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The Top 10 Funky Hotels
Mar 21st
When it comes to choosing a holiday, we are all spoilt for choice. There are thousands of destinations available through travel agents and on the Internet. However, the problem is that most packages only offer accepted types of holidays. In other words, if you are looking for something out of the ordinary then you really have to look for it.
When trying to find a funky hotel or holiday, you should start researching the market a few months before the day you wish to leave. Funky hotels are not widely advertised as such, especially if you fall into an older age bracket. They are generally only offered in unusual package holidays that are marketed towards individuals below the age of thirty. However, to give you a head start on your research, the top 10 funky hotels in the world are described below.
1.Katerina City Hotel, Moscow This Russian hotel boasts a prime location just a few minutes walk from the sites of the city, as well as the entertainment and nightlife. It is decorated in pastel and lightwood to give a more relaxed feel and is thus informal. The food is good, the environment laid back and the modern feel makes it a lovely place to stay if you are looking for something out of the ordinary.
2.The Mosser Hotel, San Francisco This hotel has created a culture of its own. The atmosphere is extremely laid back and relaxed. Its claim to fame is that it has the only hotel recording studio in the city! It is also only a few minutes away from the shop and nightlife areas of the city.
3.Caesars Palace Hotel, Las Vegas The name says it all. This hotel is located on the strip and so has immediate access to the casinos, clubs and bars. The hotel itself is extremely elegant, offering excellent guest service, a spa and fitness suite and great food. The location makes it funky, but the sheer luxury of the hotel serves to heighten that.
4.Creatif Hotel Elephant, Munich – As soon as you lay eyes on the hotel, you know immediately that it is funky! The front is painted a variety of blocked colours, and the inner rooms are decorated the same way. It boasts modern facilities and access to all of the Munichs main attractions without its guests being disturbed by the noise of the busy city.
5.Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo Located in Shinjuku, this hotel is a spectacular sight as you approach it. It stands out above the other buildings because it is illuminated and looks very impressive. All of the facilities are modern and of the cutting-edge technology. It is located within a short distance of the city centre and provides a great place to relax.
6.Magnificent Plaza Hotel, Shanghai Located in the heart of Shanghai, this hotel is a short distance from all of the main attractions of the city. All of its 182 rooms are modern and equipped with up-to-date facilities. It offers a variety of food options from around the world too. There is no better place to stay in China.
7.K-Port Inn, Dubai At first glance, this hotel seems to be no different from any other. It could even be described as stately until you walk through the door! It is in the city centre and offers contemporary furnished rooms with all of the latest amenities. However, it has Iranian and Arabic clubs, an American discotheque and an English pub on site! You cannot get any funkier than that!
8.Grand Oasis Resort, Cancun This hotels appearance is phenomenal. It is a giant pyramid located in the heart of Cancun that seems to be rising from the Earth! You can play golf or lie on its half-mile beach until your hearts content. You could also sit in one of the seven bars, or join in with other two themed parties the hotel holds every week. The choice is yours.
9.Leonardo Hotel, Prague This is a converted Post House in the centre of Prague. It is absolutely gorgeous and extremely funky! The room dcor combines classic and modern styles with skill and provides a pleasant and comfortable place to stay.
10.The Bellclaire Hotel, New York City This hotel is funky primarily because of its crazy and friendly surrounding environment. It is in the heart of the city and is within walking distance of everything you would ever want to see in the city. It is very luxurious but also very modern. It was built in 1903 and is a fantastic place to stay for any tourist.
If you are looking for something different from your break then staying in a funky hotel may be the way to go for you. The hotels above all have their own unique quality that makes them stand out from the rest and staying in them may just enhance your break significantly.
Key West Bike Tour — Island Adventure!
Mar 21st
Key West Bike Tour Island Bike Adventure!
Bring your t-shirt, shorts, sneakers and a camera . . . and take home memories!
