Empire State Building - This is a story of structure that remained tallest for 42 years. It is one of the best known structures of the world and has

Empire State Building – A landmark
by: Chandra Bhushan


This is a story of structure that remained tallest for 42 years. It is one of the best known structures of the world and has been admired by all of us. So much so that each of us knows its name. This building not only became an icon but a symbol of twentieth century man's attempts to achieve the impossible. But how did this gigantic icon get built?
- Chandra Bhushan, Architect

In 1920’s America’s economy was flourishing. Business leaders were funneling their profits right back into industry, investing in factories and new machinery eventually making huge stocks. The stock market was at boom. One of the leading companies, General Motors (GM) was making spectacular profits and John Jacob Raskob who was the President of GM, enjoyed the status as one of the America’s leading capitalist.

In 1928, for presidential elections Raskob supported his friend Alfred Smith and became the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. But Smith lost to Herbert Hoover and things changed. Sloan an ardent supporter of Hoover, demanded that Raskob resign either as Democratic chairman or from General Motors. Raskob refused. But the board of directors supported Sloan. Hurt, Raskob resigned from General Motors. Raskob later cashed his $20 million worth GM Stock in 1929.

After auto industry it was the real estate industry that was booming at that time in America and so Raskob chose to invest his money in making a commercial building in New York City. Luckily at that time owners of Waldrof-Astoria Hotel in New York decided to sell the property and thought of building a new hotel at different location, since the property on which the hotel was located had become extremely valuable and could fetch a good price for them.

Raskob bought the property in $16 million. As he was, he decided to make a building that world has never imagined. He now needed a plan. Raskob hired Shreve, Lamb & Harmon to be the architects for his new building.

Richmond H. Shreve was born in 1877 and graduated from Cornell University College of Architecture in 1902. In 1906, he joined Carrère & Hastings architectural firm. Later in 1911 William F Lamb joined the firm. Lamb did his architecture from Columbia University’s School of Architecture. In 1920 after Carrère’s death and Hasting’s retirement the firm’s name changed to Shreve & Lamb. In 1929 one more architect Arthur Loomis Harmon joined with them and finally the firm had its name Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Associates.

William Lamb was the main designer responsible for creating a dream for Raskob. In the very first meeting when Lamb asked about Raskob’s vision for his building, Raskob in reply pulled a thick pencil out of his drawer and held it up and asked William Lamb, “How high can you make it so that it won’t fall down?” Lamb understood his gesture.

Lamb got started planning right away and soon, he had a plan; the logic of the plan was very simple. A certain amount of space in the center, arranged as compactly as possible, contains the vertical circulation, mail chutes, toilets, shafts and corridors. Surrounding this was a perimeter of office space 28 feet deep. The sizes of the floors diminish as the elevators decrease in number. In essence, there was a pyramid of non-rentable space surrounded by a greater pyramid of rentable space. For the form of the building many sketches were produced based on Art Deco style.

The original design made was 80 storeys high. But there was one more building coming up in New York; Chrysler Building by Walter Chrysler the founder of Chrysler Corporation. Chrysler wanted to build the highest building ever made and to do that he kept final height of the building secret. Not knowing exactly what height he had to beat, Raskob started planning of his own building along with Ar. Lamb.

Planning the tallest building in the world was only half the battle; they still had to build the towering structure as quickly as possible. The corporation was formed in September, 1929, (Empire State Inc.) and the architect was also retained in that month. May 1 being the date of expiration of most office leases, it was decided May 1, 1931, as the date of completion. This allowed a year and eight months for building to be completed including the design.

After the finalisation of conceptual design tenders were floated for construction that included the time frame. As part of bid to get the job, builders Starrett Bros. & Eken told Raskob that they could get the job done in eighteen months. When asked during the interview how much equipment they had on hand, Paul Starrett replied, "Nothing. Not even a pick and shovel." Starrett was sure that other builders trying to get the job had assured Raskob and his partners that they had plenty of equipment and what they did not have, they would hire.

Yet Starrett explained his Statement: "Gentlemen, this building of yours is going to represent unusual problems. Ordinary building equipment won't be worth a damn on it. We'll buy new stuff, fitted for the job, and at the end sell it and credit you with the difference. That's what we do on every big project. It costs less than hiring secondhand stuff, and it's more efficient." Their honesty, quality, and swiftness won them the bid.

With such an extremely tight schedule, Starrett Bros. & Eken started planning immediately. Over sixty different trades would need to be hired, supplies would need to be ordered and time needed to be minutely planned. The companies they hired had to be dependable and be able to follow through with quality work within the allotted timetable. The supplies had to be made at the plants with as little work as possible needed at the site. Time was scheduled so that each section of the building process overlapped - timing was essential. Not a minute, an hour, or a day was to be wasted.

The hotel was torn down, piece by piece. Even before the demolition of the Waldorf-Astoria was complete, on 22nd January 1930 excavation for the new building started. Two shifts of 300 men worked day and night to dig through the hard rock in order to make a foundation. On March 17th steel frame construction began. Two-hundred and ten steel columns made up the vertical frame. Twelve of these ran the entire height of the building.

The construction of the Empire State Building was a model of efficiency. The builders created various innovations that saved time, money, and man-power. While the outside of the building was being constructed, electricians and plumbers began installing the internal necessities of the building. Timing for each trade to start working was finely tuned. It was like an assembly line of a factory, the only difference was that the assembly line did the moving; the finished product stayed in place.

But was the plan high enough to make the Empire State Building the tallest in the world? They thought it would be the tallest at 80 stories. But the Chrysler went higher, so they lifted the Empire State to 85 storeys, but only four feet taller than the Chrysler. Raskob was worried that Walter Chrysler would pull a trick - like hiding a rod in the spire and then sticking it up at the last minute.

The race was getting very competitive. With the thought of wanting to make the Empire State Building higher, Raskob himself came up with the solution. After examining a scale model of the proposed building, Raskob said, "It needs a hat!" Looking toward the future, Raskob decided that the "hat" would be used as a docking station for airships. The new design for the Empire State Building, including the mooring mast, would make the building 1,250 tall; the Chrysler Building was completed at 1,046 feet with 77 stories.

Final height of the building was 102 storeys. Still construction company accepted the challenge to deliver it in time. More than 1000 people worked day and night on holidays and Sundays to accomplish gigantic feet in 18 months. Maximum labour force at time was 3,500. The speed of construction can be understood by the fact that 4.5 floors were constructed every week.

Everything was engineered to be duplicated in tremendous quantity with almost perfect accuracy. The steel posts and beams arrived at the site marked with their place in the framework and with the number of the derrick that would hoist them. Workers could swing the steel into place and have it riveted as soon as 80 hours after it had come out of the furnace.

The Otis Elevator Company installed 58 passenger elevators and eight service elevators in the Empire State Building. Though these elevators could travel up to 1,200 feet per minute, the building code restricted the speed to only 700 feet per minute based on older models of elevators. Raskob took a chance, installed the faster and more expensive elevators (running them at the slower speed) and hoped that the building code would soon change. A month after the Empire State Building was opened, the building code was changed to 1,200 feet per minute and the elevators in the Empire State Building were speeded up.

The entire Empire State Building was constructed in just one year and 45 days consuming 57,000 tons of steel, 10 million bricks, 2,00,000 cubic feet of lime stone and 730 tons of aluminum - an amazing feat! The Empire State Building came in on time and under budget. The cost of the building including the land was only $40,948,900 below the $50 million expected price tag. It took lives of five people while under construction.

The Empire State Building officially opened on May 1, 1931 to a lot of fanfare. It was now the tallest building in the world and would keep that record until the completion of the World Trade Center in New York City in 1972. Construction of the 102-story Empire State Building was executed with a rate of ascent unsurpassed today - as a comparison the construction of the WTC took 6 years. For this reason, the building is considered one of the seven greatest American engineering achievements.

Skillful architects Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon were familiar with the imperatives of design and construction efficiency that maximized investors' returns by filling the building with tenants as soon as possible. But despite its world-class stature today, the building had difficulty attracting tenants when it was first completed, and was often ridiculed as the "Empty State Building.

The idea for the Empire State Building was conceived during the real estate boom of the 1920's, but by the time the building was finished in the middle of the great depression, the developers had to struggle to find any tenants at all to rent space. This led to the nickname given by New Yorkers, the "Empty State Building." After it was completed in 1931, the Empire State Building remained half-rented during the Depression. Things have changed; today, 97% of the 2.25 million square feet are rented.

Luckily, the popularity of the observatories and a beauty of the building prevented the building from going into bankruptcy.

The feeling and spirit of New York City is embodied in the Empire State Building. Many people recognizes the building as the unequalled symbol of American ingenuity and Art Deco architecture; an awe inspiring landmark which offers one of the most spectacular views on earth and creates magical romantic moments.

About The Author
Chandra Bhushan

Compilation and presentation by CBS Team. Excerpts taken from Concordia University's website.

http://www.cbsforum.com/

Copyright © 2005 CBS Forum

Suburbs of New York City - I lived in the suburbs of New York City almost all my life and it was only when I was in my 20's and working on 5th Avenue

Tourist in My Own Hometown
by: Marcia Passos Duffy


I lived in the suburbs of New York City almost all my life and it was only when I was in my 20's and working on 5th Avenue when I finally went to the top of the Empire State Building. It took me almost two decades as well to ice-skate at Rockefeller Center, browse the Museum of Natural History, and see a Broadway play.

Now living in New England I still tend to overlook the tourist attractions in my own backyard. It took us eight years after we moved to Keene, NH before we climbed the “most-climbed mountain in the world,” Mt. Monadnock, just a 15 minute drive from our house.

