL SEGUNDO. Also included are the equally famous streets, such as SUNSET BLVD, MELROSE AVE, OLVERA ST, RODEO DRIVE, SANTA MONICA BLVD, and MULHOLLAND DRIVE. And these are just the well known ones – there are literally hundreds of other cities, places, and streets equally interesting.

The question is where to begin?

BURBANK/SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

The obvious place to start is with the entertainment related locales. Popular Los Angeles activities for tourists such as tapings and studio tours are plentiful in these areas. Let’s begin in the northeast and work our way south. 10 miles north of downtown is GLENDALE & BURBANK. Not as well know but that’s where the inside work of entertainment is. Glendale is home to DreamWorks Animation and Nickelodeon Animation studios (no tours) and hundreds of small production studios, special effects and prop houses. As we move to Burbank, NBC’s West Coast HQ’s & Disney’s main HQ’s are there (both on Olive St.). A block away is Disney Animation and Disney Channel’s building. The Disney HQ features the 7 dwarves “holding up” the roof – the lot also houses a small studio. It is closed to the public but you can photograph from the street. The Tonight Show is taped at the NBC studios. There is a queue out front on taping days starting by early afternoon.

If you look up to the mountain range, you'll see the back part of Griffith Park, where the Griffith Observatory and the Gibson Amphitheater (an outdoor event venue) are located. A few blocks further west is the WARNER BROS. STUDIO – you can’t miss the mammoth advertising – it is also a working studio and there are tours. I believe you have to call ahead to reserve (unlike Universal Studios). As you continue along Ventura Blvd., there are other studios (mostly TV) that are discreet in appearance such as the CBS STUDIO CENTER where there are always dozens of sitcoms being taped there (Seinfeld was there). You can get free tickets – sitcoms usually tape Friday nights. At that point, you can swing south and no more than a few miles away is UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. No great detail needed here, as it’s internationally known

CENTURY CITY

About 10 miles west is Century City. It used to all belong to Fox but they had to sell it – allegedly to pay off debts from the production of Cleopatra. You can see glimpses of the Fox lot (no tour) and on the AVENUE of THE STARS is the famous “Nakatomi” building from DIE HARD (now known as the Fox Plaza). AVENUE of the STARS is also the west coast headquarters for most cable companies and ABC (no tours). Nearby in Culver City is Sony & MGM (no tours and not much of a back lot).

Now, you can overlay the next-level tourist destinations while you’re visiting some of the entertainment related sites.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Singapore

A city-state in Southeast Asia, Singapore is one of the most successful areas in the world. Singapore was founded in 1819 and currently has an average population of 4.5 million people and is the second most densely populated area in the world. Singapore combines the big-city elements of skyscrapers, subways and bustling streets with traditional Chinese, Indian and Malay food, culture and goods. An all-inclusive city, Singapore is diverse enough to please anyone of any age and background.

Districts

Singapore is broken up into multiple districts that all have specific meaning and purpose. The Orchard District is the best for shopping with miles of shopping malls where the Riverside (also known as Civic) District is the historic district of Singapore. This spot is where you want to come to view historic architecture and statues, tour museums and theaters. Chinatown and Little India are 2 districts that are heavily influenced by China and India, providing even more ethnic diversity on this island.

Language

English is the main language spoken throughout so you won't have to worry about not being able to get around. The major religions in Singapore are Muslim, Hindu, Taoism and Roman Catholic. There are places of worship all over the city. A visit to one of these culturally enlightening locations is not one you will want to miss.

The biggest attractions in Singapore are the museums in the Orchard District, the Singapore Zoo, beaches on the East Coast or Sentosa as well as a hike through the lush, tropical rain forests. The Esplanade Theater is another huge tourist attraction. Located in the Riverside District, the theater is home to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and is visited regularly by local bands and touring artists.

Prices

When budgeting your stay in Singapore, it is important to know the currency and what your money is worth. Compared to 1 Singapore dollar, the U.S. dollar is worth about $1.40 and the euro is worth about $2.01. It is definitely cheaper to travel to Singapore than to other Asian or European countries. Being that this is the case, shopping is easily the most popular pastime in Singapore. Accommodations vary in price so it will be easy to book a hotel based on what your budget will allow. Food is priced based on where you go. There are high-end restaurants as well as street markets--which are always the best places to get your fill of ethnic cuisine.

