Dundee city guide including dundee hotels

Dundee is in an ideal location to visit Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Perth and the Highlands making it the superb base for numerous types of short breaks and holidays. Dundee is known as the “City of Discovery” and is situated on the banks of the River Tay on the east coast of Scotland.

Dundee is also a shopper's paradise, where major department stores co-exist with specialist shops tucked away in side streets. The aroma from some of the finest bakers in the UK wafts out to tempt you to sample the delicious bridies, speciality pies, tempting butteries and the famous 'Dundee Cake'.

Places of interest:

Within walking distance of Dundee city centre are Captain Scott’s Ship “The Discovery” and Discovery Point visitor attraction, Verdant Works, Sensation Science Centre, and the Dundee Repertory Theatre. Close to Dundee you can visit Glamis Castle, Scone Palace, Angus Folk Museum, J M Barrie’s Birthplace, Arbroath Abbey and many other local sites of historic interest.

Sensation Science Centre is a Science Centre with a difference. It takes the mechanics of the senses as a base from which to explore the world around us, using lots of interactive tools to keep the young and the young at heart happy.

McManus Galleries is a remarkable Gothic building housing one of Scotland's most impressive collections of fine and decorative art.

Verdant Works takes you on a historical tour of the jute trade. The story of jute and the story of Dundee are inseparable. At its peak the industry employed 50,000 people in the city and satisfied much of the worlds demand for jute goods.

Discovery Point is the home of Captain Scott's famous Royal Research Ship Discovery.

Things to do:

Give yourself plenty of time to absorb romantic castles and stunning formal gardens; experience top-quality visitor attractions that inform, inspire and entertain; and indulge in modern, 21st century, cosmopolitan city life, which combines shopping, art, theatre and culture.

Glamis Castle is the family home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and has been a royal residence since 1372. Here you can celebrate the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Arbroath Abbey hosted the most significant event in Scottish history. On 6 April 1320 the Scottish Declaration of Independence was signed by the assembled Scottish nobility in Arbroath Abbey.

Barry Mill is an early 19th-century working mill. Here you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the splash of the water-wheel and the sound and smell of grinding grain.

Angus Folk Museum is one of Scotland's finest folk museums and it is where to find out about life in rural Scotland during the past 200 years.

Scone place breathes history like nowhere else in Scotland. It is the home of the Earls of Mansfield, and a major attraction to visitors from all over the world. Fifteen hundred years ago, it was the capital of the Pictish kingdom and the centre of the ancient Celtic church. It has housed the Stone of Destiny and been immortalised in Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Dundee shopping is where visitors can enjoy state-of-the-art shopping at the glass fronted Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee, or take time to explore unique and individual designs created by gifted and talented crafts people in and around rural Angus.

Food & Drink:

Dundee has a variety of eateries, restaurants and pubs that will suit all tastes and budgets. You can savour the flavour all across Dundee's city centre. The welcome throughout Dundee is warm and when it comes to eating, drinking and enjoying yourself the atmosphere is cosmopolitan.

The Italian on Commercial Street is where the chefs are Italian and their passion for fresh, quality food can be seen and tasted. Many of their ingredients are sourced from Italy; but they use the finest local produce where possible. All of their meat comes directly from a nearby traditional farm and their steaks are nothing but finest Aberdeen Angus. Their fish is all fresh and prefer to use local suppliers wherever possible.

Bon Appйtit provides traditional and modern French cuisine in a classic brasserie atmosphere in Dundee’s Exchange Street. It prides itself in slow food, but fast service! All dishes are prepared on the premises so during your wait you can select a typical French aperitif, a Kir or a glass of champagne. There is a small, but good, cellar with house wine of good quality at a reasonable price at one end of the range as well as some big wines for that real celebration dinner at the top end of the range.

Het Theatercafe is located in the Dundee Repertory Theatre is the perfect place to relax with a drink or enjoy a sumptuous meal

Hotels & Accommodation:

Dundee offers a fully comprehensive range of quality accommodation from traditional family run bed and breakfast, guesthouses and hotels, to four star international hotels and resorts.

