Melbourne City Guide for Travelers

Melbourne, the capitol of Victoria Australia, is quite diverse in it’s culture and architecture. You can find sites from native tribes, visitors from all over the world, and urban culture like no other. The architecture is splendid, from it’s high rises and contemporary forms to the meek and historic Victorian styles. The city was well planned and laid out, but that is no indication of the type of culture that you will find in Melbourne. The city has a deep cosmopolitan flair with a restless population seeking the most exotic and creative amusement. Traveler’s to Melbourne can expect to experience lavish luxury through boutique hotels, exquisite shopping and natural relaxation from over 100 natural hot springs throughout the Victoria area. While relaxation and luxury is plentiful, the city is robust with nightlife, events and attractions making this destination a Mecca for all types of world explorer’s.

Melbourne is made up of precincts, each having it’s own flavor and style. Dining in Melbourne is no exception. You can find a wide variety of dishes, ranging from exquisite meals prepared by some of the world’s most renowned chef’s to the ethnic selections that you may only find in the heart of a melting pot city. Fashionable Restaurants, Eclectic Bars, Classy Café’s and delectable Bistro’s line the streets permeating smells of delicious cuisine.

Melbourne offers a plethora of fine public and private art galleries, showcasing a variety of art including contemporary, colonial, historical and local pieces. Two of the museums that would rank at the top of any art lover’s list includes the Heide Museum of Modern Art and The National Gallery of Victoria which houses both the Ian Potter Centre and the NGV International. The Heide Museum was the birthplace of Australian Modernism and houses some of the best native art forms in all of Australia. The National Gallery of Victoria at Federation Square boasts over 20,000 pieces from Australian artisans’ at the Ian Potter Centre which has more Australian artwork displays than anywhere else in the world. NGV International has four levels of awe-inspiring collections from Europe, Asia and America. Both of the houses belonging to the National Gallery of Victoria displays art from the colonial period to modern day. Admission to the National Gallery of Art is free for the permanent collection while exhibitions may have a small fee.

While the memories you are making at the Luxury or Boutique hotel may have the content needed to produce a well written theatrical production, Melbourne has dozens of musicals spread throughout the city. You can find mainstream shows that are staged world wide as well as local talent. The Regent and Princess Theatres are good choices for more popular and professional theatrics while the Malthouse is the place to go for high-quality local productions.

Melbourne is not only considered one of the most livable cities, but it has also been consistently ranked as Australia’s cultural capitol. The Luxury and Boutique Hotels, Spa’s and Mineral Springs offers a personal escape of indulgence. The Victorian parks and gardens, Victorian and Contemporary Architecture and the diverse multi-cultural society offers the avid traveler all the ingredients of a vacation hot spot. No matter what type of getaway you desire, Melbourne Australia is sure to exceed your expectations.

Miami City Guide for Travelers

Miami is a world of it’s own. Once you go, there is no need to leave. The weather is warm all year, the beaches are beautiful and Miami has all the excitement and diversity any traveler could possibly handle. From the luxury and boutique hotels to the beaches, day spa’s, shopping, museums and Everglades, activities are plentiful. Dive in to the nightlife, mouth watering cuisine and landscape that will leave you with memories, photographs and experiences that will last a life time.

There isn’t just one beach to choose from, there are several. Listing them all with each amenity could get lengthy so here you will find some of the most popular and exquisite beaches that Miami has to offer. While Haulover Park Beach may not provide the eye catching beauty that Miami is known for, it is the only nude beach in town. If you are looking to peel away the clothes and go for a unity with nature, then Haulover Park is just for you. The North Shore Open Space Park is perfect for beach goers and nature lovers. This beach has beautiful stretches of sand, picnic areas, restrooms with showers and lifeguards. You will find sea-grapes, dunes and nature trails. This beach is often overlooked, so you may even avoid the dense crowds that taunt other Miami Beaches. South Beach is anything but quiet. This beach has something to suit anyone’s needs. Anything goes at this fun-filled, trendy hot spot including the 12th Street area which is suitable for men and their male companions, the surfers and thrill seekers around First and Fifth Street and topless women peppered all in between. South Beach accommodates families too which you will see walking around in the midst of the pleasurable indulgences. This Beach offers luxury needs such as chair and umbrella rentals and speak easy clubs with VIP rooms. In the South Beach area, you will also find The Art Deco District on Ocean Drive which is filled with Restaurants, shopping and kitsch. The Crandon Park Beach has little entertainment but with it’s soft white sand, perfect for beach towels and it’s tall luscious palm trees dotting the beach with just enough shade, it makes for the perfect family or quiet sunny spot. This beach offers lifeguards, concessions, picnic areas, tables and grills. No matter what beach you choose, the sun and the sand will certainly brighten your day.

