Tuesday, May 31, 2011

A self-acclaimed 10-star underwater hotel


The Hydropolis Undersea Resort, especially designed keeping in mind that we?re around 60% water, endeavors to deliver the serene beauty of the ocean in its true colors. The one of its kind resort will encompass a whopping 1.1-million-square-foot of area offering shopping mall, ballroom, island villas, restaurant, high-tech cinema and surprisingly, a missile-defense system for your security 60-feet underwater
 Tourists can enjoy their stay in 220 theme suites within the submarine leisure complex. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world, covering an area of 260 hectares, about the size of London?s Hyde Park.

Forward Outrights


For forward outrights, settlement on the value date selected in the trade means that even though the trade itself is carried out immediately, there is a small interest rate calculation left. The interest rate differential doesn't usually affect trade considerations unless you plan on holding a position with a large differential for a long period of time. The interest rate differential varies according to the cross you are trading. On the USDCHF, for example, the interest rate differential is quite small, whereas the differential on NOKJPY is large. This is because if you trade e.g. NOKJPY, you get almost 7% (annual) interest in Norway and close to 0% in Japan. So, if you borrow money in Japan, to finance the trade and buying NOK, you have a positive interest rate differential. This differential has to be calculated and added to your account. You can have both a positive and a negative interest rate

The UK's Best Kept Hotel Secrets



The UK offers some of the most popular and enriching holiday destinations in the entire world. Staying at the standard chain hotels can give one a terrible sense of sameness. Boutique hotels are an excellent way for visitors to experience a place not just as a dot on a map, but as a destination full of different sights, sounds, and ways of living.
 Here we'll share with you five of the UK's best topsecret hotels the tourists usually miss.
 *Thirty Two, Cotswolds
 Located in Cheltenham, Thirty Two is a slice of historical elegance in a beautiful natural setting. This five-star B&B is owned by a pair of former Londoners who run an interior design firm from the location, and it shows. All four rooms are elegantly decorated and immerse the guests in modern style combined with historical charm.
 *Baglioni Hotel, London
 Holidaymakers with a passion for culture will fall in love with Balioni's continental elegance and world-class service. Each of the 66 themed rooms are styled around music, history, and art. Baglioni offers a unique retreat for its guests close to the vibrant life and culture of London, making it one of the UK's most stylish topsecret hotels.
 *41, London
 This is by far one of the most stylish boutique establishments in London, and perhaps in the UK. While no two rooms in 41 are the same, they all have the consistent "black and white" theme carried out in each room in a unique way. Their theme is "no request is too big, and no detail is too small." It shows. Rooms feature modern conveniences such as iPod docks, and elegant luxuries such as scented candles and full fireplaces.
 *Carlton Riverside, Powys, Wales
 Far from the bright lights and bustle of London, Carlton Riverside is the "Restaurant with Rooms" in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, the UK's smallest town. This retreat offers a welcome getaway in the Welsh countryside combined with five star dining. Activities abound and the full staff at Carlton Riverside are more than willing to help guests with all the arrangements.

Hotel Le Bristol



Renowned for its exquisite French garden, hotel Le Bristol is ideally located on the rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, famous for its fashion boutiques and art galleries, only steps away from the Champs-Elysées, Place de la Concorde, Louvre and Orsay museums. Filled with soft hues, refined woodwork and sumptuous fabrics, the spacious rooms and suites are further enhanced by 18th century furniture and original paintings, combined with ultra modern comfort such as air conditioning and high speed Internet connection. The terraces that adjoin some of the rooms and suites overlook the garden or other views of the most amazing sights of Paris. Generous white Carrara marble bathrooms with separate showers.
Dining In
The Bristol’s restaurant, rated two Michelin stars, will allow you to discover Eric Frechon’s exceptional and innovative food, an unforgettable dining experience in one of our two elegant surroundings: the “Winter Restaurant” features the warmth of oak woodwork, while the “Summer Restaurant” faces the splendid French garden. The lobby bar proposes informal lunches and dinners, as well as afternoon tea; from May to September the clientele is served in the garden. 24-hour room service.
Recreation and Health
Made of teak and glass, the swimming pool opens onto a vast solarium taking in all of Paris.
Renovated in March 2007, the fitness center equipped....to your well-being.
Features
Five air-conditioned conference rooms, overlooking exquisite French gardens, offer bilingual staff and are equipped with computer and fax facilities. Complimentary parking

