Accommodation News and Updates

Beyonce Touring Europe!

2007-05-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

Beyonce's touring Europe to show case solo albums. Start tomorrow 24th May2007, she'll be at

Pavilhão Atlântico. Beyonce is one of the most recognized female music artist today. Don't miss this big concert! Stay at a hotel in Lisbon and enjoy the concert. Heres one of her great hits:

Keukenhof Gardens in Spring

2007-05-15T23:46:00.000-07:00

In the fifteenth century the land now occupied by the Keukenhof gardens, was a hunting area. This beautiful land of bushes and dunes was later designed into a garden by J.D and L.F Zocher on the request of Baron Van Pallandt. The garden is spread over 77 acres of wooded park and is breathtakingly beautiful. Every year the garden hosts a special event called Keukenhof Gardens in Spring. In 1949 the mayor of Lisse invited the flower bulb growers to hold an open air flower exhibition, which soon became an annual event that attracts lovers of beauty from all over to world to come to Lisse and take in spring in its full bloom.

In 2007, the exhibition marks its 58^th season, with the Swedish Crown Princess Victoria officially opening the exhibition. Almost 750,000 visitors are expected to visit the garden during the spring time. The exhibition goes on from 22 March till 20 May 2007, and the garden will remain open from 8.00 in the morning until 7.30 in the evening.

During the two months long exhibition, growers compete in different events featuring imaginative displays and exquisite flower arrangements. The displays are regularly changed, with new plantings of the seasonal flowers that keep the garden looking fresh and different every time you visit. The colours and scents of the flowers and plants tantalize the sensations and provide a very rare experience. The garden hosts various shows featuring flowers of the season, like lily, gerbera, carnation, orchids etc. to name a few.

If you want to visit the gardens on your own you are always welcome to do so, but if you are interested in learning a little more about the beauties on display, guided tours can also be arranged which normally take about two hours. There are numerous restaurants in the garden to make your stay longer and pleasant. There are souvenir shops on-site and you can also buy your favourite bulbs or order them for delivery world-wide and get professional tips from the growers, first hand.

Golden Tulip Hotel Lisse

The place is close to the Keukenhof Garden, beach resort of Noordwijk and Schipol. The hotel offers well sized, comfortable rooms with a nice restaurant on the ground floor. It is a great place to stay for those who want to enjoy the gardens or are on a quest to take in the beauty of the country and want to be close to where the action is but not being in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Apart from all the modern day amenities the hotel has a great swimming pool, solarium, sauna, tennis court and shopping arcade. It is only a kilometer from the city center, a minute’s walk from the bus stop and about 17 km from the Amsterdam Airport.

Amusing Train Announcements

2007-05-10T18:49:00.000-07:00

The following are a list of actual announcements that London Tube train drivers have made to their passengers...

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I do apologise for the delay to your service. I know you're all dying to get home, unless, of course, you happen to be married to my ex-wife, in which case you'll want to cross over to the Westbound and go in the opposite direction".

"Your delay this evening is caused by the line controller suffering from E & B syndrome, not knowing his elbow from his backside. I'll let you know any further information as soon as I'm given any."

"Do you want the good news first or the bad news?The good news is
that last Friday was my birthday and I hit the town and had a great time. The bad news is that there is a points failure somewhere between Stratford and East Ham, which means we probably won't reach our destination."

"Ladies and gentlemen, we apologise for the delay, but there is a
security alert at Victoria station and we are therefore stuck here
for the foreseeable future, so let's take our minds off it and pass some time together. All together now....'Ten green bottles, hanging on a wall.....'".

"We are now travelling through Baker Street, as you can see Baker
Street is closed.It would have been nice if they had actually told
me, so I could tell you earlier, but no, they don't think about things like that".

"Beggars are operating on this train, please do NOT encourage these professional beggars, if you have any spare change, please give it to a registered charity, failing that, give it to me."

During an extremely hot rush hour on the Central Line, the driver
announced in a West Indian drawl: "step right this way for the
sauna, ladies and gentleman... unfortunately towels are not provided".

"Let the passengers off the train FIRST!" (Pause...) "Oh go on then, stuff yourselves in like sardines, see if I care - I'm going
home...."

"Please allow the doors to close.Try not to confuse this with
'Please hold the doors open'.The two are distinct and separate
instructions." "Please note that the beeping noise coming from the doors means that the doors are about to close. It does not mean throw yourself or your bags into the doors."

"We can't move off because some idiot has their f****ng hand stuck
in the door"

"To the gentleman wearing the long grey coat trying to get on the
second carriage - what part of 'stand clear of the doors' don't you understand?"

