Amsterdam is in the Netherlands which is in Western Europe. It is the capital city of the Netherlands, which by the way is the official name of Holland. Amsterdam is the largest and most visited city in the Netherlands with 3.5 million people visiting Amsterdam every year.
Described as an architectural masterpiece and hailed as one of the most acclaimed villas in the world, Casa Triton is a 3-bedroom rental in Costa Careyes, which is an exclusive region on the pacific coast of Mexico. Casa Triton, set on 6 acres, provides a 270-degree view of the ocean, coastline and bay, but this magnificent view is only a small part of what gives Casa Triton its claim to fame.
Imagine a house without walls, where there is nothing to differentiate between indoors and outdoors? Some of Casa Triton’s rooms are open on three sides, connected by gardens and a 200-foot infiniti pool. You can actually swim from one room to another.
From casatriton.com – A 200 foot infiniti pool meanders through the property. Walkways crisscross the exotic gardens, terraces open to vast ocean views.
A spacious open palapa living room area and romantic trellised dining area overlooks the pool.
Your $3000 – $5000 per night rental of Casa Triton gives you access to a butler, chef, maids, laundress, poolman, gardeners and concierge.
Whenever we think of islands, we think of pirates, buried treasures, golden beaches, swaying palms, a luxurious mansion and romantic settings. There is something very exhilarating about escaping to an exotic island, lying on virgin golden beaches, getting a fabulous tan with exotic cocktails and seafood by your side, and an expanse of the blue waters inviting you to take a dip in it. What could be more extravagant than owning an island like this?
For most of us it just remains a dream, but even for people who have money to spare, buying an island may not always be feasible as it is a jealous mistress and requires very high upkeep. However renting an island is an option that fulfills your long standing dream for a short time and is one of the most coveted ways of spending your vacation. Island renting might be considered elitist, but it is highly romantic and gives you loads of time away from prying eyes and maddening crowds.
Obviously luxuries don’t come cheap and island renting can set you back by thousands of bucks depending on the place, but it’s a vacation that most celebrities and the rich and famous prefer due to its exclusivity and ‘I have arrived’ value. There are hundreds of islands around the world that can be taken on rent, however renting out celebrity islands is a thrilling experience in itself. Two popular celebrity islands worth mentioning are the Necker Island owned by Richard Branson of Virgin Corp, and the Musha Cay owned by the magician David Copperfield.
Branson is known for his flamboyant lifestyle and entrepreneur skills. Located in the British Virgin Islands (where else!), the Necker Island was bought by Branson to create a hideaway for his family, Virgin employees and friends. It was a completely uninhabited island when Richard took it over; he slowly developed the whole 74 acres into a 7 star resort and opened it to the general public. The whole island is rented out to only one party and can accommodate up to 28 guests at one time.
It’s a Caribbean experience at its opulent best with 50 fully trained staff members pandering to your every whim and fancy. From formal crystal dinners to impromptu beach parties, you can decide the setting and the pace of your meals. The accommodation is in Bali style and the interiors are simply stunning. It is regularly haunted by the likes of Prince Charles, Oprah Winfrey and David Beckham. The price for 7 nights starts from a whooping $322,000 and you have to stay for minimum 5 nights. If there are 27 of you, it would work out to about $12,000 per person for 7 nights. So if you can gather friends who are willing to shell out moolah for an out of world experience, go ahead and experience the elitist world of Richard Branson and his celebrity friends.
The Musha Cay is more of a Bahamian experience and is just 40 minutes away from Miami by flight. The islands are stunningly beautiful with their sugar white sands and clear turquoise waters. The stars too shine brighter here and the place is exotic, unspoiled and a darling of the travel media. Musha Cay is where all the activity happens and there are 5 beautiful villas, each with its own private beach for complete privacy. You can rent out its entire 150 acres and bring along a maximum of 24 guests.
The Musha Cay is a place where champagne flows endlessly and walking on your own private beach with super soft white sands is an experience that is beyond compare!! The Musha Cay offers an extravagant ambiance where anyone will feel like royalty and with it being owned by the legendry magician Copperfield, can the magic be far behind? It is frequented by the likes of Clintons, Steve Martin, Billy crystal and recently the founder of Google, Sergey Brin took his marriage vows here. A week here with your friends will set you back by $325,000.
