Scouring Italy For The Best Hotels

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Saturday 11 July 2009 10:55 pm

Italy is known to be among the most popular travel destination in Europe. Aside from its attractions, I am very fond of the way Italians live their everyday lives. They?ve got excellent taste in clothing and superb variations of national cuisines. Tourists will no doubt love the way Italians welcome guests into their country.

When it comes to luxury accommodations in Rome, Aldrovandi Palace is the perfect place to stay at if you like a luxurious and expensive stay in Italy. With its elegant and magnificent edifice, Aldrovandi then adapted its features into one luxurious hotel. The hotel offers 12 luxurious suites and 122 elegant rooms to its to its guests and visitors. It also has a spacious royal suite accommodation that is usually patronized by royal families, famous personalities, and celebrities.

If budget is the problem when it comes to a vacation escapade in Milan, one should check out the Eurohotel for an affordable hotel accommodation in the city. Situated near the Porta Venezia in Milan?s historic center, Eurohotel?s strategic location is very beneficial for tourists who also prefer the city?s shopping highlights. The hotel features more than 20 bedrooms, with 50 beds in all. Each room is refurbished and newly decorated with fine furnitures. Comfy rooms also have air conditioning, direct telephone line, and satellite television. When planning for a budget trip in Italy, always remember that Eurohotel is a perfect place for cheap, yet comfy accommodation in Milan.

Duke Hotel?s location is an advantage, too. This hotel is located just between two beautiful and famous public gardens namely Villa Borghese and Villa Glori. From this hotel, visitors can easily go to other attractions like Parco della Musica Auditorium, the Borghese Museum and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Visitors do not have to rent vehicles anymore to reach these beautiful attractions.

Hotel Gray’s stylish interior that completely blends well with the Italy?s surroundings is another must-see attraction. I am definitely sure that you will be able to notice it once you have seen the place. There is also a bar, a stylish restaurant, as well as elegant and welcoming public areas to make your stay even more fun and exciting. If your Milan trip is getting boring, you must go to Florence where one of the premier hotels in Italy is found, that is, the Hotel Villa La Vedetta, a five-star hotel located in Florence. This hotel is strategically located near Florence?s most important historic and artistic venues such as Piazzale Michelangelo and Ponte Vecchio. Thus, this hotel that is housed in a romantic Neo-Renaissance villa will surely impress everyone especially travelers with the most discriminating taste.

These different hotels are truly remarkable because they only did not give us an extraordinary experience, but the have also made a special space in our memory.

For More Specific Information about Italy and Italian Hotels, please visit www.italytraveltour.blogspot.com

Valencia SpainThe Essential Guide

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Saturday 11 July 2009 6:55 pm

The city of Valencia situated on the east coast of Spain overlooking the Mediterranean Sea is a lively town, popular with tourists and beloved by the proud locals. The population of the city is just under 750000, and the currency used is the Euro.

The history of Valencia is a troubled one. The first inhabitants were the Romans back in the first century BC and since then there have been many battles and power struggles. The Barbarians, the Visigoths and the Moors all led the city for a time in the first millennium of its existence. In 1238, Valencia was taken as part of the Christian re-conquest of Spain and over the next few hundred years, the city prospered. However, economic collapse followed the expulsion of the Moors and the Jews from the city in the early seventeenth century. The War of Spanish Succession followed one hundred years later where Valencia lost its regional autonomy and since then the politics of Valencia has reflected those of the capital of the State.

With so many different cultures having ruled in Valencia over the years, there is a rich variance in the architecture of the city. The most prominent remains are from the Roman period and there are many remains in the city which the visitor can enjoy such as the Plaza de la Virgen in the heart of the old town and once the location for the Roman Forum.

Valencia is a hectic city, and the roads can be busy and confusing. With the agreeable Mediterranean climate, it may be best to explore the city on foot, or on the efficient public transport network which includes a metro system as well as a good bus service. Perhaps a good idea on arriving is to head to Plaza de la Reina and take a tour on the bright orange double-decker bus around the city. This will help the visitor get their bearings and learn a little about Valencia?s history.