Longforgan Coaching Inn

Craigtay Hotel

Panmure Hotel

Swallow Dundee Hotel

Shaftesbury Hotel

DAYS INN DUNDEE

Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa

Dundee East Premier Travel Inn

Dundee North Premier Travel Inn

Entertainment

Dundee has all the entertainment facilities you come to expect from a modern city. Theatre, Comedy and the latest films are all available.

Dundee Repertory Theatre is based at the heart of the city's cultural quarter It is a unique organisation in the UK, providing the most comprehensive arts services in Scotland, offering audiences an all year round mix of theatre, dance, music, comedy and more. It is a major artistic community that is home to Scotland’s only full-time Ensemble Company, the Scottish Dance Theatre – Scotland’s principal modern dance company and the Education & Community Company one of the UK’s largest and most acclaimed Community Arts organisations.

Dundee's Whitehall Theatre puts a huge mix of shows and talent under the spotlight. It is Dundee's original 'Music Hall' and is situated within the centre of Dundee. The Theatre puts on a variety of shows including West End performers, TV stars, local Amateur Groups and shows specifically for children.

Cineworld is a multi-screen cinema located at the Camperdown Leisure Park and shows the latest films.

Dundee and the surrounding area is the ideal place to see the history of Scotland at close quarters. With so many historical sites your lust for information will be satisfied. If shopping is more your way of enjoying your leisure time then Dundee has a modern shopping centre to offer you and quick access to major cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh.

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Discount travel adjust your eating habits

Traveling, as many of us are no doubt aware, is one of the most enjoyable things one can do. It allows us to expand our horizons, to see how people live in other parts of the world, and to experience new things. The problem, of course, is that traveling is one of the more expensive hobbies one can have, and unless you're fairly well off you have to look into discount travel methods in order to travel regularly.

When you're looking for discount travel solutions, one of the great tools at your disposal is to adjust your eating habits. Besides the cost of getting to your destination and accommodation, food is going to be one of the biggest expenses on your trip. If you eat out at restaurants a lot, or dine mostly in your hotel, you'll likely be surprised out how quickly food eats into your travel budget.

So a smart idea in terms of discount travel is to get in the habit of eating local food, and buying fresh food at markets as opposed to constantly dining out. For example, if you're out for a day trip, stop by a supermarket and buy some healthy fresh food that you can eat on the go, so you don't have to stop at a restaurant for lunch. In many countries you'll notice a much bigger discrepancy between the prices of fresh food and the prices of meals in restaurants then exists here in North America, so taking advantage of this can save you a lot of money.

Of course, it's not expected that you spend your entire trip eating fruit and bread while sitting on a bus - part of an enjoyable traveling experience is in dining out. When you do dine out, however, eat in the places where locals eat - you see that it's radically cheaper. Depending where you are, a significant premium will be placed on North American-style food. If you're willing to put aside a desire for the food that reminds you of home, your trip will be much cheaper over the long term.

Besides being advantageous in terms of discount travel, eating at local restaurants will provide you with a broader cultural experience. You'll get to try new things you'd never be able to try at home. Plus, there's a good chance that a foreign country's interpretation of American food will be poor, so you'll probably be getting better food as well when you eat locally.

In general, avoid restaurants in touristy areas, or ones that serve things that are a radical departure from local cuisine. Remember, especially when traveling in a second world country, that the locals have much less money, relatively, then you do, so any place that they choose to dine in you're likely to find extremely affordable.

So put your desire for a burger and fries to rest - there will be plenty of that when you get home - and experience some local culinary delights. By doing this you will not only discover some new things, you'll be saving money that can be spent on more interesting things during your trip.

Luxe city guide london

Famous for its culture and pubs, lovers of highbrow or lowbrow entertainment are right at home in London. It is a site for tourists eyes and a mainstay for whats next in cultural, fashion, and entertainment circles. There are plentiful options available for lodgings, fine dining, activities, events, and sites. Did you know that London is among the leading centers of global finance?

Here are some suggestions on where to stay, where to eat, and where to play on the pavements of London. Whether you are part of the stiff upper lip or the lithe hip circle, Londons calling and all are welcomed here!