The flying luxury hotel of tomorrow


Designer: Igor Pasternak (Worldwide Aeros Corporation), Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG)
 Status: Prototype under development
 The ?Aeroscraft? is a gigantic 400-ton blimp designed to carry passengers in its spacious luxury cosmos onboard. The flying hotel with an area equal to two football fields hangs in air with 14 million cubic feet of helium, huge electric and hydrogen fuel cell powered propellers and six turbofan jet engines. The hotel can accommodate 250 passengers driving them at a speed of 174 miles per hour up to 6, 000 miles.
 Flying 8,000 feet above in the air, the 165?244x647 feet airship will provide tourists hi-tech amenities including casino, restaurants and staterooms.

The Royce Hotel, Melbourne



The best of the best is the Royal Suite where there?s a 42? plasma, spa tub with LCD TV mounted on the wall, marble floors, huge spacious room, sleek contemporary furnishings, and much more. This room screams urban design with its sleek lines and its ?less is more? feeling throughout.

The Plaza Hotel


Twenty years ago, the Presidential Suite at the Plaza was often used as Gourmet magazine's test kitchen. Today, you won't see editors scurrying around the French- chateaux-style suite but wealthy businessmen (the suite is rarely used by celebrities) or families who need a pied-à-terre as their home is being remodeled. The 7,802-square-foot suite covers nearly the entire 18th floor of the Plaza, with views overlooking Central Park. The walls are covered in silk, the reception area has a 10-foot-wide stained glass window and the hand-painted piano depicts scenes from the French countryside.

New Majestic Hotel, Singapore



This great example of a ‘heritage chic’ hotel blends the old with the new throughout its design. Each of the 30 rooms at the New Majestic Hotel have been custom designed by local artists in Singapore.
 The result is a hotel that is as much of a work of art as it is a place to stay when visiting the area. The interior features a wide-open floor plan and intricate details around every corner. Other cool aspects of this hotel include soft mood lighting in the bedrooms, freestanding copper tubs, and minimalist stylings throughout.

Hotel Le Bristol



Renowned for its exquisite French garden, hotel Le Bristol is ideally located on the rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, famous for its fashion boutiques and art galleries, only steps away from the Champs-Elysées, Place de la Concorde, Louvre and Orsay museums. Filled with soft hues, refined woodwork and sumptuous fabrics, the spacious rooms and suites are further enhanced by 18th century furniture and original paintings, combined with ultra modern comfort such as air conditioning and high speed Internet connection. The terraces that adjoin some of the rooms and suites overlook the garden or other views of the most amazing sights of Paris. Generous white Carrara marble bathrooms with separate showers.
Dining In
The Bristol’s restaurant, rated two Michelin stars, will allow you to discover Eric Frechon’s exceptional and innovative food, an unforgettable dining experience in one of our two elegant surroundings: the “Winter Restaurant” features the warmth of oak woodwork, while the “Summer Restaurant” faces the splendid French garden. The lobby bar proposes informal lunches and dinners, as well as afternoon tea; from May to September the clientele is served in the garden. 24-hour room service.
Recreation and Health
Made of teak and glass, the swimming pool opens onto a vast solarium taking in all of Paris.
Renovated in March 2007, the fitness center equipped....to your well-being.
Features
Five air-conditioned conference rooms, overlooking exquisite French gardens, offer bilingual staff and are equipped with computer and fax facilities. Complimentary parking

