Posted on November 12th, 2009 by Peter in
From the air, the Bellver Castle looks a bit like a sea shell. It is the circular castle on the hill top of an island surrounded by sandy beaches. It was built in the 14th century by the hands of King James II of Aragon best craftsman. You can stay at stay at one of the best hotels majorca has to offer and then head out to see this beautifully kept old home. The Bellver Castle has been standing in wonderful condition for almost 700 years. It was started by Jaume II in the 1300s and then built by Architect Pere Salve. Who is also famous for the Almudaina Palace. This amazing castle is filled with tall arch ways, winding patio walk ways, mid evil towers and breath taking views of the sea.
This 14th century fortress has become an interesting museum. The artifacts seen here where collected tell the story of all who tried to make this a home. And to think it was used as a military prison during the 18th and 19th centuries. Jaume III’s widow and sons were imprisoned here. In the 1950′s some where incarcerated here for their loyalty to the Republic during the Spanish Civil War 1936-39. The leader of the Nationalist-Falangist rebellion, Franco, created a dictatorship here that lasted until he died in 1975. During his dictatorship many prisoners in Spain where executed by Franco. Some of these prisoners had spent time in this prison of Castell de Bellver.
To get there you can start from Palma de Mallorca . Take a taxi or bus to Plaza Gomila. Then climb up through the trees past the chapel and marvel at the lovely view. Which is what Bellver means in Catalan, lovely view. What a wonderful afternoon stroll it will be.
Posted on November 3rd, 2009 by Peter in
The state of Penang, Malaysia is located on the northwest coast of the country and is known for its interesting history and cultural heritage. George Town is the historic capital of Penang and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is largely due to the unique architecture style of the town and its unparalleled nature. There is not another cultural townscape equal to George Town throughout East and Southeast Asia. There are many things to do and see while visiting Penang and one of the great aspects of this Malaysian state is that great food can be found throughout right outside most houses and hotel rooms. It is affectionately known as the food capital of Malaysia its unique culinary offerings are found in street side cafes.
Street food is popular in many Asian countries and cultures so it is a high honor to be regarded as the capital of this culinary genre. Most of the food stalls gain part of their uniqueness because of their excellent combination of Indian, Malay, Chinese and Nyonya flavors. This is reflective of this cultural influences and populations in Penang and creates a lively island taste that is unique to Penang. One of the more popular street offerings that is found throughout Penang is what is known as hawker food . It is sold and eaten along the roadside and generally consists of a rice or noodle base with fresh seafood.
Another interesting aspect that many tourists staying in one of the hotels Penang may be interested in knowing is that George Town is not only a World Heritage Site it was also the setting for the films Anna and the King and Indochine. Anna and the King was filmed in 1999 and starred Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat. It was directed by Andy Tennant and won Academy Award nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction. Indochine is a French film that was made in 1992. It is set in the 1930s and was directed by Regis Wargnier.
Posted on November 2nd, 2009 by Peter in
Mumbai was once, not long ago, known as Bombay. For most of the people living in the city, it is still Bombay to them. Much has changed over the years, and now amidst the Gothic architecture, and the traditional bazaars and market places there are trendy discotheques, music venues, fine dining restaurants and theaters. Businessmen, fashion designers, film makers and tycoon moguls are flooding into the city, breathing life into what was once a slum of India. Trade and commerce has been slowly but surely lifting the people out of poverty and revitalizing this wonderful city of Bombay. Hotel and building design has become modern and innovative, and as true to the nature and the spirit of the culture, no one is being left behind as employment rates are rising.
The world is visiting Bombay , and for the first time tourist it is and experience that can be overwhelming, yet wonderful. One of the best places to begin your tour is at the Gateway of India, the land mark not only for the city of Bombay, but for the entire country of India. The structure was built to honor the visit by Queen Mary and King George the Fifth. It is a blend of Indian and European traditional architecture, and from the Gateway there is an incredible view of the Taj Mahal.
There are many museums, galleries and historical buildings to visit, and once you have seen all of those, it is time to find the real Bombay, the one that lives in the hearts of street vendors and shop owners. Not only are there treasures and bargains to be found in the market places, but one will have the opportunity to meet with the people and get a real feel for the traditional ways of life. One great place in which to do this is the Crawford Market . Located conveniently close to the northern rails of the Victoria station, this is one of the most popular and prominent of the market places of the city. Greatly influened by the British occupation, the market sits amidst the exotic landscape although upon entering one may feel as though they have stepped into a Victorian market square in London. Here one can find everything from fresh fish and meat, to fresh flowers and produce. In all, wandering through Bombay is akin to wandering through history, all the while the world is changing. A visit to Bombay will last a lifetime.
Posted on November 2nd, 2009 by Peter in
With its gorgeous beaches and absolutely spectacular nightlife, Miami is a fantastic place to visit. Guests looking for a bustling city that’s got plenty of attractions during the day, to keep both the young and the old interested and happy, along with a culture that explodes into life in the evening, may find their answers in Miami. It has a long reputation for an exciting dance club culture, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the country. It seems to be moving to a rhythm, or a series of polyrhythms, perhaps, all its own.
Some of the local musicians of Cuban descent have been playing various types of music here and collaborating with musicians from elsewhere, to make sounds that are unusually splendid, and carry the weight of African and European sensibilities for a blend that belongs to the human race, and this is one of the most magnetic things about Miami. Luxury hotels are plentiful here, as the city attracts visitors from all over, and enjoying the heartbeat from splendid lodgings is a very nice experience. Waking up to the vibrant and soothing energy of a city on the water is a beautiful way to begin any day, and when you can wake up to all the amenities that the lodgings offer, it’s even more special. Enjoy a spa treatment, a workout in state of the art facilities, and a fabulous breakfast, and see what the city has to offer you today.
For an insider’s view of some of the best things in the city, see what the 3 Guys from Miami have to say. They’ve been living in the city for a long time now, and began a website about fishing in Florida. People began to ask them about cooking, and their favorites ways to make delicious fresh seafood. This lead to new postings, and their website started to take off in unexpected ways. Now, they have published books on Cuban cooking , and have a number of exciting things on their site, with tours of Little Havana, great music links, and a number of other fantastic ideas about all things Cuban. See what they have to say about what’s happening here today, and maybe even pick up some tips about the best place to buy a guyabera.