Chicago- City that never sleeps

ImageThe city that never sleeps, it’s crazy, vivid and sparkling. Chicago is the third largest city of the United States, a metropolitan business hub and the heart of skyscrapers. Chicago is world in its self with incredible infrastructures and self speaking art.

 

The very tall skyscrapers are worth exploring, and the best way to grasp all in one go is the sightseeing boat service taking you all the way through a wide view of Chicago’s skyline. You can also explore Lake Michigan which is a real beauty, a sight which takes Chicago in its lap.

 

A one stop destination for shopping is Michigan Avenue; it is always crowded with shopaholics searching for branded stuff. Michigan Avenue is also famous for its cultural and historical importance.

 

Everyone dreams of climbing to the highest buildings of the world , the Willis tower which is formerly known as “Sears towers” is a masterpiece in the world of engineering , it had the rank of the tallest building of the world for twenty five years. The main attraction in the building is the glass gallery that stretches out of the 103d floor of the building giving a heartbreaking view of the city. The sky deck is always heavily crowded by the tourist from all over the world.

 

Chicago has the world’s largest indoor aquarium The Shed Aquarium, a place that will make you feel inside a deep ocean, experiencing a beautiful underwater life with over 8000 aquatic species. A place you will fall in love with.

Rides, cruise, restaurants, shopping and what not Navy Pier is the place that tourist never miss. It’s a tradition to visit Navy Pier when you visit Chicago, the beauty of Lake Michigan is experienced by the cruise ride, and fun lovers should go for some crazy stuff like the great Ferris wheel ride.

The city constitutes of best cultural institutions and museums in the world. The art institute of Chicago has some beautiful collection of classical and modern art consisting of paintings, jewelry, clothing and photographs. The art institute of Chicago provides information flowing from all sides of the wall. It also has a small store with souvenirs on sell.

Fresh breeze and sunny shores have always been sources of attraction, Chicago has some great beaches in the world with no admission fees, you are free to swim and enjoy with your loved ones. Beaches are expanded over miles where people can enjoy sun-tan and get pleasure from their leisure time.

Chicago has all world cuisines with best food available in every street and hotel. May it be pure American food or south Asian cuisine it’s all yummy, a very famous place for South Asian food is the Devon Street.  It is a Street that makes you feel as if you were in some other country.

Chicago is a place that you will like to visit again and again, a place worth spending your time in.

Tampa

TampaI would say that Tampa is the place for Theme Parks, beaches, opportunity to explore wildlife and much more. It is a great place for a relaxed family holiday and the itinerary can be divided into 3 days to have much of fun. We planned our trip to make the most of it and thoroughly enjoyed each of our 3 days in Tampa.

Day 1

Our journey began in Tampa with experiencing the best known Theme Park in Tampa, i.e, Busch Gardens Tampa. I must say that it is the Best Park to enjoy the roller coaster rides, attractions, shows, dining and much more. This has an African theme and our kids really enjoyed the African wildlife and the thrill rides present there. After completing Busch Gardens Tampa, we went to Florida Aquarium which is known for different aquatic plants and animals. We got to know that it has more than 20,000 species. Tired and totally exhausted we were to go back to our hotels for sound sleep. Our kids got a chance to swim around with fishes and we sharks.

Day 2

We went to Tampa Bay and it was covered by Dolphins all around. Tampa Bay has over 400 bottlenose dolphins and is one of the best known places for viewing bird, and native fishing. We got to cruise and had our long-lasting lunch, danced, boozed and partied a lot. The Irish pubs and the nightlife in Tampa Bay are just awesome. You can have your favorite martinis and even the microbreweries there. I must say that it was the best experience for me recently.

Day 3

Our last day was planned to spend a day at incredible Big Cat Rescue which is a non-profit educational sanctuary devoted to housing and rescuing all types of exotic cats. It is indeed home to lions, tigers, bobcats, lynx, ocelots, leopards, cougars and more. The sanctuary is massive and is spread around 55 acres of area. Our kids were lucky enough to be on Saturday as the staff around there had something special for the kids. We enjoyed watching big cats devouring their daily meat food.

Lumberton, an Asset of North Carolina

 ImageNorth Carolina is indeed a beautiful travelling destination. It is a unique state, situated in the United States sharing three main physical divisions. The state shares regions including Piedmont region as well as the rugged Appalachian Mountains. It is privileged with sites like the Great Smoky Mountains and the Pilot Mountain. Cultivating Christmas trees has been lately one of the most flourishing industries in the state. In this exotic state the beautiful city of Lumberton is situated.

