World Venture Travel

Skiing is an exciting sport and a great source of winter recreation. Countless Americans will head to the slopes each winter and many will even make trips overseas to Europe or Asia to try out the world class skiing available on some of the most famous mountains in the world. Many forget that there is a much closer option for foreign skiing: the Canadian Rockies.

Technically part of the same gigantic mountain range, the Canadian Rockies are different from those in the US. In fact, many people compare the area in Alberta to the European Alps. The snowfall is abundant with many peaks remaining snow capped year round. Most of the best resorts are located within easy distance of major cities, which makes it easy to fly in from the US and hit the slopes in a number of hours. This has led to the recent rise in popularity of canada ski vacations .

Three Canadian provinces are especially renowned for their ski resorts: Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta. There are even a few slopes located within Canadian National Parks. Snowboarding , heli skiing, and other extreme sports are also widely available in Canada, making it a great destination for anyone interested in winter recreation.

The countless sights of New York City can be overwhelming to those planning their first trip to the city. As much as they will want to see everything, it simply isn’t possible to see more than a handful of attractions during the average visit to the city. It’s important that people carefully choose which landmarks and sites are at the top of their wish list.

The iconic sights of New York are included on the New York Pass , for those who want to avoid the lines and pay a discount price. The Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Empire State Building are some of the most popular attractions.

Other must sees for most people who visit the Big Apple include the Chrysler Building, the site of the World Trade Center, the United Nations, Wall Street and Central Park. It wouldn’t be a trip to New York without a visit to Times Square and the nearly Broadway theater district. For others it’s better to spend time window shopping on Fifth Avenue or visiting one of the city’s historic neighborhoods. There are dozens of museums, art galleries, theaters, and performing arts to keep people entertained as well as clubs, bars, and some of the best restaurants in the world.

Imagining a trip to the Grand Canyon is a great way to spend a cold, winters day. Planning a summer vacation can become a family activity, as everyone weighs in on their preferences for viewing this wonder of the world. As often as the Grand Canyon appears in popular culture, it’s usually depicted as the destination of a road trip or a helicopter tour, but those are only two of the options available to visitors.

The Grand Canyon has become big business, which means there are plenty of hotel and tour options available to choose from. Whether visitors arrive by plane, car, train, or RV, they can contact companies like Papillon tours to learn about the various options available for exploring the Canyon once they arrive.

Helicopter and airplane tours are ideal for those who want to literally fly by the Canyon from nearby towns like Flagstaff and Williams or as part of a Vegas vacation. There are also hiking and mule tours that can be sized to fit a single family or a large group. These take visitors down into the Canyon, exploring the natural beauty of the ecosystem. Adventurous travelers may choose a river tour, rafting down the Colorado and looking up at the Canyon. There are even packages available that combine several options and give visitors multiple views of the Canyon.

Most grade school children are familiar with Pocohantas, a Native American daughter of Powhatan, chief of the Algonquian Indians in Virginia. She was born in the last years of the 16th century and actually named Matoaka, although most know her as Pocahontas , which means “Little Wanton,” a description given to a playful small girl. She’s famous for meeting John Smith, when the English landed at Jamestown in May of 1607.

Smith wrote that he was greeted warmly by the Chief and offered a feast, but was grabbed and held captive over two large stones, where members of the tribe were ready to beat him with clubs on the order of the chief. However, Pocahontas came in, placed his head in her arms and “laid her owne upon his to save him from death.”

Truthfully, though, this was most likely part of an execution and salvation ritual, which was completed by Pocahontas telling Smith they were now friends and that the chief adopted the man as his own son. Still, Smith’s account of it was the start of one of the great historical stories — and one of the first stories that young women might hear about Native American girls.

In another tradition in October, children today might pay homage to Pocohantas by dressing up in an Indian girl costume for school pageants or for Halloween.

While Pocohantas is perhaps the best known of Native American women, but there are others, too, such as Sacajawea, famous for guiding Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition throughout the Western United States in 1806. More recently, there is Maria Tallchief , born in 1925, who became a well known ballerina with the New York City Ballet, retiring in 1965, and then founded the Chicago City Ballet.

It is common point of knowledge that certain times of the year are more popular with florists, jewelry stores and restaurants and it’s also true that most of these rushes relate to certain holidays and romantic themes. However, a holiday or special occasion does not have to be of the romantic nature to deserve a flower arrangement in Washington DC and the florists there are more than aware of this. In fact, while the same holidays that are celebrated and popular in other cities are also common flower delivery Washington DC occasions, there are actually many other events that are just as or even more popular.

