Archive for the ‘Destinations’ Category

Experience Vietnam’s Cu Chi Tunnels

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. A destination known for its famous war with the Americans throughout the 1960′s until 1975. Learn all about what life was like in the jungle with an interesting visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located 70 km from downtown.

Gorilla warfare took place all over the countryside and a visit to the tunnels explains just how the Vietnamese managed to defeat the Americans by hiding in a 200km system of underground mazes. Left over from the 1940′s when the Vietnamese were fighting the French, the Cu Chi Tunnels grew extensively during the Vietnam War in the 1960′s. It became an elaborate tunnel system set up right under the noses of the US army.

The land was bombarded with napalm and agent orange in an attempt to wipe out the tunnels. Soldiers knew that they were there, but it was almost impossible to find. The jungle was wiped out and became a waste land, but you would never know it today. Trees and plants have grown back showing just how resilient this earth is.

Some guides are actual former soldiers that acted as translators for the Americans. They are filled with a wealth of information and if you really listen and forget that you are on a kitschy tour exploiting the horrors of war, you can learn a great deal about the tactics used by a people filled with strong will to defeat a more powerful enemy.

The Viet Cong used the jungle to their advantage. They could run through with ease, knowing their way around their own land and had several cave entrances at the ready to disappear into. They were hidden well with termite hills placed atop, or with leaves scattered above. Guide dogs could not follow their scent because they would sprinkle cayenne pepper around the entrance confusing the dogs and making them turn in the opposite direction. They could safely disappear into the 200 km system and if followed, the American soldiers couldn’t fit inside anyway. The entrances were tiny and made for a slight frame, for a large U.S. soldier, fitting in would be almost impossible without blasting it.

They knew their tunnels well, unlike the American soldier. They would enter the tunnel avoiding the booby traps placed to kill or maim the enemy. Several different types of crude traps were laid in wait for the poor soldier that had to follow them in or the soldier that was sent to investigate upon a discovery.

Not only did the Americans have to deal with booby traps, heat and fear of not knowing what was around any corner in the jungle. They had the added burden of foot rot. Their heavy army boots didn’t allow for room to breathe and being in water and humidity took its toll on their feet making it impossible to walk. The Vietnamese avoided this by wearing sandals made of tire rubber allowing their feet to breathe. These sandals are on display at the tunnels and you can even buy a pair as a souvenir.

It is impossible to imagine how people managed to live in these tunnels for several years. The passageways were very tight at less than a meter high and they were dark and filled with disease. They had to deal with insects and venomous snakes and the fear of being found out. However, the Vietnamese managed to carve out a way of life however building kitchens, living areas and first aid stations.

Your tour will take you through different sections of the tunnels and rooms are staged for you to see what life was like. But you will experience it in a far more pleasant way by walking through tunnels that have been widened for a comfortable visit. Luckily, a portion of the tunnels has been left in tact and if you choose to do so, you can crawl through an original tunnel.

First you will have to enter through a small hole in the ground. This is enough to make many tourists chicken out. Some people won’t even be able to fit inside and will not even have the option to go. But if you can manage to squeeze through, be sure to do so. You will have the one true experience of the day, feeling what it actually must have been like for a soldier to crawl through this claustrophobic space.

Not only will you learn about what life was like in the tunnels, you will also learn a few tactics that the Viet Cong used to surprise American soldiers. They could track them by following plants that would point in the direction of any person who brushed up against them. Strangely, if you touched this plant, the leaves would curl giving way your location. You will also eat what the Vietnamese ate during the war and learn how they managed to elude the U.S. military for so long. It is a fascinating tour.

Now that you have learned all that there is to know about the Cu Chi Tunnels, you will be given the opportunity to feel what it was like. Believe it or not, you are given the chance to fire and AK 47. Or can choose your automatic weapon of choice. and for the cost of $1 a round you can feel the power of these destructive weapons by firing them at the shooting range completing your Vietnam war tour.

The Cu Chi tunnels are a fascinating piece of history that must not be missed if you are visiting southern Vietnam. They have survived 60 years and for most of that time relentless bombing and destruction. To learn about life here during the war is worth the day trip from Ho Chi Minh City.

Travel Tips: Choosing The Right Hotel in Paris.

paris

Paris

When choosing hotels in Paris it can be a bit difficult because as you can see there are many hotels to choose from. Paris has a widest selection of hotels; most are within walking distance of historical sites. In Paris more than 500 nice hotels for you to choose from and the best way to find a hotel in Paris you must first decide what you really want. If you are unsure, contact your local travel agency and pick up some brochures. However, if you can have a chance to go on the internet you might find easy to see great hotel deals. This way you can see pictures of many hotels in Paris. Note that some data may not be updated. If you want to spend the extra money, you can choose to search for luxury hotels in Paris.

What are some hotels?

