BULGARIA – PLOVDIV

There are a lot of beautiful places in Bulgaria, Plovdiv is one of them. Plovdiv is the ancient city built in the early second century A.D by the Roman Emperor Traianus. The ancient theatre is the most astonishing place in this city, which was unearthed in 1968 – 79 in a Plovdiv Archeological Museum work site. Plovdiv is a great place for recreation, sight-seeing, hunting, fishing and so on. Bulgaria not only attracts most of the tourist from foreign countries but also Bulgarians. The ancient theatre is also interesting to people as it can accommodate 5 to 7 thousand people. The most best part of this theatre is that it is still operating. The international carnival which is held on every spring and autumn is another best thing that should be seen.

SWISSOTEL THE STAMFORD-SINGAPORE

Strategically located in the heart of singapore,Swissotel The Stamford is a luxury hotel that boasts a prime location within business,cultural,shopping and entertainment areas.

PROPERTY AMENITIES:

Located on floors 70-72,a multi-venue dining and entertainment complex offers panoramic views and a range of restaurants and lounges,including a modern french restaurant and a two-story bar with an in-house DJ.
The 4,645-square-meter Amrita Spa has two freeform outdoor pools,six tennis courts,a Fitness center with complimentary classes,hot and cold plunge pools and 35Spa rooms offering massage therapy,body treatments,facials and other treatments.

ROOMS:

The 1,262 guestrooms offer high speed internet access,minibars,coffeemakers,in-room safes,bathrobes,slippers and evening turndown service.Step-out balconies provide city or harbor views.


DINING:

Kopi Tiam:This casual restaurant specializes in traditional singaporean cuisine,including laksa and nasigoreng.Open from early morning until late evening.

Jaan:A crystal and silver freeform chandelier covers the entire ceiling of this 70th floor restaurant,which features modern French cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Introbar:Cocktails are individually mixed at guests tables in this modern bar.Open from late morning until late night.

Cityspace:An intimate piano lounge offering a selection of fine wines,spirits and cigars.Open from late afternoon until late night.

POLICIES:

1)Pets not allowed.
2)Check-in time is 2 PM.
3)Check-out time is 1 PM

Whale Watching in South Africa

Whales come to south africa's coast to calve and to mate,with the courtship season following the birthing season.The "whale season" is from June to November,although whales have been spotted outside this period.Holiday makers who have been in the Kruger National Park and are visiting the Western Cape,will be able to see all the 'BIG SIX'.That means besides the big 5 mammals lion,buffalo,rhino,leopard and elephant the whale as well.

Most common in south african waters are the Southern Right Whales.The name originated when these creatures have bee hunted extensively.They have been the 'right' whales for hunting because they have been slow and did not drown after killing.That made it easy for the whale hunters.

Humpback Whales are often seen off the coast between July and December as they move between thier Antartic feeding grounds and thier calving and breeding grounds off the coasts of Mozambique and Angola.

Behaviours:-

1)Blowing:A sound made when expelling air through the blowhole.This is accompanied by a spout of condensed water vapour.

2)Breaching:Leaping out of water in an arching back flip and falling back on thier sides or back with a resounding slap.This is believed to be a way of communication,exercise or possibly to scratch the parasites off that live on whales.They can braech form 3 to 8 times in succession.

3)Lobtailing:The slapping of flukes and tail on the water,causing a loud sound,appears to be a means of communication.

Kanas Lake – Beautiful and Mysterious

Kanas Lake is located near the Altai mountains in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Prefecture, China. The word ‘Kanas’ means “beautiful, rich and mysterious” in Mongolian language. This 200,000 years old lake is the China’s deepest fresh water lake is 1,374 metres above sea level and covers an area of 46,000 kilometres.

The Kanas Lake is opened to the tourists only from June to October every year, due to heavy winter, but the beat time to visit the lake is from July to September. The lake is a dwelling place of mysterious monsters because it the homeland of many unidentified aquatic animals. Only three parts of the lake is opened for tourists. The water of the lake changes color from deep blue to green, grayish black and orange red depending upon different seasons and weathers. Kanas lake has now become a new natural beauty spot that attracts the tourists from all over the world.

Quebec City

Quebec City is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is the most popular city of the province after Montreal. Most of the business here is of administrative and bureaucratic in nature.

Quebec City is well known for its European settlements in North America. The best architecture of the city is seen in the Vieux-Quebec, the Old Town whose upper part is surrounded by fortified stone walls built by British and French militaries. This area has a unique European feel. It was declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historic value.

The city is well-known for its Summer Festival, Winter Carnival and Chateau Frontenac, the oldest hotel that reaches the city skyline. The Quebec Summer Festival and Winter Carnival are the traditional festivals that are held on July and January or February every year. If you are a nature lover, then you must surely visit Montmorency Falls, the highest falls in the province of Quebec.