South Florida is a Mecca for all comfortable things. The boutique hotels, luxury resorts, day spa’s, concierge services and even cosmetic surgery. Beauty and fitness services are packed into this diverse city making it difficult to choose which one will best fit your pampering needs. If you are looking for a Med Spa, try out Gloria Hincapie Spa where you will find Reducing and Therapeutic Massages, Moon Baths, Dierriere Lift-Ups, Lymphatic Drainage, Breast Lifting, Double Chin Treatment, Cellulitis Lifting, Reafimant Treatment, facial Cleaning and Waxing. Iluma Laser & Aesthetic Institute offers Botox, Fillers, Cellulite Treatments, Facial Services, Laser Hair removal, Laser Skin Treatments, Photo Rejuvenation, Mesotherapy, Endermologie and Tattoo removal. Other full service salons (and we mean full service) include the Spa at the Mandarin Oriental for massages and skin wraps, New Life Clinic at Nirvana Spa for Tanning Beds, Body Treatments, yoga, café and water bar and a Hyperbaric Oxygen chamber, and last Uhma Spa & Shop which boasts massages, facials, healing baths, wraps, body polishes, manicures, pedicures and trade. For a unique experience go to Aqua Spa, where you will find all of the above services but they are all offered outside and even roof top.

So you have explored your luxury hotel and all that comes with the lavish lifestyle of Miami, now all is left is a little shopping. Coconut Grove boasts chic trends and has something to offer every age group. Visit the Onda Love, ANA G, The Fashionista Consignment Boutique, IOS, Maya Hatcha, Breda’s Boutique, Isabel Riera Haute Couture, Butter, The Shoe Store, The Book Store in the Grove, Celestial Treasures, Sparkle Plenty, Pet Gallery and Hippo. Each of these are designer, one-of-a-kind high fashion boutiques and shops that can only be found in the fashion-forward city of Miami. This is not ordinary shopping at mundane chain stores found anywhere in the Country, rather rare finds perfect for anyone looking for that unique bargain.

While this city is young, happening, diverse and party friendly, museums are still plentiful. Visit one of the art museums where ancient and modern art come together, see the botanical gardens which will heighten all of your senses, or go to an animal exhibit where swimming with the dolphins offers an adventurous outing. There are more than 30 museums to choose from where the culture, diversity and history of Miami shines through.

No matter what venue you are looking for, what demographics you fit in and what age group best represents you and your guest, Miami has it all. And after all this excitement, your luxury hotel will be the end all of a fabulous day where you can lather on the Aloe-Vera and soak in a much needed tub filled with the most luxurious condiments. Try something new, please your taste buds with some ethnic foods, try exploring the famous everglades or enjoy an outside massage and go home a completely new and relaxed person, thanks to the boutique hotels and shops that will accommodate your every need.

Madrid City Guide for Travelers

Madrid, lined with museums, art galleries, tourist attractions, luxury and boutique hotels, shopping and some of the finest restaurants‘, is a very unique and diverse travel destination. Looking for luxury? Well, look no further. Stay at one of the many luxury hotels and visit your choice of more than forty museums. If you are looking for the same class and quality of a luxury Madrid Hotel, but want a smaller venue, try one of the smaller 15-20 room Boutique Hotels located in the heart of the city. Here you may want to relax, get a massage, and stroll through the many different shopping zones to find some unique bargains.

The Prado, a world renowned art gallery, is located in the heart of Madrid in an 18th century building designed by Juan de Villanueva. Here you will find collections from Velazquez, Botticelli, Bosch, Rembrandt and other highly acclaimed artists.

Leave your Luxury Hotel and visit Luxury at it’s finest. The Royal Palace will place you in awe, with the splendid architecture, magnificent gardens and Fresco’s by some of the most well known artists. Here you will find the work of Tiepolo, Goya, Rubens, El Greco and Juan de Flandes to name a few.

