Archive for November, 2008

Visiting Kolkata, India

Friday, November 28th, 2008

Kolkata was formerly known as Calcutta and is the capital of the state of West Bengal in India.  It is India’s second largest city and lies on the east bank of the River Hooghly in East India.  It has a large population of over fifteen million and is the third largest city in India.  During the British occupation it served as the Indian capital and was home to industrial, scientific, cultural and educational developments.

Kolkata is famed for its literary, artistic and revolutionary background. It was the birthplace of modern Indian literary and artistic thought and the cosmopolitan city has a special appreciation for art and literature.

Kolkata is a vibrant city full of culture, spirituality and creativity.  This makes it popular with tourists.  There are many options for good places to stay.

The city is the cultural capital of India and produces writers, poets, film producers and Nobel Peace Prize winners. Kolkata is a city of extremes and is well worth a visit when you are in India.

The Changing Face of Ibiza

Friday, November 21st, 2008

Much of Ibiza reputation has been built around an image of rave and techno clubs, nightclubs, bars and alcohol.  This reputation developed from the 80s and 90s when youngsters came to the island and techno and rave music was developing.  The scene exploded on the island and this was one of the main reasons why people visited the island.  Things have changed recently and the governing bodies have put a real effort into shifting public perception of Ibiza.  The result is that today ore and more families as well as upscale tourists not holiday on the island.  This has meant that there has been an increase in hi end resorts and restaurants along with the development of many Ibiza luxury hotels.

Ibiza is located of the south east of the Spanish mainland.  It one of a group of islands known as the Balearic Islands.

Ibiza lies in the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The main populated area is Ibiza Town which hosts many shops and restaurants.  When you travel around the island you will find it easy with great roads and many signposts.  The scenery is amazing and of course it is famous for its sea, beaches and mountains. The Ibiza restaurants on the island feature many local dishes including fresh seafood straight from the sea.  Dining out on the island is relatively inexpensive and so culinary fans are sure to have a blast.

Traveling to Goa in India

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

Goa is a renowned travel destination and one of the most famous tourist attractions in Asia. Goa is located on the west coast of India and is renowned for being a haven for sun, sand, palm trees and sea.

Restaurants abound and offer freshly caught seafood. There are many five star hotels in Goa to meet your needs. There are other types of accommodation as well. So check out the luxury hotels Goa and find one that meets your needs. Then you can stroll along the beaches, or visit the local churches and temples to get a taste of what the area is all about.

The buildings and churches in Goa have many influences including the Portuguese who ruled the area for many years. During this time it was a thriving port and marketplace. It was also during this time that many of Goa’s religious buildings were built.

Goa is a colorful place and has many markets to check out. There are many feasts and festivals to take part in and enjoy. The locals are friendly and will give you a warm welcome. Goa has a wonderful climate with lots of sunshine throughout the year.

The Landscape of Mallorca

Friday, November 14th, 2008

Mallorca is the Spanish name for Majorca and is the largest of the Spanish Balearic Islands.  Mallorca has the most visitors of any of the Balearic Islands and is very popular with holidaymakers from North Europe.

Mallorca can be split into 3 approximate areas.  The Sierra del Norte are wooded hills in the north west area of the island.  This is the highest area of the island and the hills fall down dramatically to the sea in cliffs in many places.  There are many hidden coves in this area.

In the south east of Mallorca is the Sierra de Levante range of hills.  These hills are not as high as those in the Sierra del Norte.  There are some interesting caves in the area containing stalactites There are also many calas (little creeks) in this area.

The central plain of the island is the Llanura del Centro which lies between the Sierra del Norte and the Sierra de Levante.  This is mainly an agricultural area with many almond trees, vineyards, carob trees and orchards.

The main town on the island is Palma.  This includes some of the 5 star hotels Mallorca as well as many boutiques hotels and pensions.  In fact some of the best Balearic hotels are on Mallorca.  Spotted around the coast are many of the famous resorts of the island built around the wonderful beaches that are renowned around the world.

About Mallorca, Spain

Thursday, November 13th, 2008

Mallorca is the largest of Balearic Islands located of the South East coast of Spain.  It is also known as Majorca.  The other main islands in the Balearics are Menorca and Ibiza.  Mallorca is very popular with tourists especially those from the UK which is around about a two hour flight away.