The Old City especially, Basse-Ville is the best place for tourist shopping, where we can get leather goods and various handmade crafts by Canadian people. All restaurants post menus in French and English in the Old City. Most of the delicatessens and markets offer a large variety of Quebec cheese with superior flavors and textures that are not usually available in North America.

Cape Town,South Africa

The most famous place in South Africa is Cape Town, popularly known as the Mother City. Port Elizabeth in Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city, but it still retains the age old traditions of the country. Hiking on the Table Top mountain is a must do adventure in South Africa. Cape Town is also very for its vineyards. Wines made here are famous all over the world. Trips to vineyards like Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester are very enjoyable and interesting with the wine tasting session. The Kruger National Park is among the largest National Parks in the world. There is Ratanga Junction theme park and world class shopping malls such as the V&A Waterfront, Canal Walk and Cavendish Square. If you happen to visit Cape Town in summer, then the beaches are most ideal for you to relax and enjoy the sun. There are many luxurious hotels available in South Africa.

Travel Tips

Most of us spend a lot time deciding where to go on a holiday, but when it comes to the actual holidaying all of us tend to forget certain things. This could ruin our entire stay. Here are some essential travel tips, which would give you a hassle free holiday and make it a memorable one.

1) Make sure you pack your clothes well in advance and not on the day of leaving. While packing your clothes, make sure you travel light, taking only the required clothes and not your whole closet. The best way to save space in your suitcase will be to roll your clothes. This will keep your clothes wrinkle free and save space too.

2) Decide the clothes you will be wearing on each day of your vacation and arrange them in such a way that the last day’s clothes are in the bottom and the first day’s on the top. In this way you will not need to unpack and pack your clothes again during your vacation

3) Always make sure you take a wheeled carry-on luggage. These are very durable and easy to carry while travelling

4) Check the weather of your destination and take the necessary items like an umbrella or a rain coat or jackets.

5) Try not carrying many cosmetics. Even if you do, make sure you transfer them into smaller bottles, so that they will be easy to carry and save space.

6) Don’t forget to take your cameras. This is what will help you take your holiday memories back home.

7) Take your battery charger, cell phone chargers and extra batteries.

8) Carry a guide book and a map. This will help you anytime anywhere
during your holiday.

9) While travelling avoid eating or drinking too much and don’t forget to carry your digestive pills, just in case any food makes you feel uncomfortable.

10) Before leaving home, confirm with your travel agent or your hotel regarding your accommodation.

Moist Apple Cake

Ingredients for the Apple Cake:
• Eggs - 4
• Sugar - 1 cup
• Milk – 1 cup
• Oil – 1 cup
• Flour – 1 cup
• Baking powder – 1 tbsp
• Carob powder – 1 tbsp
• Raisins – ½ cup
• Apples – 4 nos.
Ingredients for the Chocolate Icing
• Dark Chocolate – 150 grams
• Whipping cream – 2 cups

Method:
Step 1: Shred all the apples and keep aside.
Step 2: Beat egg yolks and sugar. Add the remaining cake ingredients to the egg yolk and mix well.
Step 3: Now finally add the egg whites and stir the apple mix well.
Step 4: Pour the apple mix into a greased pan and bake it for 30 mins in a preheated oven at 180oC.
Step 5: For the icing, cook the whipping cream in a pan at low heat. Stir the chocolate into the cream till you get a smooth mass.
Step 6: Pour the hot chocolate cream over the baked cake and cool it in the fridge for a few hours.
Step 7: Your moist apple cake is now ready to serve.

The Pink City of India

Jaipur is the Pink City of India and is the capital city of Rajasthan, the only desert state of India. The city is named after the astronomer prince, Sawai Jai Singh II, who built this beautiful city. The sandstone buildings reflect pink color during sunset which brings Jaipur the fame of ‘Pink City’. People visiting Jaipur will never forget their first walk to the royal palace.

The city is divided into seven rectangular blocks that are build based on the ancient Hindu architecture – ‘Shilpa Shastra’. The city has numerous historic sites. The most important among them is the ‘City Palace’ which is still used by the royal family if Jaipur. Near to the City Palace is the ‘Hawa Mahal’ built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh which is a 5 storey monument that has 953 windows each with separate balcony.
‘Jantar Mantar’ monument is known for its architectural genius as curves, corners and cosmos all come together in this building. Another attraction of this city is the ’Jal Mahal’ built in the middle of the lake which is best viewed from the roadside. One must visit the city’s beautiful gardens – Sisodia-Rani-Ka-Bagh and Vidyadharji-ka-bagh.

