World Venture Travel

Sand Dune Sights in Marrakech

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:10:00 +0000

Thinking about spending time in Marrakech, Morocco reminds us of the many movies that have been made with the sand dune land scape. There is always someone chasing someone else through the red, orange and amber hews of the endless hills of sand. The subjects are all dressed in robe-like attire with head dresses and flowing scarves blowing in the wind and they ride their camel to safety.

Today, in real life, visiting the sand dunes is a completely different experience. The tours from hotels in Marrakech will pick you up and sweep you out onto the red sand in off road vehicles like jeeps and quads. If you go with a company that specializes in touring the area such as Dunes and Desert you will have the chance to see the desert area in many different ways.

They offer off road as well as other adventures like trekking and water rafting. They have hiking trips that last from one day, for the easy level to 3 days, which takes on the more advanced level of hiking. Just when you thought the desert didn’t have any water you will be pleasantly surprised on the water rafting trip down the near by rivers. Check with the marrakech hotels for a more romantic adventure, there are still some great camel tours that, for most, would be a trip of a life time.

Sand Dune Sights in Marrakech is a post from: World Venture Travel

Dallas At Night

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:10:00 +0000

There are plenty of areas in Dallas to find the night life scene that is best for you and your friends. Deep Ellum area is all about the artists and the musicians with its bohemian flair. Never a dull moment in any of the establishments in that warehouse district, even in the day time.

Greenville Avenue is were you want to go if you like bars and pubs. Find a seat inside The Ginger Man Pub who prides itself on the wonderful selection of foreign and domestic beer as well as some great wines. It is an easy going environment to hang out it and they celebrate the beer festivals from all over the world.

If you like great Irish pubs then ditch the best dallas hotels for a night at Trinity Hall Irish Pub. This is were your going to see live Irish bands play while sipping on your favorite beer.

Great bar and restaurant hopping happens at one of the newest developments in Dallas called Mockingbird Station. This destination fun spot has lots of retail stores, restaurants, bars and movie theatres. A great place to do some shopping, have some dinner, catch a movie and then turn up the heat in a night club.

Dallas At Night is a post from: World Venture Travel

Russell-Ides Writing Dallas

National Museum of the Phillipines in Manila

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:10:00 +0000

If you’ve just arrived in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, and want to orient yourself to the cultural and natural offerings of this country, then a first day trip to the National Museum of the Philippines may be an excellent way to start.

Established nearly 110 years ago, in 1901, the museum’s own history parallels the course of the turbulent 20th Century — beginning as the Insular Museum of Ethnology, Natural History and Commerce, and renamed the Philippine Museum in 1904. At various times, the museum was renamed and, at times, abolished altogether, especially during the Japanese occupation during World War II. In 1945, though, after the liberation of the Philippines, the museum was re-established.

Today, the museum’s main purpose is to aid in the creation of cultural consciousness, instilling pride among the Filipino citizenry with exhibits and events that promote culture, education, and the sciences. It’s divided into two buildings — the Old Congress Building (containing arts and natural sciences), and the former Finance Building (housing the sections devoted to anthropology and archaeology). In the section known as the National Museum of the Filipino People, you’ll discover exhibits focusing on the history and culture of the Philippines.

In order to get to the museum, a cab is recommended from the Manila hotels to Valenciana Circle (aka Agrifina Circle) in Rizal Park. It’s an excellent way to achieve an in-depth understanding of the nation. Be sure, though, to arrive at least before 3:30 in the afternoon. The museum closes at about 4 p.m., and to truly appreciate all the museum has to offer, you’ll certainly want to spend more than half an hour.

National Museum of the Phillipines in Manila is a post from: World Venture Travel

The Tower of David In Jerusalem

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:10:00 +0000

While in Jerusalem you will more than likely be visiting the Tower of David. This adventure could take you some time. You may want to head over in the later afternoon because as the night settles in on this impressive historical landmark, special activities light up.

Standing at the entrance of the old city is this historical museum that gives incredible historical information as well as a 360 degree view of the city of Jerusalem. The museum itself is inside the guardrooms of the medieval citadel.

People come into the jerusalem hotels from all over the world to explore this amazing place. They get a chance to see the history of Jerusalem and learn things that they may not have read about. They can plug into the audio tour as they move through the different exhibits and learn more about what they are seeing.

The Tower of David is the center of 4000 years of Jerusalem history as well as more modern life. There are often special activities going on at different times of the year. At night the citadel is light up with brilliant lights as music plays making it a wonderfully romantic experience. An incredible journey not to be missed.

