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Archive for the ‘North America’ Category

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is promoting the African-American cultural and unique experiences, trying to preserve and enrich too the modern dance of America.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater  is offering dance classes to everyone on a walk-in basis, such as it was said that dance is for everybody.

The African Film Festival wants now to build an audience for African films by organizing annually a film festival in New York. The African Film Festival was established in 1993 and panel discussions dabetae takes place in a course of about two months.

Apexart is a sort of arts organization in Lower Manhattan which was created to offer possibilities to independent curators and established artists. Its purpose is also to challenge ideas related to art and its practice. It presents many exhibitions and several times public programs and events.

The Brooklyn Public Library is on the 4th place from all the largest libraries United States. Annually, here come over 6 six million visitors. The famous Central Library is known to be the main center of reference and the base of a system which has about 58 branches in lots of neighborhoods.

Transport Group Theatre in Manhattan is company which develops and produces too work by American composers, for the reason to explore the American acknowledgement in the world today.

Wave Hill is a famous garden of 30 acres situated among the leafy estates of Riverdale, and from where you have splendid sights of the New Jersey Palisades. You can stay here the whole day if you want. If you’re exhausted, don’t worry. Near Wave Hill you will find quite a few New York hotels rooms to book.

Our winter getaway over the last two days was supposed to include a couple of different activities: snow-tubing and outdoor skating. Well, our outdoor skating fell through, due to the extraordinarily warm conditions, however, we had a beautiful day yesterday on Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie, where we enjoyed some great outdoor time on frozen Lake Simcoe.

Today, after our delicious filling breakfast at Nicholyn Farms Bed and Breakfast, we headed off for another adventure: snowtubing at Horseshoe Valley. Unfortunately the weather today was even less cooperative: as the day progressed it went from freezing rain to rain to a veritable downpour as we drove back to Toronto.

Nevertheless the morning was cold enough for our snowtubing adventure. My 8-year old nephew had never been snowtubing before, and knowing his penchant for high-speed adrenaline-filled activities, we knew that he would fall in love with this sport.

Horseshoe Valley is one of several Ontario winter resorts and in addition to downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and skating, it also features a snow-tubing hill. It’s a thrill to get pulled up on the hill, sitting on a refunctioned inner tube, and then getting linked up in a group of 2, 3 or 4 snow-tubers, who hold on to their neighbouring tuber’s handle and then get pushed down the hill by one of the staff members – with a spin and a momentum that feels almost like a roller coaster!

Snowtubing is just one of the many fun winter activities that Ontario has to offer.
Snow Valley Resort just on the other side of Highway 400 also offers snowtubing.
Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood is another place for Ontario snowtubing enthusiasts.

Skating:
Obviously hockey is Canada’s national sport and skating runs in the veins of many residents of this northern country. Virtually all Ontario cities, towns and villages have outdoor skating rinks and indoor arenas. Outdoor skating is free in many cases, and indoor pleasure skating is generally a very inexpensive sport.

One of the best known skating Ontario opportunities exists in Ottawa, on the 7.8 km long Rideau Canal, the world’s longest skating rink according to the Guiness Book of Records. The City of Ottawa lists its public skating information on the Internet.

Toronto’s well-known outdoor skating venues include City Hall, Harbourfront and Grenadier Pond in HIgh Park and the City of Toronto provides a list of leisure skating opportunities in Toronto.

Skiing & snowboarding:
Although Ontario certainly doesn’t have the greatest vertical drop compared to international ski resorts, but it does offer 41 resorts for downhill skiers and snowboarders at the Ski Ontario website.

Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing:
Ontario’s more than 120 cross-country ski areas are rivalled only by Quebec for sheer number and variety. Ski areas are operated by various organizations ranging from parks to clubs and resorts. The Ski Ontario website provides an extensive listing of cross-country opportunities across Ontario.
Special offers for snowshoeing and cross-country getaways are featured on the Ontario Outdoor website.

Snowmobiling:
Ontario offers more than 43,000 km (26,000 mi.) of maintained, interconnected, uncongested trails. It is the longest network of recreational trails in the world. The 248 member clubs of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs build and maintain this extensive trail network. Find more information about snowmobiling in Ontario in the Ontario Snowmobiler Magazine.

