Contact Tracking » Travel

Corregidor in Manila

William — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:10:00 +0000

Travelers with an interest in military history cannot overlook Corregidor, a small rock of an island in the Philippines, which may be found at the entrance of Manila Bay, less than 30 miles from Manila hotels . The island is the largest of five islands (La Monja, Caballo, El Fraille, and Carabao), between the shores of Bataan and Cavite. It’s only about four miles long with an area of a little over 1,700 acres, and contains an island fortress that stands today as a memorial for those Filipino and American fighters who held their ground in World War II against invading Japanese soldiers.

During the war, the Japanese invaded the Phillipnes in 1941, and Corregidor became not only the headquarters of the Allied Forces, but also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government. When Bataan fell in 1942, Philippine and American forces held onto Corregidor for another 27 days, but the Japanese forces were overwhelming. Nearly three years later, though, General MacArthur and the Allied forces returned and recaptured Corregidor.

Also known as Fort Mills, Corregidor is referred to as “the Rock,” and geologists think it was once a part of an immense volcano that erupted on one side, gradually eroding, leaving the tadpole-shaped mound that’s visible today. Touring the fort, visitors will witness the large guns of Corregidor and ruined buildings and tunnels, all remnants and reminders of the last world war.

Corregidor in Manila is a post from: Contact Tracking

Museums and Concerts in Las Vegas

William — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:10:00 +0000

While there are some common associations to the city of Las Vegas, such as casinos, great shows and quick marriages, there is actually a great deal more to the city than what these genres represent or what most people who visit it realize. There are numerous museums in the city and some of them are entertainment oriented like the Liberace Foundation and Museum and the Elvis A Rama Museum. Others are based on art genres or culture and science in orientation such as the Las Vegas Natural History Museum . They are all popular with tourists and offer a variety of interesting exhibits and displays.

Most of the Las Vegas hotels will have staff that is experienced in recommending attractions that are particular to personal preferences and interests. They get a general idea of a person’s interests and suddenly the city opens up in possibilities. In addition to great museums there are numerous live music venues. Concerts and smaller club performances are extremely popular in the city and it is possible to see some top professionals, such as Elton John and Bon Jovi , among many others, and also some of the local musicians who are just beginning their careers, though they might become next year’s top performer. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities and great dining experiences, that go beyond the fabulous buffets, are possible in this desert city.

Museums and Concerts in Las Vegas is a post from: Contact Tracking

The Intiman in Seattle

William — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:10:00 +0000

It’s tough to be in the theatre business these days, and it’s even tougher to remain a theatre city, but Seattle continues to uphold the tradition. It’s been a rough season lately, for many years, actually, and it doesn’t look like it will get easier. Small companies are going by the wayside all the time, but places like The Intiman continue to roll.

They do it with great style, too, and enough to suggest that it’s not going to go away anytime soon. In fact, there are signs that this rough patch is over, or perhaps that the older theaters have learned to adjust. The offerings here have always been for small audiences, where the name is the Swedish for “intimate.” From the beginning, its mission to speak powerful truths in a language that only this art form can muster, has been an artistic rudder.

It’s served the city, along with the theatre community at large, as the recent production of ” Ruined ” is showing. The story of Congolese women could only be told in a small space, where the power of the tale can touch every audience member.

It is work like this that draws visitors to book a Seattle hotel and see what’s happening. There are smaller spaces, surely, and also larger theaters, and all of this adds up to an art form that’s very much alive.

The Intiman in Seattle is a post from: Contact Tracking

A Hidden Treasure in Seattle

Thunder Speedway and Indoor Inflatable Fun in Killeen

William — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 03:10:00 +0000

Killeen, Texas supports a large population of tourists and a number of them are there to visit relatives who are associated with the military base Fort Hood. Regardless of why anyone is visiting this Texan city, there is plenty see and do while you are in town. And many of the popular attractions are regularly frequented by residents as well as guests to the city. From Wazoo’s Indoor Inflatable Center to the Texas Thunder Speedway, there is always something to do and its even possible to find some great barbecue in while you’re out enjoying yourself. The hotels Killeen are great resources for discovering some of the city’s hidden gems and also for pointing hungry patrons to the best local steak and or barbecue restaurants.

Wazoo’s Indoor Inflatable Center is one of the most popular family activity and recreational centers in the city. In addition to being a standard weekend place to spend an afternoon, it is the perfect environment for birthday parties and other celebrations. There is 11,000 square feet of space devoted to inflated fun and most of the attractions inspire the imagination as well as a great sense of adventure. This is a great place for tourists who are traveling with families to enjoy some quality recreational time together.

The Thunder Speedway is one of the favorite places for Fort Hood personal to spend their time off. Six classes of races are housed here and there are other events that take place on race days. Race car enthusiasts of all ages and levels of experience appreciate the offerings at this track and some of them are very serious race elements while others are focused on fun and entertainment. Street Stocks, Texas Twisters and Dwarf Cars are a few of the race categories while some of the special events that take place are more focused on children’s activities and interests. The Kids Rides and Demolition Derby is aimed toward young children and is a great way to bring the whole family into the picture. In addition, the track hosts parties and other celebrations, which makes it ideal for a variety of occasions.