I once read a magazine article about a family that took a week-long vacation in their own hometown. They visited museums, ate out every night, and basically took in their surroundings with the new eyes of visitors. I didn’t have a week – but a few hours I did have. So when my neighbor suggested that we become tourists for a day in Keene I jumped at the chance. My neighbor and I planned a simple late morning excursion with our kids on the Keene trolley.

I have never been on the Keene trolley. I see it motoring around town every time I leave my house to run errands. It looks sweet, touristy, and fun. The windows are rolled all the way up in the warm weather. The seats are wood. The pick-up spot was a five minute walk from the house, so we all walked down to our local Hannaford’s to wait for the 11:35 a.m. trolley.

Why it seemed so exciting is beyond me. I knew where the trolley went and I’ve seen all those spots a thousand times. I knew our final destination was a mere one mile from our house. But somehow, shedding the car and climbing aboard the trolley made it all different. And the kids actually cheered (the younger ones) when the trolley made the turn into the parking lot.

I want to say it was a pleasant ride and wax philosophical about the wind blowing through my hair and seeing the familiar scenes through different eyes. And I would if my 6-year son had not had an intense attack of vertigo which made him exclaim (uh, shout) that the trolley was going to tip over with all of us in it with each turn the driver took. He insisted on sitting up front, where the windows were closed, with me glued to his side; I spent the entire 20 minutes of the ride trying reassure him that this was not a doomsday ride.

But hey, those are the chances you take traveling with children, even if it’s in your own backyard. The ride took us the “long way” past the hospital, toward downtown. “It takes a lot longer to get the Colony Mill on the trolley,” my son said when we finally got off, relieved to be on solid ground (the driver I’m sure was even more relieved).

The Colony Mill Marketplace is the Keene, NH version of a “mall,” – it is actually a renovated mill originally built in 1838 to produce wool garments, including uniforms for the Union troops during the Civil War and the Allied forces during the World World Wars I and II. And it housed scores of civilian companies and families until it closed its doors in 1953. It was completely transformed three decades later into a regional marketplace.

Today it houses quaint shops like Dilly’s for Kids, Mill Toy Works (my son’s favorite), Pocketful of Rye, Toadstool Bookshop (this is my favorite bookstore – no Borders for me!) and True Necessities (my daughter’s favorite). My kids, with their pockets jingling with birthday money from grandparents, made some modest but happy purchases – a few shorts and a shirt for my 12-year old daughter; a strap-to-the-head flashlight and a pull- back toy car for my son.

We had lunch at the mall’s atrium -- unlike your typical “mall” setting in both food and atmosphere. Sometimes they even have live piano music. Homemade artichoke soup from Kristin’s Bakery, croissants stuffed with spinach and cheese; the other choice at the Marketplace is Chinese food and I ordered a plate of dumplings for us to share. It was good, satisfying; not a French fry or double cheeseburger to be seen yet all four kids ate heartily (maybe it was the thrilling trolley ride that made them so hungry.)

Our trip ended at another adjacent historic “mall” next door called The Center at Keene, originally a scenic railroad station in the 1800's that now houses several retail shops and a really good ice cream shop, Rick’s Gourmet Ice Cream. We ate our ice cream outside (I had chocolate custard with chocolate sprinkles – yum!). While we were enjoying our ice cream, we suddenly saw the return trolley go by. “Oh well,” my son said, “we can walk.” And we did -- bundles in hand -- on the bicycle path.

My friend and I looked at each other, pleased with the day. It was already past 2 p.m. “It wouldn’t have been the same if we took our cars,” she said. And I agree. There is really something special about being a tourist in your own hometown.

Copyright 2004
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Vacations in Manhattan - Some people think that Manhattan and New York City are synonymous, but they are not. Everyone should get to see New York City

Vacations in Manhattan
by: David Chandler

Some people think that Manhattan and New York City are synonymous, but they are not. Everyone should get to see New York City in his or her lifetime, but this network of neighborhoods can be intimidating without guidance. Manhattan is only one of the five boroughs that make up New York City.

There is much to see and do in Manhattan that it could take weeks to visit everything. First, familiarize yourself with the best ways to get around the city. Since you will probably be spending most of your time outdoors, check the weather and plan accordingly.

Manhattan is the home of the Empire State Building, Time Square, Central Park, Greenwich Village, China Town, the former site of the World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge, Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty, and much more.

Let us not forget some activities that you can do while in the Manhattan, you can see a Broadway show, check out the wineries. Taking a self-guided tour of Rockefeller Center to discover the art-deco masterpieces that this 19-building complex contains. Check out the sober grandeur of Grant's Tomb National Monument near Riverside Church, hey and while you are there go ahead and climb the Church bell tower to see the fabulous city views.

Want more ways to watch your wallet? Museum of Modern Art-, which hosts Target Free Fridays from 4-8pm, or Staten Island Ferry- where you can enjoy the skyline views, plus a trip to Staten, The Cathedral of St. John and tour the world's largest Gothic cathedral, Central Park - where nature never charges a fee.

Be aware of the major events planned year-round, this will give you an opportunity to choose a time that has more activities for you and your family. From somber reflection at Ground Zero to the exuberant performances on Broadway to our excellent dining, NYC provides an experience for any taste.

The Manhattan skyline consists of some of the tallest buildings built in the United States.

About The Author

For more information, visit the Manhattan Info Center at http://www.manhattaninfocenter.com/

David Chandler
Stock Market Genie
http://www,stockmarketgenie.com/

Brooklyn Bridge – Creating Grandeur - This is probably the biggest and oldest infrastructure project in bridge construction that is still in use, and

Brooklyn Bridge – Creating Grandeur
by: Chandra Bhushan, Architect

This is probably the biggest and oldest infrastructure project in bridge construction that is still in use, and it wonders us that our small hands can do such a miracle when guided by the mighty mind. The project was gigantic and so was its construction. It was a battle of engineering science with nature that took lives of many during the construction, and the first one to sacrifice was the creator himself.

Any person who has sentiments, cannot cross this bridge in continuation, the grandeur and beauty compels him to stop and glance at it for a while.
- Chandra Bhushan, Architect

Brooklyn Bridge – Creating Grandeur

In 1860, due to population explosion in New York City and Brooklyn, it was realized that a bridge was necessary to connect these cities that are separated by East River. In 1866 New York State Legislature passed the bill for construction of a bridge over the East River and New York Bridge Company was formed.

The company appointed John Augustus Roebling as its Chief Engineer on 23rd May 1867. Roebling was born on June 12, 1806, in Germany. While in school he developed an interest in both metaphysics and in bridge building. He graduated with a degree in civil engineering from the Royal Polytechnic Institute of Berlin in 1826.

In 1831 Roebling and his brother immigrated to Pennsylvania to farm. When this venture failed, Roebling accepted the position of Pennsylvania state engineer. In this position, he surveyed and supervised the construction of canals, locks, and dams.

In 1841 Roebling invented the twisted wire-rope cable, an invention which foreshadowed the use of wire cable supports for the decks of suspension bridges. Six years later he established a factory in New Jersey for the manufacture of this cable. Because the cable could support long spans and extremely heavy loads, Roebling quickly gained a reputation as a quality bridge engineer.

The gap here to be covered was 1600 ft (almost half a km) in a single span, so that ships can cross over under the span while the clear height required was 135 feet. As a chief engineer of the company, Roebling designed the Cable Suspension Bridge to meet all these requirements. Roebling then called the board of consulting engineers after completing his design to examine his plans, three other engineers from war department also examined to see whether or not the bridge would be an obstruction to navigation.

The scheme was perfect; structurally and architecturally, and the plans of Roebling were fully endorsed by both, board of engineers and the government commission. Just two months after the approval on 9th July 1869 while fixing the location of the tower on Brooklyn side, a boat bashed the slide where Roebling was standing. In this accident Roebling’s foot got crushed and in spite of medical aid, he at 63 could not bear the severe pain and died 14 days later on 22nd July.

It was a great setback for this monumental project, realizing the fact that the Roebling’s cable wire manufacturing company was the world leader in this technology; his son was anonymously chosen as his successor. Washington A. Roebling, who had not only been the accomplished associate of his father in some of his principal works, but had aided him most efficiently in the preparation of the designs and plans of this bridge.

The construction of bridge began on 3rd January 1870 and the site preparation for Brooklyn side tower started. Two towers of height 276 feet each (4 storey higher than Qutab Minar) with twin gothic arches were to be erected at the side of the river. How will they do it with foundation as deep as 78 feet? It was eight storey high foundations with solid concrete!

Digging could not be done along the side of river, as water would percolate making the digging impossible. To resolve this caisson were built for each bank. It is box structure open from one side, the open side is put on the ground; workers then go inside from trap door on the top and work inside this caisson. As digging proceeds the caisson descends by enormous wait that is put on it. To stop the water to percolate from ground, enough air pressure is generated inside the caisson which is airtight structure.

For this project huge caissons were built for each side. Workers were working under the closed wet cabin that had double the pressure that we experience normally. Under this extreme pressure nitrogen gas that is present in atmosphere is dissolved in blood which is not actually harmful, but sudden release in pressure make this gas bubble out quickly from body creating a violent pain. Also the higher pressure drives blood into central part of the body like brain, spinal cord and bone joints.

Because no one was aware of this fact workers continued to work, the result was workers were having caisson disease, they had joint pains and some of them completely paralyzed and soon died. As Washington A Roebling visited these Caissons occasionally, he contracted the same disease in May 1872 just after completing the foundations, however he was managing the project as it was his father’s dream and he has to accomplish.