Going from your boutique hotel to the shopping the boutiques can be easy when you visit the Fuencarral Market. Spend the day and see the fashion forward clothing and shoe shops, home décor market places and jewelry stores. The music that plays in the centre sets the tone. In addition to shopping, you will find culture activities, movies until midnight and another art gallery. This truly is a must do and an entire day out of your itinerary.

If you are looking for some excitement, you may want to consider getting ticket to a Madrid classic, the Bull Fight (March-October), located at the Plaza de Toros Monumental de las Ventas. This event takes place on Sunday evenings at 7pm. While most tickets go to season ticket holders, you will be able to find yours a couple of days prior to the event at Las Ventas.

While fast food restaurants are available in Madrid, you may not feel comfortable leaving your plush luxury hotel and eating a cheeseburger. No worries, there are many fine restaurants in the city to choose from. Want to do more than just eat? Visit the renowned and uniquely decorated club, Torres Bermejas, and watch the famous Flamenco show while eating some of Spain’s finest foods. Compliment your dinner with some wine, cava or sangria. This night will be a night to remember.

From the Luxury and Boutique hotels of Madrid to the interesting culture, history and art galleries, your trip will be fun-filled and exciting. There is shopping, food, nightlife, entertainment, interesting architecture, splendid parks and royalty. Relax, see, learn and enjoy all that Madrid has to offer.

Bangkok Trave, City Guide, Vacations

Bangkok is arguably one of the most robust cities in all of Asia, and is certainly diverse. This city of style has sparking malls just outside of the historic homes more than 200 years old. There is a plethora of malls, boutiques, shops, attractions and museums, making this city a top destination for people of all nations.

The city is broken down into fifty precincts. This city has expanded over the recent years to connect what was once a spotty mix of small cities to a connected and metropolitan mecca. This expansion has led to the development of some of the finest modern architecture and the plushest of all luxury and boutique hotels being erected around the city. You can stay waterside, in the city next to a green and environmentally friendly park or in the historic district. Either way, your stay in Bangkok is sure to be one of the most beautiful vacations you have ever taken.

While most city guides will talk about museums, history and architecture, here in Bangkok, there is so much diversity that we have chosen to show you the unique pleasures this robust city has to offer. The Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall is a royal building like no other. King Chulalongkorn, who was the first Thai Monarch to visit Europe, commissioned the Throne Hall which has in interesting East meets West approach. With it’s western interior and Thai exterior, this is a must see attraction.

The Ancient Cloth Museum is an interesting find and fit’s well in a city that is well known for it’s shopping district and boutique hotels. This museum isn’t like the same mundane museums found in other towns. Here, you can browse around a well-annotated collection of royal cloth and other fine fashion collections of historic precedence. Another fascinating museum like none that you will find elsewhere is the Bangkok Doll Factory & Museum. The antique dolls in national costumes and the onsite factory-made dolls will carry you through Thai tradition. This unique museum will compliment the personalities of the boutique and luxury hotel lovers. The last museum to make the list is the Bangkokian Museum. This museum has three main wooden houses which portrays Bangkok’s history to perfection. The first house was constructed in 1937 as a home for the Surawadee family and the quarters situated to the right as added as a boarding house to cover rising costs. The last of the three buildings was built in 1929 as a surgery hall for a British doctor. This is a definite must see and will give you a vast understanding of a modern city’s history in one fell swoop.

The Baiyoke Ii Tower is one of the most architecturally attractive tower’s and certainly the tallest, making Bangkok rise with a beautiful sky-scape. This 88-story building flaunts some of the most innovative advertising in the city. The attraction here is the 77th floor observation deck where the views are impressive. It is suggested that you try the rooftop bars rather than the ones on the observation deck.

The democracy monument holds a special place for Bangkok’s political history. It was built to commemorate the nation’s transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in 1932. Today, the monument serves as a rallying ground for pro-democracy groups. It is also the site of the 1992 tragic demonstrations that turned bloody at the hands of the military. A beautiful monument with some dramatic historical events makes this a must see. You will appreciate the luxury hotels that Bangkok has today after learning about the culture of the past.

The Benjakiti Park as the latest addition to the green-scape that the Thai culture is completely embracing in the 21st century. This beautiful 130-rai park encompasses a large lake where a former Tobacco Monopoly stood. This natural beauty is behind the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre and celebrated the queen’s sixth cycle or 72nd birthday.