Note: Brunei peg their dollar to Singapore. Our currency is independent. Roman Catholic and Christians are the majority religion in Singapore.

People

Singapore prides itself on being a multi-racial country, and has a diverse culture despite its small size. The largest group are the Chinese, who form about 75% of the population. Amongst the Chinese, Hokkien speakers form the majority, while Teochew and Cantonese speakers round out the top three. Other notable "dialect" groups among the Chinese include the Hakkas, Hainanese and Foochows. The Malays, who are comprised of Singapore's original inhabitants as well as migrants from present day Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, form about 14% of the population, while Indians form about 9% of the population. Among the Indians, Tamils form the largest group by far, though there are also a significant numbers of speakers of other Indian languages such as Hindi, Malayalam and Punjabi. The remainder are a mix of many other cultures, most notably the Eurasians who are of mixed European and Asian descent, and also a handful of Filipinos, Burmese, Japanese, Thais and many others. Slighty over one-third of Singapore's residents are not citizens.

Get Around

Getting around Singapore is effortless: the public transportation system is among the best in the world and taxis are reasonably priced. Very few visitors rent cars. Gothere.sg [40] does a pretty good job of figuring out the fastest route by MRT and bus and even estimating taxi fares between any two points.

If you are staying in Singapore for some time, the ez-link [41] farecard might be a worthwhile purchase. You can store value on it and use it on the MRT trains as well as all city buses at a 15% discount. The card costs $12, including $7 stored value, and the card can be "topped up" in increments of at least $10 at the farecard vending machines or 7-Eleven stores. You can use the same card for 5 years. The card technology was changed in 2009, but if you have any old cards lying around, they can be exchanged for free with value intact at TransitLink offices in all MRT stations.

Alternatively, the Singapore Tourist Pass [42] available at selected major MRT stations (including Changi Airport and Orchard) also includes ez-link card functionality and a variety of discounts for attractions. Prices start at $8 a day for unlimited travel on MRT and buses, but you need to a travel a lot to make this alone pay off.

Single tickets can be purchased for both MRT and buses, but it's a hassle, and in the case of buses it delays everyone else because the driver has to count fare stages to tell you how much you need to pay.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Miami Travel Guide

Miami is a major city in the south-eastern United States and makes up part of the largest metropolitan area in Florida. Being part of the South Florida region, it is 20 miles from Fort Lauderdale, 106 miles from Naples (Florida) and 156 miles from Key West.

Far and away the most exciting city in Florida, Miami is an often intoxicatingly beautiful place, with palm trees swaying in the breeze and South Beach's famous Art Deco buildings stunning in the warm sunlight. Away from the beaches and the tourists, the gleaming skyscrapers of downtown herald Miami's proud status as the headquarters of many US corporations' Latin American operations. Even so, it's the people, not the climate, the landscape, or the cash, that makes Miami so noteworthy. Two-thirds of the two-million-plus population is Hispanic, the majority of which are Cuban, and Spanish is the predominant language almost everywhere.

Just over a hundred years ago Miami was a swampy outpost of mosquito-tormented settlers. The arrival of Henry Flagler's railroad in 1896 gave the city its first fixed land-link with the rest of the continent, and cleared the way for the Twenties property boom. In the Fifties, Miami Beach became a celebrity-filled resort area, just as thousands of Cubans fleeing the regime of Fidel Castro began arriving here as well. The Sixties and Seventies brought decline, and Miami's dangerous reputation in the Eighties was well deserved – in 1980 the city had the highest murder rate in America.

Since then, with the strengthening of Latin American economic links and the gentrification of South Beach – which helped make tourism the lifeblood of the local economy again in the early Nineties – Miami is enjoying a surge of affluence and optimism.

Welcome to Miami -- the sunny southern city in the sunny state of Florida. To most people who have never taken a Miami trip, just think of Sonny Crocket and Ricardo Tubbs in a speedboat chasing some drug dealers. Be your own judge and take a Miami vacation to find out what this city really is like: a melting pot of cultures, a warm and friendly city on one of the most beautiful spots in the world, a city of great architecture and the perfect starting point for exploring the rich variety of sights and sounds in Florida.

