Take a Tour of Chicago

Any visit to a new city is going to be filled with excitement. The sheer newness of the sights, sounds, and people can be intoxicating and it can put tourists in a quandary as to what to do and see first. A good solution is to find or design a tour that will take in as much of the city at one time. This will give a general impression for the city’s character. It will also help identify which points of interest are worth a more extended exploration.

When visiting Chicago, there are a number of companies that offer tours within the city. Tourists can take a bus or canal tour or sign up for a guided walking tour of certain neighborhoods.

It is also possible to design their own tour. They can do this using a list of personalized list of attractions or by adapting one of the many popular tours, such as the Magnificent Mile or a tour of the city’s Art Deco architecture. Visitors with a Go Chicago Card will find that their whirlwind tour is accomplished even faster, since they will have prepaid the admission for each attraction and will not have to stand in long lines. When designing their own tour, travelers should be aware of the hours of operation of various attractions as well as what days they are closed so that they can chart out the most effective and efficient route for their personal tour of Chicago.

ThaiPusam in Singapore

The rich and diverse ethnic make up of contemporary Singapore is one that makes for some rather awe-inspiring travel stories. It is a place where some of the most contemporary fashions in the world can be seen and purchased, and the surface of things is often extremely enticing. There is more to it than the surface, however, and visitors might get the chance to see some of the older traditions in action.

Toward the beginning of the calendar year, in the Little India section of town, there is a festival to pay honor to one of Shiva’s sons, Murugan . Known as ThaiPusam , it’s a spectacle of the first magnitude. Some folks may know of the Indian tradition, where followers will carry offerings, called Kavadi, on baskets that can be extremely ornate. There are also traditions of body piercing to show purity of spirit and devotion. Those who do participate can only do so by living a life of purity and abstinence, so it’s certainly not something an outsider can participate in. But people can watch the processions, remembering that respect is the most important gift one can bring.

Those who are attracted to the place for its fantastic restaurants, shopping, and Singapore Hotels will always find plenty to like. There is much more beneath the surface as well, and the material and spiritual worlds here do indeed compliment each other, so that respect should be given at all times.

Warren Anatomical Museum in Boston

When you were a child, you might remember reading in a book of Ripley’s Believe It or Not , the strange case of Phineas P. Gage, suddenly famous because a metal rod in an explosion went through his skull, and he survived. The accident happened on September 13, 1848, in Cavendish, Vermont. Gage quickly became a medical curiosity, living for another twelve years. After his death, his skull was sent to a Dr. Harlow, who then gave it to Harvard, and today, you can see his skull, his life mask and the iron rod, all at the Warren Anatomical Museum .

The museum was established by Dr. John Collins Warren, who gave Harvard Medical School the original collection. His wishes included that the museum maintain the collection, add to them when possible, and to make them available and useful for the study of anthropology, medicine, and the history of science. For those interested in the unusual, there are plenty of exhibits here, including not only the skull and iron rod of Phineas Gage, but a plaster cast of a seven fingered hand, a rare condition known as “mirror hand.”

Travelers staying at a Boston hotel may easily visit the museum, located at 10 Shattuck Street, on the fifth floor of the Countway Library of Medicine. The museum is free to the public, although it’s wise to call ahead at 617-432-4888 in order to verify the Monday through Friday, nine to five hours of exhibition.

Sydney’s Iconic Bridge

Visitors to Sydney are always struck by the city’s beautiful skyline. In addition to the Opera House and the Sydney Tower, the Harbour Bridge is one of the city’s visual anchor points. Formally opened in March 1932, the bridge holds several world distinctions, including being the tallest steel arch bridge, the widest long-span bridge, and the 5th longest spanning arch bridge in the world.