Luxury Hotels in London

The Sofitel St. James London is a five star hotel in Piccadilly that features an award winning French restaurant, Brasserie Roux, and is a five minute walk from Trafalgar Square. The St. James Bar and the Rose Lounge are must sees. Edwardian decadence at its finest is found near the West End between Sloane Square and Knightsbridge at the Cadogan London Suites named after famous guests include Oscar Wilde, Edward VII, and Lillie Langtry. Gucci, Tiffany, Harrods and Harvey Nichols are in the neighborhood. Some of the Victorian periods most discreet moments occurred at the Cadogan. The Stein Group hotel is a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World.

Best Restaurants in London

Gastro pubs are the latest eatery wave circulating the town. With ye ole pubs disappearing into the London fog, pubs purveying ole English charm also are serving up epicurean level cuisines. The Duke of Cambridge claims to be the worlds first certified organic gastro pub. The food is seasonal; the wines are organic; and the ales are brewed locally. Restaurants owned by Gordon Ramsey are among Britains finest restaurants. Award winning chef Gordon Ramseys establishments are so popular that table reservations must be made two months in advance. However, there are eight restaurants in the UK owned by Mr. Ramsey.

Mosimanns is an exclusive fine dining experience that transcends the meal itself. Chef and owner Anton Mosimann is an institution among gourmands. The restaurant is a caterer to the Prince of Wales. In addition to the main room, there are six private dining rooms sponsored by prominent corporations, such as Davidoff and Bentley Motors, and decorated thematically.

To Do in London

London has myriad options for filing up a visitors itinerary. Lovers of live music might want to check out Chelseas 606 Club. It is renown for top

notch jazz, blues, and soul acts. There also are times when impromptu performances by musicians in the house turn out a concert worthy of a CD release. Bar Rumba is fantastic music club in central London near Piccadilly Circus. Music featured runs from jazz fusion to funk to R&B to reggae to hip hop. It is a basement bar with a capacity of 450 plus capacity. Its intimate, sweaty, and loud. New music settings are featured nightly. Milk & Honey is a bar open to the public till 11 p. m. It is members only thereafter nightly. Painstaking detail is put into each drink, as fresh fruits and other ingredients and hand squeezed during the day. The bar has rules that promote ultra civility and chic refinement at all times. Ambiance and decorum are the key attractions here. It is the type of place that is either totally loved or hated, as there is no midpoint here.

Attend a show at the world famous Royal Albert Hall. Daytime tours and exhibits are offered as well as evening entertainment that ranges from musical concerts to ballet to theater to film debuts. Located in the upscale Kensignton Gore area, it is a great area for general sightseeing too. The hall received a major makeover in 2000.

Many museums now have day and evening hours with exhibitions, lectures, and special events. The Victoria & Albert Museum has 27,000 works displayed. There are collections centered on architecture, jewelry, artwork of Asia, the Middle East, and Britain just to name a few. The Science Museum in South Kensington is part of the NMSI family of museums. There are four distinct museums.

Notes on London

If shopping at the finest shops is part of your desired London experience, numerous upscale shops, boutiques, and bespoke clothiers can be found on Regent, Piccadilly, Oxford, and Bond streets. The British Airways London Eye is the worlds highest observation wheel. Londons official tourism Web site, Visit London, presents its list of the top 10 London must-see attractions. Visitors can obtain tickets online to tour the British Airways London Eye and the Tower of London.

Stay tuned for more!

Written by the staff writers of Just Luxe

Famous for its culture and pubs, lovers of highbrow or lowbrow entertainment are right at home in London. It is a site for tourists eyes and a mainstay for whats next in cultural, fashion, and entertainment circles. There are plentiful options available for lodgings, fine dining, activities, events, and sites. Did you know that London is among the leading centers of global finance?

Here are some suggestions on where to stay, where to eat, and where to play on the pavements of London. Whether you are part of the stiff upper lip or the lithe hip circle, Londons calling and all are welcomed here!

The Sofitel St. James London is a five star hotel in Piccadilly that features an award winning French restaurant, Brasserie Roux, and is a five minute walk from Trafalgar Square. The St. James Bar and the Rose Lounge are must sees. Edwardian decadence at its finest is found near the West End between Sloane Square and Knightsbridge at the. Suites named after famous guests include Oscar Wilde, Edward VII, and Lillie Langtry. Gucci, Tiffany, Harrods and Harvey Nichols are in the neighborhood. Some of the Victorian periods most discreet moments occurred at the Cadogan. The Stein Group hotel is a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World.

