Shanghai - A City of Many Faces

Shanghai divides easily into three major parts: the Old City; the Former French, British and America Concessions; and Pudong, the New Shanghai. While the structures of the older city tend to reflect typically older or traditional Chinese culture, the Pudong projects its vision of Shanghai with towering skyscrapers and bright lights. Wherever you stay, in traditional or newer luxury hotels, Shanghai promises you will experience a city in which the past and the present coexist.

Architectural Contrasts

In Shanghai, architecture reflects the trends and culture of the period. The Bund is, however, the best place to visit to view the range of popular international styles of the 1920s and 1930s. In construction of its banks, theatres and luxury hotels, Shanghai saw the favouring of the Art Deco style. This is particularly true in the Peace Hotel by Palmer and Turner and the Park Hotel by L. Hudec.

In parts of the Old City, the international look never gained a footing. Art Deco was not common, but traditional Shikumen (old stone gatehouse) houses remain. So, too, do temples and market places. In Xintiandi, renovation and restoration has modernised the Shikumen, turning them into trendy bars, chic stores and high-end restaurants.

Across the river, a different type of architecture plays out. This is the Shanghai of the future. In Pudong, the buildings and towers are bold and brassy. They reflect the new Shanghai. The Oriental Pearl tower is the tallest of its kind in Asia, while the silvery-coloured Jinmao Tower is a marvellously elegant and rich 88-floor hotel. The Shanghai World Financial Centre is also in Pudong. Constructed in 2008, it rises up 101 stories. This impressive structure includes the Skywalk, an observation platform, and the world's highest hotel - the Park Shanghai Hyatt.

Museums - Big and Small

You can often judge the worth of a city by how it takes care of and presents its past. While it boasts high-end shopping, lively entertainment, beautiful architecture and luxury hotels, Shanghai also allows visitors a look at the city's past. It even provides a look at different aspects of the city's cultural history.

A visit to the city is not complete without spending time admiring all that the Shanghai Museum in People's Square has to offer. Among the more than 120,000 pieces are truly unique items. The Sancai (3-colour) pottery figures are exquisite in design and rendering. The Shang Bronzes include some wonderful objects of skilled craftsmanship and art. In the Jade Gallery, you can wander past delicately carved pieces of jade. Some date back as far as the 31st century C.B.E. The exhibits include skilfully rendered and ornate artefacts that range from the Neolithic period to the Quing Dynasty.

Shanghai hosts other smaller, and often curious, museums. One of the more intriguing local museums is the Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum. You can locate it on Changyang Road, Hongkou District. The 1927 structure originally housed the Ohel Moshe Synagogue. During the 1930s and into the period of World War II, the Synagogue was the place of worship for many of the Jewish refugees seeking safety from the ongoing slaughter. Shanghai, unlike other cities and countries, did not refuse Jews. In fact, it took in approximately 25,000.

Today, the Synagogue is a reminder of an important part of Shanghai's past and Jewish history. The former Prime Minister of Israel, Yitzhak Rabin, came to the Museum in 1993. He admired the various cultural relics, including ancient scrolls. Yet, he also came to thank the people in Shanghai for doing what so many other peoples and nations had failed to do.

Entertainment that Delights

You can find entertainment in many of the city's luxury hotels. Shanghai, however, beckons visitors with a variety of venues and forms of entertainment. They reflect Shanghai's heritage as both traditional and western-influenced offerings vie for your attention. Catch the incredible and world-famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe at either the Shanghai Circus World or over at the Shanghai Centre Theatre. The Peace Hotel offers traditional New Orleans Jazz nightly, while over at Babyface, the trendy and popular nightclub, visitors can people-watch and listen to more mainstream music.

If you are a fan of opera, consider sampling Chinese opera. The Yifu Theatre provides classic examples of this stylised form of traditional music. The Heluting Concert Hall, meanwhile, provides performances of classical and chamber music while the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is on stage at the modern, butterfly-shaped Shanghai Oriental Art Centre.