These islands are more popular due to their celebrity value, however there are plenty of other places which may not be as luxurious but are stunningly beautiful and can be rented for much less. For couples looking for a romantic getaway, there are many tour operators who specialize in island bookings and can find you islands which won’t cost you the earth, yet will offer you the privacy you seek.
Sweden is located in Northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is a Nordic country bordered by Norway and Finland, and connected to Denmark by the Oresund Bridge. The capital of Sweden is Stockholm. The country is officially named the Kingdom of Sweden and is the largest country in square miles in Northern Europe (7th largest in the whole of Europe).
The hubby has been stuck overseas for 8 days because he’s been unable to get a seat on Delta (He traveled on a Delta buddy pass and all the flights were booked). Such is to be expected when traveling on buddy passes. Recommendation: do not travel on buddy passes. 8 days is a lot of days to be stuck overseas and unable to get home.
The Delta customer service was not remotely interested in helping to suggest alternatives. Eventually we called American Airlines. They were completely booked as well, but once we explained what was going on, how there was the very real possibility of the hubby losing his employment as a result of going over his vacation time by 8 days, they told us there was a seat opened on a flight to San Juan Puerto Rico the following day. He could fly to San Juan and then catch Delta back home.
So we called Delta to make sure he’d still be able to use his buddy pass. We were informed that he would not be able to use his buddy pass. He would have to purchase a ticket to get on a Delta flight out of San Juan. They told us this without even pretending to sympathize with our predicament. What could we have done? We needed to get him home, so we asked them to hold the seat. We needed to figure out if there would be enough on the credit cards to afford the two tickets.
We called back Delta a few hours to pay for the ticket and a very rude customer service rep handled our call. She sounded as if she was filing her nails in boredom while taking our information, and if we asked for clarification on anything she replied with exasperation. We decided we wouldn’t let it get to us. It’s been a tough 8 days. The trip cost money we did not have to begin with but he needed to go home and visit with his mother and his daughter. One is getting old and doesn’t have much time left and the other is talking about wanting to kill herself. So we ended up spending between $1200 – $2000 between the buddy pass and the things he had to take home. ( You don’t go back home to a poor country to visit your poor relatives and have nothing for the mother, the daughter, the sisters, the alcoholic brother, the nieces and nephews. They think you live in America so you must be rich because everyone in America is rich). So a lot of money was spent. Where it came from is a mystery.
Now we had to add another $1000 to the total expense of his trip in order to get him home because Delta was looking like they wouldn’t have any seats available for another 8 days. Yes, that is literal. They only fly out of his country on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and there were no seats available on the Thursday flight yesterday or the flights on Saturday and Sunday. He would have had to wait until next Thursday and there would still not be any guarantee of a seat on the plane.
We found the money and paid for the tickets; but he still isn’t home as of this moment. He will miss his 7:45 flight because Delta gave him the run around once he arrived in the city where he was scheduled to catch another flight to home. He’ll have to wait until 9:20 this evening to fly out on the second flight.
Another reason to stay motivated to become a rich bitch. Traveling while poor can be hazardous to your sanity.
In case you might think I’m alone in my assessment of delta here are a few links where even seasoned Delta travelers seem to be of the opinion that delta sucks.
London, capital to the birthplace of the parliamentary system of government, native land to the industrial revolution, center to the once superpower of the world and site of the English Renaissance and Gothic Revival. London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and is the ninth-largest city in the world. Its rich history started from the arrival and invasion of the Romans to Britain in 43 A.D. It is situated in the southeast of England near the Thames River.
Amazing 360 degree panoramic view of London (click the picture to view enlarged version. Note: enlarged version might take a while to load depending on your internet connection speed)
360 panoramic view of London
The city of London now comprises the merger of two cities which were the city of London, also known as the ‘Square Mile’ or ‘the City,’ which is the financial and business capital of the United Kingdom and the city of Westminster, the place where the Parliament, various government offices and the London residence of the Queen of England and her Royal Family are situated. London’s 2000 years of history has affected the world in multi-faceted ways both in culture, politics, business, education and economy. Is it any wonder then that London has been one of the most visited and frequently traveled places in the whole world?