Gastro pubs are the latest eatery wave circulating the town. With ye ole pubs disappearing into the London fog, pubs purveying ole English charm also are serving up epicurean-level cuisines. The Duke of Cambridge claims to be the worlds first certified organic gastro pub. The food is seasonal; the wines are organic; and the ales are brewed locally. Restaurants owned by Gordon Ramsey are among Britain & apos finest restaurants. Award winning chef Gordon Ramseys establishments are so popular that table reservations must be made two months in advance. However, there are eight restaurants in the UK owned by Mr. Ramsey is an exclusive fine dining experience that transcends the meal itself. Chef and owner Anton Mosimann is an institution among gourmands. The restaurant is a caterer to the Prince of Wales. In addition to the main room, there are six private dining rooms sponsored by prominent corporations, such as Davidoff and Bentley Motors, and decorated thematically.

London has myriad options for filing up a visitor's itinerary. Lovers of live music might want to check out Chelsea's. It is renown for top notch jazz, blues, and soul acts. There also are times when impromptu performances by musicians in the house turn out a concert worthy of a CD release. Bar Rumba is a fantastic music club in central London near Piccadilly Circus. Music featured runs from jazz fusion to funk to R&B to reggae to hip hop. It is a basement bar with a capacity of 450 plus capacity. Its intimate, sweaty, and loud. New music settings are featured nightly. Milk & Honey is a bar open to the public till 11 p. m. It is members only thereafter nightly. Painstaking detail is put into each drink, as fresh fruits and other ingredients and hand squeezed during the day. The bar has rules that promote ultra civility and chic refinement at all times. Ambiance and decorum are the key attractions here. It is the type of place that is either totally loved or hated, as there is no midpoint here.

Attend a show at the world famous Royal Albert Hall. Daytime tours and exhibits are offered as well as evening entertainment that ranges from musical concerts to ballet to theater to film debuts. Located in the upscale Kensington Gore area, it is a great area for general sightseeing too. The hall received a major makeover in 2000.

Many museums now have day and evening hours with exhibitions, lectures, and special events. The Victoria & Albert Museum has 27,000 works displayed. There are collections centered on architecture, jewelry, artwork of Asia, the Middle East, and Britain just to name a few. Science Museum in South Kensington is part of the NMSI family of museums. There are four distinct museums.

If shopping at the finest shops is part of your desired London experience, numerous upscale shops, boutiques, and bespoke clothiers can be found on Regent, Piccadilly, Oxford, and Bond streets. The British Airways London Eye is the worlds highest observation wheel. Londons official tourism Web site, Visit London, presents its list of the top 10 London must see attractions. Visitors can obtain tickets online to tour the British Airways London Eye and the Tower of London.

Tourism is back in full swing in cancun mexico

Cancun is back, better than ever! Over a hundred Mexico resorts have reopened and the state tourism minister predicts Cancun will draw as many visitors in 2006 as it did two years ago. And the travel deals are great! If you haven’t been, now may be the best time to take a vacation to Cancun.

Since Hurricane Wilma hit in late October, the clean up has been moving fast. In fact, commercial and charter flights are back on regular schedules and many of the Cancun hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, golf courses and clubs have reopened. Even the ancient Mayan sites of Tulum and Coba are open and looking better than ever. In an effort to repair the beaches, engineers have been working around the clock building the equivalent of two American football fields of beach a day by collecting the displaced sand, from 22 miles off shore, onto two ships and re-depositing it back in it’s original location.

The hotels and shops in Cancun continue to deliver exceptional, very personalized and attentive service. Clearly, Cancun wants everyone to come on back!

Additional Notes about the Restoration

Beach Restoration Project Moving Forward: A $17 million beach restoration project, funded by the Mexican government, is currently underway. The project, which is expected to take about eight months to complete, will restore and augment beaches along the 7 1/2-mile stretch between Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc.

It’s a Divers Paradise: Divers are enjoying less crowds, great conditions and personalized service now that those areas have re-opened.