Washington is, after all, the nation’s capital, and a celebration there often receives as much posh and panache as is possible. This is due not only to the literal aspects of the celebration but also the enormous symbolic importance of most the events that take place there. And as much as they are beautiful in appearance and aroma, flowers also carry a strong symbolic importance and are an essential aspect of most celebrations. So, if you happen to be in DC and are near any of the great events, look around and see how many beautiful flower arrangements adorn the occasion. In fact, wherever you are, it can be fun to stop and smell the flowers once in a while.

For something extremely fun to do while visiting Burbank, check out downtown every Thursday night in July and August, 2010. There will be eight amazing nights of great music and dancing under the stars. The ‘ Come Out and Dance’ festivities begin at 6pm with free dance lessons given by the Dance Family Studio, Francisco and Stacey. Then at 7pm, a two-hour concert begins where everyone hits the dance floor on the AMC Walkway located at Palm Avenue and San Fernando Blvd. The best in swing is featured for the month of July, and in August, things will heat up with salsa, plus it’s all free!

Come Out and Dance is put on by the Downtown Burbank Partnership , and a majority of hotels Burbank are located in the downtown area, so you’ll be able to walk to this fun and exciting event, only you’ll end up dancing your way back to your hotel room.

July 8th is Barbara Morrison and the Bu Crew’ international jazz and blues vocalist, Barbara Morrison has one of the most distinctive sounds in the music world. July 15th, is the Legends of Swing, as one of the premier big bands of the US, Grammy nominated Gary Tole and the Legends of Swing bring sensational hits to life. You’ll be dancing from the very start to this 14-piece powerhouse of sound. July 22nd, is the Wiseguys Big Band Machine, from swing to swank, this 18-piece Wiseguys Big Band Machine features a screaming horn line, talented vocalist, a roaring rhythm section, and an exciting soloists. July 29th, features High Street, a 10-piece, high energy band performing swing, jazz, disco and R & B in an explosion of sound.

August 5th, heats with Orquesta Charangoa, and their repertoire includes salsa, mambo, cha-cha, cumbia, meringue and montunos. August 12th, features Ronnie Gutierrez, a talented percussionist who has toured the world and has performed on the Tonight Show. August 19th, is Yari More’ Y Su Orquesta, the legendary ‘Queen’ of salsa Celia Cruz has picked Yari to be her official West Coast band. Finally, to wrap of the summer festivities on August 26th, is the Pete Escovedo Orchestra, one of the best upbeat Latin jazz that keeps you up out of your seat and on the dance floor the whole night through.

If you like dancing to fun and lively music, you don’t want to miss this free summer dancing concert series.

The Central Park Conservancy offers the best walking tours through the better parts of this vast park in New York City. There are 3 walking tours offered by the Conservancy; the Conservancy Walking Tour; the Custom Van or Walking Tour; and the Amble Through the Ramble. Each one is unique and offers something different, and all will stimulate, excite and expand your appreciation for nature.

The Conservancy Walking Tour go through the gardens near Belvedere Castle , strolls by the Harlem Meer and informs about the park’s 19th century history, ecology and design. Saturday Mornings Tours, starting at 11am and Wednesday Lunchtime Tours, starting at Noon, April through October, will be led by a Garden Staff who will highlight the unique plantings of the 70 year old Conservatory Garden. Summer tours beginning on June 16th, will feature blooming perennial and annual borders, which there are over 250 varieties, as well as ornamental trees and shrubs.

The Conservancy’s Custom Van Tours is led by Sara Ceda Miller, the best-selling author of ‘Central Park – An American Masterpiece’. So, no matter which hotle in New York you are staying at, this one-of-a-kind, private tour is a ‘must-do’. Together, you and Miller will design your very own 1 to 1 1/2 hour van tours that will fit up to 7 people. Donations of $500 or $750 (respectively), are accepted and both options include a complimentary signed copy of Miller’s book. For the Custom Walking Tour, which is perfect for any special occasion, is led by experienced, volunteer guides who have special knowledge about Central Park. These custom walking tours accept donation of $100 for up to six people groups, and this tour is guaranteed to delight and astound even to most conservative in the bunch.

Amble Through the Ramble tour lasts only from October through March each year, if you missed it this year, make sure to come back next year, because this tour will walk you passed streams, through the woods, under arches, and along a maze of pathways in a secluded 38-acre woodland respite. This exquisite walking tour starts at the Belvedere Castle, and can last all day, it all depends upon you because you might just get lost in this centuries old woodland as you guide yourself.

Art Basel Miami Beach is an annual contemporary art exhibition, which will take place this year on December 2nd through the 5th, 2010. Art Basel is the most important art show in the United States and is the sister event to the most prestigious Art Basel in Switzerland. Recently, the Miami Beach Art Basel shows has eclipsed its sister in both size and popularity, mainly because it has combined its international selection of top-notch galleries with special exhibitions that crossover with exciting programs featuring films, music, design and architecture. The event takes place in the beautiful Art Deco District and it’s within walking distance of the Miami Beach hotels .

