This halloween I decided to fly to Austin Texas to hang out with some friends of mine. As a tribute to this mask clad holiday, we decided to stay at the Driskill Hotel, right off of 6th street. We had been told that it is one of the most haunted hotels in the United States,with at least 4 resident ghossts.

When we arrived the staff was amazingly nice and helpful. We requested our ghostly room and were given a room in the historical part of the hotel.

The rooms were neat and clean and the bathrooms beautifully laid out with gleaming black tile. The bathtub/shower was quirky, as the door didn’t slide but instead opened outward. Western style pictures adorned the walls and made you feel as if you had stepped back in time.

We quickly changed and went out to 6th street where a parade of Halloween schoolgirls, vampires and dark angels roamed the streets. On our way out we partook of the free Halloween snacks that the hotel was offering. The clubs and restaurants were filled with revelry, fine food and cold refreshing libations. The music was awesome,as well, with every flavor of music that you can imagine.

We returned to our room much later to find chocolate mints on our pillows, and the covers turned down.

There were no ghosts that night but the delightful memory of this hotel’s hospitality will haunt our memories for years to come.

Caterina Christakos is a travel writer and published author. For more travel reviews go to: http://www.uscitytravelguides.com

Over 150 years ago, Hong Kong was described as a barren rock. Today, it’s a dynamic, 21st century city that has gone from British Colony to one of the world’s must-visit tourist destinations. Its colonial charm is still to be found in the historic mansions dotted around The Peak and quaint customs like firing the Noon Day Gun, yet this is an international city proud of its Chinese heritage and Cantonese gusto.

After the handover from Great Britain in June 1997, Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China. While some things have changed, you’ll marvel at this melting pot of east meets west.

Where else can you gaze in awe at a Manhattan-style skyline filled with iconic modern architecture by IM Pei and Norman Foster, and just a few streets away, bargain your heart out for silk and jade at a local laneway market. That’s Hong Kong for you. It’s fast, efficient, entrepreneurial, yet truly Chinese at heart.

Location is everything.

Situated at the south-eastern tip of China on The South China Sea, Hong Kong is actually just one island out of a group of 263. Most visitors spend their time on Hong Kong itself, the popular Kowloon Peninsula and the more rural New Territories. Take a ferry trip to one of the outlying islands such as Lamma, Lantau or Cheung Chau and see how lush and green the scenery is. Hong Kong offers the nature lover wonderful treks across mountains tops and amazing scenery, so when you’ve had enough retail therapy, head for the hills.

When it comes to serious shopping, Hong Kong has it all.

What hasn’t been said about shopping in Hong Kong! Right across the Island, you’ll discover that retail must have been invented here. In Central, slick designer shopping malls such as Landmark and Prince’s Building, cater to expensive tastes. A who’s who of labels, brands and temptations that will entice your credit card time and time again. In contrast, there are street markets like Li Yuen East and Li Yuen West, not forgetting factory outlets where you can go bargain spotting at great prices.

Wan Chai: Wan Chai’s streets are steeped in history and you can happily spend an afternoon exploring the shops and the wet market. (It sells food, fruit, flowers, fish, meat – quite different from a US supermarket experience.) Spring Garden Lane between Queen’s Road East and Johnston Road, is a good place to pick up clothes at very competitive prices. The market stalls sell products originally meant for export, meaning quality and price are very competitive.

Causeway Bay: This has become known locally as Little Japan because of the major Japanese department stores in the area. It is hip and young, with stores specializing in shoes, electrical appliances and fashion. Don’t miss the small street market called Jardine’s Bazaar, filled with low-cost fashion and accessories.

Stanley Market: Jump on a bus or take a taxi to Stanley, famous for its warren of stalls, shops and restaurants. (The ride along Repulse Bay Road is spectacular with superb views across the sea to outlying islands.) Here you’ll find paintings, curios, cashmere, silks and ceramics, along with cut-price fashion. Open from around 10:00am to 6:00pm daily.

Hungry for more. A world of exquisite, mouth-watering dining options.