Expedia. com Helping Get the Word Out: Expedia is working closely with travel industry partners in Cancun to create more awareness about the region as well as setting up smart business practices for local merchants that will keep more money in the local communities.

New jobs: Cancun has added 10,000 new jobs since the Hurricane

Its time to go to Cancun

So, when you make travel plans this year, don’t forget about Mexico’s number one vacation destination. Cancun has received a real facelift with remodeled shopping centers, new hotels and restored beaches. The government, business owners and local people look forward your arrival.

The luxe side los angeles

There is Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and just L. A. Savvy travelers, jetsetters, and movers and shakers know where to stay, where to eat, and where to go for entertainment.

Everything in the L. A. area—give or take—is a 30-minutes-or-less drive. However, due to heavy traffic on most major roadways, more times than not; it is better to give yourself extra time than take it for granted that traffic is running smoothly.

Despite the dense traffic, Los Angeles is among the most glamorous of the mega-desirable hotspots of the world. If the mission is about just staying and playing, it is impossible not to have a great time while doing it here. There are beaches, marinas, cultural events, shopping, dining, and wining aplenty. We are going to take a look at the luxury hotels, the best restaurants, and fun activities in Los Angeles.

Luxury hotels in Los Angeles run the gamut from boutique to vast. The three luxury hotels on this romp through L. A. include the Bel Age Hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills, and the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza.

The Bel Age Hotel is a West Hollywood landmark that is being reborn as the London West Hollywood in 2008.

The hotel, which is now a property of the LXR Luxury Resorts & Hotels, has an East Coast presence as well with the London NYC. Retaining the decorum and ambience that only the Bel Age could radiate, the LWH rings in a new era that is so retro fittingly. Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay and the hotel's supreme concierge service richly complement the hotel's full-service spa and workout facility.

The Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza is closer to the urban side of Los Angeles. It is neither in the legendary Valley nor Tinsel Town. The majority of Southern California's terrain is dotted with suburbs and beaches. However, the city proper is making a most-promising return to the limelight as various ecologically correct luxury residential developments are cropping up. The Omni features outdoor jogging paths, a fitness center, and a full-service spa. The spacious Club-level rooms are where the real luxury starts, but all quarters are refined and stately.

The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills puts guests within walking distance to the fabulous boutiques and specialty stores of Rodeo Drive. The hotel is an embodiment of the Hollywood highlife and its accompanying perks. There are poolside cabanas, a full spa, and numerous enticing amenities for guests. All 285 guestrooms have step-out balconies, and roomier suites are available.

Entertainment venues are many and varied in L. A. There are amusement and entertainment-theme parks, sports events, museums, concerts, theater, and many more family-friendly activities throughout Los Angeles. There also are clubs, lounges, bars, and other sources of adult-friendly entertainment too.

To experience the Hollywood phenomena and be treated like Hollywood's favorite flavor of the month, check out the Tropicana Bar inside the Roosevelt Hotel. This legendary-status A-list getaway for drinks or a night out has been serving the community stalwartly since 1927.

It is a fortress of lush, tropical luxury located in the center of Hollywood near Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Maybe it is just the poolside bar and the mix of old and new decadence bonding seamlessly in this community of cabanas and a poolside-bar.

Many evening adult-entertainment activities such as dance clubs, sports bars, and comedy clubs, listed on L. A.s tourism Web site GreaterLosAngeles. com. There are many options for both daytime and nighttime fun and recreation.

For daytime yachtsmen seeking adventure, merriment or both, Marina del Rey—with its 6,000-slip marina—is a great spot for sailing or docking. Charter a yacht for a weekend from Marina del Rey's Ronin Yacht Charters. Bareboat and full-crews charters are offered. The Marina's social calendar is a whirlwind of yachting and boating events, as well as other events and social affiairs occurring year round.

Rise above it all at the Elevate Lounge. It is a nightclub set atop a 21st-floor penthouse overlooking L. A.'s Financial District. The lounge shares the top floor with the Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant. So, while there is a mouth-watering menu of Japan-influenced delicacies and entrees on one side, there is swank, indoor-and-outdoor dance club with the freshest D-Js, a large dance floor, and a VIP private-seating area.