Nicknamed the Coat Hanger due to its arch design, Sydney Harbour Bridge was the city’s tallest structure until 1967. It’s not just a stunning visual attraction for Sydney hotel visitors. The southeast pylon is a tourist mecca, offering telescopes and arcade games for family enjoyment. Pedestrians can traverse the bridge starting at several points of access, including one from the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Since 1998 tourists can participate in BridgeClimb , which allows them to climb the southern section of the bridge. These tours run during daylight hours with some night climbs available, although they are sometimes canceled due to wind or electrical storms. An alternative is the Discovery Climb, which ascends into the lower chord of the bridge and offers a view of the bridge’s internal structure.

Every December the bridge is adorned with an elaborate light display that complements the annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks display, one of the most famous in the world.

The Spring Preserve outside Las Vegas

Flights into Las Vegas may sometimes experience a little turbulence as heat rises from the desert floor, but once you’ve touched down at McCarran International Airport, the luxurious Vegas hotels , known for great entertainment and amazing casinos, will soon embrace you, whether you’ve booked a room on the Strip or Downtown. While most people are in Vegas for either a convention or relaxation, there are also a number of places of interest that let you know more about the nearly century old city than a casino or show might tell you.

The Spring Preserve is a cultural institution of about 180 acres created to commemorate the history of Las Vegas, providing a look into the sustainable future of this desert area. Here, you will find museums and galleries, outdoor concerts, botanical gardens, as well as a trail system that wanders through a beautiful wetland habitat. Upcoming events for the Fall at the Preserve include the Haunted Harvest, where groups and individuals have created their own scarecrows, which will be on display between October 15 through October 31st. The best of these entries will receive an award in adult and youth categories. Entries are supposed to promote using sustainable or recycled materials, while also exploring Halloween folklore.

The Preserve also includes a number of other attractions, such as the DLC Patio Gallery, where you’ll find professional amateur and youth photography of Nevada. In the Origen experience, the live exhibits of crawling, prowling, and flying creatures are available, not to mention a series of gardens and trails. It’s an excellent way to take a break between casinos and shows and learn more about Vegas’ natural environment.

Hong Kong – The Peak

When you venture forth from your Hong Kong hotel for the first time it can be a challenge to pick the first sight to go see. One of the most popular sights in Hong Kong is The Peak.

From up on top of The Peak you get a breathtaking view of the surrounding city. This incredible view includes a wonderful perspective on the world-famous Victoria Harbor and Kowloon, as well as towering skyscrapers and peaceful green hillsides that make up the skyline.

To reach The Peak tourists and sightseers ride the Peak Tram, not unlike the cable cars of San Francisco, the tram climbs about 1,200 feet. At the angle of the tram it looks like all the buildings are leaning as you travel in either direction. Once you reach the peak you’re greeted by The Peak Tower, part of the Hong Kong revitalization of 2006.

Once up there the tower is not the only attraction. There are viewing pavilions and a circle walk that allows you to view the whole panoramic view of Hong Kong. There is also a sky terrace at the tower that must make a stunning place to view meteor showers like the Perseids .

History of Waikiki

Waikiki is one of the most famous names associated with the state of Hawaii. And while many people immediately think of the beach of that name, it also represents the neighborhood that is part of Honolulu, which is probably the most famous city in the state. Honolulu is full of incredible cultural attractions and has an interesting and dynamic history. The neighborhood and beach of Waikiki is part of this, and while today it attracts millions of tourists from all over the world, it had its origins with Hawaiian royalty.

For the greater part of the 19th century, the area was a favorite holiday retreat for Hawaiian royalty , who were greatly attracted to the gentle, though also dynamic with potential for more complicated conditions, which offered the best opportunities for beginning and moderate surfing. Longboarding was extremely popular with the royals, though at the time it was an early form of the sport, and these features are some of the same elements that continue to attract millions of people to the five star Waikiki hotels .

Toward the late 1880s a guest resort was established and the neighborhood began to see an increase in visitor activity. By the early to mid 1900s major name resorts and tourist attractions were in place and it was one of the most popular tourist destinations, as it continues to be, in the world. Today, the guests in some of the top hotels may not actually be royalty, though they certainly are treated as if they were.