It is worth heading into the old town to see The Cathedral where visitors can go up into the bell-tower which affords the best views of Valencia to be found anywhere in the city. While there, check out the Cathedral Museum where works of Goya, Jacomart and Cellini hang as well as local Valencian works.

The shopping is good in Valencia with many stores offering great clothes and merchandise including top brand names and labels. The Central Market is a great place to browse and maybe find a bargain; it is one of the largest markets in Europe. The trendiest shop in the city is Sunset where the latest clothes and chart CDs can be purchased.

Nightlife in Valencia centres around the Barrio del Carmen in the heart of the old city. This district is home to bars, restaurants and clubs to suit all ages, tastes and pockets and there is a buzz around the area as it parties on deep in to the night.

Valencia has everything with its historical streets, golden beaches and vibrant nightlife, and all under a clear blue sky ? it?s a great place to visit.

Dara Ward manages over 150 Travel websites that offer car rental and hotels worldwide. Some of his sites include Hotels in Galway and Hotels in Cannes

Frankfurt Hotel Guide

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Saturday 11 July 2009 2:55 pm

Frankfurt is the fifth largest city in Germany and is an important financial center of the country. It lies on the Main River and the metropolitan area has a population of five million people. It is one of the wealthiest cities in the European Union.

Frankfurt has played an important role in German politics for many centuries. Romans settled on the site as far back as the first century, and the Franks lived there under Charlemagne. Until 1792 were the elected city of emperors and the Holy Roman Empire of The German Nation.

Visitors to Frankfurt will find that it is a city full of treasure. It currently houses the tallest office building in Europe, and is known for being an international city with many residents who are from foreign nations. When it comes to art, Frankfurt invests more money than many European cities.

If you don’t mind large crowds, the best time to visit is from March to May. This is the best time when it comes to good weather. Otherwise, you will want to visit during the winter months, which are very cold, but not crowded.

Most of the attractions tourists will want to see when visiting Frankfurt are all located in the center of the city. Those who enjoy art will spend a bit of time journeying through the many museums and galleries. Those who enjoy history will want to visit the Alter Opera, a reconstructed opera house that was destroyed during World War II.

For those who enjoy trance and techno music, Frankfurt is a city with a nightlife, which will make you feel at home. You will find that you can party all night most days of the week. Swimming is also popular and people who enjoy swimming will find many facilities available in the city.

For residents of Frankfurt, going to the gym is as much of a daily activity as visiting the local pub. People who enjoy exercising will enjoy themselves in Frankfurt, as long as they don’t mind nudity. Inline skating is also extremely popular in the city, and has been recognized as an official form of transportation.

When dining in Frankfurt, you can expect to have the same quality of selections you would find in London or Paris. Due to the number of foreigners living in the city, you can expect to find restaurants with a variety of different foods. Frankfurt is a city, which you will find to be very exciting.

Rahul viz recommends that you visit Frankfurt Hotels for more information.

Rio De Janeiro

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Saturday 11 July 2009 10:50 am

For a vacationer looking for a city to holiday in that offers unparalleled pleasure, the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is one of the best choices. The city of Rio de Janeiro is a melting pot of races, colors and creeds. Rio de Janeiro is a Portuguese term meaning, River of January.

Rio was the country?s capital until 1960 and is the second largest city in Brazil after Sao Paolo. The residents of the city are known as Cariocas. They have made extensive contributions in the fields of history, culture, music and literature, particularly when Rio de Janeiro was the federal capital and the hub of Brazilian growth.

Rio is famous for its hotel-lined tourist beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. The best way to enjoy in the city is by organizing a trip to Sugar Loaf Mountain or P?o de A??car. The mountain offers a spectacular view of Rio and Guanabara Bay and is a paradise for rock climbers. It also has the biggest forest found inside an urban region, called Floresta da Tijuca, or ‘Tijuca Forest’.