Jazz and Blues are alive in Shanghai. Visit the Cotton Club, the J2 Club or even the House of Blues and Jazz. Alternatively, you can check a local guide and find any number of modern techno, indie or popular music venues.

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Tips For Travelling With Pets

Going on a holiday does not necessarily mean that you have to put your pets in a kennel or cattery. Many different types of accommodation are now pet friendly, from farm stays, hotels, bed and breakfasts and camping grounds. For many people their pets are like family and leaving them at a boarding facility is just not an option. When taking your pet on holiday there are a few simple tips you can follow to make travelling easier.

Flying with pets

If travelling involves flying then you will need to pre-book your pet on the flight. Contact the airline to see if there are any specific requirements for your pet to travel with them. It is likely you will have to arrive much earlier than you normally would for check-in and your pet will need to go into an airline pet crate.

Check accommodation

It is a good idea to find out how 'pet friendly' the accommodation is. Make sure there is secure fencing, find out whether you need to bring bedding and your own pet food, and whether your pets are allowed inside. If you are staying at a bed and breakfast or a farm stay you might want to ask whether they have their own pets, just in case your pet doesn't interact well with other animals.

Vet check

Book your pet in for a visit to the vet before you go and make sure its vaccinations are up to date, and it is in good health. The vet can also print out your pet's medical history in case of an emergency. You might want to look in to what any potential risks are, for example warmer and more tropical climates are prone to ticks, so find out what you need to know to help protect your pet. Also make sure your pet is free of fleas, as you don't want to infest other animals.

Any restrictions

Make sure there are no restrictions on where your pets can travel. There are restrictions on bringing domestic animals into national parks, state conservation areas, historic sites, nature reserves and Aboriginal heritage areas. Domestic pets are a hazard to wildlife and you will be unable to bring pets into these protected areas. Some areas you can bring dogs into, although only on a leash.

Other things to remember

Your pet needs to be secure while travelling to keep them safe in case of an accident, and also to stop them from become a potential missile if you do have to brake suddenly. You can buy harnesses for dogs which are made to fit with the seat belt, otherwise they can travel in the cargo area of a car if separated by a divider. Cats travel better in a cage. Don't leave your pets in the car in hot weather as it can reach extreme temperatures inside and your pet can become dehydrated very quickly. You may want to bring your pet's bedding or favourite toy, and remember to bring the leash, a water bowl, food and waste disposal bags.

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How Much Does a Taxi Cost Per Mile?

Taxicabs are very important means of transportation. It offers a lot of advantages compared to other types of overland transport systems. If you are in a hurry, a taxi can get to you to where you want to be in a speed of light, but if you have the all time in the world to wait for a person out his house, you can hire a taxi to wait with you.

In spite of the advantages it has, the cost of this transportation may be considered a setback. There are lots of people complaining of what they claim as the exaggerated cost of taxis. For people to understand on how they are billed for riding a taxi, it is advised to know the cost of a taxi ride for every mile it travels.

The cost of a taxi per mile greatly depends on which city you are in because each has their own rules and regulations in the operation of taxis within their city which include the program of the taximeters. A taximeter is device that helps the taxi drivers in calculating the right amount to bill a passenger of the service it offered. The calculations of the taximeter greatly depend on the distance traveled and the time it took to get to the passenger's destination. In New York City, the plug down rate (initial pay for hiring the taxi) is $2.50 and this number increase by 40 cents every fifth of a mile, so the cost of taxi in New York City per mile is around $2. If you are in Miami, Florida the plug down or flag pull rate is $2.25 and in every 1/9 of a mile, a charge of $0.2 is made, so the cost of taxi in Miami is $1.80 which is the same in Dallas. The calculations of taxi of taxi cost are a little complicated in Denver and is dependent on the operators of the vehicle. The estimated per mile cost of taxies in Denver are $2.25 for Metro Taxi and Yellow Cab and $1.80 for Freedom cab.