The Bike Tour of Key West, www.keywestbikeecotour.com, takes guests into the Key West of yesteryear the 19th Century village at the edge of the tropics.
Guests bicycle from one side of this lush, green, tropical island to the other. Bicycle along the beach; through tree-shrouded streets and shady, hidden lanes; through the “Presidential Gate” in the Old Navy Base, along the old waterfront and into history. They will discover the Key West of the natives!
Christian Rieger, president of the parent corporation, The Bike Tour of Key West Z, Inc., says, “Our team of professional guides wend and wind guests through the nooks and crannies of this sea-faring town at the edge of a continent. They see small cottages and grand old mansions amidst stately palms and lofty mahogany trees. They get the full gamut of this city of 19th century ship salvagers, cigar-makers, and spongers.”
The island’s association with American history started in 1821 with a merchant by the name of John Simonton. This well-heeled, New Jersey-born man had been treasurer of that state’s first chartered bank. He had a few bucks in his pocket and appreciated the strategic value of Key West.
He sailed to Havana and bought it from Juan P. Salas for $2,000 cash. $2,000 was then like a couple of million dollars is today. All things considered, it was quite a deal because as a local once said, “You can’t hardly buy a tree for that.”
Soon after the purchase, New England seafarers, Bahamians, and Cubans settled on the island. Back then it was then v-e-r-y isolated from the rest of America. It was at the end of a string of small islands extending down from the vast semi-tropical wilderness of the Everglades.
The two closest Floridian cities were Panama City on the west coast, and St. Augustine on the east coast. No cars, no planes, no trains, and no Miami. Just boats, mosquitos, and lots of distance between here and anywhere else. These were less hurried times. “Although busier today,” says Rieger, “The bike tour takes guests as if through a time warp to those simpler, easier-paced times.”
Along the way, participants see quaint old cottages and grand old Victorian mansions that hail from a century and a half ago. Guests visit a place visitors to Key West rarely get to see what Key West looked like before human settlement.
“We visit a one-acre, Private Rain Forest Preserve replete with parrots, orchids, bamboos, stately palms and majestic mahogany trees. Most participants think this is the highlight of the tour. It is part of someone’s home, and travelers rarely get to visit the grounds of a private residence even more so one looks like a rain forest.
“We also bicycle along a beach with Cuba 90 miles to our south. There is a stop with a photo op at the Southernmost Point. Just before the end of end of the tour, we visit a Key Lime bakery for a complimentary piece of Key West’s favorite dessert Key Lime Pie. This is made the classical way with real Key Limes, sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks and graham cracker crust.”
Join the Key West Bike eco Tour smell the tropical air, the salt sea and witness the history of Key West in what one newspaper said “has the most unique history in the United States.”
The Top 10 Binge Drinking Getaways
Mar 21st
Many vacationers love to make the most of their time off work or college. This is completely understandable when you consider how much leisure time we actually get away from the stresses and strains of modern society. Some like to cut loose, especially those in the under-thirty age bracket. The there is always the hen and stag nights associated with weddings. Increasing numbers of stags and hens choose to spend a weekend away too. As a result, binge drinking getaways have become increasingly popular in the last few years. Here is a quick guide to the cream of the binge drinking getaway crop.
1. Prague This destination is perfect for binge drinking, with a pitcher of beer costing roughly $1! It is an extremely cheap city to drink in, and accommodation is of a high standard for an exceptionally reasonable price. The Ibis Old Town Hotel is one of them, offering the necessary amenities to make your stay comfortable and located within walking distance of the bars.
2. Amsterdam Amsterdam has a variety of bars and cafes that are all primarily drinking establishments. Although the prices are extortionate in some places, there are some smaller sidewalk bars that offer alcohol at very low prices. Many of the hotels are located in the centre of the city and within stumbling distance of the bars. Try the Albus Grand Hotel for a luxurious but affordable stay and immediate access to the watering holes of Amsterdam.