After the foundations, the towers were erected. The specifications were changed from brick and stone masonry to granite and brick to make structure sturdier. The towers were fascinating and many people were visiting to see these gigantic structures across the East River. Two workers fell from these towers while construction and died instantly.

After completing the towers four main cables had to be put in place across the span that would ultimately hold the bridge deck. The cables were made of 19 strands and each of these strands was having 258 wires of 3.2mm thick each, making cable almost 16 inches thick. Each cable extending from one anchorage to other was having 320 kms of wire. Very meticulously each wire was put from one end to another and then wrapped finally.

Cabling was dangerous task, people were working on phobias height; any error could be fatal. While taking each wire one by one from one end to other, accidentally one wire slipped and cable went into the river chopping off one of the workers head. Till this stage more than a dozen workers died. Tough site conditions were becoming the greatest challenge and further to increase the humiliation of this team of 600 workers, another setback hit the project.

Washington A Roebling’s health was getting worse, he was not able to move now, he was almost paralyzed, partly blind, deaf, and mute. He now not able to supervise the project at site took his bed along the window in Brooklyn where he could see the bridge and managed the rest from there. His wife Emily was liasoning the project now and brought messages to the work site from his bed side. Emily Roebling became the surrogate Chief Engineer for the bridge and continued the work of her husband. She learned higher math and engineering through "on-the-job" training.

The 85’ feet deck weighing 6000 was built with steel structure resting on the main four cables through 1520 suspenders and 400 diagonal stays. The bridge had two lanes on either side with elevated pedestrian way in the centre.

Finally the bridge was completed on 24th May 1883 2.00 PM. The bridge at many times seemed impossible due to natures curse, shattered all records for suspension bridges of the day. It was 500 feet longer than the largest suspension bridge and extended 6000 feet from end to end.

In spite of Roebling’s inability to supervise the work, his wife did excellent effort, she was so involved in the project, that she was the first person to ride across the span during the opening ceremony while president Chester Arthur and New York Governor Grover Cleveland followed Mrs. Roebling. This was the greatest gratitude that the citizens could give to the Roebling family.

About The Author

Chandra Bhushan, Architect
CBS Team
The article has been compiled by CBS Team in association with independent practicing consultants. http://www.cbsforum.com/

Top Holiday Travel Destinations - Despite the high cost of fuel and other travel expenses, an estimated 63.5 million Americans are planning to travel

Top Holiday Travel Destinations
by: Salim Jordan


Despite the high cost of fuel and other travel expenses, an estimated 63.5 million Americans are planning to travel at least 50 miles or more from home this Christmas and New Year. Hotel rates are up nearly 15% at some popular destinations, yet bookings are full or nearly full.

So where do all of these people plan to go?

Domestic Destinations

According to AAA of the United States, here are the top destinations based on the number of bookings for each location.

Florida

Orlando is the top destination for fairly obvious reasons but Ft. Lauderdale is also in the top ten. Florida offers a wealth of activities and options for families, singles, and all types of traveler. Perennial favorite Disney World will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors between Christmas and New Year's Eve, while other Florida attractions like Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center, and the Everglades will also be popular. It is also common for the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale to be filled with vacationers during the holiday season, which is second only to spring break in terms of number of tourists.

It is not too late to check out some of the great last minute deals throughout Florida. With a little research and a willingness to be flexible, you can still enjoy Florida this holiday season.

California

California has three cities in the top ten travel destinations this holiday season -- Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. All three offer a wide range of activities for tourists of all ages, and the generally pleasant December weather in California makes it a favorite place for vacationers from colder climates in need of sunshine.

The Los Angeles area is the gateway to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, two extremely popular amusement parks. Just a short drive to the south and east is San Diego, a relaxing area that is home to a laid-back lifestyle of beaches, surfing, and shopping.

If an urban experience is more to your liking, opt for San Francisco, where you can enjoy international culture, a ride on the famous cable cars, a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge, and a winding trip down Lombard Street, touted as the "crookedest street" in the world.

Other great holiday escapes

Some of the other most popular holiday escapes in the United States include New York City, Chicago, Boston, Nashville and Las Vegas.

The holidays are legendary in New York City, with ice-skating in Central Park and the elegant decorations around Rockefeller Center. In Chicago, visitors flock to the Navy Pier Winter Wonderfest as well as the famous holiday window display at Marshall Field's department store. You can't beat Boston, though, for a traditional New England holiday vacation. Check out the Prudential Center Christmas Tree, walk the Freedom Trail of historic Revolutionary War era sites, or do something entirely different and take Boston Duck Tour on a World War II era amphibious vehicle.

Looking for something a bit different? Consider Las Vegas for the holidays, where the abundance of holiday lights dwarfs even the normal profusion of neon and color. Every casino along the strip works to outdo the others with lights and decorations, with some of the most amazing displays located at Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and the Monte Carlo.

One of the most relaxed holiday destinations in the U.S. is Nashville, home to the "down home country Christmas" festivities at the Opryland Resort and Grand Ole Opry as well as special holiday programs at the Country Music Hall Of Fame. Nashville's historic homes are also dressed up for the holidays, so think about taking a bus tour of the city to enjoy the spectacular lights and decorations.

International Destinations

International travel is always popular around the holidays, and Americans are flocking to destinations all over the globe this holiday season.

Australia

It is icy and cold across much of the northern United States, but summer in Australia! For cultural attractions and urban festivities, tourists stop in Melbourne and enjoy some Christmas Carols at the Myer Music Bowl, or visit the famed Opera House in Sydney.

Since Christmas falls at the beginning of summer in Australia, many holiday visitors spend their vacation at a spectacular beach location such as Shark Bay, where diving enthusiasts can swim with dolphins and sharks, or along the Queensland Gold Coast, an area with over 30 kilometers of beautiful sandy beaches plus great restaurants, shopping, and an ever-present nightlife.

If you want a truly amazing holiday experience, go to Australia's Christmas Island, a pristine island that is largely a National Park and home to amazing plants and animals. You can scuba dive with whale sharks, enjoy the peace and quiet of a bird watching excursion, or seek adventure with a sport fishing trip in search of sailfish, tuna and wahoo.

Corsica

This is one of the jewels of the Mediterranean, offering an amazing array of food, activities, and traditional holiday celebrations. Corsica is famous for its hospitality and beautiful lands, so it definitely belongs on your "short list" of exotic holiday getaways.

Corsica is home to varied landscapes, ranging from sparkling beaches and Mediterranean ocean reserves to towering mountains and nature parks. Traditional holiday festivals include the renowned Fiera di a Castagna, or Chestnut Fair. This annual event attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, who are treated to arts, crafts, food and entertainment related to one of the islands main products, the chestnut. It is a holiday tradition for tourists from across the European continent, and well worth exploring on your holiday vacation.

United Kingdom

For a unique holiday experience, check out the United Kingdom this year. It is a perennially popular spot due to the many places of historical significance as well as culture and the arts. In London itself, you can see Parliament, visit the Tower of London, hear the sounds of Big Ben chiming the time, or ride a famed double Decker bus all around the city.

Visit Windsor Castle, the largest inhabited castle in the world and home to the British Sovereign for 900 years. You can tour this magnificent structure, getting a taste of the history and tradition of the British monarchy. When the Queen is in residence, you will see her standard flying high atop the round tower, visible from all directions as you enter the town.

If something sweeter is more to your liking, venture to Birmingham's own Cadbury World, known as the chocolate paradise. There you can learn all about the famous Cadbury Chocolates, enjoy samples, and watch how the chocolates are made, wrapped and packed. Father Christmas is on site throughout the holidays, greeting children of all ages with a present of their very own.

About The Author

Salim Jordan is Editor and Publisher of http://morethanlinks.com/. Bringing you the best informed content on the web. Every part of your life is here, from business to entertainment, technology to relationships, travel, shopping, money, health -- and all points in between. Visit http://www.morethanlinks.com/.

Niagara Falls - For years Niagara Falls has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States and Canada. Visitors from abroad

Niagara Falls--Worth The Trip?
by: Lila Kahn

For years Niagara Falls has been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States and Canada. Visitors from abroad and North America cannot seem to shake their desire to visit this dramatic aquatic spectacle. But why exactly? The falls are not particularly convenient to any major U.S. city (apologies to Buffalo), which means visitors to the US will need at least two days to fit in a visit to Niagara. Furthermore besides the actual falls themselves, there is little in the way of cultural or natural points of interest in the area. That is unless you consider a visit to ‘Ripley’s Believe it or Not’ to be a cultural experience. Finally, the climate in the Niagara region is rather daunting for much of the year. The area gets a lot of precipitation throughout the year and winter is definitely rugged in that region.

The short answer to why Niagara Falls has such a following is good PR. People from far and wide have heard of Niagara Falls. I recently asked a friend from Taiwan if she had heard of Niagara Falls before moving to the states. “Of course!”, she replied, “we learned about Niagara Falls in grade school.” She went on to explain that most people who grew up in Asia consider Niagara Falls to be one of the most important sites to see in the U.S. Its reputation is also strong throughout Europe and India. The thought of missing Niagara Falls is akin to missing the Great Wall or the Taj Majal on a visit to China or India respectively.

The real key to Niagara Fall’s enduring lure, however, may be simply that it does not disappoint. The falls themselves have an undeniable dramatic beauty. Furthermore, the ever popular Maid of the Mist boat ride that takes tourists directly into the falls is truly thrilling. Beyond that, the town of Niagara Falls, Ontario has a certain dilapidated charm. As you stroll along Queen Victoria Park facing the falls on the Canadian side, you cannot help but get a sense of what it must have been like to visit in more innocent times; before we were jaded by extreme vacations and adventure tours. To think of someone actually climbing into a barrel and heading over the falls in 1901 (actually done for the first time by a 63 year old school teacher) still captures the imagination.