Featuring the best restaurants in Los Angeles is an ongoing gastronomically delightful experience that will have to be revisited many times over to justly represent all the great restaurants the area has to offer. A quick look at menus of the Stinking Rose, the Water Grill, and Ocean and Vine are presented on this round.

The Stinking Rose is located on La Cienega Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Garlic-infused foods are the house specialty as this is a garlic restaurant. Traditional dishes such as crab and prime rib and mussels are enlivened. Patrons can order a garlic martini or a bowl of Gilroy's famous garlic ice cream.

The Water Grill offers up some of the best seafood dishes in Southern California. The Zagat Guide and the Robb Report have officially touted the works of executive chef David LeFerve. David, who has participated in more than 50 culinary competitions, changes up the Water Grill's menu daily. The food is international by scope and otherworldly by most people's palates.

Ocean and View is a beachside restaurant located in Santa Monica that features a distinctive Southern California cuisine along with a very relaxed atmosphere. It is spacious and has indoor and patio seating. The refined enclave for epicureans with playful personalities is the lounge/restaurant for Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.

The secret to making a successful timeshare purchase

Everyone has heard the horror stories associated with purchasing a timeshare property. Huge payments, poor accommodations, stolen funds, and resorts that shall we say have “lost their appeal”!

Well once you have decided to go the Timeshare rout for your vacations it is important to take into account a few factors when making your purchase decision. A Timeshare can be owned forever but most are sold after 8-9 years. This makes the price you pay very important if you hope to avoid a major loss when the time comes to sell.

When purchasing a Timeshare make sure the seller has an escrow arrangement with his or her solicitor (or accountant) to administer the sale of the property and handle the transfer of funds and title. Only when you are completely satisfied should you instruct the solicitor to release your money and certify the transfer. If you are offered a banked week, then check that the owner actually owns the week and that the Management Fees are up to date by contacting the Management Company and the exchange company.

Make sure the exchange company is informed of the change in ownership before transfer and always be sure you understand who in the purchase agreement (seller or buyer) will assume the costs of transferring the ownership of the unit. A "Right of Use" ownership transfer may cost from $140 to $1,700 and the transfer costs for a “Deeded" ownership may amount to as much as $3,000.

Only buy from the developer of the resort as a last choice alternative and if you do have to go that route be prepared to pay substantially higher prices for your Timeshare units.

The starting price for "sleep 6", peak season week in good quality resorts in most of Europe should be in or around $4000 and should provide good exchange power and minimum losses on resale. In the UK a larger unit in peak school season at a top class resort should cost you between $6,000 and $10,000, and most of your money should come back when you resell. Once you find what you want, bargain hard! It's a buyers market so take advantage!

Family-friendly boutique hotels

Boutique hotels aren’t just designed for wealthy couples or adults only. Many boutique hotels welcome children and families.

Should families be excluded from the boutique hotels experience? Many hotels in this sector think not, and happily open their doors to families with children of all ages, providing a range of services and facilities to suit this market. For many families, the size and location of these hotels is perfect for a family holiday, and allows their children to experience great design, service and cuisine from an early age.

Beach holidays

What child doesn’t want to go on a beach holiday? Yet what parent doesn’t want a bit of sophistication and style when it comes to spending time near the sea? Boutique accommodation in some of the world’s most attractive beach resorts can cater for children, allowing them to enjoy the simple pleasures of the sand and sea, whilst parents can enjoy the best food, thoughtful beach accessories and rooms that are designed to bring the outdoors in. Examples of these hotels include the Beach House in Marbella, the Elounda Gulf Villas and Suites in Crete, the JK Place Capri in Italy and the Villa Floriana in Croatia.

City trips

Taking the family to see some of the most famous sights in the world is usually a good reason for a city break. European cities like London, Seville, Vienna, Paris and Rome are all full of exciting things to do, no matter what age your children. Museums, art galleries, boat excursions, theatre trips, adventure parks – a city break can encompass all of these and a boutique hotel is a great place to relax at the end of a hard day’s sightseeing. Great service means that your children can get a glass of milk or a cup of hot chocolate and something to eat to keep them going, and the central location of many of these hotels makes them an ideal base for exploring. Try the Egerton House Hotel in London, the hip Seven One Seven in Amsterdam, the Palacio Belmonte in Lisbon or the Hotel le Pavillon de Paris in the French capital.

