UNO Pic credit : Rishi Menon

This post is a continuation to the earlier post – ‘The City of New York’

8.    UN

The headquarters of the United Nations is in New York City. There are guided tours and audio tours conducted here. Audio tours are available only on weekends. There are multilingual tour guides who offer tours in different languages. You can see donated gifts of art, the General Assembly Hall, the Security Council & articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Cathedral of Saint John the Divine Pic credit: Rishi Menon

9.    Cathedral of Saint John the Divine

Cathedral of Saint John the Divine claims to be the largest cathedral and Anglican Church and fourth largest Christian church in the world. It has a beautiful gothic architecture and is a major center for musical performances.

Radio City Hall Pic credit: Rishi Menon

10.    Radio City Hall

New York city is very famous for its Broadway shows. There are theatres which play musicals, comedy clubs, ballets etc. You can book tickets online or go to the TKTS booth on Times Square which gives you a discount of 25% to 50% for same day shows.

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum Pic credit: Rishi Menon

11.    Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum in New York City is a branch of the original Museum in London. There is an entry fee and if you buy it online you save some money. There is also a 4D movie theatre inside the museum. You can take photos with your favorite celebrities, one of my favorites was Prince, and it looked so life like.

Ground Zero Pic credit: Rishi Menon

12.    Ground Zero

Ground Zero Site in Manhattan is the site where the original twin towers of the World Trade Center once stood. The construction for One World Trade Center has already started. There is also a Ground Zero Museum Workshop. On September 11, 2011, Ground Zero Memorial opened to public. Visitors must reserve advance passes for a specific date and time. It can be done online.

Top of the Rock Pic credit: Rishi Menon

13.    Top of the Rock

Top of the rock observation deck located in the Rockefeller center is one of the major tourist attractions. It is 70 floors high and from the top deck, it has an unobstructed 360º view of the stunning city of New York. There is an entry fee to go up and the prices are higher at sunrise and sunset. Rockefeller center is located between 5th Avenue & 6th Avenue. 5th Avenue is famous for high end shopping and known to be one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world.

Grayline Bus Pic credit: Rishi Menon

14.    Grayline Bus tour

New York City is best seen on foot. There are subways which take you from one point to another but if you are not keen on public transport, there are private buses which have ‘hop on and hop off’ tours. Grayline is one amongst them and it also offers a fully guided day tour that takes you through the whole city of New York. It includes lunch and usually stops at St John the Divine Cathedral, Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty Cruise and ends at Top of the Rock.

Immigration Center Pic credit: Rishi Menon

15.    Immigration Center

Ellis Island is symbolic to American immigration. One can go here to check their family history and find out if their ancestors came through here. Between 1892 until 1954 European immigrants flocked in plenty to America through the port of New York. Ellis Island National Monument and museum is one of the most historic places in NYC and they have a 45 minute audio tour. The American Immigrant Wall of Honor inside the museum is the longest wall of names in the world.

Central Park Pic credit: Rishi Menon

16.    Central Park

Central Park is situated in the center of Manhattan and is known to be the most visited Urban Park in the United States. There are jogging trails, beautiful small bridges and grounds for sports teams to practice.

This is a guest post by passionate travelers Rishi Menon and Suchi Ravindran Menon

Times Square Pic credit : Rishi Menon

1.    Times Square

Times Square in NYC, short for New York City stretches from 42nd street to 47th Street and is one of the most vibrant spots in New York City. It’s a place to just walk around, look at the bustling crowd which includes locals and the awestruck tourists. There are souvenir stores, TKTS booth which is a discount ticket booth for Broadway and off-Broadway shows and few of the major Broadway theatres. The main street of Times Square is closed to vehicular traffic and there are chairs kept on those roads for tourists to take in the atmosphere.

Times Square at Night Pic credit: Rishi Menon

2.    Times Square at Night

Times Square is a place which never sleeps. Even at night it is crowded with people heading to watch a late night show or clubs which are plenty in this area. One of the most prominent structures is the curved seven-story NASDAQ sign. It is also the venue for the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop. New York City offers a wide variety of cuisines ranging from high end restaurants to roadside carts. On 53rd and 6th st, there is a chicken rice cart and the food is out of this world, but be prepared to stand in the queue because it’s quite popular.