As you would expect, good Chinese restaurants are found everywhere in Hong Kong. Some of the best can be found in major hotels and shopping complexes. Most specialize in one or more of the following: Cantonese, Chiu Chow, Hunan, Szechuan, Peking, Shanghainese or Chinese Vegetarian. If you’re hungry for a taste of home, you can find just about everything – from American-style burgers to homemade Italian pasta. Day and night, Hong Kong’s gourmet delights are plentiful – whether you want to pick up a snack or get dressed up and hit the clubs of Lan Kwai Fong, it’s all waiting for you.

What’s new to see and do in Hong Kong now. A Symphony of Light.

As if Hong Kong wasn’t colorful enough, at night’s it’s electrifying. This new multimedia show creates an all-round vision of lights, laser beams and searchlights, performing an unforgettable spectacle synchronised to music and narration that celebrates the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong.

Already named the World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show by Guinness World Records, it has been expanded to involve 33 key buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour. If you are in Hong Kong during a festival, special pyrotechnic displays launched from the middle of the harbour add extra sparkle to the show.

Hong Kong Disneyland. Visit the magical kingdom.

Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island, the fifth in the world, opened in September 2005.It has proved to be a huge draw card for both international and local visitors, so if you’re planning to go, it will busy. You can discover a magical kingdom of thrilling adventures, wonderful journeys and beloved Disney Characters. The park consists of four themed lands similar to those in the other Disneyland parks: Main Street, USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. By the way, this Adventureland is the biggest one out of all the Disneyland parks.

If you’re keen to actually stay here, you can. There are two enchanting hotels offering unique shopping, imaginative dining and family recreation — all delivered with the style and service you expect from Disney.

Take a journey of enlightenment.

Ride the stunning 5.7km cable car ride up the side of a mountain on Lantau Island to a culturally themed village next to the Giant Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. The Ngong Ping Skyrail travels from Tung Chung adjacent to the airport over spectacular countryside offering panoramic views, across the South China Sea, the mountains and monastery. This is planned to open in mid 2006.

Hong Kong Wetland Park.

Located next to the internationally recognised Mai Po Marshes bird sanctuary, this huge park is designed to demonstrate the diversity of Hong Kong’s wetland ecosystem. You can get closer to nature through integrated themed education and recreation facilities, with audio visual shows, interactive demos and wetland simulations.

Hong Kong Hotels to match every budget.

Hong Kong is one of the world’s top ten travel destinations. You’ll find every type of accommodation available to suit your budget – from major 5 star international names to smaller hotels offering great value rates. Book online and see what hot deals you can find. During holiday time and special Chinese festivals, it pays to book ahead. Web sites such as http://www.hotel.com.au/hongkong have dozens of choices, in all the shopping, business and nightlife districts.

Hong Kong is easy to get around with safe public transport, a reliable subway, trams and ferries, so you’re never far from a bargain or for that matter, a memorable time.

I’ll leave the last word to Noel Coward.

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun. The smallest Malay rabbit deplores this stupid habit. In Hong Kong, they strike a gong and fire off a noonday gun….

About the Author Matthew Lawson heads up http://www.hotel.com.au and is an avid traveler.

MORE PLACES TO STAY IN CANCUN:

If you?re still checking out digs in Cancun, here are more inexpensive hotels you can add to your list. No Bunky, you?re still not going to be staying on the beach, but there IS air conditioning and sometimes even a nice pool.

Hotel Novotel
Avenida Tulum No. 75 (near the bus terminal)
884 ? 2999
Fax: 884 ? 3162

Rooms here are a tad pricier than on the Avenida Uxmal but all rooms are air conditioned and comfortable although rooms fronting the street can be noisy at times. The location is good and transportation conveniently available on the Avenida Tulum for zipping all around town. Expect to pay $300 pesos to $360 pesos during the slow periods from May to June and from October to mid December, which is hurricane season in this part of the Caribbean. The Summer months of June and July are slow enough that you can haggle a pretty good deal for an extended stay of a few days to a couple of weeks or so. Prices will sky-rocket during the peak Winter season.