Christo Redentor, the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain, is a 38-meter statue of Jesus overlooking the city of Rio. The statue has become a symbol of the city and reflects the warmth of the Brazilian people.

Perhaps, at no time is the city’s festive reputation better displayed than during the annual carnival, which enlivens the city for 4 whole days with music, singing, parties, balls and street parades of brilliantly costumed samba dancers.

For a true football fan, a visit to the Maracana Stadium carries the importance of going a pilgrimage. They can lay their feet in the imprints of football greats like Pele and other Brazilian legends.

Rio?s unique landscape, with a magnificent bay and dazzling beaches on one side and a rising mountain range on the other, justifies its title of Cidade Maravilhosa, or ?Marvelous City?. With its world famous beaches, splendid bay and wonderful climate, Rio de Janeiro has achieved a reputation as a great tourist destination.

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.

The Best Orlando Has To Offer

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Saturday 11 July 2009 6:50 am

So you?re headed to Orlando… but where to start? You?ll find such a wealth of fantastic resorts and restaurants it can be difficult to choose exactly what you wish to indulge in. How best can you plan a visit in which each day comes with the finest this marvelous vacation spot has to offer? In order to help you in making the overwhelming decisions of where to stay and what places to dine, here are what I believe to be Orlando?s best offerings:

Best Deluxe Resort

On Disney property it?s the Grand Floridian with its upscale Victorian atmosphere and lagoonside setting facing the Magic Kingdom. Off-property, hands-down, it?s the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes where you may never even feel the need to leave the property. At Universal, go for the Portofino Bay Hotel with its unsurpassed ambience of an Italian seaside resort.

Best Resort Pool

* Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club?s Stormalong Bay, a 3-acre mini water park

* The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin?s lush grotto-style lagoon pool

* The Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort with its luxuriant waterfall, smoking peak, and perfect view of Cinderella?s Castle

* The boulder-strewn wonderland at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge with its very own erupting geyser

* The lush fantasyland pool at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress cooled by twelve waterfalls

Best Home-Away-From-Home Property

The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge with its Bay Lake frontage and national park character or Disney’s Beach Club Villas conveniently located next door to Epcot.

Best Resort Atmosphere

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where hundreds of animals roam the savanna and the air is pulsating to the beat of African drums. Running a close second is Universal?s Portofino Bay Hotel where guests are transported to a romantic, seaside Italian village.

Best Resort Lobby

How to choose? Three of Disney’s resorts make the cut: the Wilderness Lodge, the Grand Floridian, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge, all eye-popping in their grandeur.

Best Access To The Parks

The Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian with monorail access to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and the Ticket and Transportation Center. At Universal, the Hard Rock Hotel is just a 5-minute walk or boat ride away to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk.

Best Resort For Romance

Disney’s Polynesian Resort whose lush tiki torch-lit grounds and white-sand beaches with views of Cinderella?s Castle are simply dreamy or Universal?s Portofino Bay Hotel where an evening stroll along the bay with Italian arias playing in the distance can?t be beat.

Best Resort For Nature-Lovers

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, a nature-lover?s dream of rushing waterfalls, spouting geysers, and bubbly creeks, all surrounded by stately pine trees and beautiful Bay Lake.

Best Resort Lounges

* California Grill Lounge found on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort with unrivaled views of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon, great for cocktails, sushi, and a view of the Wishes fireworks display.

* Disney’s Grand Floridian’s lobby. Pick up a cocktail at Mizner?s, then head down to this magnificent oasis to relax in the cushy seating while listening to the sounds of a big band orchestra or live piano music.

* Tambu Lounge at Disney’s Polynesian Resort?s Great Ceremonial House. Sip on tropical drinks amid lush foliage and views of the Seven Seas Lagoon.