Jolly Hotel Lotti

Jolly Hotel Lotti

One great hotel is called the Jolly Hotel Lotti in Paris. Hotel Lotti is placed in an ideal location: right amidst the biggest names in fashion and jewelry. The hotel is found in between the Vendome and Tuileries Gardens. Other nearby attractions includes the Louvre Museum and the Opera House.

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Best Western Etoile Saint Honore Hotel

Another good hotel is called The Best Western Etoile Saint Honore Hotel is located in one of the most exclusive districts of Paris. Conveniently near the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees, the hotel offers guests the convenience of being able to walk to numerous attractions. The hotel is located about 20 kilometers from Orly Airport and Charles de Gaulle Airport.

MeuriceHotelParis

Meurice Hotel Paris

Another Great and Luxurious hotel is Meurice Hotel Paris that offers contemporary accommodation, elegant ambience and convenient facilities to make your stay a memorable one. This hotel is situated in the heart of Paris and is just a short stroll from the famous landmarks that includes the Place Vendome, Louvre, Opera, Place de la Concorde and the Palais Royal. Guests are offered 121 rooms that are elegantly decorated and come with an oasis of calm and space providing the utmost in luxury.

Paris has a wide selection of Best Western Hotels. The hotels for the most part are in walking distance of Champ Elysees. In addition, in about three minutes you could make it to Louve palasis des congres. The Louve Museum is also in walking distance from some of Paris’s Best Western hotels.You can try to Find the Cheap Hotel Rates by visiting Chotelrates.com and compare hotels in a click for you to find best hotel deals that i am sure you’ll enjoy!

Getting Around Paris?

Remember that Paris is a taxi and a bus tour, so if you do not want to drive or walk can let the service do it for you. This way, you will not lose in the battle trivets crowds around Paris. Paris is a great city.

How to choose the areas to see the site?

Paris offers a wide range of areas to view the site. Throughout Paris, there are a great selection of shopping malls. Shopping centers are able to meet your family needs or personal taste. Paris has also thirteen railways, which are underground. Paris has three main airports, a selection of galleries and antique shops. Paris has a beautiful environment that most hotels are standing visit. If you choose to have travel guide, you have an advantage because the guide will take you to the most well liked areas. Many of Paris’s grand stores and diners are open all day long.

Choosing romantic areas to visit?

For a romantic evening in the city, you may want to check the cruise Paris businesses offer to their tourists. On the cruise, you can enjoy gourmet dining, recreation, sightseeing and much more. Paris has a wide choice of restaurants on board and off board to select from a list. For example, you May want to enjoy feasting at the fabulous Dechezeux. The restaurant has a touch of French cuisine. Ultimately, you can walk the main streets of Paris to find fabulous restaurants to your tastes. Remember to check your options in the local travel agents or online.

Paris is a very expensive, so if you plan to travel to Paris, France, it is advisable to check the package deals online. Often you will find coupons, package deals, discount packages and more…

Brisbane Hotels – A Luxurious Way to Have a Vacation

If you’re planning for a great vacation and want to have the most exciting and superb fun with great attraction and views to obtain then I can suggest a great destination that can really help you out to have not only a relaxing vacation but with great fun and unforgettable experience.

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and the third largest city in Australia that has a great way to be the perfect destination for foreign travelers. The City of Brisbane has a lot to offer located on the banks of the Brisbane River near the Pacific Ocean, the city is a well-liked tourist destination because of great and pleasant weather that I am sure you’ll love. Hotels in Brisbane also have the most excellent service that you may require to enjoy every single seconds of your stay and make it perfect as should be. Like every hotel accommodations, Brisbane Hotels has also the most luxurious and most elegant hotels available for you to have the most luxurious vacation with your family or even for your honeymoon!

Brisbane is the perfect spot for you to have the most extravagant vacation so take this chance! You can visit Brisbaneinformation.com.au for your Brisbane Accommodation & Hotels needs and I am sure they can help you to have the most luxurious hotel to stay in with great service to offer!

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London Luxury Hotels – Your Dreams Might Come True

London is a city that is a mixed bag of culture and old world traditional atmosphere along with some of the most modern features of the world, being among the most fashionable destinations on the planet; whether it is for a personal family vacation or for a business trip. Thus London has to cater to one of the largest number of tourists to the city on a regular basis. Because of the variety of people who visit the city there are dozens of Luxury London hotels. These hotels maintain global standards and are indeed among the best in the hotel business around the world, catering to some of the richest and most sophisticated customers.

The city is large and there are innumerable luxury hotels in the city to choose from. Your choices can be based on the themes and design of the hotels as well. The diversity of these luxury hotels are enough to cater to all tastes as there are tourists in the city on a regular basis who travel from all parts of the world. Therefore there are those hotels that are maybe Victorian or traditionally themed an embodiment of the old traditional world of London while on the other hand there are those hotels that are designed with the modern tourist in mind with the best of modern architecture and design and furnishings.