Apart from ornate palaces and impressive fortresses, the city is also famous for shopping. The best shopping spot here is the Bapu Bazaar where you can get antique Rajasthani jewelry and clothes, jutis, carpet, hand block printed items as well as miniature paintings. On the whole Jaipur is a living monument city.

Austria

Austria is a beautiful country specially noted for its rich culture, religion and tradition. Vienna is the capital of Austria and contains most of the important and remarkable buildings of Austria. The theatres and classical music of Austria attracts music and theatre lovers from all over the world. The Hofburg Palace or the Imperial Palace is one of the finest theatres in Germany and State Opera is the place where the annual ball is conducted. Schonbrunn was the summer palace of Hapsburgs. It has one of the finest gardens and the oldest surviving zoological parks. Many composers were associated with Vienna. Beethoven’s various residences and his grave at Zentralfriedhof, which is the largest cemetery is in Vienna. Mozart has a memorial grave at Habsburg. Hence Vienna, Austria is a must visit place to art and music lovers all over the world.

Venice Beach,Southern California

Venice Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Southern California,known for its liberality,muscles and beauty.The beach itself and the sand is nice and not rocky or anything and you can sit and watch the waves and the people and enjoy the surf.Venice Beach is similar to many beaches in that it had a boardwalk and then the beach was on the other side,What makes this beach just a bit different is its style.Venice Beach is set up to encourage activity.Bike paths are built running down the shore for bikers,joggers or anyone on wheels.Other side walks are built closer to the houses so that anyone walking can enjoy the unusual architecture of the houses built here. Venice Beach is also well known for its muscles and working out:with two major gym right on the beach.It's the home of the first Gold's Gym, and also home of the famous Muscle Beach.You can see many tanned men and women working out right before your eyes.On a section of a beach is a slate park that is covered in graffiti.Usually the graffiti in LA detracts from the area,but some how it adds to the natural beauty of the area.The ocean itself is wonderful.Lifeguard stands are everwhere.The coast guard is also patrolling the water and security driving up and down the beach.

Top destinations for Christmas

Christmas holidays have always been very special ones. This is the time of the year, where we tend to relax and enjoy ourselves to the hilt. Given below are the top five destinations for Christmas holidays:

1.Lake Tahoe, Nevada:
This frozen lake is the right place for those adventurous holiday goers, who love skiing. Lake Tahoe freezes during Christmas, thus providing an ideal place for skiers. Though skiing is the major activity in this lake, there are many other activities that one can do in this frozen lake. Cuisines like lobster bisques, chocolate tortes and smoked or grilled salmon, are hot picks of this place.

2.San Diego, California:
For all those beach lovers, this place is the perfect destination to celebrate Christmas. Gray whales migrate every year from Bering Sea to Baja California. You can hire a catamaran from shore to drive on the sea for a few hours or even days. So you could have a wonderful Christmas party at sea with gray whales, turtles, sharks, exotic birds, dolphins and so on.

3.Las Vegas, Nevada:
If you would like to celebrate Christmas in luxury and style, then Las Vegas is the place for you. This is the time where you can get the best hotels for the cheapest prices. The whole city is usually well decorated, with casinos lobbies having aquariums and many other features. The Cirque du Soleil extravaganza is one of the most popular shows here, for which you would have to book in advance. So for all those entertainment lovers, Las Vegas is the best place to celebrate Christmas.

4.Disneyland, Orlando:
Every child loves going to Disneyland and if it’s Christmas, Disneyland is decorated at its best. The whole place looks like a fairyland with special decorations. Almost every palace is light up differently and the 60 feet Christmas tree is one of the major highlights here. If you would like to give your family a magical experience this Christmas, then this is the perfect place for you!!

5.Mexico City, Mexico:
Mexico is the place for all party lovers. During Christmas this place is bright with fun and frolic. Every place has some or the other activity happening. The special Mexican Christmas lunch just cannot be missed. For those in shopping spree, this place offers a lot of antiques, curios, unique collectibles all made by Mexican craftsman.

SIDI BOU SAID

Sidi Bou Said is a small town located in northern coastal line of the country Tunisia. It is 20kms away from the capital city, Tunis. One can find all buildings of this town painted in white with blue doors and windows. This unique combination of blue and white color all over the town attracts tourists from all parts of the world. There is nothing much to do in this town as it has only one long main road which is filled with vendors selling many different unique handicrafts, souvenirs and beautiful antique jewelries. This road leads up to a hill where a café named Café des Nattes from where one can get a beautiful view of the Gulf of Tunis and the marina of Sidi Bou Said. During warm summer evenings traditional Tunisian music concerts are organized up in the cliff which attracts visitors and Tunisians alike. Sidi Bou Said is a place where one can get definitely get peace of mind.