But most people think Miami is only a city of fun and games based just on tourism. Miami is a lot of fun, but it is also a huge financial center of the world. Downtown Miami has the largest concentration of International Banks in the United States. Miami was named a Gamma world city based on its economic importance especially towards Latin America. U.S. Southern Command Headquarters are in Miami, also the National Hurricane Center calls Miami home. Miami also how the highest percentage of foreign- born residents in the world! 59% of Miami residents were born outside the US. This makes Miami one of the most diverse cities in the world.

Miami is also known as the capital of Latin America and the Caribbean for economic, transportation, and cultural reasons.

When you are in Miami, one thing is sure, you will not be bored! There are too many Miami activities to enjoy such as going to museums, hanging out at one of many Miami restaurants, cafes, or bars, and dancing until dawn at a hot nightclub.

Now, if you haven't taken a Miami trip for Memorial Weekend, you are missing out. Imagine BCR weekend in Daytona with class and about 100,000 more people. There are three main streets where all the action can be found: Ocean, Collins, and Washington. All three streets are within walking distance from one another. A great place to find excellent Miami hotels is along the ocean -- and it's well worth the money. You're always within walking distance to the beach, of course and a Starbucks is always nearby.

The beach is beautiful, the water is very warm and the view to the bottom of the ocean is crystal clear. You can rent an umbrella and 2 lounges for about $24 for the entire day. It's not as hot as you think it would be on the beach, however. It's actually hotter on the strip than on the beach. Collins offers plenty of shopping and lots of expensive boutiques. The Miami restaurants in the area are pretty amazing as well and reasonably priced. Ocean drive restaurants may be a bit more expensive, but the excellent cuisine and service is well worth the price tag.

The Art Deco architecture in the old section of Miami Beach alongside the beach is impressive and worth a leisurely stroll to view its beauty.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Houston

Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States. It is huge, both in population and in land area. "Urban sprawl" is a term tailor-made for this city, due to Houston being the largest unzoned city in the country. Houston is a multicultural city home to some of the nation's largest Asian, Arab and Latin American populations. But its culture is not limited to diverse population — it also boasts a world class symphony and theater district that includes a full-time ballet company and opera.

Understand Houston

Houston is the largest city in the United States without any appreciable zoning. While there is some small measure of zoning in the form of ordinances, deed restrictions, and land use regulations, real estate development in Houston is only constrained by the will and the pocketbook of real estate developers. Traditionally, Houston politics and law are strongly influenced by real estate developers; at times, the majority of city council seats have been held by developers. What this means to visitors is that Houston covers a larger land area with less population than might otherwise be expected. The city is primarily built on the energy industry and nearly everyone owns a car and drives everywhere they go. However, the city is becoming more dense and walkable, particularly in the Midtown/Montrose areas. With a few exceptions, almost everything to see or do is in Houston's urban core inside the 610 Loop and more specifically in between downtown, the Galleria, and the Texas Medical Center.

Houston Hotels capacity

Greater Houston has more than 55,000 hotel rooms and 5,000-plus restaurants, from Tex-Mex to sushi or seafood. Lodging accommodations range from family-owned inns to resorts and conference hotels including the new 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston, official convention center hotel.

Districts

The city has a number of districts. Historically, these districts were called "wards" and they tended to have distinct populations. Redevelopment has rendered most of those distinctions meaningless, but the modern version of Houston still has districts.

Downtown (Skyline District, Theater District, Historic District, Warehouse District) - Center of the city, still the home of high finance and big business. Houston is second only to New York City in corporate headquarters of Fortune 500 companies. Many of them are located downtown including some of the world's largest energy companies. Downtown Houston also boasts the second largest theater district in the United States and the city has world class permanent organizations such as the Houston Symphony and Houston Ballet. The Houston Pavilions entertainment district opened in October 2008 between Main St. and the Toyota Center.

Neartown (Montrose, Midtown, EaDo-East End) - Ideally bordered by Midtown, Heights, River Oaks, and the Medical Center. Montrose is Houston's longtime home of its LGBT population. Lower Westheimer (Westheimer in between Montrose Blvd. and Shepherd) offers an array of resale fashion shops, eclectic shopping as well as antique stores. The gay nightlife is centered around Pacific St. and surrounding streets. Many Montrose neighborhood pubs attract an eclectic and diverse crowd.