Countryside capers

Explore a fabulous rural landscape by taking your family to a countryside boutique hotel. Hire bikes or take the bus into nearby towns and villages, or visit historic monuments, or simply go for a walk. Spending time in the countryside is a great way to unwind and the boutique environment gives you the perfect opportunity to relax. Choose one with a pool, and your children will be happy to stay and play whilst you read, use the spa or just take in the view. For a real treat, take a look at La Bastide de Marie in Provence, La Villa Hotel in Piedmont, Italy, the Cotswold House Hotel in Gloucestershire or the Kasbah du Toubkal in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.

Travel and scenic photography 101

When you are driving through the mountains somewhere, & you notice a automobile parked half off the road & some guy leaning to the left to avoid a branch with his Rebel 2000 camera in the act of focusing, you have met me. I do this because, to me, a trip isn't fulfilling unless i have preserved that beauty for posterity. I'd like to share a quantity of the techniques that make scenic photography such a wonderful artform - simple, yet elegant.

First off, equipment. As much as the cheapo disposable camera beckons, get real. These cameras have fisheye lenses which I call "spam" lenses. we cram everything in, with equal blurriness & boringness. nice photos are sharp, unless you use blur for artistic effect. Sharp comes from an adjustable lens. It can be a fixed lens or a zoom, but it must focus specially for each picture. Fixed lenses are limiting for scenic pics, where to frame the shot you may require to move long distances. Imagine using a fixed lens on the Washington Monument, when you are half a block away! Zooms get my vote, even though we often don't have as wide an aperture, which limits their capabilities in low light situations.

Practically speaking, an SLR is the absolute best. we are lightweight, & can be used with top quality lenses. Film SLRs tend to be less expensive, but have the limitations of film, meaning you have to get it developed & so forth. Digital SLRs are VERY expensive, so for the budget conscious either go with a film SLR or a high quality basic digital camera. With digital, resolution is also a critical factor, so look at the specs before you buy.

OK, we have got the camera, emotions are jogging high, & that's great, but not great! sometimes I find a spot that's so wonderful, I start shooting like a madman, only to be disappointed by the pics. What happened? Emotions. When you experience a place, there are sounds, aromas & breezes as well as the visuals of the spot. Needless to say, you cannot photograph all of these elements, only the visual. When overwhelmed by the spectacle of a scenic hotspot, we are often overwhelmed by all of these elements.

Now, I was a tad dishonest in saying that you cannot capture all of the elements of a scene. You can hint at them. For starters, motion. Yes, even in a still picture, there's motion. Something happened before, during & after your picture. In a mountain vista scene, you may find something that hints at motion, whether it be a branch of a tree that has been swaying in the breeze, or a river flowing through the valley below. These add a sense of motion.

So what to do? Look through your camera. The viewfinder does not lie (usually). Try to see what you are looking at as the finished picture. Most people perfunctorily take pics, hoping that somehow the shot will come out great. If you wonder how the pics came out when you are on the way to the drugstore to get them, you are doing something wrong. At the moment you click the pic, you should know exactly what you will get. (Of work with digital, that's not a trick!).

Then there's the "rule of thirds." When you place the main object of the picture smack-dab in the middle, it is static & boring. Place it one third of the way from either side, & you IMPLY motion. Put the horizon in a landscape photo a third of the way up or down, not across the middle.

Remember, when a person looks at a picture, their eyes move. You require to frame your photo to help that movement. If you can find some lines in the scene, such as a skyline, cloud formation, path through the forest, etcetera, use it interestingly, & with the rule of thirds to draw your viewer's eyes into the picture.

Avoid "summit syndrome." You get to the top of Mount Washington & shoot the majestic vista. Great. The pics come out .. boring! How? No PERSPECTIVE. Big vistas will be flat unless you have an object in the foreground, such as a rock or a tree, to give them perspective. Then the eye grasps how big this scene is. People enjoying the view is a real winner, because the viewer may identify with their emotions, giving the image real impact.