Hayman Island Resort



In Australia's Whitsunday Islands, Nestled Between The North East Coast Of Queensland And The Great Barrier Reef, Lies Hayman. Surrounded by idyllic coral fringed beaches and lapping the waters of the Coral Sea, on the south-western side of the island, Hayman offers 244 guest rooms, suites, penthouses and a beach villa. A Feeling Of Modern Tropical Elegance Prevails In The Guest Room Furnishings And Overall Decor Which Fully Complements The Surrounding And Provides Comfort And Privacy. The accommodation, restaurants, guest service areas, marine facilities and operational plant, have been designed to blend in with the natural beauty of the surroundings. No part of the resort is higher than four stories and throughout, shady ponds and gentle waterfalls thread their way among beautiful gardens, spacious walkways and open air lanais. This Superb Location Is The Ultimate In Island Living Where The Climate And Surroundings Encourage Relaxation And Create A Holiday Atmosphere. Hayman Has A Style As Special As Its Setting. It Is Warm And Friendly And It Is Also Australia's Most Prestigious Resort. Whether Guests Choose To Simply Relax Or Enjoy A More Active Holiday They Can Be Assured Their Time Spent On Hayman Will Be Unforgettable.

Burj Al Arab, Dubai


The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai’s urban transformation and to mimic the sail of a boat.

Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa



Located On A Private Island Just One Mile From The Main Island Of Bora Bora And A Scenic Boat Ride From Bora Bora Airport. Bora Bora Lagoon Resort Is A Secluded Enclave On An Unspoiled Island With No Roads Or Villages With Direct Access To Spectacular Reefs Lush Gardens And Pristine Beaches. The Resort Provides Regular Boat Service To Vaitape On The Main Island And Transfers Via Boat To And From Bora Bora Airport Are Also Provided Complimentarily. Bora Bora Lagoon Resort Offers Guests The Peace And Tranquility Of A Private Island As Well As A Wide Range Of Recreational Activities And Dining Options. The Resort Is Built In Tahitian -fare- Style With Open Air Buildings Constructed With Pandanus Leaf Roofs. Guests Can Choose From A Wide Range Of Recreational Activities Like Swimming, Snorkeling, Boating, Kayaking, Outrigger Canoeing And Daily Excursions Such As Shark-feeding And Sunset Cruises On The Lagoon. It Is Also The Perfect Place To Do Absolutely Nothing But Relax. Guest Bungalows Are Built In The Traditional Tahitian Fare Style With Peaked Roofs Thatched With Pandanus Leaves. Guest Accommodations Include Polished Wooden Floors Private Lanai Terraces King Or Twin Beds Writing Desk Electric Ceiling Fans Bath With Separate Shower In-room Safe Hair Dryer Coffee And Tea-making Facilities Idd Telephones And Satellite Television. The Much Desired Overwater Bungalows Also Feature Direct Access To The Lagoon From A Lanai With Fresh Water Outdoor Shower. A Sliding Glass Top Coffee Table Is Located In Overwater Bungalows From Which Guests Can Watch And Feed The Tropical Fish In The Lagoon.

Bauer Il Palazzo



An intimate boutique hotel within the heart of Venice, Bauer Il Palazzo is a truly authentic, Venetian-style palazzo overlooking Venice's Grand Canal. More like a sophisticated home than a hotel, it is both elegant and luxurious. Bauer Il Palazzo, with its stunning Gothic facade, reflects Venetian opulence at its best, with lavish decor and furnishings designed for the ultimate in comfort for visitors to Venice.
 Benefiting from the most spectacular vantage point in Venice, Bauer Il Palazzo is conveniently located just steps from St Mark's Square, and is close to Venice's finest shops, museums and sights. With its own private boat dock on the Grand Canal, guests arriving at Bauer Il Palazzo are greeted by the hotel's sumptuous lobby, decorated in wood panelling and antique veneered Venetian panels, a lasting impression that is reflected in the unique decor and attention to detail in each of the hotel's guest rooms and suites.
 Guests of Bauer Il Palazzo can expect a unique hotel experience, together with the ultimate in personalised service. The hotel's 36 luxurious and comfortable guest rooms and 40 suites are lavishly appointed with the finest furniture, fabrics, Murano glass chandeliers and an array of modern amenities. Each of the hotel suites is individually decorated, with many rooms featuring balconies or terraces offering spectacular views of Venice, the Grand Canal and St Mark's Basin.
 Serving some of the finest cuisine in Venice, Chef Giovanni Ciresa prepares a stunning blend of innovative international and Mediterranean dishes at the hotel's restaurant, De Pisis, with a terrace set against the spectacular backdrop of Venice's main waterway, the Grand Canal. Breakfast is served at Settimo Cielo, Bauer Il Palazzo's exclusive terrace and lounge, with magical views over Venice and the lagoon. For aperitifs and cocktails, the hotel's Bar Foyer provides an inviting and cosy atmosphere, while the Bar Gran Canale offers an elegant environment with live music each evening.
 Bauer Il Palazzo offers unsurpassed hotel facilities that include an elegantly appointed Fitness Room and Health Spa complete with the finest exercise equipment, personalised programmes and relaxing treatments and massages. Exclusive Venetian and Italian gifts, many designed and handcrafted by the artisans of Venice, are available at the hotel's Boutique.
 Experience the real Venice in the most elegant, romantic, private Venetian palazzo at Bauer Il Palazzo.