Again, the cost of taxi per mile is greatly relies on which city you are riding the cab. You're going to find that many cities and states, as well as countries are going to greatly vary. If you're in a particular town / country, it would be best to get quotes online before calling a cab.

Tag : travel,leisure

Dreaming of Some Great Honeymoon Vacations? Why Not Plan for a Honeymoon in Caribbean?

Dreaming of some great honeymoon vacations? Why not plan for a honeymoon in Caribbean? Think for your own self- how good it feels to sleep under the stars, dine under a silver moon or on the sunset terrace with your partner! With beautiful beaches, green trees, blue water and snow covered mountains, Caribbean vacations is indeed an amusing and interesting one.

With multiple honeymoon packages for Caribbean on offer, you have hundreds of options to make your dream vacation come true. The packages include anything and everything starting from first class resorts to incredible view of the emerald seas. A special occasion calls for a special package and by planning a trip to Caribbean on your honeymoon you'll be doing justice to the same. The availability of frequent flights to Caribbean will help you reach the destination without any hassle.

Caribbean Honeymoon Destinations

Anguilla - if you and your partner have an eye for sun kissed beaches then Anguilla will make a great honeymoon destination. Apart from the beaches, the other attractions include- Stoney Bay Marina park, bird watching, Scrub Island, Fountain Cavern national park, Manse building to name a few. Most of the accommodations here are reasonably priced. Some of the options you can count on include- Arawak beach Inn, Anguilla Ku hotel, Llyod's guest house, the fountain beach hotel, the Cocoloba beach hotel and much more.

Bahamas- this island is blessed with a breathtaking location which makes it an ideal honeymoon destination. The major attractions of Bahamas are as follows- The Bahamas Historical Society Museum, The Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation, and The Roselawn Museum, Parliament Square, Balcony House, Queen's Staircase, Versailles Gardens, The Retreat, and Crystal Cay. Accommodation options in Bahamas include- Pink Sands hotel, Grand Isle Villas, Treasure cay hotel resort, Sandals emerald bay hotel, Rock house, St. Francis resort, Abaco inn, Bridge Inn to name a few.

Jamaica - the all inclusive resorts of Jamaica are the key factor that allures honeymooners here. The major attractions of Jamaica include- Dunns River falls, Green Grotto, Discovery bay, Falmouth bay, Montego Bay, Doctor's Cave beach to name a few. Accommodation options in Jamaica are as follows- Westender inn, Geejam, Catcha falling star, Jamaica inn, The Caves, Couples Sans Souci, Round Hill hotel & Villas and many more.

Puerto Rico - If want to relax and rest on the blue beaches, then Puerto Rico turns out to be a great honeymoon destination for you. The major attractions of Puerto Rico include- Castillo de San Felipe del Morro, The Vieques Biobay, Cordillera mountains, El Yunque, Culebrita, Camuy Caves to name a few. Accommodation options in Puerto Rico include- Hotel El Convento, Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn, Horned Dorset Primavera, to name a few.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Saumya_Agg

Top 3 Adventure Activities at La Tania Ski Resort

If you are looking for an exciting winter experience in the French Alps, then staying at La Tania offers you the world's largest ski area as well as some truly exciting off piste activities. You will be close to all the action and be able to take full advantage of every moment of your trip by staying at the La Tania ski chalets. La Tania has everything an adventure lover could possibly need.

Set among a charming pine forest, the ski chalets of La Tania offer skiers a quaint and comfortable stay right on the doorstep of the world's largest ski area. Your Three Valleys ski pass, which is bought from the La Tania gondola, gives you access to more than 2500 hectares of skiable area and 600 kilometres of runs. Located only two hours from Geneva, the resort is easily accessible and has all the facilities needed for a memorable skiing vacation. When planning what to do in the area, obviously skiing or snowboarding are going to be top of the list; however, with such a vast area at your disposal some planning will help you to get the very best out of your time. In addition, there are plenty of activities away from the piste which will round out your La Tania experience - here are the top five:

Dog Sledding

Who hasn't dreamed of a dog sledding experience after watching a documentary set in the Arctic Circle? Any way you look at it dog sledding is cool, and it is something that you can try out while staying in your ski chalets in La Tania. This is not some ride where you will be sitting on the back of a sleigh while the musher does all the work for you. You will be instructed how to handle the sleighs and the huskies yourself, and then be master of your own sled with three or four dogs. During the session, you will glide through the nearby forests, up and down hills and around trees. There is nothing quite like the thrill of zipping through the forest 'mushing' your own team of sled dogs.