North Loop (The Heights, Washington Corridor) - A large district of gingerbread Victorian homes as well as early 20th Century bungalows. Like its sister neighborhood Montrose, The Heights is home to a diverse population from artists and musicians to wealthy professionals. Parts of the Heights are still dry, fostering a large number of BYOB restaurants ideal for those who enjoy their own selected wine.

South Loop (South Main, Museum District, Med Center) - To the south and east of downtown lie Rice University, the many attractions of Hermann Park, Reliant Stadium, and the Texas Medical Center (or just "the med center"), including some of the world's best hospitals. The Rice Village is a highly concentrated area of restaurants, bars, and shopping.

West Loop (Uptown, River Oaks, Upper Kirby & Greenway, West U) - Uptown or The Galleria Area is known for its namesake, a huge high-end shopping mall complex and has the tallest building in the United States outside of a main downtown area, the Williams tower. Nearby River Oaks is home to Houston's most exclusive and affluent neighborhoods and businesses, home to eye-popping mansions and the River Oaks Shopping Center, one of America's first suburban shopping districts and a great display of Art Deco architecture. This area has many great restaurants, vibrant nightlife, and infamous traffic jams during peak hours.

Outside 610 (West Houston, East Houston, North Houston) - Off-the-beaten-track, these areas have plenty to offer for the patient traveler.

Events & Festivals

Art Car Parade, Runs along Allen Parkway, [17]. May 22. A parade that must be seen to be believed. For example, last year there were cupcake motorcycles, fire breathing chicken cars, and many other spectacular cars. There are vendors nearby selling water, hats, and food as well. It can get very hot! Free.

Eat on Houston

Houston has outstanding dining options, and is widely considered the most restaurant-oriented city in the United States, with a wide variety of ethnic restaurants, superb Tex-Mex, a great number of steakhouses, fine dining, as well as chain restaurants. For some of the best surprises, stop by any nondescript taqueria and order nearly anything at random. Montrose is probably the best district of town for ethnic foods, while downtown has more upscale establishments.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org

Travel to Vancouver

Vancouver is the city of Canada that has it all: natural beauty and cosmopolitan flair. Set between the Pacific Ocean and the coastal mountains, it has a harmonious blend of nature and urban living. Gardens, parks, and beaches are as common here as heritage buildings, restaurants, and theatres.

While maintaining the laid-back attitude of North America's West Coast, Vancouver has managed to build an international spirit. As the third largest city in Canada, it shares an ethnic diversity and multicultural flavor with the rest of the country. It's young, lively, and the jumping-off point for many spectacular outdoor activities.

Downtown : Vancouver has vitality and style. Nowhere is this more evident than in the downtown core. Its first distinct feature is Stanley Park , located on the west end of Georgia Street. This 1000-acre park includes an 11 kilometre Seawall promenade, old-growth forests, hiking trails, and the Vancouver Aquarium. Downtown is the city's largest shopping district. One of its main arteries is Robson Street , a highlight for both locals and visitors. It's brimming with fashion boutiques, coffee bars and trendy cafes.

Crossing Robson is Granville, a street that offers independent fashion stores and entertainment venues. Shops like John Fluevog Shoes and True Value Vintage are here, as well as the city's "Theatre Row," where concert, theatre and movie choices can be found. The Orpheum Theatre and the Commodore Ballroom are also on Granville, and are fantastic places to catch performances of live theatre and music. Overall, the area has restaurants to satisfy every palette, urban nightclubs, and a dizzying number of bars offering live entertainment.

Gastown : This is Vancouver's first community and a heritage zone. Red cobblestone streets, Victorian street lamps, and heritage architecture give the area its old-world atmosphere. Today, boutiques, restaurants and specialty shops, such as Hill's Native Art , Three Centuries Shop , and Salmagundi West , combine with its historic character to make it a special attraction. The Steam Clock at Cambie and Water streets goes off every 15 minutes and adds to the area's quirky

cachet.