3. Blackpool The Royal York hotel in Blackpool is perhaps one of the cheapest but best hotels around if you are looking for the ideal location for a binge drinking weekend. The hotel is next to the fantastic nightlife district. Blackpool is full of bars and nightclubs that provide great drinks prices and offers and, as a result, is a popular destination for hen and stag weekends.
4. Ibiza This destination needs very little introduction. It is renowned for its all-night club parties in the summer, which attract binge drinkers from all over the globe. Whether you are looking for an unforgettable weekend of partying or a longer break, Ibiza offers the complete package. El Puerto Hotel is in a prime location for a binge drinking getaway. It is right in the heart of Ibiza town and welcomes travellers who party at night and sleep in the day.
5. Dublin The Irish are renowned for their ability to drink, so it comes as no surprise that Dublin is one of the top 10 destinations for binge drinking. Many hotels are located in the city centre, but none as reasonably priced at the Mespil Hotel. It is right in the city centre and offers good rooms and facilities for guests without restricting your ability to drink and have a good time!
6. Cancun The heart of Mexico and a spring break haven, Cancun offers an excellent rage of bars and clubs, as well as providing a range of places to stay. The Solymar hotel is one of them. It is situated next to the nightlife and offers high quality facilities at an extremely cheap price, considering its location. If you want to drink and be merry, as well as meet new people who are looking for the same things as you from their vacation, Cancun is the place to be.
7. Negril Jamaica is renowned for its easy going lifestyle, but is should be more well known for its measures of alcohol. If you are looking to get drunk, then the amount of rum in any drink here should be enough to entice you to the resort. Rondel Village Negril hotel is a short distance from the nightlife but offers a quiet retreat for the morning after hangover.
8. Corfu Corfu is perfect for a quieter binge drinking weekend than the other destinations listed. The town is more easygoing but just as cheap as Cancun and Negril. The Bretagne Hotel is located in the heart of the town but is considered budget accommodation. This does not reflect the facilities available. It is a short walk to the bars and clubs, if a little bit further when you are stumbling to your bed at the end of the night.
9. Sydney Located in Australia, Sydney offers the perfect combination of sun, sea and alcohol for any binge drinking weekend. You can combine all three if you wish. Hotels like the The Westin Sydney are perfect for binge drinking weekends because they appreciate the fun that most individuals are looking for in a binge drinking getaway.
10. Tenerife A long-established fun vacation destination that is perfect for binge drinking, Tenerife offers a wide variety of clubs and bars to suit all tastes. It is also nice and cheap for those on a budget. Accommodation, such as the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel, markets itself towards the younger binge drinkers out there and offers great value for money.
Wherever you choose to go for a binge drinking weekend, the top 10 will surely create memorable experiences for all tourists. They cater for alcoholic ventures and offer great prices to boot!
Key Largo Vacation
Mar 20th
Thinking about visiting Key Largo, but you are not too sure what all the enthusiasm is with people when they hear the words Key Largo. Well after reading this, you might want to start planning your vacation in a flash.
Key Largo is part of the Florida Keys and is a beautiful place filled with romance, wild fun, and relaxing enjoyment. There are so many different things to enjoy in Key Largo that you will not get to experience anywhere else. One of the best things is seeing the sunset and rise over the beautiful waters of Key Largo.
Ever dream about swimming with the dolphins? Well in Key Largo, you get the wonderful chance of getting up close and personal with the wonderful bottled nosed dolphin. Not only can you touch the dolphins, but you can also get that once in a lifetime chance to swim with them. There are a few different places where you can do this is Key Largo. So make sure to put this on your list of things to do on your vacation.
One of the other great things with Key Largo is the many different Tours of the scenery and the wildlife. You can take a tour to see all the exotic wildlife or take a tour to watch the beautiful sunset and see all the beautiful, breath-taking scenery. You could even take that special someone for a romantic cruise and watch the sunset over the ocean and share this moment in the only place on earth with this sunset. If you are on a family vacation then you might want to go with the tours of the wildlife and watch your kids have a blast watching animals they have never seen before in their home environment.