Atlantis The Palm Hotel, Dubai



The Atlantis Hotel in Dubai is the latest word in Gulf excess - a sprawling £800million resort boasting a £13,000-a-night suite and dolphins flown in from the South Pacific, all housed on a palm tree-shaped island. This stunning luxury hotel opens today and here are some pictures in all its glory.

Ashford Castle


Ashford Castle Dates Back To 1228 And Is Set On The Shores Of Lough Corrib - Irelands Second Largest Lake - In The Picturesque Village Of Cong. Today It Is Recognized As A World Class Resort Property In A Private Estate Of 350 Acres. Once The Home Of The Guinness Family Ashford Was The Chosen Location For The Producers And Stars During The Making Of The Epic Film The -quiet Man-. It Has Also Played Host To President And Mrs. Reagan And More Recently The Famous Hollywood Star Pierce Brosnan -alias 007- Chose Ashford As The Venue For His Personal Weddin

Allegria Hotel & Spa



The hotel will be opening in April 2009. Furthermore, the roof top pool & bar as well as the Spa will be opening in July 2009.
 This stunning seafront hotel sets an exciting, new precedent in Long Beach. A beacon of contemporary sophistication and style, Allegria Hotel & Spa has a superb rooftop pool and spa, an American restaurant by acclaimed chef, Todd Jacobs, and up-to-the-minute meeting facilities, all just 40 minutes from New York City.
 The atmosphere here is slick and polished yet undeniably relaxing with superb sea views showcased through large floor-to-ceiling windows. Clean, contemporary lines are offset by a white and sand colour palette highlighted by touches of blue that reflect the ocean setting. The use of mirrors, glass and stunning driftwood sculptures bring the outside in.
 Take in the refreshing sea air from the balcony in your room; then, amble along the two-mile boardwalk or head for the white, sandy beach. Return for an invigorating aroma wrap treatment in the spa before dining in the restaurant.
 Location
 Facing the sea in Long Beach, Long Island, Nassau, New York.
 Things to enjoy
 Fine dining, rooftop spa and pool, exhilarating sea views, beauty treatments, hair salon, bar, lounge, meeting facilities, ballroom.
 Nearby
 Sailing, surfing, golf, beaches, museums, up-market shopping, boutiques, art galleries and workshops, nightclubs, horse racing, concerts, festivals, parks, vineyards.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Che Guevara's Revolutionary Road


Hotels

Heading south from Buenos Aires in 1952, 23 year-old Che Guevara circled South America on a motorbike, with a friend. His diaries of their epic journey are a tale of high drama, low comedy, disaster and discovery. Retracing his route even approximately may not influence your political philosophy, but it will provide you with a particular insight into the nature of South America as a continent, and to the historical and geographic reasons for collective aspects of its social cultures. 

 

Of course, your trip will be much more comfortable but if the main roads are paved, and you travel in an air-conditioned bus or car or train, you can still find the sleepy, sun and wind-parched villages in the dust of Patagonia or the Atacama desert, the stone hut shelters of the Andean altiplano, and the broiling humid shacks in the Amazon jungle in which Che sought to quantify workers conditions.
Down Argentina, across the Andes, up Chile to Peru, then from Cuzco through the Amazon headwaters to Iquitos and (via Leticia) Colombia and Venezuela - Che's diaries provide much more than just the inspiration to keep your eyes properly open.