Statue of Liberty Pic credit: Rishi Menon

3.    Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island and can be reached by a ferry. There are ferries which take you directly to Liberty Island which can be quite crowded during holidays and weekend. If you don’t want to get down on the island, you can take a free ferry to Staten Island. This ferry takes passengers to Staten Island and back and it circles Liberty Island. But you do need to get down and reenter for a roundtrip. Statue of Liberty was a gift to America by France and was often the first sight of America seen by immigrants from Europe giving them a sign of hope.

Manhattan Skyline Pic credit: Rishi Menon

4.    Manhattan Skyline

New York is considered to have one of the best skylines and the best time to photograph it is during sunset from Hudson river or from New Jersey state which is the neighboring state of New York. In New Jersey, Liberty State Park, Jersey City or Hoboken are places from where you can take pictures of the skyline. To visit New York, one can stay in New York City, but the hotels are very expensive. The other option is to stay in New Jersey state and then catch a train to New York City. Hotels are cheaper in New Jersey.

Wall Street Pic credit: Rishi Menon

5.    Wall Street

This is the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street, the financial district of New York City. You can either take the subway to Wall St station or walk which is also the best way to see New York City.

Wall Street Bull Pic credit: Rishi Menon

6.    Wall Street Bull

The Wall Street Bull also referred to as the Charging Bull is a Bronze Sculpture near Wall Street. It is one of the most popular photo stops in NYC. It symbolizes Wall Street, the financial district.

Under The Brooklyn Bridge Pic credit: Rishi Menon

7.    Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge which connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn used to be the longest suspension bridge in the world. It looks beautiful in day time and night time and is often featured in Hollywood movies. It has a separate walkway along the centerline for pedestrians and bicycles and you can see the Manhattan skyline when you walk on the bridge.

More on the city of New York in the next post…..

Wishing all the readers a very happy new year. May this year be as colorful and exciting as the photographs from our various travels…

Malia in Crete Pic Source: http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/594946

Visit Malia in Crete

Malia is great for young travelers who like clubbing and chilling in cafes, and the beaches are sunny and warm as well. I found affordable a good package with holidays to Malia with holidayhypermarket, but there are a variety of travel agents who can organize package holidays with accommodation and car hire included.

I chose Malia because it’s on the north coast of Crete, really close to the capital, Heraklion, and easily accessible from the international airport (and just 4 hours’ flying time from London). I prefer Malia to Ibiza because it has all of the facilities (nightclubs, restaurants, shops) but it’s not quite as crowded and commercial.

The main attractions of the city are on the main Maliastrip which runs down to the beach. Several big name DJ’s play around the major night spots and a good party is always just around the corner.

There are also some great towns and beaches nearby that are worth exploring. I went to Hersonissos, which has a great mix of pubs and bistros on its main strip that are primed for visitors but have local flare as well; try out a Dutch croquette with a dap of Greek tzatziki! The Hersonissos Aquaworld is also worth a look because it features local sea and reptile life, and it’s open every day in season.

In fact my favourite outing was to Sissi, which is a short drive from the glittering lights of Malia, and is a really welcome break from all the trendy clubs of Malia. Sissi is a small town that’s full of character, and its main road has lots of character-filled hotels that are widely different from Malia’s glittering Beach Road. I took a walk down to the charming little port and stopped in at Paradosiako (a traditional taverna) for a plate of fried fish – arguably the best I’ve ever had!

I’d recommend Malia whether you’re in search of dance-till-you drop parties or a quiet stroll along the Aegean Sea.

Italy Villa Pic source : Matt

The Villas of Italy and Tuscany

The villas of Italy and Tuscany are very famous. Throughout the world, their various styles have been reproduced with modern construction criteria. At times entire sceneries, such as the historic center of Venice, were reproduced and became an attraction in the casino’s of Las Vegas as well as in Macau.

When you travel to Italy you will find these villas everywhere, throughout the country. Both the city and the countryside feature these properties. Many of them can be rented for your holidays, and can be self catered or come with the staff necessary for you to spend a luxury vacation.

