Travel Infos - Your Online Travel Info Guide to Top Destinations Worldwide
Tips & Articles on Traveling, Aviation, Boating and Cruises
It’s Always Sunny By The Sea In Durban
Apr 9th
Durban is a large metropolitan city situated on the edge of the warm Indian Ocean, where miles of golden beaches mix with colonial architecture and modern developments. Durbanites, as the people of Durban are named are sports and adventure crazy and spend large amounts of time outdoors as a result of the moderate sub tropical climate experienced year round.
With so many days of sunny weather (one of the highest in the world), bronzed bodies can be seen throughout the city as a result of numerous hours spent at the beach either swimming, surfing or fishing or lying beside the pool. A visit to Durbans beach front could absorb several days of relaxed fun and entertainment and romantic walks along the beach or laid back sundowners will ensure that the memories that one creates during a trip to Durban are not easily forgotten.
Durban accommodation options abound for all travelers, from luxury hotels, to roomy Bed and Breakfasts and self-catering apartments to rustic beach cottages, one can always find something on offer that will fit the budget or cause one to stay longer than planned. Durban also serves as a great base from which to explore the rest of KwaZulu-Natal and is only a sort drive away from the mighty Drakensberg mountains. The dedicated traveler could also pass the time by wandering through the Midlands Meander discovering the local artistic talent or brush up on Anglo-Boer history in the Battlefields region. Also, one should ensure that a trip to the many game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal is placed high on the list, as any trip to Durban is not complete without spending some time in the African bush.
For those, just planning to stay in Durban (and who could blame you) the easy rhythm of the city will have you rolling to a new beat. From the hip pavement side restaurants of Florida Rd, to the up market Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Durban isnt just a quick stop for the sporting enthusiasts. The BAT Centre situated at Wilsons Wharf (Durbans equivalent of Cape Towns V & A waterfront) offers a tantalizing array of art work, has exhibition galleries and a 300 seat theatre where shows take place regularly. One can also enjoy the good music and fine meals on offer at Wilsons Wharf while being mesmerized by the stunning harbor views.
One cannot write about Durban without mentioning two of its most recent developments. The uShaka Marine World is home to the worlds fifth largest aquarium where dolphin shows mesmerize visitors daily. Hours can rush by while enjoying the water slides and rides on offer and for the more adventurous shark cage dives will ensure that the heart and time stands still as you encounter one of natures greatest predators.
The Sun Coast Casino and Entertainment World is a unique and colorful complex, and its retro exterior lighting schemes ensures that it is not easily missed. The complex offers a wide range of entertainment options and fine dining, which can be interspersed with trying your luck at the blackjack tables or slot machines. The recently opened Sun Coast Hotel is luxury defined and offers breathtaking views of the city and sea, as well as the private beach below!
Durban offers a myriad of travel options for all travelers and the laid back atmosphere makes it a great holiday destination for the family or that 2nd honeymoon. The local Afrikaans saying dis lekker by die sea, translated its lovely at the beach truly sums up this sunny sea side city.
So if youre traveling to South Africa, be sure to include Durban in your travel itinerary!
The Gaylord Opryland Hotel
Apr 9th
One of the most famous landmarks in Nashville, Tennessee is the Opryland country music theatre. Very few realize that a hotel close by is, in its own right, a tourist attraction as well as a luxurious place to stay. The Gaylord Opryland Hotel is a magnificent 2,881 room hotel, offering much more than your average accommodations. Many come to visit for the day, paying only a nominal valet parking fee without ever stepping foot in any of the elegant rooms.
As you walk into the building, you immediately notice the beauty surrounding you. A round reception desk greets you, with maps of the hotel. Yes, maps are needed, as the hotel is divided into many portions, each more beautiful than the last, their dcor chosen for beauty as well as functionality. Peace descends as the ambience of the hotel soaks into your senses. Even the ceiling above the reception desk is a delight, the mosaic tiles giving a timeless beauty to the pattern.
The sight beyond the reception area will awe you. Lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, and exotic flowers can all be found under the 15-foot high glass atrium ceiling. There are paths meandering along the rivers, one even going into a tunnel, where you can look out from behind a waterfall, giving you a unique view. Beyond that, a catwalk is suspended above the gardens, lending a completely different perspective to the viewer. Even more unique is the Delta Flatboat tour, where the entire family can relax, as they drift serenely along the river, enjoying the water plants and waterfalls that glisten in the sunlight.
If the nine acres of outdoors, brought to life indoors, are not enough to delight, the Gaylord Opryland Hotel also boasts over 30 specialty shops, restaurants and lounges, allowing you the convenience of shopping and eating without ever leaving the premises, along with a laser light and fountain show. Sure to enchant children and adults alike, the dancing water fountain show is a source of entertainment few expect from a hotel, but then the Gaylord Opryland Hotel is not typical of any other hotel in the world. As if all of this was not enough, they also offer childcare services, and even a video game room to occupy the minds of any age. The hotel is in itself a vacation destination that will be truly memorable for years to come.