* Territory Lounge, a rustic retreat in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

* bluezoo?s bar at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, the coolest place around.

* Velvet, the ultra-hip cocktail lounge at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel.

* Bar America, Portofino Bay Hotel?s sophisticated lounge overlooking the romantic piazza.

* Top of the Palace Lounge, a sophisticated bar with the best views around high atop the Wyndham Palace Resort near Downtown Disney.

Best Italian

Palio at the Walt Disney World Swan where the Tortellini con Aragosta topped with enormous amounts of lobster is amazing, or Portobello Yacht Club at Downtown Disney for a fantastic, thin-crusted pizza followed by the Rigatoni with Italian Sausage, crimini mushrooms, plum tomatoes, black olives, and escarole.

Best Seafood

Flying Fish at Disney’s Boardwalk for Potato Wrapped Red Snapper with creamy leek fondue and red wine reduction, or the newcomer on the block, Todd English?s bluezoo at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, where seafood is taken to new heights. Off Disney property it?s got to be Roy?s on Sand Lake Road near Universal for Roy Yamaguchi?s remarkable Hawaiian Fusion cuisine.

Best Steaks

Shula’s at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, a standout for sensational Angus beef steaks cooked to perfection, or Vito?s Chop House on International Drive for the filet mignon stuffed with gorgonzola.

Best Restaurant For Romance

Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian, the only AAA 5-Diamond restaurant in Central Florida. Here you?ll savor a sumptuous six-course meal served on elegant fine china to the accompaniment of enchanting harp music. And I can?t forget Norman?s at the Ritz Carlton for fine dining in plush surroundings all enveloped in the grandeur of an amazing resort.

Best Restaurant For Kids

Children love the Rainforest Caf? at the Animal Kingdom or Downtown Disney where they?re bombarded with thunderstorms and noisy audio-animatronic wildlife. A close runner up is Whispering Canyon Caf? at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge; come prepared for plenty of hoopin? and hollerin? and please, whatever you do, don?t ask for the ketchup unless, that is, you like a lot of attention.

Best Character Meal

Cinderella’s Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom, a chance to feast in a fairytale castle with Cinderella, Jasmine, Aladdin, Belle, and Snow White. Or try the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom for a tasty, bountiful buffet hosted by Winnie the Pooh and his friends.

Best Hip Atmosphere

Todd English?s bluezoo at the Dolphin, the coolest spot this side of South Beach, or Tchoup Chop at Universal?s Royal Pacific Resort, a knock-em-dead, Asian-inspired beauty.

Best Disney View

Arthur?s 27 at the Wyndham Palace whose drop-dead setting is only topped by its creative cuisine, or California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort with its picture-perfect views of the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, and the Wishes fireworks presentation.

Best Disney Resort Restaurant

Tough call. My favorites are the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort (just about anything on their exceptional menu is fantastic), Victoria and Albert?s at the Grand Floridian (particularly the Chef?s Table where Chef Scott Hunnel oversees an 11-course meal designed especially for you), and Todd English?s bluezoo at the Dolphin (try the miso glazed Chilean sea bass with warm sesame spinach).

Best Universal Resort Restaurant

Tchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific Resort. Wonderful Asian and Polynesian-influenced cuisine in a stunning setting of bamboo, waterfalls, and a lotus-filled reflecting pool. Share the Crunchy Shrimp with butter lettuce leaves and hot & sour chili glaze, move on to the Firecracker Fresh Fish served with papaya-serrano salsa, Asian pesto drizzle, and coconut-lemongrass sauce, and finish with a slice of Banana Cream Pie topped with caramel sauce and chocolate shavings.

Best Downtown Disney Restaurant

Wolfgang Puck?s Upstairs Dining Room for dishes like Szechuan marinated Chinois lamb rack served with a spicy cilantro-mint sauce or the restaurant’s exceptionally great Wienerschnitzel.