 

Scientific and Natural Aspects

 

Located along the river Lumber, Lumberton has numerous attractions that invite numerous tourists every year, from all over the globe. The river Lumber comes out as the unique spot when it comes to natural and scenic beauty. You have a variety of attractive sites in Lumberton, including traditional museums like the Robeson County History Museum and recreational parks like the Luther Britt Park. If you have nag in science and technology and you feel Lumberton is the city that emerges only for the humanities students, then probably you are mistaken. The Robeson Planetarium and Science Center offers you the scientific pleasure. The city also has attractions like Border Belt Farmers Museum and Welcome Center, a unique museum of tobacco and hospitable welcome center. The oldest structure-Protector Law Building- is yet another worth visiting venue in the city.

 

Historical Facts and Artifacts

 

Well, Lumberton is benefited with that field also. Having interesting historical spots like Red Springs Historical Museum, which is with its historic artifacts, allows you to have a short glimpse of the past.  Along with the aforesaid centers, you also have the great African American Cultural Center, a center with a collection of various photographs and unique paintings. The center displays the achievements and the accomplishments of the region’s Africans Americans. With its Historic Train Depot, Lumberton continues to invite people from all parts of the globe. When it comes to recreational activities the city does not lag behind. It offers a wide variety of recreational spots like Jerry Giles Park Lumberton Bowling Club.   

 

Ultimate Destination Spot

 

Lumberton is no doubt a unique city in North Carolina. Lumberton should be on your list if you are looking for natural and urban beauties.

Chamblee, the “Cambodia” in Georgia

ImageDeveloping from an area that was originally dairy farms, Chamblee is now a modern city in DeKalb County in Georgia, United States. The city is a perfect visiting destination that is reminiscent of its rich historical, architectural and cultural heritage and development.  Strategically located in the South of Dunwoody, North of Interstate 85, and Northeast of Brookhaven, the city boasts of a population of about 10 million friendly and hospitable inhabitants in an area of eight square kilometers.

It has always been a dream by many tourists across the globe to have a feel of what the city offers to the residents and visitors alike. A visitor to Chamblee is usually greeted and welcomed by the city’s diverse racial and ethnic diversity and composition. A keen visitor’s eye is however bewildered by characteristics and features evocative of “Chambodia” due to the city’s high Asian population and high numbers of Asian restaurants on the Buford Highway. You are therefore in for an experience of sampling delicacies prepared from Asian recipes in a far away city.

For those visitors who exhibit historical propensities, Chamblee is usually the place to trigger your memory into action. This is the place that served as one of the sites for military operations during the World War I and ii.  This is where Camp Gordon was located. A visit to this place is therefore an experience that is usually historically exciting and worth writing about.

Sampling Chamblee Neighborhoods

For more exciting and refreshing escapades when in Chamblee, you can head to the Downtown Chamblee. The place is a maintained railroad community of the early 20th century. Many of the houses and other buildings in this area are malodorous of historical architectural designs. A visitor to this place is reminded of other railroad communities such as those in Norcross and Decatur. Here, you can grab for yourself a piece of Chamblee’s antique past as most of the businesses are dedicated to this. The district is also perfect for commercial undertakings such as loft houses and homes. The MARTA Station is found here and you can as well say hi to the Mayor at the City Hall.

For a different taste, Sexton Woods is a perfect place to enjoy mixed neighborhoods of the 1950’s ranch-style houses, or go to the adjacent Keswick Village for your exotic escapades. There are also more other things that you can do in the Huntley Hills and Clairmont Park.

More Attractions

For an experience of a life-time, a visit to Chamblee is a must for the amusement seekers. Bowlmor Atlanta, Legoland and Just 4 Fun are some of the places that any amusement seeker should visit while in Chamblee. For your shopping spree, the Walmart Supercenter offers more than just what is necessary. For those of you with a strong affinity to golf, Jim Hearn Golf Center is a perfect place for your tee and club. For those with lots of adrenaline, Classic Biplane Rides is usually too much of temptation. The City is also full of high class hotels, bars and restaurants for an easy evening rest.

Savannah

ImageSavannah is the oldest city of the US in the state of Georgia. It initially was the colonial capital of Province of Georgia & was later declared the capital of Georgia. It is the third largest metropolitan area and Georgia’s fifth largest city. The downtown area of Savannah is largely planned by James Oglethorpe. It also became a host city for sailing competitions during the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta.