Mallorca is a beautiful island and has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and cooler winters.  Some of the earliest resorts on the island were Palma Nova, Can Pastilla and Magaluf.  These resorts have been superseded by more up market five star hotels Mallorca.  The focus has moved away from mass tourism at resorts to hotels and exploration of the island and its culture.

There are many beautiful areas on the island including both the coastline and the interior.   There are many beautiful coves to be discovered along with the interior mountain range at Serra de Tramuntana.  This is a pretty rugged area and is becoming more popular with adventurous explorers.  Pursuits that can be carried out here include hiking and walking, birdwatching, cycling and climbing.   In the more remote areas you can discover rural villages that offer a complete contrast to the major hotels and resorts of the island.

Eating Out in Bangkok

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Bangkok is a paradise for food lovers!  It is a sensory and taste experience that is second to none!  Food is one of the reasons many tourists flock to Thailand.  You can smell food cooking an almost any area of Bangkok.

Thai cuisine mixes spicy, sour, sweet and salty with different eating options.  These include fancy restaurants, food courts, riverside eateries, local street vendors, and dinner cruises. There is a multitude of different places to eat in Bangkok so decide on your budget and go for it!  If you are staying at one of the many Bangkok business hotels they may be able to make recommendations as to restaurants.

If you try the street vendors look for fresh food, clean oil and make sure the food is cooked in front of you.  Generally lunch time is safest as the food is freshest. Try to avoid eating anything raw as it could have been washed with contaminated water.  Another tip is to avoid crushed ice.  Make sure everything you eat in Bangkok is safe.

Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

The city of Newcastle is located in northeastern England.  It lies on the north bank of the River Tyne.  Its sister city of Gateshead lies on the south bank of the Tyne.

Newcastle is heavily influenced by the past.  It was a center for industry – coal, steel and shipbuilding.   These have died out over the past decades and the city has developed in to a modern service oriented center.   The attraction for visitors is the mix of the modern and the historical.

Newcastle is famous for its outstanding shopping and excellent nightlife. It also has modern healthcare facilities including the Royal Victoria Hospital, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle cosmetic surgery, and Freeman Hospital.  The city also offers much in the way of beautiful architecture, an ancient castle; and a unique quayside with waterfront bars and galleries.  It also has a great choice of restaurants, bars and cafés.

The city has many festivals and events throughout the year and so check what is happening before you head on your trip.  Newcastle makes an excellent base for exploring Northumbria, and makes a nice stop off point on journeys from the south to Scotland.

Installing a New Kitchen

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Building a new kitchen requires some pre planning. Look around at magazines, books, TV shows and on the Web to find out what your options are and what interests you. You may also want to visit a UK kitchens store or store in your own country.

The first step is to assess what you need. This is also the time to determine whether you should build a new kitchen or remodel your old one. There are advantages to both. A big influence on this will be your budget. Brainstorm on what you want in your kitchen, decide what is necessary and start a wish list too. Now look at the money you wish to spend. Its very easy for these projects to run over budget. Additional costs are unavoidable however you should attempt to control them.

Before you begin work again consider the worth of hiring one of the North East Kitchen Companies. A professional can really help to simplify everything including the cost.

You are now at the stage when you can begin your design. Look at some kitchen design books to get ideas and to avoid problems with your design. This is also a good time to assess the size of your kitchen so that you can maximize its potential. Also look at the shape of your kitchen as this can greatly influence your design.

Other considerations include whether you will have an eat-in kitchen. This can be informal using the counter top, or building a breakfast nook or having the traditional kitchen table. If you have the space a kitchen island can expand your counter top area as well as extra storage areas and the possibility of add an extra sink, dishwasher etc.

Aberdeen, Scotland Home of North Sea Oil

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

Aberdeen is one of Scotland major cities.  It is an ancient city in the North east of the country characterized by its granite buildings, a unique skyline, and a fascinating old town.

Like many major cosmopolitan cities it has its share of world class hotels, restaurants and nightlife.  Aberdeen is at the center of the North Sea oil industry and has many major organizations from around the world located there.  This means that there is lots of money in the city.  This has changes the city to a modern industrial center with all the benefits including shops of all types including Aberdeen florists.

Aberdeen his home to eight whisky distilleries and you can sample them all on the world’s only Malt Whisky Trail.

Aberdeen is located on the coast of Scotland which means that there are beaches, coves, cliffs and small fishing villages all nearby.  And because you are in Scotland there are many fine golf courses in the area.

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