Italy Villa Pic source : Matt

There are mainly two kinds of villas: the stately mansions, once the homes of landlords and noble families, and the rustic villas, which used to accommodate very large families of peasants and laborers utilized in the fields by the landlords. Their past may be different, but their present is fairly similar.

Stately villas in Italy look very different from their rustic counterpart. The stuccoed exterior walls with pastel colors, high and frescoed ceilings, marble flooring, large paintings on the walls and very luxurious mural decorations are the main features of villas previously owned by noble families and landlords. The villas once inhabited by peasants, but still owned by lords, present rough exterior stone walls, rise two floors at the most from the ground and each floor has much lower ceilings. The latter are not frescoed, but show their intimate structure of rough wood pillars and studs. Floorings are made of cotto tiles, and interior walls may present a composition of stones or be stuccoed and plainly whitewashed.

Never mind their very diverse origin and history. Both type of villas are nowadays very much appreciated. I’d say that rustic villas are actually much more en-vogue. Their homely looks and welcoming warmth have circled the world on home decor magazines and travel brochures. So much so, that people started to spend time in them for their holidays, and many private owners were inspired in their home improvement endeavors to theserustic looks. I go with this view too. Stately villas are beautiful, but are much more suited for a museum or a tea with a queen! But my everyday heart is definitely set within the comforts and coziness of rustic Italian villas.

Of course for most of the villas, their living standards were raised to contemporary levels. In the good old days, the toilets were outside or in the open fields, there were no water pipes and heating relied solely on firewood. Today, most of the modern world hygiene amenities are a natural feature. The combination of the modern and the ancient is what makes these villas so special. The rustic character was left intact, as well as original materials reused as much as possible. For example, there are laws that prohibit the usage of unconventional materials when restructuring villas in Tuscany and many regions of Italy followed this practice to keep a piece of tradition alive. On the other hand, technology entered these splendid holiday homes in Italy in an unobtrusive manner. The outdoors are always well tended and most often include a scenic swimming pool to enjoy, during the hot months going from June until end of August in Northern Italy and from April until October in the South of Italy.

Villas in Italy and Tuscany are one of the aspects that I admire the most of Italian culture. I think they were able to preserve and improve an important piece of their tradition while creating an incredible added value for their economy but also for the world at large to enjoy whenever possible. I wish all things were this well thought of and successful in Italy.

This is a guest post by Matt who is passionate about his travel experience in Italy. If you love to travel Italy and would like to discover more, you can follow the blog Italy North to South , a trip to the discovery of Italy’s most and least traveled places, its Tuscan villas, and culinary traits.

White pink Cherry Tree and Collegiate Gothic Art Tower, University of Washington, Seattle, USA...Pic source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonderlane/3260019680/

The Best Seattle Attractions

Seattle is a wonderful scenic city with lots to see and do. Originally founded in 1853 as a fishing and logging town, Seattle became a center of the air industry after Boeing set up shop here. Lying in sight of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains, the city is now home to software giant Microsoft. The history and setting of the city provides the visitor with many fascinating and delightful opportunities to learn and explore.

Fremont
Fremont was once a separate town from Seattle, and still strives to maintain its own quirky atmosphere. Visitors here can tour the Theo Chocolate Factory, an organic “bean to bar” chocolate confections manufacturer. After pleasing their taste buds, they can tour the district and climb on the statue of the giant troll crushing a life-size Volkswagen Beetle, or ponder how the district acquired a 16 foot tall statue of Lenin!!

University of Washington
One of the landmarks of Seattle is the University of Washington campus. This university, with some of the strongest PhD and masters degree programs in the world, boasts beautiful scenery (visit in spring for a view of the cherry trees!) and stunning architecture. Burke Museum, a natural science and archaeology museum located on the campus, is not to be missed. The University of Washington Arboretum is also worth visiting, with its vast acreage of conifers and hardwoods, hollies and camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons. The arboretum is also home to a formal Japanese tea garden.