Miami – Even a little something for the Goth Subculture

There are a multitude of five star hotels Miami has to offer its visitors. The city is huge and you can’t see where it ends and the other cities begin making it the perfect place to go to lose yourself in the sun whether for a week or just the weekend.

No matter what your walk of life you’re going to find something to tickle your senses in this city. Even a fan of the Gothic subculture isn’t alone in this land of sun, though you may want to pack something with a high SPF and forgo the black on the hotter days. The Soho Lounge is the place to go if you don’t mind rubbing elbows with the fans of hip-hip or if you’re a person who owns up to an eclectic taste of music. On Saturday nights the club is divided in half and you can find throbbing goth and industrial music on one side of the club and hip-hop or even indie music playing on the other half. Probably not the place for someone who takes themselves too seriously. If you’re looking for something a little more underground and sure to make your friends envious you might want to look into booking a room on the Gothic Cruise this year.

Washington DC Chinatown

When we think of visiting an American Chinatown we think of New York and San Francisco. Most people don’t think of Washington DC. Thinking about going to Washington DC means you get to see the White House, The Capitol Building, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and so many other sites of our forefathers. But America even more than that, it is a mix of cultures from all over the world and Washington DC has areas to enjoy that include immigrant cultures as well. The have a Chinatown and it is an interesting experience.  

The Washington DC Chinatown starts with its ornate Chinese friendship bridge on H and 7th Street. It is near the Penn Quarter and is a small historical area of town with about 20 restaurants and a few other businesses to browse through. Check the Chinese calendar to see when the Chinese New Year is happening because this is the time to visit this wonderful neighborhood. They have parades and other special  activities going on during this holiday.  

There are some other notable sites and places of interest near by such as the Old Patent Office Building which currently houses a couple of Smithsonian Museums. It is the third oldest building in the city and it takes up a whole block. It served as many government uses over many years including a military barracks, hospital and morgue. It is a fascinating place filled with stories and worth a visit. The Verizon Center is also near by so if you are going to see any major sport events or concerts you may want to pair it up with a visit to the Chinatown neighborhood.  

Now all you need is a way to get from one of the 4 star hotels in Washington dc to one of the great restaurants in DC’s Chinatown like the Full Kee Restaurant for a wonderful traditional Chinese meal and a walk through history.

San Francisco Digs Banksy

The legendary city by the bay has a certain romantic attraction for visitors from all over the world. For those who live here, it’s also got a special place, being one of those rare cities that few residents ever want to leave. Sure, the rents are about as high as they can get on the entire West coast, but it’s worth the struggle. Surviving here means being part of an eclectic and energetic scene, and helping to shape the cultural economies of the world.

Travelers have a special place in the city, where they can taste all the fruits without having to put up with the difficult commute, making it one of the most exciting spots to visit. There’s access to all the arts events, the five star hotels San Francisco offers, along with access to some great art.

San Francisco is never short on museums and galleries, displaying works by some of the greatest artists in the world. The local art scene is one characterized by an amazing capacity for looking at the global picture, along with a seemingly endless energy to create new and innovative works. They also have a very dear appreciation for anything that’s happening on the world art scene, and this appreciation may be what brought Banksy to the city.

In April of 2010, the anonymous artist’s work started to show up, and six locations were suddenly showing his work. Banksy is one of the pre-eminent artists working these days, and that makes it even more remarkable that he’s kept his identity shrouded in mystery. He doesn’t work in the usual ways, and doesn’t show in gallery spaces. His canvas is found on the walls of the world, whether they be city walls or even walls of the London Zoo (where he once painted, “We’re bored of fish,” at the penguin enclosure). In San Francisco, he got permission for all of his works, paying store owners upwards of $50 to paint the walls outside.

The city is known for its public art as well, and there may not be a public artist more astute than Banksy. Ironically, his prominence is still one that’s coupled with his anonymity, raising interesting questions about the idea of art in the world today.