Thunder Speedway and Indoor Inflatable Fun in Killeen is a post from: Contact Tracking

Queen’s in Brooklyn

William — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:10:00 +0000

In Brooklyn, Queen Italian Restaurant is the best authentic Italian cuisine the American public deserves to know about. This 45-year old establishment is located at 84 Court Street, and is noted as one of Zagat’s 1000 best Italian restaurants across the nation. Queen is the ‘Real Taste of Italy’, beginning with the warm and welcoming staff, to the genuinely freshest products and produce, their excellent cooking with Italian ingredients and a real Italian atmosphere.

Queen’s smooth, barely salty mozzarella is made in-house every day, it has a silky smoothness and is very impressive; sometimes the mozzarella is with roasted garlic asparagus or with tasty peppers, olives and soppressata. Their meaty mountain of thyme-seasoned osso buco only needs a fork, and the filet mignon gets its herbal kick from its rosemary-infused sauce, the provolone ravioli with leeks served with a delicious brown sauce is phenomenal, and the veal and eggplant dish is classic. A nice end to a delicious authentic Italian meal, is to order the crunchy Tuscan almond cookies and dipped into Vin Santo or indulge in a cool dish of house-made gelato; hopefully the plum is in season.

All the luxury hotels Brooklyn offers are not far from Queens, and if money is an issue, Queens serves a pre-fix meal for only $26 before 6:30pm. Even though for most New Yorkers, eating a meal before 6:30pm is unheard of, most of Queens main coursed begin at $25, so the ‘pre-fix’ is a great deal, and if you’re a visitor, you’re probably used to having dinner before 6pm.

The bread basket, which is served at every table is legendary; sesame seed bread, long thin breadsticks, anise breadsticks, sundried tomato bread and even some crackers; all the breads represents many regions of Italy. Their Chianti by the glass is light and delightful. Queens decor may seem odd to some, as it walks the line between ‘old school’ and gaudy nouveu, but it’s still considered upscale and yet has managed to stay true to its roots as a simple Italian restaurant.

Queen’s in Brooklyn is a post from: Contact Tracking

Summer Fun in Cincinnati

William — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:10:00 +0000

There’s nothing like the midwest in the summer months. In any of the places where there’s snow on the ground from November-February (and sometimes far beyond), summer comes as a breath of relief. It really is a relief, as anyone who’s ever been able to witness the season’s turning here. The first sign of nice weather tempts people to put away the winter clothes, but it’s always a fickle time. By mid May, people can be pretty sure the change has come, and by June, things are moved to a whole new level.

For anyone planning a trip that includes a luxury hotel, Cincinnati is a magnificent place any time of the year, but it is the summer that brings out the best in people. Cool nights and warm days are pretty typical, and there are lots of parks that make it easy to enjoy the great outdoors without driving too far. But there are a few days here and there where the temperatures and the humidity start to gang up on the city. The swelter can indeed come as a surprise, but that’s nothing that a visit to a water park won’t cure.

The Beach Waterpark is the ideal place for someone looking for the feeling of sand between the toes. There are also some great water slides, and plenty of blue water to remind people about why summer is so much fun to begin with. King’s Island is something of a holy grail for the kids, where it’s a fantastic water park, and a great amusement park all in one. Moving from the roller coaster to the lazy river will make anyone feel young again. However, the really young ones will probably go back to the roller coaster, and the rest of the guests will opt for more floating weightlessly.

Being a city with a strong civic sense, there are also plenty of public pools, and, in any pinch, the backyard hose sometimes offers more excitement than anything on earth to a kid.

Summer Fun in Cincinnati is a post from: Contact Tracking

New York Pubs

William — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:10:00 +0000

I always think of the men and women of Wall Street coming to a stop when the bell rings and heading out of the building straight into a New York pub to hash out the days events. What a conversation that would be these days. Is is a day for the Slaughtered Lamb Pub Sometimes a day on Wall Street just might make one feel like a slaughtered lamb and there is a pub that knows how to accommodate that. This pub is really cool. They have a great folk lore with their concept making it all a bit spooky. They are open every day from noon until at least 1 am during the week and 4 am on the weekends. When you walk in you enter the Werewolf’s Lair with the fire in the lounge and a game room in the Dungeon. They have some great beers from England, Scotland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico and the US as well as many other countries. They have some great English Pub style dishes and others on the menu.

Maybe what would really hit the spot is some live entertainment. Joe’s Pub has a good reason to get out of that new york city hotel room and see some intimate live entertainment. They have dinner and cocktails being served for during all the shows and the shows feature some of the best talent in the music industry. Joe’s also features some up and coming artists. Some of the popular artists that got started at Joe’s include Jill Sobule, The Proclaimers, Alabama, and the more recent Sara Bareilles. They don’t just do pop and rock they also feature music and artists from all genre of musical styles. Some nights you may get a big dose of comedy, burlesque or cabaret. One just never knows who might be performing and who might be in the audience. It is a great pub.