To get more insight into what impression Niagara Falls makes, I interviewed 40 people who had visited the Falls in the past several years. The survey, taken from a semi-randomly selected sample, is patently unscientific. However, the results are interesting nonetheless. (A few words about the sample: most respondents were not born in the US but were living here, the age range was from young adults to retirees, most had begun their trip in either New York City or Boston, and most had gone to the Falls on a bus tour.)

Here is a summary of the feedback:

Was it worth visiting?

A resounding yes. Most respondents acknowledged that the eight hour trip from New York City was long, but surprisingly few seemed to mind. Several people expressed how much they enjoyed seeing the countryside and getting a sense of the “real” United States. Those who included a visit to Niagara Falls as part of a tour of Canada were the least likely to complain about the distance. Only one respondent expressed regret that he made the trip. He said he just did not find the falls themselves that impressive and did not think it was worth the long bus trip.

Most recommended attractions?

Hands down the Maid of the Mist boat tour was suggested as the must-do activity. Several people also pointed out that this was the best way to view the falls for those who were not able to go to the Canadian side because of visa re-entry issues. The Cave of the Winds tour, which takes you by elevator to the bottom of the falls, got high marks for those who preferred not to take a boat ride. The helicopter tour also got raves, but only one person in the survey took a helicopter tour. The nighttime illumination of the falls got mixed reviews, with some calling it “stunning”, while others found it “tacky”. Several people who traveled with children also recommended exploring the town of Niagara Falls, Ontario. It offers typically touristy attractions that are sure to please kids.

How long should you stay?

Almost everyone answered either one or two days. A few people thought only a few hours were sufficient to see the sights, and no one suggested staying more than two days.

When should you go?

This is a little hard to decipher. Not surprisingly most people visited Niagara Falls in the summer. The few who did go in the winter said they were impressed by the falls surrounded by ice, but expressed regret that they could not go on the Maid of the Mist (it stops running in October). In short, it seems like you should not go to Niagara in the winter unless you are prepared for the cold. A few also recommended going in the fall to enjoy the foliage in Upstate New York along the way.

Bottom Line: Most people sampled in this informal survey thought Niagara Falls was a great weekend getaway and a good place to take visitors from abroad. If possible, include a stop in Niagara Falls on a visit to Toronto for a great long weekend trip from New York or Boston. Chances are you will not be disappointed in a trip to Niagara Falls if you go when you are prepared for the weather, do not stay more than two days, and do not have high expectations of the attractions outside of those related to the falls.

About The Author

Lila Kahn is the Marketing Manager of GotoBus.com, the leading online marketplace for bus tickets and tours in the USA. You can find out more information about the company and contact information for the author at: http://www.gotobus.com/.

Hostels – The New Cheap Hotels - Hostels have long been the “dirty” word in the hotel and travel industry, but times are certainly changing for the be

Hostels – The New Cheap Hotels?
by: Lee Smith

Hostels have long been the “dirty” word in the hotel and travel industry, but times are certainly changing for the better as the public realise more and more that hostels and youth hostels are a viable means of accommodation when they travel around the globe.

Despite their low price and somewhat bad reputation, many hostels (http://www.hostelbookers.com/?affiliate=art1) are of a high standard and have great facilities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.

The budget travel sector, such as backpackers, gap year travelers and also families wanting multi-location holidays, has boomed in the last few years and is driven to a large extent by word-of-mouth recommendation.

With competition in the industry “hotting up” and with millions of customers each and every year choosing cheaper, cost-effective accommodation, the standard and reputation of these places are ever-increasing.

The major hostel booking companies also have ratings systems which, not only helps customers to choose the right accommodation, but also helps to push hostel owners to do more to satisfy their customers as their ratings directly affect how much business they will receive from these booking sites.

The most popular hostel destinations are: London (http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/england/london/?affiliate=art1), Sydney (http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/australia/sydney/?affiliate=art1), Rome (http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/italy/rome/?affiliate=art1), Amsterdam (http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/netherlands/amsterdam/?affiliate=art1) and New York
(http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/new-york-city/?affiliate=art1) and no matter where in the world you are travelling to, you will find a selection of great accommodation to suit both your taste and your budget.

Despite the arrival of budget hotel chains such as Travellodge, Ibis and Jury’s Inns, backpackers still prefer to stay in hostels due to factors such as atmosphere, fun and the social experience of meeting other backpackers.

The hostel industry, once considered a “cottage industry” has now grown rapidly with the entry of new players opening deluxe hostel chains including The Generator (http://www.generatorhostels.com/) Hostel in London (http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/england/london/?affiliate=art1)

About The Author

Lee Smith is a freelance writer and SEO Consultant UK.
Copyright Lee Smith
http://seo-consultant-uk.blogspot.com/

Hello from Rochester - Two days ago I took the CAT fast ferry from Toronto to Rochester and arrived well-rested after a 2.5 hour boat ride in the Port

Hello from Rochester: A Perfect Getaway for Stressed Out Torontonians (and Other Urbanites)
by: Susanne Pacher

Two days ago I took the CAT fast ferry from Toronto to Rochester and arrived well-rested after a 2.5 hour boat ride in the Port of Rochester, a scenic Rochester suburb called Charlotte. I was greeted by Patti and Carrie from the Rochester Visitors Association who had helped me with my itinerary and were kind enough to show me around.

It had been raining all day and Port Charlotte greeted me with grey skies and deep-hanging clouds. But the first thing I noticed as we drove towards downtown Rochester was the amount of green spaces and parks. We drove through a number of nicely manicured neighbourhoods and Patti showed me some of the amazing parks systems that Rochester has to offer. We drove through Genesee Valley Park, designed by famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead who also designed Central Park in New York City.

We then headed to Highland Park where each May the City holds the annual Lilac Festival, when more than 1,200 lilac bushes of different varieties and colours burst into bloom. Driving through beautiful neighbourhoods with large villas and expansive front lawns we made our way to Cobbs Hill Park which is located on a hill and holds a water reservoir with a fountain. The unique thing about Cobbs Hill Park is that there is one spot in this elevated green zone from where you can perfectly see the skyline of Rochester away in the distance, past the lush green neighbourhoods that stretch in front of downtown.

After exploring some of the expansive parks of Rochester as well as the beautiful Victorian-era Mt. Hope Cemetery, we slowly made our way downtown on East Avenue, a historic street with extensive mansions. One of Rochester's famous home-grown entrepreneurs is George Eastman, the founder of the Eastman-Kodak Corporation, which to this day has its headquarters in Rochester. Eastman was a great benefactor to the city and donated the greatest part of his wealth, estimated at $2 billion in today's dollars, to different medical, cultural and educational institutions throughout the city. We briefly stopped at his home, the Eastman House, an elegant 50-room Colonial Revival Mansion surrounded by formal gardens.

Following the Eastman House, which also contains the International Museum of Photography and Film, we crossed over to University Avenue to the Neighbourhood of the Arts, or also referred to as Artwalk. This is a stretch of road down University Avenue which houses studios, galleries, art and antique retailers in a neighbourhood of post-war apartment buildings, multi-family Victorian mansions and charming cottages.

The award winning Artwalk features sidewalk imprints, artistic benches, tiled light poles, sculptures and bus shelters all the way from the George Eastman House towards the stunning neogothic building of the Memorial Art Gallery. Every September this neighbourhood hosts the Clothesline Art Show.

After Artwalk we headed down Main Street into the downtown area. I got a look at the Eastman Theatre, home of the Eastman School of Music, one of the top music schools in the country. The Eastman Theatre itself is an interesting building, curved and classically styled, it is literally cut off on one side since a neighbour of George Eastman demanded an exorbitant price for his property, and rather than giving in to these demands, Eastman simply decided to stop the building at the property line.

Our next stop was the Browns Race and High Falls Area: one of the city's newest entertainment districts. Rochester was once known as the Flour City for all the wheat grinding that occurred along its River. Today, the Brown's Race area is a national register historic district. The area sits above the Genesee River, right next to the thundering High Falls. The Pont de Rennes bridge is a pedestrian bridge, connecting the east and west side of the city, and is named after Rochester's sister city in France.

Many of the former industrial buildings have been renovated and are now occupied by ad agencies, tech companies and engineering firms. The streets in the district have cobble-stoned pavement and feature historically styled street lighting. There are a number of entertainment places in the area, including the Triphammer Grill, which has a patio area overlooking the falls. Beside this restaurant is an old water wheel, testimony to this area's milling history. It's a very atmospheric place and an example of a successful conversion of an old industrial area into a modern entertainment district.

The Kodak headquarters are not far away from the High Falls area, and our tour continued past a number of the downtown streets. As a true architecture buff, I marveled at how many of Rochester's historic buildings have been preserved. There are entire blocks that have an intact 19th century street front, some with cast iron architecture. There was no time to explore the architecture in detail, that would have to wait for my second day in town. But needless to say, I knew I had found a city that had preserved a lot of its architectural heritage that would require further exploration.

We crossed into the city's west end and passed by a famous tavern called Nick Tahou's House, which is the home of the "garbage plate": a plate full of hamburgers, fries, and a variety of other heart-attack inducing delicacies. This route took us past a beautiful modern townhouse development that, surprisingly enough, holds recently built subsidized housing. We then made our way towards Susan B. Anthony's house. Anthony was a daring social activist who insisted on voting rights for women and was arrested in 1872 for voting in the presidential election, challenging the law. Her house was a congregation for many of her activist friends, including the famous suffragettes Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Rochester's history includes another famous activist, the abolitionist Frederick Douglass, and both Susan B. Anthony and Federick Douglass are featured in sculptures in a little park just down the road from the Susan B. Anthony House.