 

Savannah lies on the famous Savannah River which is 32 km upriver from the Atlantic Ocean. Savannah is the primary port on the Savannah River and also, the largest port of Georgia. The Savannah River is prone to flooding; however several efforts like pumping stations and canals have been built to help reduce the effects. The climate of Savannah is humid. The maximum temperature in summers climbs up to 41 degrees Celsius and minimum drops to -16 degrees, which is record low for the year 1985.

 

Savannah has diverse neighborhoods. More than 100 distinct neighborhoods can be identified in six principal areas of the city. The main areas are Southwest/West Chatham, Eastside, Westside, Southside, Midtown and Downtown. Savannah hosts the annual Savannah Jazz Festival, Savannah music festival is held annually which is Georgia’s largest musical festival and is one of the best music festivals in the world. Some of the renowned names in Rock music have come up from Savannah, namely, Kylesa, Circle Takes the Square & Baroness.

 

There are many places to visit in Savannah; however you still need to choose the best out of the available. Savannah is well-known for National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States. The famous “Savannah Beach” is the best site of Tybee Island Light Station and the first lighthouse on southern Atlantic Ocean. Savannah International Trade and Convention Center is located on Hutchinson Island and is surrounded by famous Savannah River. It is one of the best cities for cool buildings and architecture, only behind Chicago.

 

Savannah is indeed a home for churches. The oldest church being the First Baptist Church, millions of people come here to worship, to repent their sins and to collect positive hopes for future. There are many other churches down there, some of the known ones are – St. Benedict the Moor, the first African-American Catholic church in Georgia, First African Baptist Church, and First Bryan Baptist Church.

 

Besides the churches, there are historic forts to visit around. Fort Jackson being the one built to protect the city from attack by sea, and Fort Pulaski National Monument is the largest fort protecting Savannah during the Civil War in the past.

Raonoke Rapids

Raonoke Rapids

Raonoke Rapids city is located in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States of America. Raonoke Rapids is a beautiful city to visit as it’s located on theRaonoke Riverat the fall line, wherein two regions named as bedrock and alluvia meet. The city was originally known as mill town as it was a sweet home for the major textile mills industry, slowly and gradually, it became a beautiful place for tourism as well.

Attractions in the City

The Raonoke Rapids’ hotels are easy to find and have been very famous as entertainment places in the city. The great attraction of the city is The “Royal Palace Theatre” it presents great movies and entertainments shows to the visitors. It doesn’t only offer such kind of youthful places, but also historic places to enjoy as well asRaonoke Canal to experience the immense pleasure of rockfishing.

The Raonoke Canal Museum shows up the history of the place, transportation via small navigation canal, generating power, and also the famous industrial mill history of the place. It doesn’t only open the gates for history to the tourists, it also provides opportunity to the sports lovers for outdoor activities.

The city gives a surprise covering the largest waterfall, featuring over 1,000 ducks, swans and geese of more than 170 species. Both Weldon and Roanoke Rapids are known as “the rockfish capital of the world” where Roanoke River is packedfrom the month of March to May. If you are a water lover, then Lake Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Lake are the places for you to come and enjoy. Halifax County owns Medoc Mountain State Park which offers picnic areas, hiking trails, fishing, camping and canoeing.

Hotels in Raonoke Rapids

If you lookforward to stay in the city to enjoy and be able to cover all the above attractions,then you need to find yourself a comfortable accommodation. There are various hotels and motels around, however some of the known ones are:

  • Hilton Garden: This hotel serves some of the delicious American cuisines and the holiday package the customer takes includes a welcome drink. There are other facilities like Pavilion lounge, Indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center as a part of luxury for the customers. The hotel also has versatile meeting rooms and banquet spaces for special parties.  The high-speed internet is given as a free complimentary service.
  • Sleep-Inn: Sleep-Inn is a hotel where you can experience southern tradition. This hotel is minutes away from Halifax State Historic Site, Lake Gaston, Chowan University & Medoc Mountain State Park.
  • Hampton Inn: This is the best suited hotel for the tourist looking for Carolinas adventure activities. You can do fishing at Lake Gaston which is just 15 minutes away from the hotel. The fishes in the Lake Gaston are largemouth bass, crappie, big striped bass (rockfish), sunfish and walleye. Also there are some other attractions nearby the hotel  such as Halifax County Arts Council and Canal Arts Center.