Iceclimbing:
The north of Ontario is the heart of Ontario’s iceclimbing country and features ice-clad routes with heights of more than 90 m. Special ice-climbing getaways are featured on the Ontario Outdoor Website.

Dogsledding:
Dog sledding has evolved from a utilitarian form of transport in northern countries to a unique travel experience. Some dogsledding operators have a guide drive the team, where at other places you may drive the sled yourself. The Ontario Outdoor Website features a variety of dog sledding adventures and getaways.

Urban Winter Getaways:
For those who want to enjoy the best that Ontario’s cities have to offer over the winter time, there are a variety of special events going on. Many cities and towns throughout Ontario feature special winter festivals, starting with many festivals of light, tree lighting ceremonies and New Year’s celebrations in November and December, and continuing with a variety of special events, trade fairs and restaurant promotions throughout January and February. The Success with Ontario website features a listing of Ontario’s Festivals and events.

Major festivals include:
Toronto’s WinterCity Festival and Winterlicious
Ottawa’s Winterlude Winter Festival
Niagara’s Icewine Festival

Ontario Accommodation Choices:
Ontario offers a wide variety of choices for getaways. From all-inclusive feature-packed resorts, to down-to-earth farm vacations, to cozy bed and breafasts, secluded cottages and chalets and inviting country inns, Ontario has a wide selection of accommodation providers. Unique boutique hotels, and centrally located urban hotels round out the accommodation offers. Ontario Travel’s website offers a great overview of the accommodation choices available in Ontario.

There is plenty to do in the winter in Ontario, indoors and out. Nature lovers, urban explorers, adrenaline junkies, and romantic lovebirds will all find something to choose from to brighten up those cold winter days.

Sonoma county wine region is a part of the famous California vineyards, close to the San Francisco and Napa Valley. Sonoma Valley offers authentic California wine tasting experience, great weather and friendly staff.

Sonoma county is a perfect place for wine lovers, people searching for soothing relaxation and romantic ambiance. Its conveniently located 30 miles north of San Francisco and and now as airport located at Santa Rosa (Code: RSA). Sonoma County has a span of 1575 square miles containing about 1,00,000 acres of lush wine growing land. Having over 200 award winning wineries and about 60 miles of Pacific coastline, the Majestic Russian river, Golf courses, museums, shopping, botanical, gardens, galleries, camping locations, bike & hiking trails and diverse festivals all year around, Sonoma county is the place you should definitely visit.

Sonoma has 5 distinct wine-growing districts: Los Carneros District, Sonoma Valley, Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley, with small towns in each. You will find the premium quality wines of both white and red wine, famous categories include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pino, Syrah, Zinfandel, Shiraz and very often vineyards have their own special. Winery hospitality staff are knowledgeable, friendly and eager to discuss the wines and how they were made. Winery tours take visitors behind the scenes to barrel rooms, crush pads, bottling lines, cellars and caves. You will find vineyards all around the county, just driving around the place is very pleasant and relaxing.
Latest Development: Horizon air now has daily flights from Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Seattle airports. Santa Rosa Airport (RSA) in Sonoma County.

ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES:

* Wine county Ballooning: On US Hwy 101, Airport Blvd exit from Kal’s Kaffe Mocha.
* Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum, 115 ft tall and Steel reinforced concrete lighthouse opened in 1908.
* Luther Burbank Home and Gardens: Life and work of the horticulturist who introduced 800 variety of flowers, fruits, nuts etc..
* Fort Ross State Historic Park: The site of trading post and fort established by Russians in 1812.
* Train Ride: On Santa Rosa 12, a 20 minute steam train ride through a forested railroad park past scaled down reproductions of buildings ad waterfalls.
* Being so close to San Francisco you may also consider visiting the GOLDEN GATE bridge, Pier 39,Alcatraz, China Town and the famous Crooked street of SF Downtown.
* Napa county which is again a very famous vineyard community is located just east of Sonoma county, activities there include wine tasting, Ballooning, visiting petrified forest and old faithful geyser.

The tides in the Bay of Fundy, the waterway between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, are the highest in the world, with an estimated 100 billion tons of water rolling in and out of the bay twice daily.