London Travel Video:
If you still have any doubts as to why London is the place to be then let me give you a few reasons why you should see one of the most fascinating and awe-inspiring places in the world. The following are top five tourist attractions in London based from the frequency of travelers and the reviews of the travelers themselves.
One of the top attractions in London, not to mention the largest Museum in the United Kingdom, is, of course, the British Museum. It is considered as the most frequented place by tourists with over 6 million visitors annually. The British Museum has been around since 1753. It was created through an Act of the Parliament and initially consisted of the collections of Sir Hans Sloane. This makes the British Museum not only the oldest museum in the world but also the oldest national public museum. Yup, you read right. Tourists can visit the British Museum for free.
The world under one roof, the greatest museum in the planet, the most majestic museum in the world are only a few of the phrases that have described the British Museum. The Museum’s collection consists of approximately 7 million objects which covers the span of 2 million years of human history. Its collections include the most primitive prehistoric tools to the most modern devices of today. It comprises treasures from all over the world such as the Assyrian treasure and Mildenhall treasures. You will also see the infamous Rosetta Stone, the Portland Vase, sculptures of Parthenon, Egyptian mummies and the Sutton Hoo among others. The Museum’s collection is housed in one of United Kingdom’s architectural landmarks in London’s biggest roofed public square.
London as viewed from Greenwich Park: (click the picture to view enlarged version. Note: enlarged version might take a while to load depending on your internet connection speed)
To fully explore the Museum, tourists can visit the Museum’s reading room located in the Great Court wherein they have interactive computer screens that tell you where you can find the objects you are interested in or the civilizations that you want to see. There are also guided tours of the Museum, some for free, some with a fee, depending on what you want to see.
The British Museum generally opens from 9:00-17:30. However, there are different opening hours for the reading room and the galleries. Admission is for free but there are charges for events or exhibitions in the Museum. The British Museum is located at Great Russell Street, London, London, WC1B 3DG. You can also visit their site at www.britishmuseum.org.
Another one of London’s most frequented attractions is the Tate Modern. The Tate Modern is Britain’s national museum of contemporary and modern international art from the period of the 1900s up to the present. The Tate Modern is located in the former Bankside Power Station in the riverbanks of Thames. Even the building where Tate Modern is situated is reason enough for you to go there and see it as it designed by Herzog & De Meuron and it has won the Nobel Prize in architecture in 2000 and the Pritzker award. Tate Modern showcases the works of Picasso, Pollock, Matisse, Rothko, Warhol, Bourgeois and many others. Tate Modern’s bar is pretty amazing too.
Admission in Tate Modern is also free and it is located in Bankside, London
London, SE1 9TG. You can visit their website at www.tatemodern.org.uk.
Another of London’s must-sees is the National Gallery which is located north of Trafalgar Square. The National Gallery was founded on 1824 and it houses 2100 paintings making it one of the world’s richest and largest art galleries. The paintings are mostly Western European from the period of 1250-1900. Unlike the other art galleries, National Gallery organizes the paintings in a continuous, chronological timeline thereby allowing the visitors to appreciate the development of art through the years. Some of the works displayed in the National Gallery are those of da Vinci, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Boticelli, Renoir, Gainsborough, among others. Aside from paintings there are also audio-visual presentations, lectures, exhibitions and guided tours.
Admission to the National Gallery is free to the collection and special exhibitions in the Sunley Room, Room 1 and The Space on Level 2. However, there are charge for other special exhibitions. National Gallery opens daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and on Wednesdays from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm. It is located at Trafalgar Square, London London WC2N 5DN. Visit their website at www.nationalgallery.org.uk for more information.
If you have kids or are just young at heart then London’s National History Museum is definitely for you. It offers hundreds of interactive exhibits that highlight, what else, but history, with a magnificent ‘Dinosaur’ exhibition, the eewy ‘Creepy Crawlies’ section, ‘Human Biology,’ ‘Ecology’ and ‘Mammal’ and the interesting ‘The Power Within’ which showcases an earthquake experience guaranteed to chill you to the bones. The National History Museum is perfect for both a fun and educational experience for you and your family. Its architecture is quite amazing too being one of London’s most beautiful Gothic-revival buildings with a sort-of grand cathedral entrance.