This city is diverse, offering any traveler a completely unique experience. Bangkok has risen to a city that is compared to Washington, DC., Beijing China and even New York with it’s diverse culture, modern architecture, and exciting nightlife. The parks, museums, restaurants, monuments, history and shops will leave you in awe. Come experience a truly fascinating vacation where luxury meets humbleness, modernity meets history and tradition meets innovation.

Seville City Guide for Travelers

A unique and captivating experience awaits you in Seville, Spain where you can enjoy all the perks of a large city and still enjoy the fresh air of wide open country. The city itself largely caters to business travelers and tourists and has done a great job of instituting a pedestrian plan, making most attractions easily reachable by foot. Walk along and pick delicious oranges from the legendary trees or enjoy a day soaking up the sun on one of Seville’s nearby sandy beaches. Since the climate is subtropical and offers more than 300 days of annual sunshine, your itinerary shouldn’t be difficult to plan when considering the beach, particularly the Costa del Sol.

The River, Guadalquivir, offers the ambience needed for a romantic and quiet stroll as well as a beautiful scenic boat tour to the other side where you can find churches, monuments and stunning neighborhoods that will enhance your sight seeing excursion. This would be the perfect ending to a quiet evening before returning to your luxury or boutique hotel room where sweet indulgences await you.

Seville offers a plethora of attractions. Some of the most popular include the Parque Maria Luisa, a vast parkland in the heart of Seville, the Plaza de Espana, a semicircular plaza that formed the center piece at the 1929 Seville Exposition, The Seville Cathedral, The Giralda Tower, The Alcazar Fortress Palace and other historic monuments.

Other areas of interest would be region of La Macarena, where you will find an interesting mix of Baroque and Mudejar churches, traditional tapas and shopping throughout the streets. Santa Cruz will offer the most photo opportunities with its picturesque buildings, skyline and natural beauty. If you are looking for grand buildings and history, El Arenal will satisfy both. Located on the western side of the city, El Arenal comes complete with history as the previous port of Seville, a large bullring, and a majestic 13th century tower to protect the port.

For dinner, it is a must that you try a local favorite. While your boutique or luxury hotel may have some of the finest international cuisine, it is important that you indulge yourself into the fare of Seville. Some suggestions include La Isla, La Cococha, Pleamar, Al Mutamidand and Bodegon Torro del Oro. If you find that the local cuisine is not satisfying your hunger, you can still find all the usual food chains throughout Seville, but why not live like the locals while in Seville.

After your long day of sightseeing, taking pictures, and tours, turn up the heat with a bit of Seville nightlife. Sit at the bar and relax to some local music, drink a fine glass of wine or a cold beer. Some of the hottest bars and clubs in Seville include Madigan’s, La Habanilla, Galeria Torneo, La Ilustre Victima, Abades, Merchant Café and Café de la Prensa. The end of the day will surely be perfect as you head back to your boutique or luxury hotel for a quiet bath in your well-appointed room, if you have the energy.

With so much to do, it may be difficult to fit in the usual museum browsing that is available on any holiday, but Seville offers some truly unique museums. While Columbus discovered the America’s, you can discover American history at the Archivo de Indias. Here you will find a phenomenal collection of 40,000 documents chronicling the first expeditions to the New World through the discovery in the 15th century. You will also find some autographed manuscripts from some of the most significant figures of the period. For a taste of archaeology, visit Museo Arqueologico, where you will find a three tiered facility with an impressive collection of works ranging from prehistoric to the Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula. Indulge in candy for the eyes at the Museo de Arte Contemoraneo. Here you will find an exquisite collection of Spanish art from the late 70’s to present. See works from Broto, Peinado, Curro Gonzalez, Pedro J. Romero and Ray Smith. Other museums of interest includes Museo de Bellas Artes, which houses ceramic, gold and silver artifacts as well as other art mediums, Museo de la Marcarena where you will find subliminal statutes of Mary and other crowns, antiques and candelmas and Museo de la Necropolis, where you will find collections of Roman artifacts from the first century AD.

Many other areas of interest and attractions are available throughout Seville. Depending on the length of your stay, you may want to research some of these legendary and historic sites. You will certainly want to leave room for some of the thoroughly pleasurable amenities that your boutique or luxury hotel room has to offer. Otherwise, Seville will keep you busy for as many days as your holiday is long - and you still will not have had the opportunity to take it all in.