EMP
Everyone is familiar with the Space Needle, but if you go to visit it, be sure to see some of the surrounding museums as well. The Experience Music Project is a museum dedicated to rock and roll, with a special exhibit focusing on Seattle native Jimi Hendrix. The building is designed to look like a smashed guitar, and houses archival interviews, multi-sensory exhibits, and interactive activities designed to teach the visitor all there is to know about the American music scene.

Science Fiction Museum
Sharing the same building as the EMP is the Science Fiction Museum, home of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. This museum is dedicated to the entire history of science fiction in literary and visual arts, ranging from the novels of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells, to the original television series Star Trek, to the movie Avatar.

Pacific Science Center
Also located near the Needle is the Pacific Science Center. This facility is an interactive science museum that provides exhibits on the natural and physical sciences. Visitors can see robotic dinosaurs, walk through a tropical butterfly house, touch living creatures from a Puget Sound tidal pool, or learn about any number of other subjects in their IMAX theater.

Underground Tour
Much of Seattle was destroyed in a fire in 1889. In order to avoid flooding and sewer problems, city designers decided to create a new downtown area one story over the old one, creating an underground Seattle. Now this underground section is host to Bill Spiedel’s Underground Tour, a guided walking tour through the streets and storefronts of old Seattle. The tour begins in a restored saloon and ends in the Rogues Gallery, the gift shop of the tour.

Klondike Gold Rush
After the 1889 fire, one of the events that led to the revitalization of Seattle was the Klondike gold rush in Alaska and Canada in 1897. Many of the prospectors who left the United States for the Klondike region of Canada used Seattle as a jumping off point. Now the Seattle Unit of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park offers educational programs that enlighten visitors about the history and the science of the stampede for gold ore.

Woodland Park Zoo
The Woodland Park Zoo is a zoological park that provides viewing experiences of many animals the world over, in simulations of their natural environment. In addition to their many animal exhibits, the zoo offers a Zoomazium play area, an old style carousel and a petting zoo area for children to have fun while their parents relax. For a low-key relaxing stroll, there is also the Woodland Park Rose Garden, just outside the zoo’s south gate.

Seattle has much to offer the visitor, regardless of their age. This is just a sampling of the many attractions in Seattle that the uninformed tourist might miss. Be sure to come and spend a few days here, and do more than just take pictures of the Needle.

This is a guest post by Emily Matthews. Emily is currently applying to masters degree programs across the U.S., and loves to read about new research into health care, gender issues, and literature. She lives and writes in Seattle, Washington

16. Bandelier National Monument is in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Los Alamos is famous for its national laboratory where the first Atom bomb was designed. Bandelier National Monument has ruins of ancient Anasazi cliff houses and houses of Pueblo People. Plan to spend a whole day there and take trails to see some wonderful excavated sites, rock paintings and Petroglyphs. People have reported bear sightings there, so be careful while taking trails.

Bandelier National Monument Pic: Rishi Menon

17. There are several ladders like this placed in various sites. Apparently, the cliff-dwelling Native Indians who lived in  Bandelier in ancient times used these kind of ladders to reach the mesa tops and their homes. It is fun to climb these ladders and check out the cave holes.

Bandelier Pic: Rishi Menon

18. Carlsbad Caverns is a national park in South New Mexico. The caverns have several rooms inside named after the formations and mysteries. The most famous is the Big Room which can be seen taking a 1-mile self guided walking tour. The Big room is considered as the largest known underground chamber in the Western Hemisphere. To reach underground caverns one can either take the elevator to the Big room or take a hike down the natural entrance which is a 750 ft descend. To do the natural entrance hike, one has to be in good shape since it can get quite strenuous, but the hike is worth it since it takes you through some stunning sights and you can also see Mexican Free-Tailed Bats.

Carlsbad Caverns Pic: Rishi Menon

19. White Sands National Monument is in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It has beautiful white sands dunes and visitors can either walk around or go sand boarding. A Sand board is a big round plastic tray on which one can slide down the dunes and this can be picked up from the visitor center. They also offer sunset strolls conducted by a ranger which is very informative. Sunset is also the best time to take beautiful pictures, just watch out for lizards and kit fox.