Israel Hotels – Best Kept Secrets
Apr 9th
Have you been to Israel before? Where did you stay? At a large, well known Israel hotel or smaller tourist hotel? They both have their benefits. The Israel Travel Center, a leading online Israel Hotels website knows ALL the hotels in Israel including some of Israels best kept hotel secrets. These Israel hotels are often ideally located with excellent accommodations, food and service. There are just less known and therefore may be of interest to you.
A drum roll please..
David Citadel Hotel Jerusalem – Jerusalem Hotels
Overlooking the walls of the Old City, is the Capital’s latest, most stylish hotel. The David Citadel is a near Library Bell Park and a short drive to the Israel Museum Yad Vashem, Artist Quarter, etc. a excellent location for your Jerusalem Israel hotel accommodations. David Citadel Jerusalem Hotel offers 384 luxurious guestrooms and suites offer state-of-the-art facilities. Deluxe and Alcove Deluxe rooms, as well as the stylish suites offer spectacular views of the Old City at the David Citadel Jerusalem Hotel.
Dan Hotel Tel Aviv – Tel Aviv Hotels
Dan Hotel Tel Aviv is in the middle of everything, yet away from it all. Close to beaches and prime shopping centers, the Dan Hotel Tel Aviv is near nightlife and business districts and ideal for a sun and fun vacation and a high-pressure business trip. Dan Hotel Tel Aviv’s luxuriously 186 guest rooms and suites offer splendid sea and city views. Special lounges and services cater to the special needs of the traveling executive. The Dan Tel Aviv welcomes you with luxurious accommodations, fine dining and a spectacular sea view pool and sundeck. Private guest lounge serving refreshments throughout the day.
Haifa Tower Hotel – Haifa Hotels
The Haifa Tower Hotel is located in central Hadar HaCarmel is near the citys major shopping, tourist and entertainment centers. Also close by are exciting places to visit such as Stekelis Prehistory Museum, Hecht Art Museum, Bahai Shrine, Druze Village, German Colony on Mt. Carmel, Panorama Center, Stella Maris Church, Elijah’s Cave, Akko, etc. The Haifa Tower Hotel offers 100 well appointed rooms facing the beautiful Carmel mountain range and Haifa Bay.
Sharon Beach Resort Hotel – Herzlia Hotels
Sharon Beach Resort Hotel Herzlia is located on the Herzlia sea shore just 15 minutes drive north of Tel- Aviv. The Herzlia Hotel is near colorful De-Schalit Square’s restaurants and shops. A short walk from the Sharon Beach Promenade, the hotel is near the new Arena complex and Herzlia Marina. The Sharon Hotel Herzlia offers 170 large, comfortable guest rooms, including 24 spacious Garden Rooms and five charming Junior Suites.
Hello From Toronto: A First Hand Look At Casa Loma
Apr 8th
Hello From Toronto: A First Hand Look At Casa Loma (Part I)
Casa Loma, Torontos castle and the city’s second most important tourist attraction, has an extremely interesting history. It was the life dream and brainchild of Sir Henry Pellatt, one of Canadas most successful industrialists and financiers in the early 20th century. After learning about the fascinating background of this unique structure in my meeting with Lou Seiler, Casa Lomas Director of Marketing, it was time to explore these fascinating buildings first hand. Lou explained that Casa Loma actually is a complex that includes several buildings: the Stables and the Hunting Lodge (construction started in 1906), and Casa Loma itself (built between 1911 and 1913). The architect was E.J. Lennox, one of Torontos foremost architects who also built Torontos Old City Hall, the West Wing of the Ontario Legislature Queens Park, and the King Edward Hotel. Pellatt loved medieval architecture and drew sketches of architectural details during his trips to Europe which he passed on to his architect for inclusion in the plans of his dream castle.
After leaving the basement cafeteria, Sir Henry Pellatts state-of-the art exercise room, Lou showed me the roughed-in swimming pool in the basement that was never finished due to lack of funds. It was supposed to be a lavish feature, clad in marble and decorated with gold swans. Then we had a quick peek into the castles Gift Shop, whose three arches were laneways for Sir Henrys proposed bowling alley. We stayed with the underground theme and walked through an 800 foot long and 18 foot deep Tunnel past original furnace facilities that could burn the 800 tons of coal necessary to heat the entire complex over the winter. On the other side of the Tunnel we reached the Potting Shed, used to propagate the large number of plants on display around the estate. Pellatt was an avid lover of horticulture, had an extensive garden with exotic birds and animals and won several prizes for his orchids and chrysanthemums.