 

His carefree exuberance is infectious, a reminder to take opportunities to share the back of a dusty truck with whoever, or to swim when the ferry needs pushing. His route goes deep into remote backcountry, to borders and regions which can still be dangerous. Seek help where you can from local people - but use the tourist infrastructure where it is useful. Balance some of your curiosity with caution (eg when hitch-hiking, as Che did), but enjoy unexpected adventures when they happen.
Che's journey did not end in Venezuela. Choose to follow him, and nor will yours: you'll share his lifelong respect for the magnificence of South America, and of its peoples durability.


HOW
By motorbike or bus and by boat

WHEN TO GO
Year-round (remembering that in the southern hemisphere, June to August can be very cold; and rainy seasons vary, and are subject to micro- climates along some of the route).

TIME IT TAKES
Che famously took nine months.
Recently, two actors took a year, making a film on the way. You can travel the road by bus and boat in roughly a month, but nearer three months is considered the minimum.

HIGHLIGHTS
The Chuquicamata copper mine, biggest open-pit mine in the world, in · the Atacama Desert south of Iquique - primary source of Chile's wealth, and Che's indignation that it was US-owned.
The Amazon jungle around the leper  colony of San Pablo - with indigenous Indian guides recounting tales and lore of the dense forest.
Cuzco, once capital of the Inca Empire, overprinted with the Hispanic colonial boot - a dangerous but charming city, and base for Machu Picchu.

YOU SHOULD KNOW
1. Outside cities and major tourist attractions, a knowledge of Spanish is invaluable and occasionally vital.
2. Throughout South America, local rules j.. and regulations may not always be those decreed by official federal agency. You must check at the time  you want to go.
3. Check, if you plan to enter Colombia via Leticia, how you can proceed either into Colombia or elsewhere in the Amazon basin. It can be notoriously difficult to leave without great expense. Che flew to Bogota.
On this journey, Che never visited Bolivia. But aficionados traveling from Chile to Peru may want to pause and take one of several Bolivian tours based on his later exploits.

 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Gobi Desert Trek


Hotels in the World

The Gobi is one of the strangest places on the planet. The largest desert in Asia and the fourth largest in the world, it is a cold desert of high plateau and mountain where it is not uncommon to see frost.
It stretches some 1,600 km (1,000 M) east to west, covering the whole of southern Mongolia and extending into northern China, gradually expanding southwards all the time. Although at first sight it looks totally barren, the Gobi supports many unusual mammals and more than 200 species of bird as well as endemic plants.

 

From Dalandzadgad, a town 540 km (336 M) south of Ulaanbaatar, you can ride either by camel or jeep through the stunning landscapes of Gurvansaikhan National Park where three mountain ridges rise up to 2,600 metres (8,500 ft). The dramatic scenery is extraordinarily varied - rocky and sandy desert, precipitous cliffs and ravines, oases and saltpans. You can climb to the top of Hangar Sands, a giant 180-km (110-mi) long 300-m (1000-ft) high sand dune, explore the glaciated Yol Valley, and wander in the other-worldly terrain of the Bayan Zag 'flaming cliffs' - a vast red sandstone amphitheatre of weirdly eroded pillars, rock canyons and ridges, where in 1923 Roy Chapman Andrews famously discovered dinosaur remains and fossilized eggs.

 

The surreal empty landscapes and the insubstantial beauty of the dunes give you a strangely comforting sense of your own insignificance. You are surrounded by silence, only the singing of the wind; and at night, the only light is a twinkling sky thick with stars.
A trek into the Go hi is a life-changing experience that leads one to re-assess man's place on the planet.

 

HOW
On a camel or by 4x4

WHEN TO GO
May to October

TIME IT TAKES
Eight to nine days

HIGHLIGHTS
Bayan zag flaming cliffs
Hongor Sands
Yol Valley glacier
Staying with local herdsmen in a ger village.
Seeing rare wildlife.