The Tower of David In Jerusalem is a post from: World Venture Travel

Pancakes in Kansas

admin — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 04:10:00 +0000

For anyone who’s ever had to drive across the country, in either direction, the first thing that people notice about Kansas is that it’s long. It’s so long, in fact, that it’s the second, third, and fourth thing that people notice. Sometimes, that’s the only impression. A lot of corn fields, and some small towns. But for anyone who’s ever stopped in Kansas, it’s clear that this is one of the most pleasant places anyone could ever set foot.

There are very good reasons why people from the state have a reputation that precedes them, where courtesy and intelligence come with equal measure. Down to earth is a good description of almost every town, and even the big cities are down to earth in their own way. It makes it a great place to visit, and a great place for hotels. Kansas is a place of very comfortable surprises, and there are times of the year when it’s just delightful.

One of the most interesting community events here, or any place for that matter, happens on Fat Tuesday every year. In the olden days it was called Shrove Tuesday, for the shriving of sins to start off lent with a clean slate. In Liberal, Kansas, they still call it Shrove Tuesday, just as they do in Olney, England. On this day, both cities participate in an international competition, a Pancake Race .

On this day, over 500 years ago in Olney, so the story goes, a woman was making pancakes before church services. She was using all the fats available, since no one could cook with these during the lenten season. When she was almost done, the bells sounded, and she had to run to church to avoid being late. She grabbed the skilled, flipped it once, and carried it with her, pancake firmly in tow, and benefiting from the simmering heat.

This event’s what has inspired the people of Olney to hold the same race every year, and in 1950, Liberal, Kansas was invited to take part. It’s a competition between the cities, judged by video, and the people of both countries see it as a way to produce mutual understanding between nations. It’s also an excuse to have a great party. The times for running the 415 yards are recorded , and lists of all the years are kept. There are also talent shows, concerts, kids races, and lots and lots of pancakes.

Pancakes in Kansas is a post from: World Venture Travel

Summertime Heats Up in Burbank

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 04:10:00 +0000

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.

Summertime Heats Up in Burbank is a post from: World Venture Travel

Museums and Theatre in Augusta

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 04:10:00 +0000

Augusta Georgia is one of those rare historic southern cities that retains a great deal of its original charm and atmosphere. And while it is certainly a contemporary city, and even hosts one of the largest golf tournaments in the United States, it also contains much of its early architecture, which gives the city an historic genteel feel. The hotels Augusta frequently housed some of the old estates and private homes and this contributes to the guests’ feelings of almost being transported to another place and time. And one of the great aspects of visiting Augusta is the fact that you can enjoy much of its historic elements as well as those that are standard aspects of the contemporary society and culture.

Augusta dates from 1736, which makes it the second oldest city in Georgia. It was established just three years after Savannah. The residents are friendly and guests encounter a true sense of southern hospitality when they arrive there. And while there are a number of enticing things for people to do when they visit Augusta there are also some standard favorite attractions. One of the main centers of attraction for tourists is the Riverwalk area . This beautiful part of the city has concerts and various performances throughout the year and there are also great cafes and restaurants.

The Morris Museum of Art is another standard stop for tourists in the city. It has one of the finest collections of 18th century art, stills and portraits in the southeast. It also has an impressive collection of contemporary works. The Imperial Theatre is one of the favorite attractions for many tourists and is a standard place to spend an evening. It presents quality entertaining performances, such as this summer’s hit The Motown Review, and also shows films. Performances here are one of the things tourists leave town still talking about.

Museums and Theatre in Augusta is a post from: World Venture Travel

The Liberace Museum in Las Vegas

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 04:10:00 +0000

A trip to Las Vegas wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a museum about the most famous and glittering pianist in the world. The Liberace Museum was created by no one other than “Mr. Showmanship” himself, Liberace, on April 15th, 1979. While most people know him only as Liberace, his full name was Wladziu Valentino Liberace, and during the 1950s through the 1970s, he was actually the highest paid entertainer in the world. He died in 1987 on February 4th, but his legacy continues in the form of the Liberace Foundation.

Located at 1775 East Tropicana Avenue (at the intersection of Tropicana and Spencer), the museum features Liberace’s jewelry, his rare antiques, an astonishing wardrobe, as well as unique and historic pianos, not to mention a custom car collection. Proceeds from the museum help support the Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts which has funded scholarships to more than 2,700 students since 1976, helping people achieve their creative goals for 34 years. Near the Strip and the hotels Las Vegas offers, the museum consists of two buildings. One contains the piano and car galleries, while the second building displays the costume and jewelry collections, as well as a recreation of Liberace’s Palm Springs bedroom. There’s also an Awards Gallery. Among the pieces collected, there are pieces of rare Moser crystal from Czechoslovakia. The pianist had owned a service for twelve, which included 14 separate glasses for each setting.