Ever since 2002, Art Basel Miami Beach has been held in more than 250 art galleries featuring exclusive selections of artworks by over 2,000 renowned, cutting-edge and new artists from Europe, Latin America, North America, Africa and Asia. Plus, many of the galleries will feature public art projects, performance art and video art allowing art lovers to discover contemporary developments in new art, which is vital for any art community for its continuance and survival. There will be special programs for art collectors, curators and first-time buyers that will help and guarantee to make this event a very special encounter.

The public exhibits are held along the beach and in the various parks of South Beach. Private events are held at the Miami Beach Convention Center along with adjoining fairs and associated events. Most art studios in the area will host public events in relation to Art Basel that will showcase local Miami artists and their work; many local galleries have started special events before and after the official Art Basel dates taking full advantage of the increase in patrons and media. The Miami Art Museum and the Downtown area with associations of the Bicentennial Park and Bayfront Park, as well as the Gusman Theater will also participate, making Art Basel Miami Beach only increase in size and in importance with not only with the local art community, but with the international art community as well.

I came back to San Antonio for the purpose of seeing how well their project to restore the urban ecosystem was going. The city implemented this restoration back in 2003, when a science report came out revealing a dramatic new national study showing how urban areas have a severe tree deficit, which is costing tax payers billions of dollars each year in water and air benefits. I was there, back in 2003, during the news conference that revealed the new study. The findings showed that the city of San Antonio has 27% tree canopy, 64% impervious or bare urban land, 7% open space, and 1% water.

The study mentions the improvement of the ‘Green’ infrastructure is the way San Antonio needs to go. The Green Infrastructure includes the complex interaction of vegetation with soil, air and the water system. Improving upon the existing land cover will serve as the new Green Infrastructure, which provides many benefits for the environment and for the community of San Antonio, including slowing storm water runoff, improving the quality of water, protecting soil erosion, improving the quality of the air, and creating excellent storage system of atmospheric carbons.

Today, looking out from the balcony of my hotel room , I can see vast improvements throughout the city that will protect the welfare, safety and health of the people of San Antonio. As I drove around the urban areas, I too noticed a better quality of canopy (trees) that are aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly, like the mesquite tree that produces a nice canopy and needs less water to maintain its health.

It was nice to see how San Antonio heeded the new study instead of creating more concrete culverts that will whisk away the water, the city is now using the ‘Green Infrastructure’ to save millions of tax dollars . By increasing the canopy coverage, this will remove 2.5 million pounds more of air pollutants, saving the city an estimated $6 million yearly and gain more Federal dollars. The amount of stormwater runoff will be reduced by 103 million cubic feet with more trees planted, saving $200 million in having to build new stormwater facilities.

I’ll be heading back to my city, Phoenix, and report that San Antonio’s plan to improve their urban ecosystem has worked and has actually saved the city money while promoting a healthy environment for its people.

Palmdale, California has been frequently overshadowed by the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, when it is being considered in the larger context. However, the city is one of the unique areas of this larger region and more people are giving it specific and greater interest in its own right. There are interesting and dynamic cultural attractions found in Palmdale and that are associated with it. And there are some geographic aspects, such as the Palmdale Lake, that are beautiful and provide excellent sources of outdoor recreation opportunities. New residents are being drawn there in increasing numbers and tourists are choosing to visit it on a regular and growing basis. The luxurious and charming hotels are full of guests who eager to explore the beauty and sights of Palmdale.

The cultural scene of Palmdale and the surrounding area is a vibrant and thriving mix of performance genres. There are numerous entertainment options and live performance venues. The Desert Opera Theatre is one of the local institutions that provides quality entertainment and is also one of the primary cultural establishments throughout the Antelope Valley. It has been operating for over three decades and continues to bring classic opera productions and great some of the more recent and diverse hits to the community.

The company performs at the Palmdale Playhouse, as one of the great entertainment and cultural options provided by this quality establishment. The next production scheduled to be performed is the widely successful and popular Les Miserables by Claude-Michel Schonberg. The musical is based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo and has been moving as well as dazzling audiences since it was first performed as a staged production in Paris in 1980. The show was originally produced as a concept album, and was then put on Stage in a Paris Arena. It was popular from the beginning and a production was soon staged in London’s West End. When the show made its move to New York it became an popular and critical success and won eight Tony Awards after having been nominated for twelve. The production at Desert Opera Theatre is scheduled to open June 16 and will run through the 27.