Chinatown : Vancouver's Chinatown is one of the largest in North America, and is second only to San Francisco's. The area's specialty shops, superb dining, and heritage buildings attract millions of visitors. The bustle here goes on day and night, from the summer's open-air Chinatown Night Market , to packed restaurants such as Hon's Wun-Tun House or Floata Seafood Restaurant .

Yaletown : Not long ago, Yaletown was just a collection of abandoned warehouses. Today, it is one of the city's trendiest areas, dotted with posh condominiums and converted historic warehouses. One popular establishment is the Yaletown Brewing Co. , and unique boutiques like Atomic Model and BoNaparte Designs are also worth checking out. Part of the area's popularity is its ultra-cool nightlife, and the exclusive Bar None is one hot spot.

Granville Island : A former industrial site, Granville Island has become one of the city's biggest and best attractions. Live theatre, pubs, and artist workshops converge here. The public market has one-stop food shopping, where you can select fresh produce and treats. La Baguette et L'Echalote Edie's Hats , and the colourful Kids Only Market are favourites. Numerous festivals use the island as their headquarters, including the Vancouver International Writer's Festival , annual Vancouver International Comedy Festival .

Kitsilano : Located minutes south of downtown , Kitsilano is known for its active population, beaches and mountain views. The community has a profusion of eateries, bookstores, theatres, bars, open-air grocers and boutiques. Here, you'll find gems like the Naam , Sophie's Cosmic Cafe , Kidsbooks and the Hollywood Theatre . Vanier Park accommodates the annual Vancouver International Children's Festival in May, as well as the summer's open-air Shakespearean Bard on the Beach productions.

Point Grey : Just to the west of Kitsilano is Point Grey , another residential area. One of the wealthiest regions of the city, it boasts stately homes, miles of waterfront, and one of Vancouver's oldest parks. The area's beaches stretch from Jericho Beach to Spanish Banks , offering haunts to swim, sail and walk in. It also has a cluster of antique and collectible shops, and is home to the annual Vancouver Folk Festival . West Point Grey Park provides one of the city's most dramatic viewpoints, with the University of British Columbia (UBC) just south of it. UBC has an expansive campus, featuring several of the city's best museums and attractions, including the Museum of Anthropology and the Nitobe Memorial Gardens .

East Vancouver : Vancouver's east side has always been known for its multitude of ethnic neighbourhoods and unconventional shopping and entertainment. Once dubbed Little Italy, the area on Commercial Drive , between Broadway and Venables, is often considered the city's hub for artists and counter-culture. Shops and cafes like Pupuseria Rinconcito Salvadoreno and La Casa Gelato help piece together this diverse community. You can also wander through the pockets of eclectic galleries and second-hand shops, such as Cosmopolis and Attic Treasures. Another area to shop and dine in is Little India , located south of East 47th Street on Main Street. The Punjabi Market (Little India) has jewelery and fabric shops. This is also where flavourful Indian foods and spices are readily available. Some of the stores and restaurants here include Guru Bazaar, All India Foods, and Bombay Sweets.

West Vancouver : This suburb area northwest of downtown is one of the most prosperous communities in Canada. If you're looking for a place to shop, the large Park Royal Centre is the country's first shopping mall. Be sure to take time out to walk through Lighthouse Park . It's in an 80-acre old growth forest, and visitors might get a chance to watch seals lounging on the rocks near Howe Sound.

North Vancouver : Just next to West Vancouver lies North Vancouver. The lower Lonsdale area has heritage buildings and antique and specialty shops, while the Lonsdale Quay Market is a thriving waterfront treat. North Vancouver is the gateway for several of the area's ecological sites. Tourists will revel at Lynn Canyon Park , the thrill of the Capilano Suspension Bridge , and the splendor of the Fraser Valley. The year-round fun of Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain are also nearby.

Source and more info: http://www.world66.com; http://www.wikitravel.org; http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501849-vancouver_vacations-i

Travel to Toronto

Toronto is the most populous city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario. It is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. With over 2.5 million residents, it is the fifth most populous municipality in North America. Toronto is at the heart of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) which contains 6.2 million people, and is part of a larger combined region in Southern Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe, totalling over 8.1 million residents making up approximately 25% of Canada's population.