"Please move all baggage away from the doors (Pause..) Please move
ALL belongings away from the doors (Pause...) This is a personal
message to the man in the brown suit wearing glasses at the rear of the train - put the pie down, four-eyes, and move your bloody golf clubs away from the door before I come down here and shove them up your a**e sideways"

"May I remind all passengers that there is strictly no smoking
allowed on any part of the Underground. However, if you are smoking a joint, it's only fair that you pass it round the rest of the carriage".

Check in at London accommodations and you might get a chance to hear one of these silly comments while traveling on the trains in London

The Cannes Film Festival

2007-05-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

Throughout the world, festivals are held to honor the creativity and genius of artists, but none other comes close to matching the splendor and grandeur of the French and the Cannes Film Festival. Since 1946, the festival has become a tradition for the resort town of Cannes, held during the month of May. This year for the 60th time, it will be held from 16th to 28th of May 2007.

History of The Cannes Film Festival

In 1938, The French minister of national education, Jean Zay, surprised by the German and Italian government’s interference in the selection of films for the Venice Film Festival, decided to produce an international film festival, based in Cannes. It was to be inaugurated on 1st September 1939, but due to the First World War, had to be postponed. The first ever ‘Festival de Cannes’ was launched in 1946 held at the Old Casino from 20th September to 5th October 1946. The festival could not be held in 1948 and 50 due to monetary problems. In 1949, the Palais des Festivals was inaugurated which the new Palais later replaced in 1983.

The Cannes Film Festival Events

Cannes Film festival has been a very successful event for artists and producers to project their work and receive critical acclaim on the bases of artistic quality of the work; a trend very popular and almost synonymous with European cinema. Given the mass media attention, the festival also becomes hunting ground for producers to sell their work worldwide and launch new projects as well.

The jury for the event is comprised of a select international group of cinema professionals. The most coveted award in the Cannes Film Festival is the ‘Palma d’Or’ or the Golden Palm awarded to the best film, with the ‘Grand Prix’ being the second most prestigious award.

Accommodation for The Cannes Film Festival

The festival season, coupled with the beauty of the locale in the month of May, makes Cannes a perfect destination for tourists from all around the globe. The place offers a number of options regarding accommodation in true French style; full of class and elegance.

Martinez Hotel Cannes
Located in the heart of Cannes, on the Croisette, it is perfect for those who want to take in the city and its attractions. With well-furnished and spacious rooms and units that offer various modern facilities, the hotel boasts one of the most famous restaurants in the city. After a long day of exploration, you can simply relax in the pool and enjoy the great beach bar.

InterContinental Hotel Cannes
An icon for the city, this is the place to be. Situated on Le Croisette and 30 minutes drive from the airport, the hotel has a water front location that is hard to top. The rooms and suites are fit for a king, with delectable food on offer at the Carlton Brasserie and the Beach Restaurant complimented by a few great bars. Of course, the other amenities like a health club, gym and water sports like skiing, boating and sailing are a welcome bonus.

Cannes Film Festival Review Video

Vogalonga in Venice

2007-04-29T23:28:00.000-07:00

The 27th May will be a great time to visit Venice, Italy as one of their biggest events take off in St Mark's Basin. Hundreds of boats handcrafted by individual boat fanatics compete in this race including Chinese internationals rowing dragon boats. The course stretches 30km with the start and finish point at St Mark's Basin. Thousand of locals and tourist cheer on the shores taking photos of the grand occasion as aloud canon shot indicates the beginning of the race. If you are over 16, you could even register for the Vogalonga race on the 14th of May, 2007.

Recommended 5 star hotel in Venice
The perfect hotel for the Vogalonga is the Luna Baglioni Hotel Venice which is the basin. This 5 star hotel is not too far from fully air conditioned, cabled for satellite television, internet access and telephone. The restaurants and cocktail bars will keep you busy for the late nights but if you want to travel elsewhere, Santa Lucia train station is only 2 minutes away.

Where To Go For Fun in Milan

2007-04-22T21:02:00.000-07:00

If you’re thinking of visiting Milan, you can find lots of fun things to do during your stay. Milan is a fashion forward city, with young, ambitious people who love to party at the clubs, shop for fine couture, drink lattes in the street cafes, with some of the best Italian cuisine.

Milan is a friendly, bustling city whose culture is based on the historical significance of the artwork and statues you see everywhere you go. Here are some of the favorite things to do in Milan.