Paragliding and Hang gliding

If you are an adventure sport junkie, then you may be interested in catching a glimpse of the Three Valleys area from above with a paragliding or hang gliding experience. Accompanied by a qualified instructor you can either choose a tandem gliding experience over the marshmallow landscape, or take a training course and do your very own piloting.

Snowmobiling

When the runs are shut for the afternoon it doesn't mean that the action is over and everyone has to head back their ski chalets. La Tania offers an exciting après ski activity: snowmobiling. There are three different levels of snowmobiling packages that you can choose between all starting at 5:30pm and continuing well into the evening - the Discovery Package, Sporting Package and Exclusive Package. The Discovery is aimed at beginners who want to learn to handle the machines; the Sporting is for intermediate and advanced drivers; and the Exclusive is for one on one instruction so that you can get the most out of the time with your own teacher.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danielle_Hodges

Where to Get the Best Sticky Rice in Myanmar

Where to get the Best Sticky Rice in Myanmar

Myanmar is famous for its native delicacies. One of the most popular food that Burmese offer to their visitors is sticky rice, also called "kao hnyin". The kai hnyin is a form of sweet and waxy rice that is cultivated in Asian countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Japan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Taiwan, Cambodia and Myanmar. It is probably more popular in Myanmar, and they even celebrate their own Htamane festival or the Sticky Rice festival. The celebration is held throughout the country between February and March of each year.

Cooking Myanmar rice is not that easy. It has to be soaked overnight and then the small pieces of coconuts are fried the next day together with the other ingredients. The rice is then cooked by two strong men who will stir the sticky rice until cooked. It is not a delicacy that the local women can do, especially if they are going to cook in large quantities. However despite its complicated cooking, the sticky rice is still loved not only by the locals, but the tourists as well.

Sticky rice can be found all over Myanmar. Restaurants serving native dishes have the kao hnyin in their menu. The rice is cooked in many varieties, mostly for desserts.

Here are some of the best restaurants in Myanmar that serve sticky rice:

Green Elephant Restaurant- This restaurant is found along Augustine Road in Yangon. It is a classy restaurant that serves an array of all-Burmese delicacies from beef, fish, and duck, as well as chicken and pork recipes. They also serve the rice with mangoes as a delicious dessert. They also have another branch in Mandalay.

Feel Myanmar Food- This restaurant serves mostly Burmese cuisine. They also have different types of sticky rice dishes in their menu.

Yar Pyi Vegetarian Restaurant- This is a family run restaurant located in Bagan, Myanmar. They serve vegetarian delicacies as well as rice meals.

The Strand Grill- Another restaurant found in Yangon, the Strand Grill has excellent food selections including sticky rice desserts. Tourists love this place because of its classy setting.

Aung Thukha- If you are looking for a restaurant that serves entirely Burmese cuisine, then you should try the Aung Thukha restaurant. It is located in Yangon where you can try the real Burmese dishes.

Mr. Bar BQ- If you happen to visit Mandalay, you can try out the Mr. Bar BQ restaurant which serves all-Burmese cuisines.

All of the local restaurants in Myanmar serve sticky rice dishes. Western, European and Italian restaurants may not serve sticky rice, but all the others found in the country will have something that is made from kao hnyin.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pinky_Mcbanon

Advantages Of An Air Charter For Business and Leisure

On the face of it, air charter seems to be a luxury that high-flying corporate executives get as perks of the job. But look at it a little deeper, and turns out it's actually a money-saver. The thing is that a top level executive's time is very valuable, and each minute spent in an airport lounge is a lost minute for the company.