We then took in the Corn Hill neighbourhood, an area with tidy historic homes that hosts the Corn Hill Arts Festival every July. The next stop on our itinerary was the Strong Museum, ranked one of the top 10 children's museums in the United States. It holds the National Toy Hall of Fame and many world renowned collections of toys, miniatures, dollhouses as well as the world's most comprehensive collection of dolls. The entrance area features an authentic 1950s diner still in operation and an antique carousel.

Crossing the city again into the east end, past tree lined avenues with attractive homes, we headed outside of town to a quaint Rochester suburb called Fairport, located on the Erie Canal. On the way we passed through the wealthy suburb of Pittsford, which is the location of the Oak Hill Country Club where the 2003 PGA Championships were held. On our way to Fairport we drove past St. John Fisher College which is the location of the Buffalo Bill's training camp. Fairport itself is a gorgeous little village with beautiful storefronts, a river walk and public docking facilities. We caught a glimpse of the Colonial Belle, a 2-deck sight-seeing boat that cruises the Erie Canal.

From Fairport we went back to Pittsford, whose quaint historical center is also located right on the Erie Canal. Pittsford has a number of retail stores and restaurants that are built around an old lumber mill and it is the home of the Sam Patch, an excursion and charter boat that is a replica of an old canal packet boat. Both Fairport and Pittsford reminded me of Niagara-on-the-Lake with beautifully restored architecture, colourful overflowing flower baskets, and a variety of shopping and dining opportunities.

Well, after this comprehensive sightseeing program it was time to go for dinner. We headed up towards the Lake Ontario shoreline and into beautiful Irondequoit Bay. The name for this large bay of water is from the Iroquois Nation and means "where the two waters meet." The Native Americans once used this bay and the incoming Irondequoit Creek for canoe travel to avoid the high falls on the Genesee River. At the southern end of the bay is a large attractively styled new restaurant called Bazil's which features casual Italian cuisine.

Although the restaurant is fairly new, the place was absolutely packed, and the first thing we noticed was the chandelier in the front entrance hall which is made completely of wine bottles. We waited for about 15 minutes and then had a great dinner in the bay-side dining room area. I enjoyed the dinner which was capped off by the largest and most delicious funnel cake I have ever seen.

After this long day of sightseeing Patti and Carrie dropped me off at the Holiday Inn Express where I had well-deserved night's rest since another round of sightseeing would await me in just a few hours. My first day in Rochester had left me with a number of impressions:

- the large expanses of green spaces within the city

- meticulously manicured neighbourhoods with attractive well-kept homes

- several vibrant entertainment districts, including the historic High Falls area

- one of my favourite spots: the outdoor art experience of ArtWalk

- the historic buildings of the downtown core

- and the beautiful bayside dining at Bazil's.

I admit I didn't know much about Rochester before I got there, but the scenic quality of its suburban and downtown neighbourhoods definitely struck me. Combined with convenient access to water sports on the Erie Canal and Lake Ontario as well as to a huge variety of sports activities including golf, hiking, biking and skiing ust minutes from the downtown core, I realized why Rochester's slogan is "Made for Living".

About The Author

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions (http://www.travelandtransitions.com/). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the t-ransitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.

Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest

(http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.

"Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons".

The travel story with photos is published at Travel and Transitions – Travel Stories

(http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/hello_rochester_2.htm).

Cheeky Ways To Get An Upgrade On Your Air Ticket - Some business travellers exercise more ingenuity and cunning finding a way around their company

6 Cheeky Ways To Get An Upgrade On Your Air Ticket
by: Jacky Uy


Some business travellers exercise more ingenuity and cunning finding a way around their company travel policy, than they use in their actual job.

Many business travellers shed tears at the demise of Concorde. Blagging their way onto Concorde represented the pinnacle of transatlantic travel achievement. Few company travel policies allow such luxury, but Concorde rarely flew without a majority of business travel passengers.

Concorde flights spawned many excuses. Shorter time without a cigarette, fear of flying, creativity etc. Since Concorde retired, first class became the main goal - followed by business class, or maximum air miles.

Company travel managers can actually save their companies vastly more money than negotiating with travel suppliers. If someone flies economy instead of business, that's often worth about four tickets.

But the big company employee still holds a bag of tricks :

* Medical
* Schedule
* Late Booking
* Hotels
* Inefficient Systems
* Promotion

Medical grounds provide good excuses for upgrade. Did you hear the expression 'economy class syndrome' ? It refers to deep-vein thrombosis. This, undoubtedly unpleasant and dangerous condition, produces the biggest increase in business class upgrade requests. Many people actually hand over a medical certificate to support their claim… know any doctor friends ?

A good trick manipulates Schedules. This works well for people collecting air miles. Simply arrange your meeting so you can only get there using your preferred flight.

Book late, hoping economy sells-out early, and only business class seats remain. This common ploy usually fails if company policy requires an advance notice period.

Even if you can't get your preferred flight upgrade, a 5 * hotel will help soothe your disappointment. Although travel managers carefully monitor air travel and car hire, they're less likely to have local hotel knowledge. You can find yourself in a far superior hotel than company policy really allows.

Your company may run a strict travel policy. But inefficient systems prevent them actually detecting your abuse. Try to find out how your company checks its business travel. Does the travel agent provide reports ? Are you forced to use a corporate card that itemizes all your expenses ? Even if they do, not all companies actually analyze the data. Search for chinks in your companies travel policy armour.

Finally, if all else fails, get promotion ! Yes, if you get a senior management position you can ignore your own rules. Or you might finally be entitled to the standard of travel you feel appropriate to you.

Using these six ways, and any others you can think of, every business trip soon becomes a luxury you can look forward to.

Air Fare

The key to finding low-cost airfares is flexibility, know-how and even luck.

Some tips are given here for a chea air fare:

* Use insider language when you search for a flight

If you book directly through an airline, specifically ask for the lowest published fare. If you don't, you could get a higher fare on the same flight, same seat. In fact, tickets are classified by everything from restrictions on cancellation to numbers of days before flight time. A seat with more restrictions and a lower price is fine for the average pleasure or business traveler.

After asking for the lowest fare, inquire for any available promotions on that day or coming up soon.

* Use the Web to shop for cheaper flights

Comparing fares used to be a full-time job. No more. Frequent travelers can learn about fare wars online, via e-mail or by fax.

* Look for promotions

Special promotions are offered all the time by airlines, usually in concert with a credit card company or a retailer.

* Buy ‘APEX'

If you book directly with an airline, plan ahead enough to get an APEX (Advance Purchase Excursion) fare. Buy your tickets seven, 14 or 21 days before the flight and stay over a Saturday. Tickets are nonrefundable, but often can be exchanged for a $100 fee. On domestic flights, APEX costs about one-third or less than the regular fare. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic shave an extra $100 off if you book 90 days or 45 days ahead respectively. Airlines change fare policies quickly, however, so call airlines regularly.

* Book through consolidators

Consolidators are companies that buy blocks of tickets from airlines and resell them at a discount from 30% to 60%. The only catch is that you may not get frequent-flier miles and changing plans may be more restrictive. You can call directly or use a travel agent. Some airlines have their own consolidators.

* Look for creative booking strategies

If you like puzzles, you can book that $224 round trip special from Boston to Miami for mid-April, then fly to the Bahamas for another $193. The round trip from New York is about $501. You save $84. Especially for long flights or offbeat destinations, this can work wonders. But if the savings are relatively modest, then you must decide if convenience is worth the extra price.

* Consider charter airlines

Charter companies hire airplanes and fill them to the brim. It's not my favorite way to travel for several reasons.

* Companion fares for two

Airlines often offer special “companion fares” to induce you and your significant other to choose that carrier. The fares are often based on a higher priced ticket for the first traveler, but offer significantly reduced rates for the second passenger. The sum total is less than if you bought two tickets at even a discounted rate.

Flying for less is not a difficult task. Just because the person next to you paid full freight to fly in a crowded coach section of a cross-continent flight doesn't mean you have to share in that experience.

About The Author


Jacky Uy writes for http://www.cheapairfareguide.info where you can find out more about cheap airfare guides and other topics.

Subic Bay vacation - If you're looking for an Asian tourist spot in which to shop, surf, swim, sight-see, and engage in a host of other activities

SURF, SHOP, AND SIGHTSEE IN SENSATIONAL SUBIC!
by: DirectWithHotels Ltd


If you're looking for an Asian tourist spot in which to shop, surf, swim, sight-see, and engage in a host of other activities, you need not look to expensive Tokyo, crowded Kuala Lumpur, or even bustling Manila. One particular city is gaining worldwide recognition for its variety of eco-tourist activities and duty-free shopping: Subic Bay!

Subic Bay is located in the southwestern portion of the Philippine island of Luzon. Surrounded by verdant mountain ranges and deep natural harbors, Subic Bay enjoys excellent cool weather and is generally safe from most forces of nature, including typhoons, earthquakes, and the occasional rare volcanic eruption, with world-famous Mount Pinatubo nearby.

Here are six good reasons to visit Subic Bay this vacation time:

Subic Bay Tourism. There are far too many things to see in Subic Bay! Some of the Subic Bay attractions include:

The Subic Watershed Forest Reserve. One of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)' ten priority sites, the Subic Watershed Forest Reserve is noteworthy for its high biodiversity. The Subic Watershed Forest Reserve is home to more than 745 plant species, including very rare trees.