White Sands Dune Pic: Rishi Menon

20. Roswell is a city in South New Mexico which became famous after the alleged UFO crash in 1947. Alien bodies were known to be discovered at the crash site , but it is still a mystery. No one knows if it is true. There is a museum dedicated to the UFO and the aliens and they have newspaper clippings and witness recounts to prove it was true. Worth a visit.

Roswell Pic: Rishi Menon

11. New Mexico, known as the Land of Enchantment is endowed with Southwestern Charm. These hanging arrangements of dried chilies are called Chili Ristras and is an iconic New Mexican tradition.

Ristras Pic: Rishi Menon

12. Very large Array also known as VLA lies fifty miles West of Socorro city in New Mexico. There are 27 radio antennas arranged in Y-shape . They offer self guided tours. Make sure you are prepared for the weather since it tends to get very windy and storms are frequent. We were caught in one and had to run like crazy to get shelter. We also saw several jack rabbits hopping around.

Socorro Very Large Array Pic: Rishi Menon

13. Golden is a city that lies on the scenic Turquoise Trail from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. While driving between these two cities, Turquoise trail is the best route to take since it takes you through beautiful towns including Madrid which became famous after the movie “Wild Hogs” was shot there. The cafe used in the movie is still there, now it is used as a souvenir store. This town also has Native American art work and hand made leather goods stores.

Golden Pic: Rishi Menon

14. Sandia Peak is in Albuquerque and lies at almost 11,000 ft high. This peak is a heaven for skiers and snowboarders. To reach there, one has to travel the world’s longest tramway and the sight en route is breathtaking. We went there in December and the temperature up there was -18F (-27C). There is a cafe at the peak and I highly recommend having the Nachos which comes topped with Chile con queso & black beans with a side of guacamole, sour cream & salsa.

Sandia Peak Pic: Rishi Menon

15. Albuquerque old town is a very charming part of the city with a beautiful church called “San Felipe de Neri Church”, Plaza with Native American jewelry stores and artworks. Albuquerque also has Petroglyph National monument which has several trails to see the sights.

Albuquerque Old Town Church Pic: Rishi Menon

Maldives Pic: www.flickr.com/photos/47300487@N04/4338708570/sizes/m/in/photostream/

4 Reasons to Enjoy a Holiday in the Indian Ocean

The countries of Mauritius, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are all situated in the heart of the Indian Ocean, allowing for comfortably warm temperatures year round, stunning beaches and countless water recreation activities to enjoy. In addition, the local people are welcoming and kind, making visitors head back, time and time again to experience the friendly environment and unparalleled scenery. If you need more reasons to make up your mind and take a once in a lifetime holiday to these amazing Indian Ocean nations, here are 4 more:

1. Scuba Dive in the Maldives: One of the biggest reasons visitors head to the Maldives is to take advantage of some of the best scuba diving on earth. Thanks to atolls and coral reefs that surround the islands, you will find marine life of every kind, including sharks and manta rays. If you are interested, diving leaders can even take you to shipwrecks over 100 years old, a truly unique experience. If you have never tried scuba before, don’t despair. Sign up for lessons and certification while on holiday, or just try snorkelling to see some of the same incredible underwater life.

2. L’Aventure du Sucre: While literally translating to the adventure of sugar, this factory in the Mauritius is about much more than just the sweet stuff once produce on the island. To understand the history of sugar on the island means you will better understand life and culture here as well. The factory doubles as a museum and is the perfect way to start your trip on the island.

3. Tour Yala National Park: This national park in Sri Lanka comes in at almost 1,000 square kilometres, and is one of the biggest tourism attractions in the nation. It is so popular due to the incredible amount of wildlife you can spot within the perimeter of the park. Take a tour and keeps your eyes peeled for elephants, leopards, monkeys, crocodiles, bears and even wild boar. There are hundreds of species of birds, many of which are native to Sri Lanka. Plenty of accommodation options exist within the park itself if you want to sleep amongst these incredible animals.

4. Ile aux Cerfs: This tiny island is found just off the eastern coast of Mauritius, and is the ultimate getaway for visitors. Ile aux Cerfs can only be reached by boat, of which there are many available. Arriving there is half the fun, whether you travel in by catamaran or a themed pirate ship. The isle is home to one of the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches in the country, and is a great place to try sailing, scuba diving, swimming or snorkeling, as well as dining in the exclusive restaurant.