Indianapolis

IndianapolisThe capital city and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana is Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a varied economy, contributing health care, advanced fields of education, and finance. It is the 13th largest city in the United States and the 29th biggest metropolitan area in the United States.

Historically, Indianapolis has focused itself around industry, particularly manufacturing, but that has changed a lot over time. Today, tourism is the vital part of the economy of Indianapolis, with the city being host to various sporting events and conventions. Indianapolis is known as one of the best downtowns in the United States citing nearly 300 restaurants, more than 35 hotels, movie theaters, museums, sports venues, art galleries and parks.

Every year in May, Indianapolis has held a festival parade which is part of the 500 Festival and a month of events including a mini marathon. The race starts on Washington Street just off Monument Circle, goes to the brickyard, and ends on New York Street back downtown. The Mini has been sold out every year, with well over 35,000 runners participating.

Indianapolis is also home to the Indiana State Fair as well as the Heartland Film Festival, the Indianapolis International Film Festival, the Indianapolis Theater Fringe Festival, the Indianapolis Alternative Media Festival, and the Midwest Music Summit. The Indianapolis Italian Street Festival is held at Holy Rosary Church during the month of June, just south of downtown.

One of the largest ethnic and cultural heritage festivals in Indianapolis is the Summer Celebration held by Indiana Black Expo. It is an event that lasts for ten days highlighting the contributions of African-Americans to the U.S. society and culture and provides educational, networking opportunities to the over 300,000 participants from around the country and entertainment. Indy’s International Festival is held annually in November at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Local ethnic groups, vendors and performers are featured alongside national and international performers.

Since 2006, in the months of March and October, a great chance for local and national designers is provided by Midwest Fashion Week. This event has grown to become a premier event in Indianapolis.

The city is home to the world’s largest children’s museum and plenty of other fun spots for family bonding. With 12 permanent galleries, 1.3 million visitors annually and nearly 1 million square feet, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is the world’s largest.

Another family attraction is Indianapolis Zoo, from a dolphin in-water program to a shark touch tank, from racing cheetahs to painting with elephants, a jewel for families.

The Circle City Classic is one of America’s top historical African-American college football games. This annual football game, held during the first weekend of October, is the showcase event of an entire weekend. The weekend is a celebration of educational achievement and cultural excellence while showing the spirit, energy and tradition of America’s historical African colleges and universities.

The city has an arts community that includes many fairs celebrating a wide variety of arts and crafts. They include Talbot Street Art Fair, the Broad Ripple Art Fair, Carmel Arts Festival, the Penrod Art Fair, Indian Market and Festival.

Indianapolis offers many music tastes; the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, Indy Jazz Fest, and the DCI World Championships are all held in Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has hosted an annual outdoor summer concert series at Conner Prairie called Marsh Symphony on the Prairiesi.nce 1982, featuring a variety of musical styles.

Virginia Beach

Virginia BeachVirginia Beach boardwalk is a wonderful 3 miles stretch of land along the Atlantic Ocean. I would recommend visiting the beach boardwalk during the spring months as the crowd is less and the temperature is bit cooler. You might find many hotels and restaurants located along with boardwalk.

One of my favorite and special parts about Virginia Beach boardwalk is that there is a bike path and separate walking, which eliminates the usual hassle of trying to bike around people. This is the cleanest boardwalk I have visited and also, it is lit up at night, which makes you feel safe to walk around. You can take pictures by the bronze Neptune statue which is located nearby Neptune Festival Park and is a popular spot for summer events and concerts. Some of the famous tours offered during summers are the Dolphin kayak tours and also, the boat rides. 

Other enjoyable activities are horseback riding and para-sailing. The spring months are bit quieter, however, you will enjoy the soothing and relaxing atmosphere around the beach. Once we were there we really enjoyed walking along the beach and also biking as it was not over-crowded at all. 

You can definitely get the best deal at the nearby hotels if you are visiting the beach during off-seasons. Best Western plus Oceanfront offered us a gig of $100 per night inclusive of buffet breakfast. The view of our room was awesome with private balcony and also, had a direct access to the beach. If you are feeling hungry and want to kill your hunger than Shoreline Grill is a must stop by it is inside the hotel and is open from 4pm – 6pm. The food offered is really delicious and the quantity served is decent. The bar nearby the restaurant area has fine scotches, while the environment there makes you feel at home. 