One of the best places to see this phenomenon in action is Hopewell Rocks Park. These “flowerpot” rocks are tree-topped rocks only partially visible at high tide. Low tide reveals their delicate, sculpted bases. During low tide it is possible to actually walk on the revealed sea floor. As the tide comes in, footprints left on the flats literally disappear before people’s eyes as the water rises six to eight feet per hour. In some parts of the bay the difference between high and low tide can be as much as 46 feet (14 m).

Whale enthusiasts will appreciate the bay area for the variety of marine mammals attracted to its krill-rich waters during the summer months. Up to fifteen different species of toothed and baleen whales make their summer home in the waters just outside the bay. Whale-watching tours depart daily from June to October each year.

For a glimpse into the planetary past, make a trip up the bay to the Joggins Fossil Cliffs. These sandstone cliffs are rich with 300 million year-old fossils of everything from invertebrates to lizards and the trees of the primordial forest they lived in. The powerful tides in the Bay of Fundy are constantly eroding the cliffs, constantly revealing more fossils.

No visit to the Bay of Fundy would be complete without seeing the Reversing Falls of St. John. The St. John River flows into the bay through a series of rapids. When the bay’s legendary high tide occurs, the flow of sea water forces the river water back up its course, reversing the direction of the falls.

Situated at 350 Fifth Avenue is one of the most famous of Ne w York’s impressive buildings. Instantly recognizable from such movies as King Kong, An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle, the Empire State Building stands as one of the most well known skyscrapers in the world.

With its art deco architecture, the Empire State Building’s observation deck on the 80^th Floor is where most visitors head. There’s a charge to enter the observation deck but it’s not too expensive, especially considering the unique view of New York and the surrounding area you’ll get from the top. There are 73 elevators in the building – these can take you from ground level to the 80^th floor in a matter of seconds – but those who are more active, or like a challenge, the alternative is a 1,575 step climb – of course you could just take the elevator up and walk down if you prefer!

The Empire State Building is open daily from 9.30am until midnight – make sure you arrive in time to be allowed access as the building may shut at midnight, but they like the observation deck cleared prior to then. Despite its closing time, it’s just as good an experience to see New York from the Observation Deck at night as it as by day. Although you can’t see as far as you can in daylight, the lights of New York make the night visit special in its own right.

Although the Empire State Building is mainly for those who like to look rather than do, there is a hidden gem on the second floor for those who enjoy a thrill ride. The New York Skyride is a flight stimulator which will have you hanging to your seat as the images take you on a fast paced virtual reality aerial tour of the “Big Apple”.

For its celebrity, architectural beauty, spectacular views and not forgetting the incredible Skyride tour, a visit to the Empire State Building should be on every visitor’s itinerary.

The story of the doomed ocean liner Titanic has captured the imagination of people all over the world since the day it sank. Halifax, in Nova Scotia, Canada is a largely unknown part of Titanic history.

After the Titanic sank, the White Star Line chartered four ships from Canada to search for survivors. Two of them, the MacKay-Bennett and the Minia, were from Halifax.

Of the 328 bodies recovered from the disaster site, 119 were so badly damaged or deteriorated they were buried at sea. The remaining 209 were brought to Halifax for identification, where possible. 150 of those people were buried in one of three Halifax cemeteries, based on religion (Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish), giving Halifax one of the largest concentrations of Titanic passenger burials in the world.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax houses the largest collection of wooden Titanic artifacts in the world in their permanent exhibit, Titanic: The unsinkable ship and Halifax, which opened in 1998.

One of the centerpieces of the collection is a wooden deck chair, one of the only intact ones in the world known to match those in photos of the ship. A grandchild of Reverend Henry W. Cunningham gave the chair to the museum. Reverend Cunningham received the chair in recognition for his services in conducting many of the sea burials for Titanic victims.

One of the most moving items on display is the log of wireless operator Robert Hunston, from Cape Race, Newfoundland. It is a condensed log of all the distress calls from the ocean liner the night it sank. Reading the log brings home the reality of the disaster and the amazingly short time in which it occurred.

At one time Las Vegas was little more than a tiny town in the desert, then came the boom time of the big casinos and the reputation of being a fun place to visit began to grow. Today, many of those original big casinos that once boasted performers such as Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, have been torn down and in their place stand entertainment complexes that are part hotel, and part theme park.