Click here for great deals and offers on holidays to Mauritius 2012 and Maldives holidays 2012.

Mauritius Pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/christos_world/4023583368/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Exploring Mauritius: The Best Places to Visit on Holiday

Although the island of Mauritius may be small, with a total area of roughly 2,000 square kilometres total, the island boasts thousands of incredible attractions, beaches, restaurants and historical landmarks. Whether you plan to visit for a relaxing beach holiday, a cultural expedition or to just shop and dine, you certainly won’t be disappointed in Mauritius. Here are some of the best places to see and explore during your Indian Ocean holiday in Mauritius:

Port Louis: The capital city of Mauritius is an incredible area, full of colonial history and local culture, along with plenty of historical landmarks and tourist attractions. Start with a tour of the fascinating museums, including the Mauritius Natural History Museum which is the most popular in the capital. The Port Louis Market is one attraction that simply should not be missed. Aside from offering local foods, cheap clothing, spices, produce and handmade crafts, you can get a firsthand look at local life, as most residents come here for their groceries each day. There is a brilliant mix of Indian, Middle Eastern and Western religion here, resulting in temples and churches of several different denominations.

Blue Bay: Located on the other side of the island from the capital of Port Louis is the stunning Blue Bay. It is the best known beach in Mauritius, and for good reason. The water is blue and stunning, and contrast the fine white sand in a breathtaking way. The marine life is colourful and exciting, which is why so many people opt to arrive at the beach in glass bottomed boats, admiring the life underwater along the way. You can also try snorkelling or even scuba diving in Blue Bay, where much of the surrounding Indian Ocean is preserved as a marine sanctuary, and therefore teeming with fish. There are quite a few hotels on Blue Bay, with an emphasis on upscale luxury resorts.

La VanilleRéserve des Mascareignes: If you want to learn more about the animals and birds local to Mauritius, then look no further than La VanilleRéserve des Mascareignes. Locals call it “Crocodile Park” because that is without a doubt the dominating animal you’ll find in the reserve, along with deer, monkeys and pigs. The highlights are the beautiful natural springs that run throughout the valley preserve, where animals gather to drink in their natural habitat.

Flic en Flac: If your idea of the perfect holiday is to relax on the sand without crowds, then this village is the perfect place for you in Mauritius. Originally a small fishing village, the locals now welcome tourists in limited numbers to keep up the authenticity and low key atmosphere. Enjoy a mile long stretch of white sand, plentiful scuba diving opportunities and several authentic and international restaurants.

If you prefer something other than Mauritius, click here for great deals and offers on all inclusive Maldives and holidays to Sri Lanka all inclusive.

This guest post by Rishi Menon and Suchi Ravindran Menon is continuation to part 1

6. Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe is famous for its Mysterious Staircase. The chapel was built between 1873 and 1878 and it has many stories regarding the mysterious staircase, one being it was built by St. Joseph himself.

Santa Fe Loretto Chapel Pic: Rishi Menon

7. Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe is one of the major attractions in Santa Fe. It has a beautiful architecture and the store inside sell authentic New Mexican Christian gifts. We picked up colorful New Mexican themed cross for our Catholic friends.

Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi Pic: Rishi Menon

8. Santa Fe has amazing art galleries and studios and the best place to shop is Canyon road. It was snowing when we went there and that gave the whole place such a magical look. Near Canyon road there is a Chocolate house called Kakawa where they serve amazing hot chocolate drinks and sell chocolates. They offer free  samples to taste to help you decide.

Canyon Road Pic: Rishi Menon

9. San Miguel church in Santa Fe is the oldest church in United States. We were stunned by the simplicity of the church which made it so alluring. It is walking distance from the Plaza.

San Miguel Church Pic: Rishi Menon

10. Santa Fe State Capitol has one of the most number of artworks we have ever seen in any state capitols in the US. The paintings, sculptures everything is just stunning. The most famous art work is a Bison head which is made up of paper and other banal materials.

Santa fe Capitol Pic: Rishi Menon

to be continued…