Hotel Best Western Plaza Caribe
Avenida Uxmal (directly across the street from the bus terminal)
884 ? 1377
Fax: 884 ? 6352

This is the priciest of the accommodations mentioned in our listings. If you arrive very late into the city and speak little (or no) Spanish, don?t get yourself into a dither or risk any danger tromping around the area late at night. You don?t want to run into any of the ?late-night? people who frequent the vicinity. You can just pop right across the street and book a room for the night here (staff speaks English) and do your search in earnest for a more moderately-priced room the next day. Don?t run the gauntlet of undesirables (including taxi drivers) late at night here ? especially without a solid command of Spanish. The $40 USD you?ll pay is well worth your health and safety if it comes to that.

Casa de Huespedes Punta Allen
Punta Allen No. 8 (half a block off the Avenida Uxmal)
Cancun
884 ? 0225, 884 ? 1001

A small place with economical, but rather Spartan, unattractive rooms. Quality of the rooms varies somewhat, although most I saw were fairly tight quarters and not too well lit. All have at least a fan and many are air conditioned. Their singles are priced at $170 pesos, while doubles go for $230 pesos. And these are the LOW season prices. Negotiate the rate if you?re going to be around more than a few days. Peak season prices fluctuate based on what the traffic will bear and the economy at the moment.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Those who visit the Hotel Playa Mazatlan have the option of attending one of the longest running dinner shows in Mexico. The Fiesta Mexicana has been delighting guests of the Hotel Playa Mazatlan for nearly forty years. This night of food, drink and entertainment is a night of enjoyment that all who attend are sure to remember. Currently the Fiesta Mexicana takes place three nights a week at the Hotel Playa Mazatlan. Each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night the staff of the hotel delight the guests with this night of authentic food and entertainment.

The food is only part of the experience at Fiesta Mexicana but it is definitely a part that you shouldn’t miss. Fiesta Mexicana would not be complete without the scrumptious buffet that offers a variety of authentic Mexican cuisine. Some of the savory dishes offered in this seemingly endless buffet include carne asada, pineapple tamales, cheese enchiladas and smoked marlin tostadas. The variety of mouth watering dishes available in the Fiesta Mexicana buffet makes it difficult to decide what to eat. Luckily this buffet is available three nights of week so if you are staying for a few days you will likely have at least two opportunities to indulge in this feast.

Besides the mouth watering buffet, the other great aspect of the Fiesta Mexicana is the entertainment. The entire family will delight in the entertainment that features folk music and dance from all over Mexico. Everyone enjoys the live music and dancing but that is not all that the Fiesta Mexicana has to offer in terms of entertainment. In addition you can also witness the classic Mexican hat dance and enjoy featured comedians and magicians. The fire and machete dance is another crowd favorite as many are drawn to the intrigue that comes with the element of danger.

Visitors to the Hotel Playa Mazatlan should be sure to partake in the famed Fiesta Mexicana. This night of food and entertainment has a forty year tradition that has delighted countless visitors.

Shawn Bishop is the marketing manager for Hotel Playa Mazatl?n. Explore an oasis of lush gardens, cascading waterfalls and pools. Celebrate Mexico at our Fiesta Mexicana.

Thinking of Rio, the first image that comes to mind is of the sandy beaches, the sun and the ?Girl from Ipanema?. Beach culture is prevalent in all of Brazil, and nowhere is it bigger or more impressive than in Rio de Janeiro. The beach culture in Brazil is a scene for fashion and trend setting. It’s not just about enjoying the sun, but also a social occasion. It is a chance to meet, socialize and for participating in sports like volley ball, soccer and surfing. Even during the winter and in poor weather, the Cariocas, as the locals are known, frequent the promenade.

Wedged on a strip of land at the foothills of Rio is one of the world?s greatest beaches, Copacabana. This highly populated region reverberates with a non-stop party atmosphere. Beach partying is a ritual here for the young and old alike. With an array of bars and nightclubs, there is always something happening on the beach, day or night. All along the 5 km beach, clusters of people sleep and sunbathe under umbrellas and in the white sand.

Lifeguard stations, called ‘postas’ are numbered and stretch along the length of the beach. The Copacabana beach stretches from Princesa Isabel Avenue to the lifeguard watchtower six, Posto Seis, near the Forte de Copacaban.

South of the city of Rio de Janeiro, lying adjacent to the Copacabana beach is the district of Ipanema. The beach at Ipanema is lined with world class restaurants cafes and shopping malls. Ipanema is one of the most expensive places in Rio and the symbol of Brazilian pleasure and wealth. It is frequented by affluent Brazillian youth as well as tourists.