JEST (Jungle Environmental Survival Training) Camp and Butterfly Garden. Aeta Training Officers trained by members of the US Navy help you learn jungle survival techniques. Butterfly Kingdom allows you to see how these delicate winged creatures thrive.

El Kabayo. The El Kabayo Equestrian Center is a popular horse-riding destination for tourists and horse enthusiasts seeking to ride for hours.

Bicentennial Park. Excellent picnic grounds and a man-made lagoon make this Subic Bay tourist attraction a priority for families seeking a good bonding destination.

Hill 394. 394 meters above sea level, Hill 394 boasts of a stunning view of Subic Bay and Mount Natib.

Mangrove Graveyard. Mangrove Graveyard is a standing testament to the explosive, destructive nature of volcanic eruptions. When Mount Pinatubo exploded in 1991, the mangrove trees in this grove were choked to death by the volcanic ash's high sulfur content. Eerie.

Pamulaklakin Forest Trails / Pastolan Aeta Village. An Ecology Tour allows travelers the privilege of hiking inside Subic's forests with a native guide who presents them with examples of Aeta culture and educates them on various types of medicinal plants. Camping and picnicking are encouraged.

Subic Bay Zoos. There are some noteworthy zoos and animal sanctuaries in Subic. Among them are:

Zoobic. The newest and most innovative zoo in the Philippines, Zoobic is divided into four areas: – the Serpentarian, featuring reptiles; the Savannah, featuring ostriches, boars, and other birds; the Petting Zoo, a walk-through tropical jungle; and the Tiger Safari, where 20 people or so ride a safari jeepney and witness a tiger attack live chicken bait.

Bat Kingdom. Subic Bay tourism gets a good kick out of its bats. Subic's Bat Kingdom features over 10,000 fruitbats, the biggest of its kind in the world, as well as bamboo bats and flying foxes.

Subic Bay Ocean Adventure. The first and most widely known marine sanctuary in the Philippines, the Subic Bay Ocean Adventure features dolphins, false killer whales, and sea lions in their natural habitats.

Subic Bay Shipwrecks. In a fitting testament to its history, Subic Bay shipwrecks dot its underwater world with spirits of days gone by. Scuba divers are invited to peruse historical relics dating back to Spanish times, including the Oryoko Maru, the Seian Maru, the USS New York, the USS Rochester, and the LCV Landing Craft.

Subic Bay Beaches. Subic Bay beaches are known throughout the Philippines for their raw, natural feel. With the wide expanse of clear blue sky overhead, the brilliant Philippine sun pouring in like butterscotch, and the pleasant feeling of sand beneath your feed and sea air in your lungs, Subic Bay beaches – All Hands, Nabasan, Kamayan, Hidden, Dungaree, Officers' Beach, Grande Island, and Redondo – are all suitable choices for a Subic Bay beach getaway.

Subic Bay Shopping. Subic Bay shopping is legendary for its wide selection of imported and local goods. Subic Bay shopping is duty-free, so one can get items at bargain-basement prices, so be prepared to shop in Subic with plenty of dollars (or even pesos) because you can definitely buy in Subic a lot of great items. After you shop, enjoy the flavors of the world with the wide variety of restaurants in the area, offering sopping-weary travelers comfort food with Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Filipino, and American cuisine, among many others.

Subic Hotels. There is no shortage of Subic hotels, from international chains that offer five-star Subic accommodations to cozy little Subic bed-and-breakfasts that cater to backpackers. Many Subic hotels have official websites that provide detailed information about each hotel in Subic, including their rooms, amenities, and facilities. Some of them, like the Subic Park Hotel, even allow Guests to reserve directly with them, offering the best rates on the Internet and instant confirmation.

So what are you waiting for? An enjoyable and truly memorable Subic vacation may be only a few clicks of a mouse away! Take a chance, reserve a Subic hotel room, plan your Subic vacation, and go to Subic!

http://www.subicparkhotel.com/

About The Author
DirectWithHotels Ltd.

http://www.directwithhotels.com/ are empowered with all the marketing and technology needed to increase profit-per-reservation and guest loyalty direct from the Official Hotel Website.

Visiting The United States Of America - Covering the midsection of the Northern American Continent, United States of America offers a wide range of

Ten Things You Should Remember When Visiting The United States Of America
by: Jonathan Williams


Covering the midsection of the Northern American Continent, United States of America offers a wide range of options of tourist sites to make you enjoy your stay in The Land of Opportunities. Pack your bags, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for one great American adventure. Here’s a list of where you could go in US.

1.) Statue of Liberty

France gave US more than just a gift of American Independence. The Statue of Liberty has now become a monumental sight that inspires not only US citizens but those tourists who happen to glance at this magnificent piece of art. Sadly, now you can’t go inside the Statue anymore because of concerns that stems from 9/11 hijacking.

2.) The Grand Canyon

Head for Arizona and be intimidated by the sheer depth and heft of The Grand Canyon. Be humbled by its size, timelessness and tranquil atmosphere. Take on the Grand Canyon Challenge and explore the roads, trails and turbulent waters in this side of Colorado.

3.) Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the first wilderness parks developed in the United States. Located in Sierra Nevada in California, this park is recognized for its scenic waterfalls, crystal streams, majestic sequoias, granite cliff, and ecological diversity. Find your way past the 3.5 million tourists that visit the site every year.

4.) Glacier National Park

Traverse pristine wilderness and be amazed by the sheer force of nature by visiting Glacier National Park located at the northwest corner of Montana along the Rocky Mountains. With a wide variety of outdoor activities to choose from, both in water and in land, boredom only sets in when you’re ready to go home. Enjoy camping, swimming, boating, skiing, hiking, and horseback riding while you enjoy the sun, the ice and water that helped much develop the park we know today.

5.) Central Park

This 843-acre patch of green in the midst of towering edifices of Manhattan is a sanctuary from the busy streets of New York. Visit Central Park and discover the Strawberry Fields, Jacqueline Kennedy Reservoir, daily performance in Delacorte Theatre, Concerts in the Great lawn, and more. Rent a carriage and discover the park on horse-drawn wheels.

6.) Mount Rushmore National Park

On the side of the Black Hills lies a majestic site that attracts some three million people a day. Bearing the faces of Presidents Washington Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt and measuring some 18-m in length, Mount Rushmore National Park is a site worthy of a visit. Come here and be struck with awe with the sheer expertise of the team that carved these faces from the walls of the mountain.

7.) Las Vegas

Live the life of a hotshot gambler for a night, and walk around the city not only to gamble but to admire the sheer beauty of this place. Feast your eyes out with high stakes, great atmosphere and beautiful people. Imposing casinos like the Excalibur Palace not only speaks of high rollers but of great architecture as well.

8.) Hawaii

Plunge right down Hawaii and be greeted with flower garlands and alohas. Be captivated by Hawaii’s hospitality and innate beauty. Enjoy the sun while sitting down and relaxing in this worldly paradise.

9.) Arizona Meteor Crater

The sheer size of the crater commands awe from people who see it. Find guides to help you down the crater and tell you stories about space, meteors and intergalactic probabilities. Shops are also available nearby, selling pieces of the meteors, t-shirts, photographs, and other gift items.

10.) Niagara Falls

Be mesmerized by the thundering waters and mist sprays of Niagara Falls. Right in the border of Canada and New York, Niagara Falls remains a site for lovers, poets and adventurers to visit. Learn how this waterfall evolves from a military post, a trade center and into the top tourist destination by visiting its thunderous waters.



About The Author

Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos. Visit http://www.destinationguide.tv/usa to view or share USA travel videos.

Shanghai After Dark - Bars in Shanghai, like other metropolises, are clustered in streets and usually a night out entails going out to a specific

Shanghai After Dark
by: Eslynn Su

Bars in Shanghai, like other metropolises, are clustered in streets and usually a night out entails going out to a specific street and stopping in for a few drinks at two or three (or four or five) different venues in a night. This practice is fading somewhat, however, as larger mega-clubs are entering Shanghai and the bar scene is much more event based. Nowadays, partiers are planning their nights around a single specific event and tacking on an after hours party rather than just bar hopping on a street. In addition to this focus, all bars usually have happy hours and drink deals to attract the after work crowd. Several bars offer competing "Ladies Nights", which offer free drinks to ladies, and "Open Bar" nights, which offer an all-you-can-drink deal after you pay a cover charge (usually RMB 100). Shanghai's more popular dancing venues usually try to book international DJs to attract the clubbing crowd.

Nowadays, clubs could be packed one night during a specific event, opening or promotion and completely deserted the next night. Avid club goers would be wise to consult local print media (That's Shanghai, City Weekend) or web sites (www.smartshanghai.com) to keep abreast of the scene.

With the locals, KTV bars are the choice form of nightlife recreation, but the club scene in Shanghai is where the expats really come out of the woodworks. With a few exceptions, the bars in Shanghai are organized after Western models and on a given night you could be walking into Shanghai's version of an Ohio State frat party, an Ibiza rave, a London ale house, a New York lounge, or a Paris café.