Also, if you are staying at the beachfront hotel, you don’t need a car. The Hampton Roads Transit’s VB Wave is a delight low-fare shuttle which can fulfill your aim. It makes stops at Atlantic Avenue, the water park, campgrounds, the aquarium and shopping centers.  We did make a use of it after having dinner to our hotel and did purchase pre-paid fare cards at the nearest souvenir shop. If you want to have some adventure, probably rent a surrey or a beach cruiser to bike along the boardwalk.

The Most Amazing Beaches of Rio

What is Copacabana famous for?  Copacabana is one of the reasons why people fall in love at first sight with Rio. The Princess of the Sea, It is one of the best areas for you to stay, with a higher concentration of hotels than any other neighborhood in town. Like Ipanema and Leblon, Copacabana and Leme share the same beach. This is where Rio's New Year's Celebrations take place, attracting 2 million people every year. It is Rio de Janeiro's most vibrant and eclectic district, with countless attractions for locals and visitors. With over 160 thousand residents, it's almost a city within itself. The beach, landmark buildings, legendary nightclubs, restaurants, boutiques, and the trademark sidewalks are more than enough to captivate you. As you walk around and discover the parks, squares, sights, and especially the people, you will become a fan for life. Wake up early and watch the sun rise out of the Atlantic Ocean. Somewhere else in Copacabana, at this very same time, fishermen are pulling their nets, senior citizens are going for their daily walk and dip in the sea, the first batch of fresh-baked bread is ready for sale at dozens of bakeries, and bouncers of Lido nightclubs are finally calling it a night. If Rio is a city that never sleeps, Copacabana is the reason. Copacabana Beach is where to spend New Year's Eve, The fireworks festival and the stages with live music shows are big pluses to the place, but the Cariocas are the main attraction. Mostly everybody dresses in white, a tradition to bring peace and good luck, offering a white flower to Yemanjá, the goddess of the seas, is also a part of the ritual. The exquisite fireworks festival starts at midnight, lasting almost a half hour. With white sand and waters that are never rough, this is also a very popular beach for sunbathing. During the summer international championships of beach soccer, volleyball and other sports are promoted in arenas along Copacabana Beach. Some beach kiosks are open around the clock, offering refreshments and snacks. Cross the street and explore the beachside cafes, restaurants, and night clubs along Av. Atlantica. Copacabana keeps a close relationship with its neighbors. Walk south and after you pass Posto 6, it is 5 minutes to Arpoador and Ipanema, Go North to Leme. Lagoa is Southwest, a short tunnel leads you to Botafogo, Flamengo and Downtown. What about Ipanema Beach? Ipanema is a neighborhood with a tradition of freedom and innovation. Ipanema Beach is where the summer happens in Rio. News in Ipanema makes big headlines in all major newspapers in the country. Ipanema is a public beach with free access like all beaches in Brazil. If you're coming from a country where everything's regulated, expect to be spoiled. Feeling hungry? Beach vendors offer ice-cream, cookies (don't miss the traditional Biscoitos Globo), corn-on-the-cob, melted cheese on a stick, shrimp on a stick, assorted homemade sandwiches, fresh-sliced pineapple. Feeling Thirsty? Mineral water, iced tea, diet and regular sodas, frozen fruit juice, chilled coconut milk, and yes, ice-cold beer, and delicious fresh-squeezed caipirinhas. You can rent your beach chairs and umbrellas. Need to accessorize? Hats, colorful beach throws, sunglasses, jewelry, even bikinis are for sale.  What are the valuable places that can be visited?  Considered the “little Paris” of Rio it is renowned for its avant-garde galleries, bookstores and movie theatres. Stop in at H. Stern, one of the most popular jewelry stores in the area, and take a tour of their museum. Not only is it free but you receive a little box of semi-precious and precious stones as a gift. Every Sunday the Hippie Fair is held with vendors selling everything from wooden dolls to swizzle sticks topped with parrots. Garcia D’Avila Street has some of the best brands of the city as Osklen, H Stern, Amsterdam Sauer and many others.  To sleep in luxury consider staying at the Fasano or Ipanema Plaza. Both are close to the beach and shopping. Fasano has already received Madonna, Beyoncé and John Travolta, just to say a few. Another great 5 star option, but not so expensive, is the Hotel Caesar Park beach front.  For a hotel with middle of the road prices try the Hotel Vermont on Rua Visconde de Pirajá. Budget accommodations are plentiful in Ipanema and consist mostly of hostels. The Adventure Hostel on Rua Vinicius de Moraes is a member of Hostelling International. Casa 6 on Rua Barao da Torre has both double rooms and dormitories and One Love Hostel has a breakfast buffet every morning.  What distinguishes Ipanema beach from others in Rio?  The beaches of Rio de Janeiro are divided into tribes, but Ipanema is where that note is so strong. In front of the country club meet young beautiful and high class people. It’s certainly the place to see and be seen.What is Copacabana famous for?