The luxury hotels in London themselves fall into various different categories according to the kind of amenities and surroundings that you would require on your trip. You could book yourself into one of the biggest names in hotel chains, out of these you can expect the world class standard that each is famous for and can thus expect the best of luxury.

There are also the other hotels that are single and unique to the city yet maintain similar standards of luxury for your pleasure. There are for instance the popular boutique hotels; these hotels are the ones that are themed on a particular design and theme of services. These hotels are unique and are individually owned and run. Yet the services that they provide are steeped in luxury. Then there are those luxury hotels that are meant especially for the business traveler. Even though these hotels are exact in providing the heights of luxury they are convenient for the corporate visitor to the city because of the special amenities that these hotels provide.

The kinds of service that these luxury hotels provide are at the heights of luxury and sophistication, some of the most elite of people around the world avail of these hotels and thus these are always well staffed and provide the best of amenities. The hotels make sure that no matter what the theme of the hotel might be all the modern provisions are taken care of and the traveler might not be wanting of any kind of amenity or service. Therefore if the theme of the hotel is old Victorian and you have large winding staircases and silk drapes all over the hotel it does not mean that you will not be able to avail of a telephone from your room or use a swimming pool or gymnasium.

You will notice while conducting your research on the Luxury London hotels that not only are these steeped in luxuries and provide you with all the amenities that you may ever desire out of a hotel. But you will see that all these hotels are located in some of the best locations in the city. They are located in the most accessible places of the city and close to the busiest and most active parts of the city making it easier to travel for all tourists living in the hotel.

Searching for a luxury hotel for you to stay in the city with your family or without has become much easier with the advent of the internet. On the internet you can search for the kind of hotel you want and go through all the pictures of the place and services they provide and accordingly make a choice for your stay.

While you search for the luxury hotel you want to stay in you must also book yourself in to one on the internet itself. Booking on the internet makes your expenses for the room a lot less as they offer discounts on booking at an early date or for mass booking etc. While conducting your research also read through the reviews of the hotels.

The History Of Chicago’s Pump Room Restaurant

One of the few restaurants in the country to be immortalized in a Sinatra song, the Pump Room in Chicago is now a hot spot once again. The Pump Room was one of the first quality restaurants to open in Chicago after the end of Prohibition, and soon became a Windy City icon. In addition to Sinatra (who sang the praises of the place in the classic song Chicago), the place was a favorite hangout of a lot of famous people including Marilyn Monroe, Sammy Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Ronald Reagan, Bette Davis and numerous others. The Pump Room, named after a spa in Bath, England, remained open long after the giants that once graced its premises had left. Unfortunately, time took its toll on the legendary establishment, and its culinary fare was soon surpassed by the fine dining scene exploding in Chicago and characterized by uber-chef Charlie Trotter.

The Pump Room opened in 1938 under the ownership and management of Ernie Blyfield. He took the name from an 18th century London pub favored by celebrities and nobility, including Queen Anne. The original pub got its name from the hot drinks pumped into the cocktails of its stylish clientele.

The Chicago Pump Room was an immediate hit, and for a time its Booth #1 may have been the most sought after table at any dining establishment in the country. In addition to Sinatra, who frequently held court with Jilly Rizzo and a number of other associates in Booth 1, it was occupied at various times by Clark Gable, John Barrymore, Gertrude Lawrence, Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Liza Minnelli may have been the youngest Booth 1 regular, taken there many times during her childhood by her mother Judy Garland.

Blyfield died in 1950, but the Pump Room continued to be the preferred Chicago destination for the biggest names in show biz. A new era of celebrities held court there including opera singer Beverly Sills, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, film producer Robert Evans, Eddie Murphy and others. A funny story involving the Pump Room began when the former drummer for a British progressive rock band was refused entry due to his lack of a jacket. The drummer would use this as inspiration for his next album–’No Jacket Required’ which has sold over 14 million copies worldwide and established Phil Collins as a solo superstar. After the album’s release, the Pump Room sent Collins an apology–and an appropriate jacket for him to wear on his next trip to town.

The Pump Room was purchased by a large restaurant management group in the late 1990′s. They spent a lot of money to renovate the facility, overhaul the menu and hire a top flight chef. While the Pump Room’s golden era trade mark flaming food served on a sword was a tragedy of city fire codes, the menu is now on par with any in the city serving a sophisticated interpretation of classic American cuisine. In addition to the revamped cuisine, the Pump Room upgraded its wine offering and expanded the bar area.

The Pump Rooms stature has been maintained by current executive chef Nick Sutton. The star of the place, however, is still the almost palpable sense of history that the dining room offers. Considering that the giants of civilized culture”from Bogey all the way to the Chairman himself”have held court in that room, it is a pretty intoxicating aura. Fortunately, the Pump Room is once again worthy of such legends, and its renaissance is a victory for culinary civility in a world too often overwhelmed with Olive Gardens and Red Lobsters.

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