Visitors will discover, too, the Cabaret at the Liberace Museum. The Cabaret contains Liberace’s amazing, mirrored nine-foot Baldwin grand piano; it’s also a performance venue for local entertainers for afternoon and evening shows. If guests want souvenirs, they can find them in the Museum store, where there are CDs and video cassettes as well as books on music, and Liberace stationary and jewelry. Liberace’s resting place may be in Forest Lawn in Los Angeles; however, to truly find out about the person, inquisitive fans must come to the Nevada desert.

The Liberace Museum in Las Vegas is a post from: World Venture Travel

Palazzo Vecchio in Florence

admin — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 04:10:00 +0000

Florence is an ancient city whose origins stretch back nearly two thousand years when it was founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC as a settlement camp for his veteran soldiers. Then it was named Florentia (“the flourishing”) and built in the style of an army camp; however, as it was the main route between Rome and the North, it became an important commercial center. While travel to the city centuries ago may have been difficult, today it’s no trouble to arrange for your choice of hotel. Florence , over the centuries, has become a focal point for culture and art. Starting with the Renaissance, the city has been hailed as the home or birthplace of some of the most recognizable names in history, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo , Donatello, Machiavelli, Botticelli, Galileo Galilei, and Florence Nightingale.

One of the most recognizable sites in the city includes the Palazzo Vecchio (in English, that’s the “Old Palace”), and it was built in 1299, 711 years ago, when the residents of Florence wanted a palace that was worthy of the city’s importance, and to provide better security when times were bad.

The architect of the Duomo and the Santa Croce church, Arnolfo di Cambio, began working on it on the ruins of Palazzo dei Fanti and Palazzo dell’Esecutore di Giustizia. Building on these ruins, he incorporated the structure of an ancient tower, which is why the rectangular tower that reaches as high as 308 feet is built off-center. The tower also contains two small prison cells, used in the 15th century, as well as a clock, which was designed originally by Nicolo Bernardo, but was replaced in 1667 with a clock made by Vincenzo Viviani.

While the Palazzo Vecchio is largely a museum today — the Museum of Children — it still represents local government; since 1872, the building has contained the office of the mayor of Florence, and it’s also the seat of the City Council. The museum, made up of two theaters, a multi-media room, and more, provide activities for everyone from toddlers to adolescents, from young adults to octogenarians; age at the museum is not as important as maintaining a curiosity and interest in life and culture.

Once you’ve finished visiting the Old Palace, take a walk through the Piazza della Signoria, where you’ll find a copy of Michelangelo’s David, as well as an entire gallery of statues in the Loggia dei Lanzi .

Palazzo Vecchio in Florence is a post from: World Venture Travel

Making the Most Of What You’ve Got

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 04:10:00 +0000

To say that modern American society is materialistic would be an understatement. From billboards to magazines to television commercials, we are constantly bombarded with messages that what we have isn’t enough and that we need the newest clothes or toys or electronics. Despite the messages being sent our way, and no matter how much we might like to listen, most of us can’t afford to keep up with all of the latest trends. There are, however, ways to enhance what you already have without breaking the bank; especially in the area of home decor.

We all desire that our homes look nice and welcoming should we have expected, or unexpected, guests. However, doing a complete home makeover every couple of years is pretty unfeasible for most us. To give your home a fresh new look, one of the simplest things you can do is paint. Overtime the walls get dirty and the color begins to fade, especially in areas that receive a lot of direct sunlight. Whether it is a new color or fresh coat of the old, paint can go a long way to making a room look like new.

Furniture is an expensive investment. Once you spend the money buying quality furniture, it can be hard to replace it. On the plus side, there are many things that you can do to improve older furniture. Wood furniture is easily sanded down and refinished to either match its original finish or something new. Whatever the finish, it is pretty simple to bring wood furniture back to life. Couches and chairs can easily be covered with duvet covers. Duvet covers come in a variety of colors and styles so you can easily give your room a new look without spending the money on new furniture.

Windows are the most often neglected feature of a room. In the past, they were often covered up with heavy drapes; however, these days there are many window treatment options to choose from. To start many people begin with vertical or horizontal blinds from next day blinds . From there you can easily buy, or if you are really crafty make, lightweight curtains or a decorative swag. Not only are they easier to clean but also much easier to switch out for different seasons or occasions. If you want something a little more permanent, Next Day Blinds also has a variety of shades and shutters that can be a positive investment in your home.

By utilizing what you already have not only can stay within your household budget, but you can keep up with the latest styles as well.

Making the Most Of What You’ve Got is a post from: World Venture Travel