With each day and month, the situation at the airports is getting worse. Flight delays, airport security, missed connections and the exhausting experience of boarding a commercial flight all combine to wring the enthusiasm out of business travelers. An executive who turns up at an important meeting after such an experience can hardly be expected to be very effective.

The point here is that all that time spent is company time being wasted. So it's safe to assume that it's profitable for a company to allow the cream of its top level executives to hop around in private jets. But this doesn't mean the company has to shell out big dollars to buy planes.

One of the more popular arrangements is called a fractional ownership system, where a person or company is one of many owners of the plane (usually between 2 to 8). The whole thing is managed by a fractional ownership company, which will have many planes of the same make and model. So when a company wants to use a plane, it just has to pay for the flight costs, including the fuel.

Other than the cost-savings of shared ownership, there are many more benefits. For example, passengers on commercial carriers can only fly to and from a limited number of big airports. An air charter, however, can fly to thousands of big and small airports, many of which are private.

This further reduces local transportation needs, and the time spent traveling. Plus, there are no delays for boarding or exiting. It is possible to drive right up to the plane and have the baggage loaded up right then and there. Pets, if any, can travel in the cabin.

Executives can travel in absolute comfort and get some good sleep. Or they can put in a few hours' work with a laptop, wi-fi internet, videoconferencing, satellite phones and other tools. Some commercial carriers do offer some of these tools, but they cannot be used on account of a lack of privacy.

For personal use, it's hard to justify air charter as a cost-saver, but there are situations where it can be a life-saver instead. Medical travel, for instance, is one such area where the patient might not want to ensure the agony of commercial flights. Elderly people and tourists unsure of being able to catch connecting flights may want to make their holiday experience more memorable and safe by taking a private jet instead.

It's important to note here that prices for an air charter are not that high anymore, and it's a lot closer to what's considered acceptable spending while on vacation, similar to staying in a luxury hotel. Before booking a commercial flight ticket, just find out how much it would just for the same trip on a private jet. Most people are likely to end up surprised at how much cheaper it is than they thought it would be.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_N.

Tourist Tips

If you're planning an overseas trip, there's more than just the weather and weather-appropriate clothing that you have to prepare. You have to get yourself and your mindset ready. Yes, it can be a totally new experience being in a different land where people will have with different customs and ideals. You may find them entertaining or disgusting depending on your own set of customs and ideals, but in any case, you will have to try to get along with them for as long as you're staying in their country.

You'll always want to take care of yourself in a place where you don't know many things and people. So to keep yourself safe, know what you need to know and act accordingly. For starters, you must be aware of the most basic aspects of the country's culture and this you can do by researching about it on the Internet. A basic example would be Indians treating cows as sacred. This means don't ever ask the waiter if they have beef on their menu.

Another important thing you'd like to know about a country you're visiting is its crime situation. As a basic precaution, avoid wearing items that are going to attract the attention of criminals such as flashy clothing or heavy jewelry. And leave the cash in your bank and just carry a safe amount while making use of your credit card for big purchases. Each time a stranger approaches you, assume immediately that the person will be a threat. This means not giving them any information about yourself or your itinerary and politely making your exit the soonest.

Even in a foreign land, it's nice to have fun at bars while you socialize and have some drinks. But do limit your drinking because you'll never know what will happen to you, especially when you're in a country where people speak a language you don't understand. Having a travel companion won't help much either because, chances are, he won't understand that language, either. This can be a recipe for disaster, so to avoid being in it, avoid too much alcohol and go straight to your hotel room after you've had a few rounds.

Lastly, be aware of the laws of the country you're visiting. There's nothing more embarrassing than Figuring in a legal skirmish and you don't even know what you've done. The worst picture would be deportation, and while you've always planned on returning back home, you don't want to waste that opportunity to get away from work and reward yourself. You probably won't get a leave-of-absence anytime within the same year, so you'll always want to take advantage of the time you have.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Pierce