Our next stop was the Garage. Although these were the early days of vehicle ownership, Sir Henry Pallett owned four vehicles, and as a real pioneer of his times, he owned the first electric car in Toronto. Our underground explorations continued to several rooms that were used for growing mushrooms, part of the horticultural and culinary efforts at Casa Loma that would feed the many guests at the frequent social functions at the castle.
Back on the main floor our next destination was the Horse Stables. Sir Henry Pellatt owned several horses and Prince was the name of his favourite horse. When Prince started to lose his teeth in old age, Sir Henry had a set of false teeth made for him so his favourite horse would still be able to chew his food. Horses in general lived a great life at the Pellatt Estate: they enjoyed stalls built of mahogany, and floors of Spanish tile laid in a herringbone pattern to prevent them from slipping. Windows in the stables were hinged to open at the top so the horses would not experience any draft. Next to the Horse Stables is the Carriage Room, an impressive high-ceilinged space with a hammer beamed ceiling and decorative artwork with a wooden floor that is a foot thick.
As we walked back through the Tunnel to visit the main castle, Lou explained that members of the Society for Creative Anachronisms (SCA) performs medieval battle demonstrations every Sunday. The SCA is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe and has more than 30,000 members all around the world. Members, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which may feature tournaments, arts exhibits, classes, workshops, dancing, feasts, and more.
They are also available for school visits and bring medieval culture to life.
Back in the main castle I was impressed by the Great Hall, a grand interior space 60 feet high, featuring a hammer beam roof. A 40 foot (12 m) high leaded glass window with 738 individual panes generously lets in natural light into this imposing space and gargoyles adorn the supporting columns. From here we turned into the Oak Room, whose original name was the Napoleon Drawing Room. This was indeed Sir Henry Pellatts drawing room whose walls feature solid oak panels carved in the style of Grinling Gibbons, a famous Renaissance carver. This room was featured in the movie Chicago as Richard Geres law office.
Then we went all the way up to the 3rd floor past the Queens Own Rifles Museum and started climbing up to the Scottish Tower. There are two towers at Casa Loma that can be accessed by the public. The Scottish Tower is enclosed, and can be accessed through 3 sets of narrow staircases above the third floor. Casa Loma is a castle that you can explore from top to bottom, including the rafters and open spaces under the roof! The Norman Tower features an open-air platform and is currently closed to the public. I was amazed that all these different areas are accessible to visitors, you can literally explore all the various nooks and crannies of this historic structure.
Despite the drizzly weather, the view from the Scottish tower was phenomenal. Casa Loma sits on a hill overlooking downtown Toronto, with views as far as Hamilton and Niagara Falls on a clear day. I had to line up at the winding staircases for people to file upstairs and downstairs before it was my turn to get to the highest point of the castle.
The Fun Of Oklahoma
Apr 8th
There are many things that you can see and do in Oklahoma. If you are interested in seeing the sites, there are going to be plenty for you. The best way that you can get around in Oklahoma is to simply drive. The roads are long and the state is quite big, but you are going to find that there is an attraction at every stop, so going on a long drive isnt going to be a hassle or a burden it is going to only lead to more adventure and more good times.
If you are interested in seeing big city life, there is nothing like a trip to Tulsa. You are going to be incorporated in the style and the personality of this entire state from the moment that you enter the city limits. You should try your very best to book a lot of time in Tulsa, because once you get there, you arent going to want to leave. There are many tourist attractions in and around Tulsa. Some of them include: Bells Amusement park, the Big Splash Water Park, The Gilcrease Museum, the Greenwood Cultural center or the Harmon Science Center, Oral Roberts University, the Philbrook museum of Art, Tulsa Air and Space center, and the Tulsa Garden Center.
For families, you can visit the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Clarmore, or the Osage Country Historical Society Museum. There is also DiscoveryLand at Sand Springs, which is near Tulsa.
In Tulsa, you should In Tul Tulsa also has great art and music venues that you can visit and allow yourself the time to enjoy them.
If going to bars and nightclubs to listen to music isnt all that you want to do it Tulsa, the day times can be quite fun too. There are so many interesting sights in Tulsa that you might want to spend several days just looking at the historical landmarks that make the place special and give it that certain charm that is so important in a big city. If you want to know where you should go next, the best thing you can do is to stop into one of the local bakeries or bars and talk to the people there. People in Tulsa are great at sharing ideas and pointing you in the right direction when it comes to where you should go next. Never be afraid to take some chances while you are in Tulsa.
Another thing that you will find about Oklahoma is that the state itself is full of surprises. If you want to have a great time and be surprised, simply take a drive down a road and see where it leads you. Chances are good that it is going to lead somewhere that is quite full of adventure and fun. There is often nothing that can compare to traveling through Oklahoma and stopping in a small town for lunch. It is the adventure of a lifetime.