Today the Las Vegas strip is a strange place by day; an imposing array of awkward looking high storey hotels on either side of the road. But as the ugly ducking transformed into a swan, these buildings transform into a magical land of colored lights and fancy special effects once darkness falls. Each of the main hotels has it’s own signature and often these are programmed to run at set times every night, so check with your hotel concierge if they have a list of the times – or visit the websites for each hotel prior to starting your vacation.

As the best time to see the strip is after dark, keep the daylight for taking part in the various other activities such as shopping, museums (such as Liberace’s), and even taking a peek in one of the famous wedding chapels, but make sure you save most of your energy for once the sun goes down and Vegas really comes to life.

Gambling at Vegas is almost mandatory – not by the establishments, but by human nature! To make sure you get home in one piece, set a limit to how much you can afford to lose in any one night, and don’t go over that amount. Pace your budget by taking in a dinner show at one of the hotels – check the local listings to see who’s appearing where during your vacation, then ask your hotel reception if they can get you tickets.

Las Vegas is more than just casinos, but if you enjoy bright lights, cabaret and the sound of poker chips being restacked, then there’s no better place to spend your vacation

If your travels take you anywhere near Grand Junction or Fruita, Colorado, then make sure you take the time to visit the Colorado National Monument. Compared with the larger canyon type national parks, the Colorado National Monument is small, but this makes the experience less impersonal. It also means that it’s less likely to be overflowing with other tourists – making it a great “get away from it all” retreat for anyone needing a little solitude.

What the semi-desert Colorado National monument lacks in overall size, it makes up for in content. Packed within its boundaries are some of America’s most impressive hoodoos, whose vibrant colors are hard to match anywhere. Alongside the geological wonders and juniper trees, is a spectrum of wildlife that includes golden eagles and desert bighorns. The Monument Canyon is the monument’s largest feature as it covers the entire length of the park and holds incredible rock formations. Return to various observation points throughout the day, particular sunset and sunrise, to see how the light reflects across the canyon’s natural structures.

For any couple with a passion for the great outdoors, or an interest in geology, or even just a desire to organize a wedding with a difference, the Colorado National Monument allows couples to be married at certain locations within its boundaries – remember to allow 14 days for the processing of your special use permit application. Choose your location well to have wedding photos that will be second to none as regards the spectacular backdrop provided by nature.

Close the world’s largest flat topped mountain, Grand Mesa, the Colorado National Monument allows activities such as horse riding, biking, and of course hiking. It’s also possible to camp in the area at the Saddlehorn Campground if you wish to spend longer in the park

If you know you’re interested in traveling to the Caribbean Islands, you have a variety of choices for your final destination. You can try a fun cruise throughout the islands in order to visit all of the best hot spots, or you can fly directly to one of the many wonderful islands found in this region of the world. One of the islands from which you can choose is Anquilla.

Anguilla is not one of the most popular islands when talking about Caribbean travel sites, but for that very reason, it is great if you are looking for a more private Caribbean vacation, without lots of other tourists. Anguilla is actually a British overseas territory and is the most northern of the Leeward Islands. Anguilla is comprised of one larger island, including the capital city of The Valley, and also includes a number of tiny islands and cays, most of which are privately owned or uninhabited. Some of the other smaller islands that are part of the Anguilla chain include Dog Island, the Prickly Pear Cays, Scrub Island, Seal Island, and Sombrero, or Hat Island.

The climate on Anguilla is generally what you would expect to find in this tropical region of the world. The island does get northeastern trade winds, so it is fairly dry compared to other tropical islands, with the most rain coming in September and October. Anguilla is also along the path of some hurricanes in the summer and fall.

When traveling to Anguilla, make sure you spend some time in the beautiful Caribbean water. Anguilla is known for its coral reef, which is home to a variety of sea animals and plants. The land itself is mostly sandy and not particularly good for farming industries. However, the waters along the coast are great for fishing, so if you enjoy that sport, you may be interested in applying for a fishing license and talking to some fishing outfitters in Anguilla when planning your Caribbean travel.

As with most Caribbean islands, if you want to travel to Anguilla, you need the proper paperwork. Before you leave, apply for a passport, and it is important to be able to show either a return plane ticket or a ticket to otherwise leave the island at some point. Make your hotel reservations at least a few months in advance in order to find the best deals for your stay in the Caribbean.