New York Pubs is a post from: Contact Tracking

Unique Museums in Phoenix

William — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 03:10:00 +0000

As with all major cities there are plenty of big modern art and natural history museums to brows through and Phoenix is no different. They have a wonderful display happening at the Arizona Science Center. There is a great southwestern art displayed with the many other cultures at the Phoenix Art Museum. There are however, some interesting smaller or more specialized museums that are special to the Phoenix and Arizona Southwest area.

They may not have the Met in Phoenix but they do have a famous museum call The Heard Museum . This is one of the southwest’s finest collection of American Indian art. They have a large collection of Indian dolls, pottery and jewelry that come from different tribes. Each tribe has their own style. There are also paintings and sculptures from famous Native American artists. Allan Houser is on display currently. He is a Chiricahua Apache artists and his collection has become one of Phoenix’s most prestigious displays. This museum is also near some really nice restaurants for a good lunch.

One of the early industries in Arizona was the mining industry. Now visitors can learn about the life of mining in the state at the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum . This museum gives a great history lesson on the different mines in the state, the owners and the lives of the miners as well as what types of minerals can be found in the different areas. With a range of sea level to 12,000 feet in one state, with some volcano activity, there are bound to be many kinds of minerals across the state. It has been considered one of the finest collections of the mineral industry in the country. It is near downtown, not far from your five star hotel. Phoenix has many other museums to check out so enjoy your trip.

Unique Museums in Phoenix is a post from: Contact Tracking

M Cafe in Los Angels

William — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 03:10:00 +0000

M Cafe , located at 7119 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles is a restaurant to be put on your ‘must try’ list. M Cafe serves up contemporary Macrobiotic cuisine, meaning no refined sugars, dairy, eggs, red meat or poultry. The restaurant is the place that made macrobiotic fashionable, mostly because almost anything made with vegetables bought at a decent farmers market will taste great, but also because the chef will allow kale to taste like kale, but will make the tempeh-based club sandwiches taste like one of the great sandwiches you’d eat at the Daily Grill. M Cafe’ was created in the Chaya tradition of preparing innovative cuisine with attention to great taste. M Cafe’s goal is to encourage a wider population to experience the healthy world of contemporary macrobiotic cuisine.

M is owned by the same people who own Chaya Brasserie and Chaya Venice. Even though all the food prepared and served at M Cafe is strictly based on macrobiotic principles such as the vegetable sushi is made with organic, artisan heirloom brown rice, the pesto is pungent, the tomatoes are ripe and the house baked bread is crisp, even the most hard to please or excite will find their taste-buds stimulated.

The menu features balanced, nutritious, creative cooking that is enjoyed daily by everyone, not just vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions. The chefs prepare each item fresh daily, using only the finest ingredients, served in an inviting European style cafe setting. M serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. No matter if you’re a local or a visitor and staying at a Los Angeles cheap hotel , luxury hotel, or resort, M Cafe’ makes everyone feel at home, eating amongst friends and neighbors. You’ll especially enjoy the simple pleasures of the MMMMMMMM Patisserie, featuring delicious muffins, cookies, scones, pastries and desserts created with organic, seasonal whole foods. Besides the Melrose location, they have opened up 2 more M Cafe’s, one in Beverly Hills and the other in Culver City.

M Cafe in Los Angels is a post from: Contact Tracking

International Chamber Music Courses and Festivals in Positano

William — Tue, 18 May 2010 03:10:00 +0000

Twelve years ago, in 1998, a Chinese-American pianist named Eileen Huang began the International Chamber Music Courses and Festivals (ICMC) in Positano, one of the most famous seaside resort towns in Italy.

In a setting of amazing beaches, serene gardens and homes, and centuries-old architecture, the festival continues the town’s link with music. An assortment of musicians have lived and composed here, including Wilhelm Kempff, who lived and taught the piano in Positano, from 1954 until he died in 1991, a total of 37 years.

Richard Wagner also lived near the Positano, over in Ravello, where he wrote an opera. In the surrounding area, there was also Enrico Caruso, the legendary tenor, born in Napoli and who spent his days in Sorrento.

The ICMC holds daily courses in the Positano high school (the Scuola Media), and teaches its students not only vocals, but a variety of instruments, such as violin, viola, piano, cello, and wind instruments. There are daily master classes, ensembles classes and lessons taught individually by musicians who are internationally renowned. Maestro Aldo Ciccolini , for instance, has taught a master class to ICMC students. A number of disciplines are conducted here, not simply music.

In the morning, for example, you’ll find students engaged in Tai Chi Quan, a traditional form of Chinese exercise, which is conducted on the seashore. Participants will also have lunch at various restaurants in town, allowing them to share in the experience of the cuisine of Southern Italy. In the evening, public performances will be given by solo and chamber groups.

A performance by the ICMC is only one of several engaging activities for a traveler who has booked one of the hotels in Positano . For anyone staying in this charming town, there are also available numerous day trips along the Amalfi Coast, or to Vesuvio, Pompei and the Isle of Capri. A few years ago, in 2007, the ICMC broadened its activities to include course work and festivals in Shanghai, China, as well.

International Chamber Music Courses and Festivals in Positano is a post from: Contact Tracking