YOU SHOULD KNOW
According to National Geographic Adventure Magazine, the Gobi is one of the top six trekking destinations.
The Gobi is a wild and remote region with no roads and dangerously powerful winds. You should not attempt to explore it without a guide.
 

Helsinki to Tampere


Hotels in Helsinki and Tampere

The Finns are right to be proud of their trains. Fast, punctual and meticulously clean, they set a standard that is hard to match. In an age where people are increasingly looking for enviromnentally friendly holidays, VR Ltd Finnish Railways sets the benchmark, giving you every reason to leave the car at home.
If you can tear yourself away from the cultural and architectural delights of Helsinki, the train journey to Tampere is one of the real gems of European travel. This sparsely populated land is a place of great natural beauty, where the modern sits well with the traditional.

 

Summer brings never-ending daylight, while the winter landscape has an ethereal elegance often lit up by the hauntingly beautiful Northern Lights.
As the majestic red and white train glides through the open - countryside, passing lakes fringed by forest, you cannot help but be struck by the serenity of it all. It is hard to think of any other intercity journey in the developed world that passes through landscape of such untamed beauty.

 

The only complaint one could have is that the journey is over so soon. The memory of sumptuous lakes, verdant forests and grand farmsteads is one that will linger long in the mind. The next time you are on the train to work, you will be tempted to close your eyes and try to imagine that you are back on the Helsinki-Tampere Express.

 

HOW
By train

WHEN TO GO
Year round

TIME IT TAKES
Ninety minutes

HIGHLIGHTS
The train is the real star, as you view pristine countryside through immaculately clean windows.
Helsinki Station - a green trimmed Art-Deco style masterpiece.
The 200 or so lakes that surround Tampere.
Central Museum of Labour (Tampere) a quirky museum full of interesting things.

YOU SHOULD KNOW
One cannot say this too often: train travel in Finland is fun, affordable and stress-free.

 

Krom River Trail


Hotels in Western Cape

Sadly this great river, along with its associated wetlands, is coming under increasing pressure from the development demands of modern South Africa, with consequent degradation. But it is still possible to experience the pristine beauty of the Krom River and environs as it has always been by hiking various marked trails in Limietberg Nature Reserve, which is located in the De Toitskloof Pass between Paar and Worcester in the Western Cape. To hike the Krom River Trail, approach through the Huguenot Tunnel from the Worcester side and park. A permit from Cape Nature is required.

 

The Trail is 7 km (4.4 mi) long, and can be comfortably walked in half a day. No guide is needed, though sensible pre-hike precautions (appropriate clothing plus a basic supply of food and water) should be taken. The Trail crosses the Molenaars River and ascends along the right-hand slope above the Krom River. It passes through an area of indigenous forest and reaches a waterfall with pool beneath. There is then a hair-raising climb up a chain ladder to a second fall and pool - this waterfall in its lush setting is one of the very best in the whole Western Cape. The Trail then returns by the same route.

 

There are other rewarding trails in the park - each different, each taking no more than a day. The Rock Hopper Trail from Eerste Tol to Tweede Tol is more adventurous, and involves finding your own way down (or up) an 8-kru (5-mi) stretch of the Witte River's boulder - strewn riverbed, using a combination of walking, swimming and rock - scrambling. This Trail requires a drop-off at the beginning and pick - up at the end. The Elands Trail initially involves a steep climb, providing great valley and river views, before descending to Fisherman's Cave with its inviting pool.

 

HOW
On foot

WHEN TO GO
October to May

TIME IT TAKES
A few hours

HIGHLIGHTS

A plunge into one of the splendidly cooling swimming pools that greet you enticingly at either end of the Krom River Trail.
Views of Du Toits Peak – highest point of the Limietberg Nature Reserve at 1,996 m (6,557 ft).
The animals and birds – including klipspringer, baboon, caracal, an occasional leopard, Cape sugarbird, protea canary and black eagle.

YOU SHOULD KNOW
Be prepared to meet anglers along the Trail- the Krom is a popular trout-fishing river.