Bar Streets

Maoming Road: It all began on Maoming Road. Although its glory has somewhat faded in the light of new, bigger, and better night spot options, Maoming Road still continues to offer some highlights to the indiscriminate bar hopper. Bar girls abound in this street which is home to some of Shanghai's oldest pubs and clubs. Those looking to sample some of that old school Shanghai vice could do worse that spending a night and early morning staggering up and down this famous strip. (Key venues: Babyface, Judy's Too, Woodstock, M factory, Maoming Manhattan Bar)

Tongren Road: A smaller, more efficient Maoming, Tongren Road seeks to recapture the seedy flavor of Maoming and is home to many of that street's sister bars. Tongren Road caters to a more single minded punter; the bar girls and their admirers seem a little more populous on this strip. (Key Venues: Blue Frog, Blue Angel, Judy's Too, Woodstock, Studio 78, Mint)

Hengshan Road: At night, this shopping street converts into the largest bar street in Shanghai with nightspots lining both sides of the road for kilometers. One of the more picturesque and scenic areas of the city, Hengshan road is home to the cities most famous bars, cafes, restaurants and tea houses and boasts a wide selection of each. (Key venues: Sasha's, O'Malley's, Beni House, Zapata's, Bourbon Street, Hello Bar, Narcissus)

Xintiandi: Shanghai's trendy Xintiandi area is located within walking distance of the Huangpi Road (S) Metro station and contains a bevy of upscale bars, restaurants and international boutiques. This area buzzes after dark and is where Shanghai's hip and wealthy go to sip on cocktails on terraced patios, lounges, and cafes. (Key Venues: Ark Live House, KABB, Soho Pub)

The Weekend Bender

For travelers that prefer the nightlife to the sights, the following schedule will ensure an unforgettable weekend in Shanghai.

Friday:

Head down to Sasha's on Hengshan Road to enjoy the half priced drinks from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M and then pop next door to Zapata's to try the best Mexican food in Shanghai. After finishing the meal and a few drinks proceed south down Hengshan stopping in at whichever place looks happening. Narcissus and Bourbon Street usually feature live acts and are good if you are looking to see a cover band and Beni's is a great pub to have a pint. After you've sampled a bit of the Hengshan Road pubs head off to the main event at Mural Bar: the 100 RMB all you can drink special. Mural is the place to be on Friday night with an open bar and great music keeping the party going till 2 A.M. The open bar shuts down at two in the morning and depending on the state you're in, your going to want to end the night right here or go for broke at Windows Too. The Mural' s indows combination is a time honored classic Friday night lineup designed for those who want to drink and dance themselves into oblivion. Alternately, if you are looking to keep a certain level of integrity, or at least, something a little more exotic, try the Dragon Club on Fenyang Road instead. This venue is Shanghai's most popular after hours bar and although the cover charge and drink prices are a little on the pricey side, it can always be counted on the be packed early into the morning.

Saturday:

For those who managed to stay responsible the night before and managed to drag themselves out of bed to sample a little daytime Shanghai, reward yourself with a little shopping on either Nanjing Road or Huihai Road to gear up for a ritzy Saturday night. If Friday night was all about crass then Saturday should be all about class at some of Shanghai's finest upscale drinking and dining establishments. After lunch at Element Fresh head off for an afternoon at a massage and spa facility to rejuvenate after last night's debauchery. Women should head to Dragonfly and men should head off to the Alexander Club for some much needed physical rehabilitation. Head back to your hotel to get changed and dressed up for a sophisticated night on the town. Have dinner and cocktails at Jade on 36 at the Shangri-La Building. Although the restaurant is on the pricey side (between RMB 400-900), it is well worth it for the gorgeous view and atmosphere and the food which is prepared with the utmost sophistication and refinement. Try the Sea-bass Rivera, accompanied by a basil sauce and cherry tomatoes. After dinner, head back to Puxi and stop in at the Glamour bar to lounge on the sofas and sample their extensive drink list. Glamour Bar, spinning jazz and designed with a 1930s sort of aesthetic, is a great place for conversation in an Old Shanghai setting. After an hour or two here, head to the main event, Bar Rouge, and visit the most talked about bar in Shanghai. Whether you are dazzled by the fire tricks of the bar staff, the chic clientele or the outrageous prices, a night at Bar Rouge is an unforgettable way to spend a Saturday night. If you've been there and done that, and are looking for a Bar Rouge type substitute, try Barbarossa or the new Attica Club. Depending on your budget, if you followed the earlier suggestions you should be cleaned out. However, never-say-die partiers who tire of the main event and are looking for a little fresh ground to tackle the early hours of the morning try Bonbon club, or Park 97. Both venues go all night and are guaranteed to be slamming on Saturday night.

Sunday:

You going to need to get up around 11ish and get down to the Jing'an district to get a big greasy breakfast at either Rendezvous Café (pp) or City Diner, both of which have great breakfast specials. After having the requisite amount of coffee head down to old town to buy antiques and souvenirs for yourself and your friends and family back home to prove you were in Shanghai. Head back to your hotel for a shower and to change for Sunday night.

Sunday night should be all about deetox and what better way than to purge the system that having ten or twelve beers at the best dive bars in Shanghai? For dinner, head over to Malone's to chow down on one of their specialty burgers and hang out on the patio. An evening on the patio accompanied by a few pints and a few burgers is a great way to ease oneself into a good Sunday night. From here take a cab to Windows Scoreboard which offers great prices and value (provided you stick to bottled beer). The bar also offers pool and a large screen T.V. C's bar is also a local favorite and the prices and atmosphere are great for lounging and hanging out with friends. For those who want a classier night, head on down to the JZ Club, Shanghai's premier jazz performance venue to take in a live jazz show. If you're in luck Shanghai's own Coco will be performing.

Best of Shanghai

Shanghai's nightlife scene is fast paced and cut throat with new bars, lounges, and clubs opening and closing weekly. It is almost impossible to keep abreast of all the changes happening, however, the following section lists some of the more popular nightspots and their chief selling points.


About The Author

Eslynn Su - I am a fond traveller, an expert on China travel and the best online tour guide you will find. Come and visit The World's China Portal at http://www.jongo.com/

to obtain all the information you need on China, interesting articles to help you understand Chinese culture, and all the answers to your questions!

Great Wall of China - The Great Wall of China as some believed originated as a military fortification against intrusion by tribes on the borders

Great Wall of China
by: Jeff Anderson

The Great Wall of China as some believed originated as a military fortification against intrusion by tribes on the borders during the earlier Zhou Dynasty. In 770-BC-476BC, the ducal states extended the defense work, and built large structures to prevent the attacks from other states. The Great Wall of China was eventually separated during the Qin Dynasty, which preceded the Zhou Dynasty. The Zhao, Qin, and Yan kingdoms were connected to form a defensive system on the northern border of the country of Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. In 214 BC the building of the Great Wall of China was on its way. The Great Wall of China took as long as ten years to build.

The Great Wall of China took hundreds of thousands of laborers working daily beyond human limitations to construct and build. Many persons that did not work were thrown into the foundation trenches starving from hunger and exposure of the earths changing weathers. The Great Wall of China was then called The Longest Cemetery on Earth. Buried beneath its structure were more than 400,000 persons.

The Great Wall was stretched from Linzhao (eastern part of Gansu Province), in the west to Liaodong (Jilin Province) in the east. The Great Wall of China served as both a defense and symbolized the power of the emperor. The Great Wall of China was partly successful in repelling invading Mongol forces more than a century ago.

The Great Wall of China has more than 300 million trees, and its purpose was to serve as a barrier from the dust storms that swept into China from the Gobi Desert and other low-rainfall areas. The Great Wall of China was dubbed This Great Green Wall. During the 50's, the city of Beijing was beset by 10 to 20 dust storms every spring. Visibility was only half a mile for 30 to 90 hours each month. By the 1970's the storms had reduced resulting in greater visibility at less than ten hours per month. The reduction made work easier for the many laborers.

The Great Wall of China towered China's mountains, plunging to the lower valleys, and marching across burning desert plains. Very cold winds coupled with snowstorms, made it very difficult for workers. At the same time raging desert sun and stinging sandstorms oppressed the workers, making their jobs difficult, and often risky.

Today the Great Wall of China is a captivation for tourists around the world.

About The Author

Jeff Anderson knows about China. He knows what to look for and what pitfalls to avoid. Let him guide you to finding out more about China. Contact him at Jeff@culchina.com or visit the blog at his site http://www.culchina.com/.

Travel In Buenos Aires: A Quick Barrio Guide - Cross the street and everything changes. Buenos Aires, more than most cities of a comparable size,

Travel In Buenos Aires: A Quick Barrio Guide
by: Scott Ferree

Cross the street and everything changes. Buenos Aires, more than most cities of a comparable size, gives you the feeling of a patchwork quilt city – a city which is defined by its neighborhoods (barrios).

If you ask a porteño, one of Buenos Aires residents, where he’s from, he won’t say Buenos Aires – he’ll give you his neighborhood’s name. And if you ask him which barrio is the best, any self-respecting porteño will tell you that his barrio is.

It’s best to take this advice lightly and sample a handful.

The barrios commonly visited by tourists and travelers include, in descending order of popularity:

1) Recoleta. Buenos Aires’ equivalent of New York’s Upper East Side or London’s Knightsbridge. Fancy, ornate and posh. A quick list of things to see and do include the cemetery, the lobbies of the five star hotels (of which the Alvear is the most ostentatious), and Avenida Santa Fe’s shopping.

2) Palermo. Known for its parks as well as its restaurants, bars and colorful little shops. When Palermo is mentioned as the best place in Buenos Aires to go out, it’s probably Palermo Viejo and Palermo Hollywood (two micro-barrios) that are being referred to. They’re BA’s hippest places to be seen at the moment, where you can take part in the city’s crazy nightlife that doesn’t even begin to slow down until the sun’s already risen. (A proper Buenos Aires night out should finish with breakfast.)