Admission to the National History Museum is free and they are open everyday from 10:00 am to 17.50 pm. It is located at Cromwell Road, London, London SW7 5BD. Look at www.nhm.ac.uk for more details
If New York has the Empire State Building and Paris has the Eiffel Tower then London has the London Eye. London Eye is a 135 meter or 443 feet observation wheel making it the world’s tallest observation wheel and London’s fourth highest structure. The London Eye contains 32 enclosed gondolas that takes a full 30 minutes to rotate giving its passengers a breathtaking view of over 55 of London’s extraordinary landmarks. The London Eye was built to commemorate the Millennium that’s why it is sometimes called the Millennium Eye. To avoid long lines and queues I suggest you pre-book a slot for the London Eye either through phone or online.
Prices for each ticket are £15.00 to £15.50 per ticket for adults and £7.50 to £7.75 per ticket for kids The London Eye is located at Westminster Bridge Road, County Hall, Riverside Building, London, London SE1 7PB. Their website is at www.londoneye.com.
Now that you have acquainted yourself with the various must-see tourist spots in London, you may be worrying how you are going to get to London, how you will travel to your hotel and how you will get to your various tourist destinations. Well, fear no more, I’m here to give you a crash course on how you can make that London travel dream come true. The great thing about London is that it offers a variety of transportation options for different people that have varying budgets in different times of the day. You have three options on your mode of travel to London. You may choose to use the Eurostar, which is a high-speed rail service that travels in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe thru the Channel Tunnel. It’s comfortable and affordable with inter-capital destinations. Or you may choose to travel via coach services which also travel thru the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. There are various coach service companies that you may book and avail of. Budget airlines are also available to the tourist.
If you are traveling to London thru an airline then you will need transportation from the airport to your hotel or the place where you are staying. There are various modes of transportation from the airport, depending on which airport you landed. By far the most common modes of transportation are the railway services, such as Gatwick Express, Stansted Express and Heathrow Express; the coach services, such as the National Express and easybus; there are also the taxi services. Various companies have their different time and places of destination and price so you may want to check these companies. Some hotels provide for bus services to their customers from the airport to the hotel. Shuttle services such as the National Express dot2dot are also available. The Tube, which is a train service, is also a cheaper alternative but the travel time takes longer.
Once you have settled in your hotel or any other accommodation you may have arranged, you may wonder how you will get around London to the tourist destinations. There are three main ways to go around London. You may travel via the Tube or by buses or through taxis. Either way I suggest you first download the Tube, bus or access maps of London from various websites as to accustom yourself to the geography. I also recommend you buy Oyster cards which are electronic smartcards that you touch on the yellow reader to be able to get on board the Tube or the bus. You can pre-pay Oyster cards online.
Paris, often said to be the most romantic city in the world, is the capital of France located at the northern part of France near the Seine River. Paris was founded during the last part of the third century BC by a Celtic Gaul tribe called Parisii. In 508 A.D. King Clovis I made Paris the capital of his kingdom, named after the tribe Parisii. With its scenic beauties and breathtaking structures not to mention thousands of years of history and culture, Paris is now one of the leading destinations and tourist spots in the whole world. The mere mention of Paris brings to mind French cuisine, picturesque sunsets and the Eiffel Tower.
Paris is also known as ‘the City of Light’ or La Ville-lumière both because it first adopted street lighting and because it has become a center of education and culture. Other than its historic and political attractions, Paris also offers a number of tourist spots that represents its rich culture and tradition. If you are planning to visit Paris but are having doubts where to go, then this article is definitely for you.
When one mentions Paris the instant picture that comes to mind is the beautiful Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower has been said to be the symbol of Paris and probably the most photographed and well-known monument in the world. The Eiffel Tower was first constructed on January 23, 1887 by the engineer Gustave Eiffel. It was finished on March, 1889 and it consisted of 15, 000 metal parts symbolizing the World’s Fair that happened on the Champs de Mars. Up until 1930, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest structure in the world measuring 310 meters top and 7, 000 tons. Currently it is 325 meters and is the tallest building in Paris and the fifth tallest structure in France. More than 200,000,000 people have paid a visit to the Eiffel Tower since its construction making it the world’s most visited paid monument. I’m pretty sure that anyone who wishes to see Paris must and will see the Eiffel Tower.