Cheese! Yes, you do have to take the family photos. it is obligatory. But when you do, make sure that we show the location of the photo. Otherwise, you might as well do it on your driveway. Frame the scene in context, with landmarks as part of the picture. Find a way to tell as story in the picture, such as little Sara climbing up the rocks by the waterfall.

Finally, any element in the picture that hints at more senses than the visual will make it remarkable. Actor headshots for example, tell a story about the subject. You can hear them saying their next lines. If you photograph a garden, the viewer may experience the aroma of the flowers. A tourist street with an accordion player on the corner may have your amazed friends whistling "Dixie."

In summation, picture taking on travel is recording the experience in a satisfying way. Use motion, perspective, sensory, storytelling & so forth, to bring your photos to life. Oh, & needless to say, make your job easy & go to great places! See you at the overlook!

Grand old saratoga opens 36-day meeting on july 26

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Saratoga Springs has been attracting travelers even before the American Revolution when wealthy pilgrims journeyed to the carbonated mineral springs running through the area.

It’s where decisive battles were fought during the American Revolution and Civil War. The 1777 Battle of Saratoga, considered the first Colonial victory and a turning point in the Revolutionary War, ended with General John Burgoyne surrendering his British troops.

During the Civil War, America’s oldest thoroughbred racetrack opened on Aug. 26, 1863. The Saratoga Racing Association bought 71 acres to other land already set for racing. On Aug. 1, 1864, a new course was established in almost the same spot as today’s Saratoga.

New York Racing Association (NYRA) officials have announced across-the-board purse increases for the 36-day meeting than opens July 26. All classes of races will receive increases, said Bill Nader, NYRA senior vice president.

“There are a lot of changes on this schedule, including some purse reductions or eliminations of stakes, but we made sure that NYRA’s commitment to excellence remains intact,” he said. “The overall dollar reduction in stakes is nearly $4 million, but much of that money will be added back in overnight stakes.

“This helps NYRA strike a better balance with dollars allocated to stakes and overnight races, and be more responsive to the available horse inventory from meet to meet.

While the NYRA usually boosts purses each year at Saratoga, Nader said, this year “the increases are much more robust.”

Overnight stakes will carry purses of $70,000, a hike of $5,000. New York-bred races will see sizable increases compared with the current Belmont meeting. Maiden special weight races will jump $6,000 to $47,000 while purses in first-level allowance contests will skyrocket $9,000 to $50,000.

The NYRA will also continue to raise the purse of any race with at least eight horses that’s moved off the turf by 20 percent in hopes of deterring scratches, a policy launched this year at Belmont.

The prestigious $500,000 Woodward for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles was moved to Saratoga on Sept. 2 to spread out the more important handicap races. The Saratoga Breeders’ Cup Handicap was eliminated to make room for one of the 15 Grade 1 events included in the array of 47 stakes.

There’s at least one stakes on every live racing program and two on eight days during the meeting that ends Sept. 4.

For handicap horses, the summer/fall schedule from Saratoga through Belmont Park’s meeting, including the 52nd Woodward, features the $750,000 Whitney at 1 1/8 miles on Aug. 5 at Saratoga and the $750,000 Jockey Gold Cup at 1 ј miles on Oct. 7 at Belmont.

“We placed four Grade 1 stakes on Labor Day Weekend,” Nader pointed out. “We also brought back the full compliment of two-year-old stakes to give the younger stars of our sport every opportunity to succeed.”

Highlight of the meeting is the 137th Travers, oldest American stakes race named for the founder of Saratoga. The $1 million contest at 1 ј miles honoring William R. Travers will feature the outstanding sophomores of ’06 and help decide top 3-year-old honors.

Expected to show up on Aug. 26 at the historic track 180 miles north of New York City are:

Bernardini, winner of the Preakness; Jazil, who captured the Belmont; Bluegrass Cat, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby behind injured Barbaro and second in the Belmont; Steppenwolfer, third at Churchill Downs and fourth in the Belmont; and Sunriver, third in the Belmont.

Kentucky, owned by Travers, won the inaugural running in 1864 when the purse was only $2,940. The fastest time was posted by General Assembly in 1979: two minutes flat.

The largest margin of victory was recorded in ’67 by Damascus: 22 lengths. Seven times a nose separated the top two finishers.

By Greg Melikov

Online Sports Betting