3) Downtown (Microcentro). This is where Buenos Aires’ suits go on a business day. It’s the center of the nation’s economy, a place of high rise office buildings, narrow crowded streets, and exhaust fumes. For the tourist without business concerns, it’s almost entirely devoid of interest (though you wouldn’t know it from the large numbers who flock there). Towards San Telmo, in the older part of the downtown area, there are sites to be seen, however: the Plaza de Mayo, the Casada Rosada (the “Pink House”, Buenos Aires’ equivalent to the White House) and the Manzana de las Luces are all worth a visit.

4) San Telmo. A barrio of cobblestone streets, antique stores, and colonial area mansions. In the early days of Buenos Aires, the Spanish and upper-crust criollos established themselves in this area and built grandiose buildings with interior patios. When those moneyed citizens fled San Telmo and took off for Recoleta to escape cholera epidemics in the late 19th century, the mansions were abandoned to squatters and San Telmo was transformed into the center of Buenos Aires bohemia. Recently, interest from visitors, foreign and Argentine alike, has brought gentrification to the barrio. This means security, once a sore spot, has improved, but prices have shot up as well.

5) One place where it is still best to watch your wallet though is La Boca. As a matter of fact, it’s really only recommendable to visit the tourist area of El Caminito where the Argentine Federal Police have been stationed to watch your back. This little street, with its bright colored houses, has very nearly been touristed to death. Still, no visit to Buenos Aires is complete without a visit to the fabled street of garish colors. On game days, the soccer stadium in La Boca is another major reason to visit the barrio.

When you come to Buenos Aires, though, do yourself a favor and try to break out of the established tourist routines, if only for a little while. Just a few recommendations of the lesser visited barrios, where your fellow-citizens and fellow travelers are less likely to be tagging along with you, include:

Las Cañitas in Belgrano. Restaurants, restaurants, restaurants galore (plus, it’s a stone throw from Palermo).

Almagro. What San Telmo used to be, Almagro still is: Bohemian. Check newspaper listings for tango concerts, independent theatre and other events in the area. Meanwhile, the cafe Las Violetas, on the corner of Rivadavia Avenue and Medrano street, is amongst the most beautifully restored historic cafes in the city.

Mataderos, an outlying barrio where the city’s butchers still ply their trade, is also a find, not so much for the barrio itself but for the Sunday afternoon market which takes place in the barrio’s main square. This market is not to be confused with the markets in San Telmo or Recoleta. It’s bigger, better, with a greater variety of authentic hand-craft goods – leather and silver amongst others. In the spring and summer months, gauchos from the nearby countryside perform rodeo displays at the market as well.


About The Author

Scott Ferree is a translator and English instructor, as well as the study abroad coordinator for the Interhispanica Language School in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Interhispanica Spanish School is located in the barrio of Recoleta: http://www.interhispanica.com.ar/.

Day Tripping To St. Kitts' Little Sister Island - Nevis

Day Tripping To St. Kitts' Little Sister Island - Nevis
by: Justin Burch

Resting only a few miles apart in calm Caribbean waters, St. Kitts and Nevis have always shared an intimate relationship. Today, that relationship finds St. Kitts as one of the Caribbean’s premier travel destinations, while the smaller island of Nevis offers plenty of great activities for day tripping tourists. Though St. Kitts remains a superior resort destination with more tourist opportunities, the islands have much in common. For starters, both islands feature dormant volcanoes at their center, each surrounded by lush rainforests with miles of hiking trails. Furthermore, as St. Kitts and Nevis represent former colonial outposts with economies once dominated by successful sugar plantations, both islands possess an incredible array of historic architecture. Lastly, as most visitors to the Caribbean take great interest in the beaches and the recreation opportunities provided by the Caribbean Sea, tourists will find plenty of warm, clear water and powdery sand wherever they travel.

Rising over 3,200 feet above the Caribbean Sea, Nevis Peak dominates the landscape of St. Kitts’ sister island. Similar to Mt. Liamuiga at the center of St. Kitts, Nevis Peak is surrounded by lush trail-filled rainforests and diverse plant and animal life. As a result, hiking and biking in the shadow of Nevis’ dormant volcano are two of the most popular activities for day-tripping tourists. With tours available for every age and skill level, visitors can spend a few hours experiencing the unspoiled beauty of Nevis and learning about her vibrant Caribbean ecosystem.

Scuba divers and snorkelers will also want to spend an afternoon on Nevis, enjoying pristine coral reefs and ship wrecks. As only 2 miles of Caribbean waters separate St. Kitts and Nevis, many of the best diving tours visit the most popular sites surrounding both islands. Many of the other water sports popular on St. Kitts can also be found on Nevis. A number of tour operators cater to deep sea fishermen and wind surfing enthusiasts, with many offering lessons for those new to the adventurous pursuits. After spending some time in the water, many day-trippers spend their afternoons relaxing on Pinneys Beach – one of the Caribbean’s most beloved stretches of sand.

If you would rather spend your day on land experiencing Caribbean history, there are plenty of sites worth visiting on Nevis. Much like the historic city of Basseterre on St. Kitts, much of the activity on Nevis revolves around the island’s colonial capital – Charlestown. Walking the streets of this quiet city, you will see charming remnants of the island’s history around every corner – from Anglican churches and the Caribbean’s first hotel to elegant plantation homes and the childhood residence of an American founding father, Alexander Hamilton. Elsewhere on the island, you can spot the remains of the once-bustling sugar industry in the form of 18th century plantations, windmills and mansions.

As St. Kitts sister island is close enough to be visible from the beach, a short ferry ride is all that is required to access the small island of Nevis. For many visitors, the 45-minute ferry ride itself is a memorable activity, as the trip provides exceptional views of both islands and the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Furthermore, as the ferries operate daily from the early morning until the evening hours, it is easy to spend the afternoon on Nevis and return to St. Kitts for the superior dining and nightlife.

Additionally, many tour companies operate on both islands, making it possible to find activities on Nevis through your resort on St. Kitts.

When in St. Kitts, try to make the short voyage across the Caribbean to Nevis. Though St. Kitts may feature superior resorts and recreation opportunities, it is hard to deny the charm of St. Kitts’ little sister.



About The Author

This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes select pieces about vacationing in the Caribbean for the St. Kitts Resort

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/skbrb-st-kitts-marriott-resort-and-the-royal-beach-casino/

Spain's Gateway to Morocco: Algeciras - Stretching nearly to Gibraltar, Algeciras has long been an important port in Spain. It's a popular crossroads

Spain's Gateway to Morocco: Algeciras
by: Jakob Jelling

Stretching nearly to Gibraltar, Algeciras has long been an important port in Spain. It's a popular crossroads for Moroccan workers on the way to and from France, Holland, and Belgium. Partly for this reason, there's a strong Arab flavor to the city; many signs are in Arabic, and you'll find excellent tea shops specializing in Moroccan mint teas. It's not a pretty city, but it's an almost fiercely individual one with a unique and vibrant personality. The restaurants here tend to be both excellent and inexpensive, and many have perfect views of the Rock of Gibraltar. And if you stroll the streets, you'll find a number of quiet parks and plazas out of sight of the bustling city.

The most attractive part of Algeciras, however, is that there are eight ferry crossings every day to Tangier and Morocco -- Casablanca, anyone? It's also the place to catch a train to Ronda, traversing some of the loveliest and most varied terrain in Andalucia, going through the Pueblos Blancos and the surrounding area.

No doubt due to its deep port and its location, so close to Africa, Algeciras was the first Spanish town taken by the Moors in 711. It was later retaken by Alfonso XI of Castile in 1344, but destroyed by the Moors in 1368 and not rebuilt until 1760, 56 years after it had been refounded by Spanish refugees from Gibraltar. As a result, it doesn't have architecture of the same antiquity as many of the cities in Andalucia.

Nevertheless, Algeciras has class. Kings, queens, and statesmen like Churchill and Roosevelt have stayed at its Hotel Reina Cristina. And though visiting dignitaries today are more likely to fly over than stay in Algeciras, its tourist industry is growing.

What to Do

Algeciras has 23 kilometers of beach, and though some are given over to industrial use, there are still several very nice ones such as the Rinconcillo, San Garcia, and Getares. The Church of Nuestra Senora de la Palma and the Capilla de Nuestra Senora de Europa are nice to visit, thought they aren't as venerable or remarkable as many similar structures in other Andalucian towns. You can also hike through Los Alcornocales, an extensive and beautiful nature reserve nearby.

Like most Andalucian towns, Algeciras has excellent festivals, and holds them frequently. (In Andalucia, more than 3000 fiestas are celebrated each year!) The main festivals in Algeciras are the Arrastre de Latas, or Three Kings, the Fiesta de Los Reyes, Las Adas, La Chorizada, Carnival, and Tosantos (All Saints Day).

The Arrastre de Latas is when the children drag cans and pots through the streets to banish the "Giant of Botafuegos," who tries to cover the sky with gray clouds, obscuring the star from the Three Kings. The cloud is banished so that the children here might receive their gifts.Later, at the Fiesta de Los Reyes, the Three Kings bring Christmas gifts to the children, scattering sweets.

During Carnival, you can celebrate three days of music and fun with Algeciras as the Goddess of the Carnival and her Nymphs declare days of pleasure. And on All Saints Day (November 1), fiestas called Tosantos celebrate the saints with harvest fruits, nuts, and sugarcane.

Where To Stay

Besides the very nice Hotel Reina Cristina, you can stay in a variety of bed-and-breakfasts in Algeciras and neighboring small villages. One excellent choice is Monte de la Torre in Los Barrios, an Edwardian house with a thousand acres of cork oak forest to roam, mature gardens to enjoy, and the picturesque sight of grazing Retinto, a long-horned red cattle.

About The Author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of Eurotomic.com. Please visit

http://www.eurotomic.com/spain.php if you're planning a trip to Spain.