Piazza del Duomo

At the historical heart of Milan sits the Piazza del Duomo. The famous cathedral, or the Dome as Italians call it, is a beautiful sight. It recently underwent renovation and now provides a rooftop walk that allows the visitor to overlook the city in a way not possible otherwise.

You cannot help but notice the historical statues and artwork found all around the Piazza. Directly in the center of the Piazza facing the Duomo is the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II. Inside the cathedral, one of the nails from the crucifixion of Christ is illuminated.

If you go to the plaza during the day, you’ll see Milanese bustling about, pigeons everywhere, and nearby shopping and cafes. You may even run into the occasional pickpocket and street hustler trying to sell you some form of tourist trinket or memorabilia. Regardless, this is a spectacular place to “people watch”.

Via Montenapoleone Fashion District

The core of the fashion district in Milan is definitely Via Montenapoleone. Luxurious boutiques of top Italian and international designers, antique shops, and tearooms are the physical proofs of Milan’s status of Europe's fashion capital.

Via Montenapoleone is the most important street of the Milan's Fashion District, called in Italian "Quadrilatero della moda" made of Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni, Via Sant'Andrea and Via Montenapoleone.

All major Italian fashion designers have their main shops here: Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Fendi, Gucci, Kenzo, Krizia, Prada, Valentino, Versace, Vuitton or Zegna.

Nightlife
Corso Como is the place for nightlife in Milan. This is the hot spot for clubs, bars, and restaurants. Models are found in all of these clubs dressed to kill. Because Milan is a fashion city, chic fashion and trendy club wear is expected at these clubs.

Great nightlife can be found in Navigli, a river area in southern Milan. You can walk through the streets and find bars, discos and restaurants. They shut down the streets in late spring and summer and you can sit in the middle of the street with friends and chat. Happy Hour is bustling from 6pm to 9pm with folks straight out of work meeting friends for a drink.

Milan Accommodations

Le Meridien Gallia Hotel is a luxurious hotel located in the heart of Milan's renowned Piazza Duca d'Aosta. The Duomo Cathedral, Santa Maria Delle Grazie, La Scala Theatre and the Fairgrounds are some of the tourist attractions nearby.

With impeccable room service and an on-site restaurant and bar, Le Meridien Gallia Hotel is considered one of the premier hotels in all of Italy.

Top Attractions in Paris

2007-04-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

Paris,

France

is the home of European refinement and love. Fashion, historical culture, and overindulgence seem to be around every turn. While there are lots of things to do in Paris, there are five attractions everyone must see at least once when they visit Paris.

Eiffel Tower

Built in 1889, the Eiffel Tower is the icon of Paris. It was erected as tribute to the end of the French Revolution, but today it is one of the most well-known and most recognizable buildings in the world.

The magic of the Eiffel Tower can truly be felt when you venture to the top to get a spectacular view of Paris. Going to the top of the Tower right before sunset provides the best views. Please don’t try to take the stairs. You can reach the first two levels of the observation decks by foot, but why settle for that when you can ride the elevator to the very top. Somehow the sweat and gasps for breath as you hike up the flights of stairs steals from the romantic mood of the Eiffel Tower but there are the odd fitness gurus who attempt the walk or even run up. After it gets dark, you can see the lights on the Tower twinkle in the twilight. Lights go off at 2 am, so be sure to catch a glimpse before then.

Louvre

The Louvre is a top attraction in Paris and one of the most famous art museums in the world. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can see it in a day. It will likely take you three days to peruse the famous art work, and take in the majesty of the Louvre.

The Louvre is home to famous art like the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa. Be sure not to miss a trip to the Louvre on your next visit to Paris.

Champs Elysees

The Champs Elysees is a famous stretch of road that goes through the center of Paris. It starts at the Arc de Triomphe and goes outward to the Place de la Concorde and is lined with shops, cafes, and 5 star hotels.

Bring comfortable shoes since you’ll want to walk down this avenue to get the full experience. Christmas and New Years are favorite times to visit the Champs Elysees for the lights and hustle and bustle of the holidays.

Seine River

The Seine river winds through the center of Paris. Taking one of the available river cruises is a popular way to see the many sights of Paris. Take a cruise at night to see the lights of Paris – it’s a whole different cruise to see the city at night.

It’s also fun to walk along the banks of the Seine river. Among all the popular buildings, art, and monuments, you’ll find small stands where people sell tourist items and Paris memorabilia.