Prague City Guide for Travelers

Just walking through Prague could keep you in awe and fill your itinerary with the unique but grand buildings, castle like architecture, monuments and statutes throughout the city. What lies inside of these gorgeous structures and the history thereof will absolutely jam-pack your schedule and offer you little time to enjoy that luxury hotel room….unless of course you schedule carefully and extend that vacation.

For a great start to seeing grand things visit Prague Castle. This is by far the most popular sight in Prague. This ancient castle is the largest in the world, measuring 570 m long, 128 m wide and has an area of 7.28 hectares. While the castle was originally constructed in the 9th century by Prince Boojvoj, the rulers that have lived there over the years created their own areas, adding and sometimes taking away from the styles within the castle. This makes for an eclectic mixture of styles as you tour this splendid one of a kind attraction. While it has kept the classical facelift it last took on during the 18th century during the reign of Maria Theresa, styles from other time periods are evident. Other notable sights at the Prague Castle include the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Picture Gallery of Prague Castle, The Imperial Stables, The Spanish Hall, The Rudolf Gallery, St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, The Mihulka Powder Tower, The Convent of St. George, The Basilica of St. George, The Royal Gardens, The Ball Game House, The Summer Palace, The Riding School, Golden Lane, White Tower, Daliborka Tower, Lobkowicz Palace, The Toy Museum, Schwarzenberg Palace, Archbishop Palace, Sternberg Palace, The Loreta, Capuchin Monastery, and finally Strahoy Monastery.

After seeing all of that, and a good night’s rest in your luxury or boutique hotel room, you may want to see Prague’s Lesser Town. This town was sounded in 1257 and sits on the slopes below the Prague Castle. This, unlike other Prague areas, has been most preserved to the days of the old. Some landmarks and other areas of interest here would include Nerudova Street, Lesser Town Square, St. Nicholas Church, Wallenstein Palace, the Church of St. Thomas, Vrtba Garden, Church of Our Lady Victorious, Maltese Square, Kampa Island, Charles Bridge, Vojan Park and Petoin Hill.

Even if your not Jewish, the Prague Jewish Quarter is certainly a place to visit as it holds rich culture and history from the World War II era and beyond. The types of attractions that this area has to offer include the Old Jewish Cemetery, The Jewish Town Hall, The Church of the Holy Ghost, St. Agnes’s Convent and The Rudolfinum. Synagogue’s such as Pinkas, Klausen, The Old-New, High, Maisel and Spanish are all situated in this area.

Old Town was on the map in 1091, and is the oldest of the towns in Prague though it wasn’t established until the 13th century. After New Town was founded in the 14th century, this area gained it’s practical name of Old Town. Here, you will find a plethora of attractions. It is unlikely that you will be able to see them all, so a careful planning may be in order. The good news? That you have a plush luxury hotel room where you can sit and decipher exactly what you want on your agenda. Your choices include the Powder Gate, The Municipal House, Celetna Steet, the Church of St. James, Estates Theatre, The Carolinum, Old Town Square, Church of our Lady before Tyn, Kinsky Palace, Jan hus Monument, Church of St. Nicholas, Old Town Hall, House at the Two Golden Bears, Church if St. Gall, Church if St. Martin in the Wall, Church if St. Giles, Bethlehem Chapel, Clam-Gallas Palace, Marianske Square, Charles Street, The Palace of the Lords of Kunstat, Clementinum and the Knights of the Cross Square.

Prague’s New Town was carefully planned out and founded by Charles IV in 1348. While it is twice the size of Old Town, it was mainly settled by tradesmen and craftsmen. This is the most modern area of Prague and doesn’t compliment the old world architecture and ambience of the rest of the city. There are some must see attractions in this area however. The list includes Welceslas Square, Church of Our Lady of the Snows, Franciscan Garden, National Museum, The State Opera, The Church of St. Ignatius, Jesuit College, Charles Square, Church of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, The Faust House, Slavonic Monastery, Church of St. Stephen, Church of St. Ursula and The National Theatre.

This is simply a partial list of all that Prague has to offer. Go for a lazy sight seeing ride via a boat down the Devil’s Stream or relax in your luxury or boutique hotel room. Venture out and see the various landmarks and monuments or soak up the grandeur of the area’s castles and mansions. Get in some history by visiting one of the many museums or visit one of the towns for some local culture. It doesn’t matter what suits your fancy, Prague surely has something to offer anyone, and a lot for the well rounded traveler.