Spawned out of post-glacial alluvial deposits and bluffs, the area was populated at different times by Iroquois and later Wynadot (Huron) peoples. The settlement by Europeans started with the French building a seldom occupied fort near todays Exhibition grounds in the mid-1700s, then grew out of a backwoods English trading post established as York in 1793 (reverting to the current name Toronto in 1834). Later in the 19th century, it grew to become the cultural and economic focus of English Canada. Owing largely to the country's liberal immigration policies starting in the 1960's, and the region's strong economy, Toronto has, in recent decades, been transformed into one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in the world. More than 80 ethnic communities are represented, and over half of the city's residents were born outside Canada.

Districts in Toronto

When Metropolitan Toronto amalgamated its six internal cities into one in 1998, it created a new "mega-city" known simply as Toronto, now made up of varied and unique neighbourhoods. Covering more than 600 square kilometres, Toronto stretches some 32 kilometres along the shores of Lake Ontario, and includes a dense, urban core surrounded by a inner ring of older suburbs followed by an outer ring of post-war suburbs. The city is laid out on a very straightforward grid pattern and streets rarely deviate from the grid, except in cases where topograhpy inteferes such as the indented, curved Don River Valley and to a lesser degree the Humber and Rouge valleys at opposite ends of the city. Some main throroughfares do intersect the grid at angles. The six Toronto districts are:

Old Toronto (Downtown, West End, East End, Midtown): Downtown Toronto is the heart of this urban core, with Yonge Street running almost directly in the middle of this district.

Etobicoke: is largely industrial and suburban in urban makeup. The airport service area and hotels, most airport facilities are located within Mississauga, just to the west.

York: is formerly a separate city, the second smallest of the six former municipalities, yet it is one of the most ethnically diverse.

East York: was formerly a semi-autonomous borough within the overall municipality of Metropolitan Toronto. One of East York's claims to fame was that, before the amalgamation, it was Canada's only borough.

North York: is home to Parc Downsview Park, Canada's first national urban park, Downsview Airport and the North York Performing Arts Centre.

Scarborough: has characteristics of a suburb of old Toronto, but retains much of its own character and flavour. Because of the topography of the Bluffs, the Rouge Valley, and other creeks and minor tributaries, Scarborough is said to be the greenest and leafiest part of Toronto.

Understand the Toronto city

In 1998, the cities of Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, and York and the Borough of East York amalgamated to form the current City of Toronto. This is also known as Metropolitan Toronto or "the 416" after its area code (although now there are some new area codes, the overwhelming number of area codes in the Toronto are still "416") and has a population of over 2.6 million people. More than half of these were born in some country other than Canada: a fact obvious to any visitor immediately, as the city has many vibrant bustling neighbourhoods with street signs in several languages.

Toronto and its surrounding suburbs are collectively known as the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Outlying suburbs are also known as "the 905" after their area code, although technically this code is also used in both Hamilton and the Niagara Region, stretching to the border in Niagara Falls. The entire area including Toronto is known as the "Golden Horseshoe" and has a population of over 8 million people. Distances between cities in the area can be great as it spralws along, outward and even wraps around the western end of Lake Ontario, public transit not always effective enough to make it a quick or seamless trip. Many suburban residents rely on motor vehicles to get around.

Climate in Toronto

Toronto's climate is on the whole on the cool side and varibale conditions can be expected, temperatures average -3.5°C (26°F) in January downtown, however the type of extreme cold experienced in parts of Canada further north do not hold a tight grip for usually more than a day or two, despite this come prepared, winters are still cold and at times, snowy and windy. Contrary to Canadian climate stereotypes, the city experiences warm and humid summers with an average high of 27°C (80°F) and a low of 18°C (65°F) in July/August with many muggy evenings but rarely extreme heat. Late spring and early fall are generally considered to be the most pleasant times to visit, summer is the peak tourist season, but visitors will find that Toronto's vibrancy extends through the winter with outdoor ice-rinks and bundled up clubgoers, etc. Toronto's public buildings are nearly all air-conditioned and fully heated.

Sometimes during the winter, severe storms can slow down transportation and activities in the city for a day or two. In the summer, thunderstorms are common, most lasting less than an hour.

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