Versailles

Take a short train ride to Versailles to visit the Chateau of Versailles, one of the largest castles in the world and home to the King. The Chateau de Versailles has more than 700 rooms, 1250 fireplaces, 2000 windows, 67 staircases, and over 1,800 acres of gardens. It is a magnificent home which has now been transformed into a museum. You can take a tour of the castle or walk the grounds yourself. There are also restaurants and outdoor restrooms available for tourists.

When vacationing in Paris, stay at Le Meridien Etoile set on the Seine River, a stones throw from the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre. This hotel features elegant rooms, fantastic room service, and the best location in Paris.

These five attractions are only a small sampling of the variety of fun, interesting, and culturally educating things to do while in Paris.

Everything You Need to Know About Athens

2007-04-09T22:56:00.000-07:00

Athens is a city rooted in its Greek history. The birthplace of democracy and now the capital city of

Greece

, Athens is a cultural center with fine cuisine, theater, the Acropolis, and generous Greek hospitality.

The best time to visit Athens is in the Spring. The weather is perfect and rates are reasonable. Beware of summers in Athens as they can reach high temperatures near 110 degrees F. So if you plan on going to Athens in the summer please make sure to bring a hat, light clothing, sun block, and a bottle of water everywhere you go.

Greek Hospitality

The Greek are known for their hospitality and generous ways. Athenians are laid back people who are generally accepting of all visitors. Many people in Athens know English so feel free to ask for help or directions from locals and passers-by.

Meet Athenians half way and learn a few words of Greek. People will appreciate your effort and maybe more inclined to help you.

The Acropolis

The most famous landmark in Greece is the Acropolis, and happens to be located in Athens. Ancient Greek civilization was represented on top of this hill by the Parthenon and other structures that symbolized the lavish lifestyle of the Greek gods.

The New Athens
Since the Olympics were held in Athens in 2004, the city has been revamped. It seems the over growth of Athens has caused poor air quality, busy streets, and a generally overcrowded feeling. But some of this has been made better since the renovations.

Best Hotel Value in Athens
If you want to stay in the heart of Athens, the G.R. Louis Hotel is the perfect choice with a selection of museums and a concert hall, right down the way. The hotel is known for its knowledgeable staff and quiet surroundings. Tourists will definitely enjoy their stay in Athens at the GR Louis Hotel.

Local Customs

Beware of the concrete jungle that has become Athens. With so many drivers, people have a bit of road rage. Try to stay off the streets if possible. Even pedestrians may have trouble walking across the street in a crosswalk. Athenians don’t always adhere to the traffic rules.

Smoking in Athens is perfectly acceptable to locals and you can light up just about anywhere you wish. So, you probably shouldn’t ask locals to go find a smoking section since that is the norm there.

Independence Day is March 25^th. They celebrate their Independence day with parades and celebrations making traffic congested and the city busier than ever.

“Ochi” Day, held on October 28^th, is another Greek holiday. Greeks commemorate the day Mussolini’s request to let Italian troops into the country at the beginning of World War II was denied. “Ochi” means “no” in Greek. You may see soldiers and tanks parading down the streets in show of Greek pride.

Whenever you plan on visiting Athens, you are sure to be met with fabulous Greek food, plenty of shopping, historical monuments, and local Athenian culture and customs.

Athens, Greece Video

The Royal Easter Show in Sydney

2007-04-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Easter during a long weekend in Sydney at the Royal Easter Show. This is an anual event which usually starts on Good Friday. It is a perfect getaway for families. At the show, there are thrill rides, animal performances, the famous wood chopping competition, car stunts, fireworks at night and much more. If you want to stay right next to the venue, Novotel Sydney Olympic Park is within walking distance. Novotel has a sauna, restaurant, cocktail bar, car parking and internet access all with the premise.

Australia's Greatest Attraction!

2007-03-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

The Great Barrier Reef is undoubtedly the greatest natural tourist attraction Australia has to offer. The Reef spans over 350,000 square kilometers and is larger than some countries. It is listed as a world heritage site protecting the thousands of living organisms in the environment. The closest city to stay in is Cairns. Not only is it close to the Great barrier Reef, but staff at hotels can also recommend other major attractions in the area including the Daintree Rainforest, Skyrail cableway and Kuranda Scenic Rail.

Discounted accommodation can be found on the Esplanade and perhaps the most recognized accommodation service is Mantra Trilogy Resort Cairns. Mantra Trilogy Resort is particularly close to restaurants, bars, shops and services. Accommodation in Cairns is not hard to find but the Mantra Trilogy Resort Cairns also has a beautiful view of the ocean and is only a few steps away from the beach.