Best Epcot Illuminations View

Rose and Crown in World Showcase?s United Kingdom. Set your priority seating for about one hour prior to show time and pray for a table with a good view.

Best Milkshake

Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort serves oh-so-delicious thick shakes and malts in a frosty fountain glass with the extras on the side in the stainless steel shaker.

Best Pizza

You can’t beat the pizzas at Downtown Disney’s Wolfgang Puck Cafe (choose the BLTA with applewood-smoked bacon, mozzarella, roma and sun-dried tomatoes, avocado, and chopped romaine), Downtown Disney’s Portobello Yacht Club (thin-crusted and smokey flavored), or Mama Melrose?s at Disney-MGM Studios (don’t miss the grilled chicken pizza with sun-dried tomato pesto, pancetta, and asiago cheese).

Best Breakfast

Spoodles at Disney’s Boardwalk. I love the Egg Rotollo, scrambled eggs with chorizo, onions, peppers, and cheddar cheese rolled in Lavosh (flatbread) and served with breakfast potatoes and marinated tomatoes.

I could go on and on but I?ll restrain myself and stop here. There?s a world of resorts and restaurants just waiting to be explored. And you?ll never even have to leave Orlando to find it!

Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer available at 800-247-6553, or http://www.luxurydisneyguide.com

Venetian Carnival

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Saturday 11 July 2009 2:55 am

The time of the famous Venetian carnival is closing up. It?s just the right time to recall Venice, its attractions and must-sees, its rich history and the cotemporary status of one of the world?s most popular tourist destinations.

The first thing that comes to mind when speaking about Venice is ?the city of canals?. Its amount really strikes ? 150! Don?t forget about 409 bridges in Venice and you wouldn?t be surprised to hear that in Venice there are no cars and buses. You can reach any point by water or by feet (Venice is not very big). Big boats called vaporetto play the role of the public transport in Venice. Small private boats are taxies. However, gondola has become the transport symbol of the city. It?s a narrow, usually black, boat for water walks. It?s an expensive pleasure, but it?s the only way to feel the authentic atmosphere of Venice.

The whole city is an art masterpiece; there are no ordinary, ugly buildings. Almost every structure seems to be a hotel. Even if it?s a private house you surely can rent an apartment there. It?s a city making living out of tourists, so the prices are high.

The centre and the heart of the city is San Marco square. Long ago Napoleon called it ?the most elegant dining-room in Europe?. The square really looks like salon. It?s surrounded by the galleries and San Marco Cathedral. Between gallery and cathedral lies the exit to lagoon, very beautiful place. St Mark’s Square is located in one of the lowest parts of the city, so is always the first to be covered in water when the acqua alta (high tide) arrives.

The place is also famous for its cafes ? ?Florian?, ?Lavena?, ?Quardi?. ?Florian? is considered to be the oldest caf? in Europe. Antique furniture, excellent coffee and live music are awaiting for you! Doge?s palace or Palazzo Ducale (in Italian) is an ancient building hiding medieval secrets and legends.

Rialto Bridge is one of the everlasting symbols of Venice. In Middle Ages there were several wooden bridges, but all of them were burnt. The present, stone bridge was built in the end of the XVI century. On the bridge you can find a lot of souvenir and jewelry shops.

So, now let?s get back to the point. Venetian Carnival. It?s on of the most popular carnivals in the world and shares its fame only with the carnival in Rio-de-Janeiro, although they are completely different. Venetian carnival covers the whole city. Colorful festive crowds fill the streets and the squares of Venice. The origin of Carnival dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1296 the last day before the Lent was proclaimed holiday. This year the Carnival takes place from 18th till 28th December. The theme of the carnival 2006 is ?The Dragon and the Lion?, all the events and theatre performances are connected with the Chinese culture. The program is very diverse ? from the shows on the streets for children to the luxurious parties in palaces for the adults. Costume and mask is a must!

For booking a hotel, please, go to Venice hotels page