Another spot often visited by tourists is the Basilique du Sacre Coeur which literally translates ‘Basilica of the Sacred Heart.’ The Basilica was built between 1876 and 1912. It is of Byzantine design and is situated in Montmartre, one of Paris’ most beautiful districts. The Basilica offers a magnificent view of the district, the Place du Tertre and Northern suburbs.
Notre Dame de Paris, more commonly known as Notre Dame, is the seat of the Archbishop of Paris and is a Roman Catholic cathedral. It is of Gothic design located in the eastern portion of the Île de la Cité in Paris. Built around 1163 and finished around 1345, the Notre Dame means ‘Our Lady’ and is considered as one of the finest and most beautiful French Gothic structures. It is one of the first structures that utilized the flying buttress. Naturalism influenced its design with the result that stained glass and sculptures were used giving it a more secular look.
Who would not know the Louvre? Famous for being one of the largest museum of fine art in the world and lately has been made more famous by a certain literary novel, the Louvre contains more than 75,000 paintings including Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Madonna of the Rocks and The Virgin and Child with St. Anne and Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People not to mention Jacques Louis David’s Oath of the Horatii among others. It is situated in the 1st arrondissement on the Right Bank between Rue de Rivoli and Seine River. The Louvre was actually intended to be a palace when it was first erected on 1190 but through a series of historical and political events it was re-built and changed into what we see today. Who would’ve thought a museum could hold such history. Visit Louvre and see for yourself.
The Arc de Triomphe is unmistakably one of the well-known monuments in Paris. Emperor Napoleon I commissioned it in 1810 following his victory at Austerlitz. It was completed in 1836. The Arc de Triomphe was designed by Jean Chalgrin with the design inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. It stands at 49.5 meters or 165 feet in height, 45 metres or 148 feet wide, and 22 meters or 72 feet deep. It is said to be the biggest triumphal arch that existed. The Arch symbolizes the honour that is shown to those who defended France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. Above the sculptures frieze of soldiers lies 30 engraved shields with the names of the major Napoleonic military and Revolutionary victories. The inner walls of the structure enumerates around 558 names of the French generals. Also lying underneath the Arc is the the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier that fought during World War I. The Arc de Triomphe is located in the famous Champs-ElysÈes.
Les Invalides is a series of complicated buildings on the 7th arrondisement that showcases monuments and museums that depict the military past of France. It also includes a retirement home and hospital for war veterans. It serves as the burial place of some of the Freanch war heroes. It is notable to include that the tomb of none other than Napoleon Bonaparte and his family lie at Les Invalides. If the magnificent architecture isn’t enough for you to visit Les Invalides, I recommend you see it because of Napoleon’s tomb.
Considered as a masterpiece in architecture during its time, one cannot help but stare in awe at the beautiful Palais Garnier. It is also known as Opéra Garnier or Opéra de Paris or Grand Opera House. More commonly known as the Paris Opera, it houses 2,200 seat and was designed by Charles Garnier using Neo-baroque style. Considered as a magnificent landmark, the Palais Garnier was inaugurated in 1875 with the official name of Académie Nationale de Musique – Théâtre de l’Opér. It was renamed in 1978 to be the Théâtre National de l’Opéra de Paris. In 1989 the opera company chose Opera Bastille as its primary theater and also chose to re-name it as the present Palais Garnier. In 1896 the counter-weight for a chandellier in the Opera fell killing one person. This incident together with the underground lake and the Opera itself inspired Gaston Leroux to write his timeless classic The Phantom of the Opera. Truly, Palais Garnier is a site to behold and a certified must-see in Paris.