The best thing to experience while in Key Largo is diving and snorkeling. Key Largo has been known for their waters that are protected from spear fishing, hook and line fishing. All their under water creatures are very friendly and very well protected from being killed. Here are a few things you will find besides sea creatures under the water:
Statue of Christ of the Abyss: A statue that can be seen by anyone.
Benwood Wreck: A World War II ship that is home to herds of different fish.
The Elbow: A Shipwreck that is home to the Barracuda and Eels.
These are just a few of the different things that await you besides the sea creatures that live in these underwater wrecks. So make sure to take a dive and remember your underwater camera so you can take great underwater pictures.
Key Largo is not only full of wildlife and underwater creatures, but there are tons of different shopping places to find some great souvenirs to take home and show your friends and family. Key Largo also holds some of the best hotels and restaurants for families or for romance. If you are more into the wild side of life and having fun, there are also many clubs and bars that you can go to so you cut loose and have fun with your friends. Therefore, if any of these awesome adventures is you are looking for to do, then make sure to visit Key Largo for the time of your life.
Kenya – The Land Where Safari Was Born
Mar 20th
As a child, Africa fascinated me – a land where the wild and exotic animals of storybooks and zoos roamed free on the plains. And where Kenya was always the quintessential home of the safari.
Many visits later I’m no less enthralled by this region of dramatic contrasts, and remarkable wildlife amid stunningly beautiful and varied landscapes that are still unencumbered by the trappings of man. And little compares to nights filled with the primal sounds of the bush – the hoots and laughs of hyenas, the grumble of distant lions and the snorts of a hippo.
Kenya, the land where safari was born, is also known as the cradle of mankind – evidence of some of the earliest human settlements has been found here, suggesting that it was the birthplace of humanity from which descendents moved out to populate the world. However, it’s the boundless wilderness and big game of this region that has long attracted adventure seekers from all over the globe. No other African country can boast such an incredible range of scenery, unique geographical features and species.
A safari in Kenya is an extraordinary holiday for any wildlife lover, no matter your budget or the level of adventure you’re looking for. There’s no end of things to explore; from the highlands of central Kenya to the great Rift valley; from the elephants of Amboseli wallowing in a small watering hole, to the vast shores of Lake Victoria, the second largest lake in the world; and from the spectacular views of Africa’s highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro, down to a coast of shimmering white sands along the Indian Ocean.
Soak up the wonders of nature while camping under the stars out in the bush, hundreds of miles away from civilization, or relax in luxury at one of the lodges scattered throughout the many game reserves and national parks of this magical country.
Whether you’re walking, driving, or even bobbing your way across the plains atop a camel, you’ll discover the scents, sounds, and footprints of the bush, as you enjoy the sight of a hyena at full gallop, weaving behind the adrenaline-powered run of a gazelle, or a mighty battle as buffalo bulls fight over territory.
If you venture on a Kenyan safari during July or August, perhaps the best way to check out the wildlife is by hot air balloon. Few places offer a better vantage point from which to witness the amazing phenomenon that is the annual wildebeest migration across the plains of the Maasai Mara, when millions of hooves thunder northwards in search of sweeter grazing during the drier months in the south.
The Maasai Mara Reserve, 200 sq miles of rolling hills, woods and acacia trees watered by the Mara and Talek rivers, opens onto the Serengeti plains of Tanzania. Home to the famously independent and traditional herdsmen, no trip to Kenya would be complete without a visit to Masai Mara. They regard themselves not just as residents of this area but as much a part of the life of the land, as the land is part of their lives.
A visit to Kenya is a veritable life-changing experience filled with an abundance of wildlife, including elephants, zebras, black rhino, lions, leopards and various antelope. One visit alone will be enough to make you understand Earnest Hemmingway’s words, “unknowable, unimaginable, unbelievable… and completely unforgettable.”