Two hills known as the ‘Two Brothers’ are situated at the western end of the beach. The beach is also marked into segments with points known as postos. Ipanema beach has several favorite hotspots with each block attracting a different type of crowd. There are always people playing football, volleyball, and footvolley, a combination sport unique to Brazil. The beach at Ipanema was immortalized in the song, ?Girl from Ipanema? by Carlos Jobim.

Rio De Janeiro provides detailed information on Rio De Janeiro, Beaches In Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro Hotels, Rio De Janeiro Carnival and more. Rio De Janeiro is affiliated with Caracas Venezuela.

What better opportunity to spoil the grandchildren than a trip to ?The Most Magical Place on Earth?. And spoil them you can with so many things to see and do that children as well as adults will absolutely love. It?s a vacation guaranteed to create lasting memories. Here are some suggestions that will make this very special trip one to remember for a lifetime:

Book a Resort with a Great Pool Kids love swimming pools, and Disney resorts come with some of the best. Children?s favorites: the Volcano Pool at Disney?s Polynesian Resort featuring a smoking volcano slide, underwater music, and sparkling waterfall, all with a superb view of the Seven Seas Lagoon; the Wilderness Lodge?s boulder-lined pool featuring glistening waterfalls, rocky overlooks, a fun water slide, and nearby geyser; the eye-popping Stormalong Bay, a mini-water park complex that meanders between the Yacht and Beach Club, offering three acres of winding, watery delight including sandy bottom pools, a giant ?shipwreck? waterslide, tidal whirlpool, bubbling hot tubs, a kiddie pool with its own slide next to the beach, and enough length to float lazily in inner tubes to your heart?s delight.

Start Your Day Together at a Character Breakfast If you?re traveling with young children, at least one or two character meals are a must. These extremely popular dining spots, offered at both the theme parks and the Disney resort hotels, are a perfect way for the grandchildren to spend extra time with their favorite characters. Young ladies don their favorite Disney princess costumes at Restaurant Akershus in Epcot?s Norway pavilion to dine with Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Belle, while both boys and girls alike adore the Fantasyland breakfast offered at the Magic Kingdom?s Cinderella?s Castle. Just be sure to call 407-WDW-DINE exactly 90 days prior at 7 a.m. Eastern time to assure yourselves a spot at these coveted venues.

Head Over to Ft. Wilderness for a Campfire Sing-along Gather ’round the campfire each evening at Disney?s Ft. Wilderness for a sing-along, marshmallow roast, and a Disney animated movie. It?s complimentary to all Walt Disney World resort guests.

Start Your Day Early at the Magic Kingdom Each morning one of Disney?s theme parks opens an hour early only for guests staying at a Disney resort. The Magic Kingdom?s early open days are Sunday and Thursday, a perfect opportunity to knock off the children?s attractions in Fantasyland where waits can sometimes be extremely lengthy during normal park hours.

Don?t Miss the Magic Kingdom?s Afternoon Parade and Evening Fireworks Presentation The wonderful Share a Dream Come True parade is Disney?s best where giant floats topped with rotating globes, twinkling lights, and live Disney characters are accompanied by over a hundred walking characters and a medley of classic Disney songs. And the Jiminy Cricket narrated nighttime fireworks display is probably the most magical experience in all of Disney.

Take a Spin on a SeaRaycer Rent one of these two-seater mini-power boats for zipping around one of Disney?s waterways. The grandkids will love you for it. They?re available at the Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, the Yacht and Beach Club, Downtown Disney, and the Wilderness Lodge.

Head to a Water Park for a Splashing Good Time Disney has two of the most fantastic water parks imaginable, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, each offering their own brand of wonder. At Blizzard Beach you?ll find quite a few tame attractions along with wild, rushing water and death-defying slides. Typhoon Lagoon offers a whopper of a surf pool. But both have wonderful children?s areas with smaller versions of the adult attractions. There are even areas for the adolescent set.

Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World. A former travel agent and agency owner, she has traveled extensively throughout the world. Visit her at http://www.luxurydisneyguide.com.