Another frequently visited place in Paris is the Grand Palais which means ‘Grand Palace’. It is an exhibition hall made of large glass which is situated in the Ville arrondissement of Paris. Its exterior is a combination of the Art Nouveau ironwork and the Classical sont façade. It was initially built for the purpose of a Paris Exhibition in 1900. The Grand Palace houses in its basement a police station to serve as protection for its exhibits particulary the Salon d’Automne, Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux Arts, and Salon “Comparaisons”. Personally, I think its rather odd that a police station is underneath an art place.
Now that you know the most exciting places to visit in Paris, you may be wondering what possible ways you can get there taking into account your alloted budget, time spent and comfort needed. Well, wonder no more as I give you some of the ways you can get into Paris and the rest of Europe. The most common mode of transportation, especially if you’re from another continent, is through plane. The largest international airport in Paris is the Aéroport Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport which isnlocated 17 miles or 27 kilometers north of Paris. From this airport you have a number of choices to transport yourself to the City of Lights and in fact to other parts of France. You can ride the TGV or the ‘train à grande vitesse’ which is a high-speed train service that gets you to your destination in no time. You can also choose from the available buses, taxis and shuttles. The second main airport is the Aéroport d’Orly located 10 miles or 16 kilometers south of central Paris. From there you can ride a bus that runs in between the Charles de Gaulle airport and the d’Orly.
If you are not from another part of the world and lives nearby you may want to check out the train service particularly the Eurostar that pases through the Channel Tunnel or Chunnel. It is by far the most luxurious way to get into Paris. The TGV is also available for you which connects you to Brussels and Amsterdam. There are other six train stations in Paris with a local rail network that can take you to the rest of Paris. Once you’re in Paris you may also take the bus, a car through the Eurotunnel, or a Ferry to maneuver your way to other parts of the France and Europe.
So you get yourself into Paris, but how will you go from one tourist destination to another and visit all the places that I have described? You may be thinking of renting a car but I highly advise against it. Unless you have lots of time to kill, walking may be the best way to enjoy Paris. Plus, its good exercise. I also advise against bicycling as they are frowned upon by the locals. Buses generally go everywhere but their hours are unusual. You are better off trying the world class, super efficient and very charming Métropolitain. This is an underground massive rail network. I suggest you choose your travel passes carefully to prevent spending too much money on transportation. A weekly or monthly Carte Orange travel pass may prove to be more convenient for you.
If you are trying to get somewhere and also have time to spare then I suggest you take the Seine river shuttle. It’s a good way to appreciate Parisian beauty and reach your destination leisurely. However, the river shuttle is not exactly the fastest way to get to your destination. Now that you know what to do, try Paris and fall in love in the most romantic city on the world.
If you’re an avid traveler who likes to tell all about the great and not so great places you’ve been, you might like the website MyGreatWorld.com. Referred to as “The acclaimed new Photo-Community”, My Great World provides the opportunity for you to describe the places you have been for the benefit of other people who have not yet been to these places.
MyGreatWorld.com – The acclaimed new Photo-Community is not just for avid travelers who want to share stories about the places to which they have traveled. It is a searchable database where anyone planning to travel to a specific location can find out about the location from people who have actually been there. This way they are not just relying on the travel brochures which sometimes paint a more flattering picture than deserved.
Located on San Juan Island in San Juan County in the state of Washington, USA, Friday Harbor is a picturesque town with a population of approximately 2,100 people. Named after Joseph Friday. Friday was a Hawaiian man who was employed by Hudson’s Bay Company’s Cowlitz farm in Washington and eventually moved north to San Juan Island where he raised sheep around the harbor. If you’re looking to travel to Washington State you should definitely consider a visit to Friday Harbor if only to capture some photographs of the great views and take a ride on the Friday Harbor Ferry.
Image Credit:
Image #1: (Boats moored at the Friday Harbor Marina in Washington state, USA) Author: Jeremy Keith
Image #2: (landscape view of Friday Harbor as shot from VFW overlook) Author: Kgrr Konrad Roeder
Image #3: (Friday Harbor) Author: Kgrr Konrad Roeder
Image #4: (Lavender and california poppies) Author: Kgrr Konrad Roeder
Traveling to the city of love otherwise known as Paris France? Be sure to check out the famous Notre Dame de Paris. Used as a Roman Catholic Cathedral, Notre Dame is located on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in Paris.