Copacabana is one of the reasons why people fall in love at first sight with Rio. The Princess of the Sea, It is one of the best areas for you to stay, with a higher concentration of hotels than any other neighborhood in town. Like Ipanemaand Leblon, Copacabana and Lemeshare the same beach. This is where Rio’s New Year’s Celebrations take place, attracting 2 million people every year. It is Rio de Janeiro’s most vibrant and eclectic district, with countless attractions for locals and visitors. With over 160 thousand residents, it’s almost a city within itself. The beach, landmark buildings, legendary nightclubs,restaurantsboutiques, and the trademark sidewalks are more than enough to captivate you. As you walk around and discover the parks, squares, sights, and especially the people, you will become a fan for life.

Wake up early and watch the sun rise out of the Atlantic Ocean. Somewhere else in Copacabana, at this very same time, fishermen are pulling their nets, senior citizens are going for their daily walk and dip in the sea, the first batch of fresh-baked bread is ready for sale at dozens of bakeries, and bouncers of Lido nightclubs are finally calling it a night. If Rio is a city that never sleeps, Copacabana is the reason.

Copacabana Beach is where to spend New Year’s Eve, The fireworks festival and the stages with live music shows are big pluses to the place, but the Cariocas are the main attraction. Mostly everybody dresses in white, a tradition to bring peace and good luck,offering a white flower to Yemanjá, the goddess of the seas, is also a part of the ritual. The exquisite fireworks festival starts at midnight, lasting almost a half hour. With white sand and waters that are never rough, this is also a very popular beach for sunbathing. During the summer international championships of beach soccer, volleyball and other sports are promoted in arenas along Copacabana Beach. Some beach kiosks are open around the clock, offering refreshments and snacks. Cross the street and explore the beachside cafes, restaurants, and night clubs along Av. Atlantica.

Copacabana keeps a close relationship with its neighbors. Walk south and after you pass Posto 6, it is 5 minutes to Arpoador and Ipanema, Go North to LemeLagoa is Southwest, a short tunnel leads you to BotafogoFlamengo and Downtown.

What about Ipanema Beach?

Ipanema is a neighborhood with a tradition of freedom and innovation. Ipanema Beach is where the summer happens in Rio. News in Ipanema makes big headlines in all major newspapers in the country. Ipanema is a public beach with free access like all beaches in Brazil. If you’re coming from a country where everything’s regulated, expect to be spoiled. Feeling hungry? Beach vendors offer ice-cream, cookies (don’t miss the traditional Biscoitos Globo), corn-on-the-cob, melted cheese on a stick, shrimp on a stick, assorted homemade sandwiches, fresh-sliced pineapple. Feeling Thirsty? Mineral water, iced tea, diet and regular sodas, frozen fruit juice, chilled coconut milk, and yes, ice-cold beer, and delicious fresh-squeezed caipirinhas. You can rent your beach chairs and umbrellas. Need to accessorize? Hats, colorful beach throws, sunglasses, jewelry, even bikinis are for sale.

 

What are the valuable places that can be visited?
Considered the “little Paris” of Rio it is renowned for its avant-garde galleries, bookstores and movie theatres. Stop in at H. Stern, one of the most popular jewelry stores in the area, and take a tour of their museum. Not only is it free but you receive a little box of semi-precious and precious stones as a gift. Every Sunday the Hippie Fair is held with vendors selling everything from wooden dolls to swizzle sticks topped with parrots. Garcia D’Avila Street has some of the best brands of the city as Osklen, H Stern, Amsterdam Sauer and many others.

 

To sleep in luxury consider staying at the Fasano or Ipanema Plaza. Both are close to the beach and shopping. Fasano has already received Madonna, Beyoncé and John Travolta, just to say a few. Another great 5 star option, but not so expensive, is the Hotel Caesar Park beach front.
For a hotel with middle of the road prices try the Hotel Vermont on Rua Visconde de Pirajá. Budget accommodations are plentiful in Ipanema and consist mostly of hostels. The Adventure Hostel on Rua Vinicius de Moraes is a member of Hostelling International. Casa 6 on Rua Barao da Torre has both double rooms and dormitories and One Love Hostel has a breakfast buffet every morning.

 

What distinguishes Ipanema beach from others in Rio?

 

The beaches of Rio de Janeiro are divided into tribes, but Ipanema is where that note is so strong. In front of the country club meet young beautiful and high class people. It’s certainly the place to see and be seen.

The Enchanting Boldt Castle-A Couple Token of Love

The Enchanting Boldt Castle-A Couple Token of LoveMonument of Love Boldt Castle is known as the monument of love which is located in the Heart Island and was commissioned by George C. Boldt for his wife Louise. It is remembered as the magnificence of a bygone era and in the 1000 Islands Region of the St. Lawrence River. This castle is linked with the saddest of love stories ever told. This Castle began its grounds in early 1900’s. Boldt Castle construction, other related structures and the tragedy In addition to the Boldt Castle, a medieval styled power house and also a tall tower called “Alster Tower” was built to entertain the crowd while the construction work for the mansion was going on. The mansion carries number of heart shaped designs. In the year 1904, when Louise passed away, the family was still living in the Alster Tower and George was devastated. He immediately ordered to cease work in the mansion and he took his family away from the island, vowing never to return back. After the work was stopped and grounds people sat empty for around 70 years it was decided that the rotting estate might turn up into a profitable business opportunity. In the year 1977, finally, the castle was built by the new owners of the land and now is used for events like weddings which are popular on the Boldt Castle grounds. Also, the other famous structures built on Heart Island along with Castle are the Hennery, the Arch and a stone Gazebo. The first floor of the Castle has been restored to reflect the lives of George and Louise, which has finished interiors with furnishings. The newly renovated custom made doors and many of the windows enhance the beauty of the entrance. The Castle is six stories tall from the foundation level to the highest towered room. The Alster Tower It is a defense tower similar to the ones built on Alster River in Germany. Initially, it was built to entertain the guests. The so called “Shell Room” was used for dancing and was called as “Shell Room” because of the shape of the roof. The basement of the tower has a bowling alley, while the upper floors contain billiard room, bedrooms, library, grill, café and kitchen. The Playhouse is closed for renovation as for now. However, the exterior view of the tower is truly amazing and provides a picturesque setting for a grand wedding. The Entry Arch This monument is modeled after the Romans; stones were cut and delivered for double rows of columns which would enclose a covered walk giving an opportunity for each side of the arch to be extended. There were future plans for a drawbridge to provide a promenade on the embankment of Swan Pond but is still incomplete due to work ceased on the island. The Gazebo It is the favorite wedding spot, dozens of weddings ceremonies are held in it every year. The Gardens and Grounds Heart Island has over 10,000 annual flowers planted each year. These flowers are provided with spectacular colors and beauty each season. The Wine Festival Boldt Castle will host its 5th annual Wine Festival and also the famous farmers market in the year 2014. There will be many wineries participating in the event and there will be food, drink and live entertainment there throughout the festival. Some of the famous names of wineries participating are: Forbes Farm, Grandpa Pete’s Gourmet Sauce, River Myst Winery, Cross Island Farms, Junga Honey, Tug Hill Vineyards, Venditti Vineyards, Americana Vineyards & Winery, Thousand Islands Winery, Coyote Moon Vineyards, Glenora Wine Cellars & Knapp Vineyard and many more. The Yacht House It is open for public at a very modest fee. Visitors are invited to take the free shuttle boat from the Heart Island for easy access to this imposing structure on the river’s edge. The houseboat is 128 feet long and was specially meant for Boldt’s family. Interiors of Yacht have a collection of antique wooden boats on display. The Yacht House is open from May 11th to September 29th at 10:30 am to 6:30 pm for the local public. Online Ticketing Enjoy both locations, i.e. Boldt Castle and Boldt Yacht House for one low price. Round trip shuttle services are available between the Castle and the Yacht House which is included in the cost of the ticket. Tour boat transportation not included for below: Adult- $11 (13 + years) Child – $7 (6 years to 12 years) Infant – free (upto 5 years) You can also avail the individual tickets for Boldt Castle and Boldt Yacht House for a separate set of prices. This gives you the chance to enjoy both things individually.