Cliff Dive Bar – Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is an amazing Maui property. One of the popular activities on Maui is watching the nightly torch lighting ceremony and cliff diving ceremony.

One of the best places to see the torch lighting ceremony and cliff diving ceremony is at The Cliff Dive Bar, where you can have wonderful grilled food and delicious drinks.

The Cliff Dive Bar is surrounded by a scenic, lava-enhanced swimming pool making it the ideal spot for relaxing and enjoying the local views including popular Black Rock. Try the classic tropical Pina Colada!

Each night at sunset, the luxury Sheraton Maui Resort narrates an ancient story along with playing native Hawaiian music while reenacting King Kahekili’s cliff diving skill.

Hours of operation at
Cocktails: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Food Served 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, the largest property in the country to receive AAA’s Five Diamond Award and Mobil Four-Star, is one of the world’s most luxurious resort and convention destinations.

Re-creating Venice’s legendary landmarks, the resort offers unmatched service and quality for leisure and corporate guests.

The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino is all themed around Italy’s most romantic city – Venice. From an entrance modeled on the Doge’s Palace with mosaic-tiled walls, marble statues, Renaissance-style fresco ceilings and canals on which gondolas cruise under trompe-l’œil ceilings, to characters in public spaces singing Verdi’s operas, you might believe that you’re actually in Venice.

The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, with its 36 floors and over 4,000 rooms, allows guests to enjoy all the splendor of Vegas without even leaving the premises.

Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Venetian features The Grand Canal Shoppes, an indoor streetscape complete with gondolas and singing gondoliers, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, world-class gaming, exquisite restaurants, and a wide variety of entertainment such as Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular, Blue Man Group and Wayne Brady on its premises, as well as extensive convention and corporate services.

For additional information, visit Venetian Resort Hotel Casino

Courtesy of: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

The luxurious Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa truly offers its guests an unforgettable experience in the heart of Northern California’s wine country.

The area is rich in history with its roots deep in Native American culture. From the time a natural underground hot spring was discovered, local tribes considered it a place of sacred healing.

Located on the site of original mission in Sonoma, the Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa was built in the style of a mission back in 1926.

The Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa exudes class, style and elegance and is clearly the premier Northern California wine country destination resort.

The hotel is comprised of beautiful Mexican, mission-style buildings that are covered in both natural colored stucco and stone.

As you arrive and proceed down the circular driveway, you are politely greeted by the hotel valet staff. Approaching the hotel entrance along paved stones, you’ll notice a three-tier circular fountain that dominates the entrance plaza.

Courtesy of: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa’s lobby is vast and the luxurious decor consists of rustic woods and wrought iron, in addition to numerous French antiques.

The spacious lobby offers its guests a chance to relax in the sitting area consisting of large, comfortable couches and wing-backed chairs.

The multi-story main building also includes beautiful arched windows that allow gazing out on the hotel’s main grounds.

For fine dining, you are in for a treat. Santé Restaurant is the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa’s signature dining room and has proudly achieved national status. This premier dining establishment was recently awarded the coveted Michelin star for the second year in a row in the new Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country 2011.

For wine lovers, you don’t have to wait to take in a local winery tour. The hotel offers complimentary wine tasting every evening in the lobby’s sitting area. You can taste the area’s best wines in a relaxed environment between 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm.

There are two different categories of accommodations at the Fairmont Sonoma Inn & Spa. The guestrooms are quite large in size and are titled: the Fairmont Heritage Rooms, the Fairmont Wine Country Room and the Fairmont Room with Fireplace. These superior rooms are decorated with light pine wood furniture, plus cream and white accented walls with a floral decor.

The Fairmont Sonoma Inn & Spa. also offers luxurious suites that range from 500 sq. ft. in size for the Wine Country Junior, the 550 sq. ft. Mission Suite, up to the 600 sq. ft. premium Wine Country One Bedroom Suite. All of the Inn’s suites are pure luxury and include a two-person Jacuzzi tub.

Courtesy of: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa – Mission Suite

We stayed in the romantic, signature Mission Suite. The suite includes a comfortable, king-size four-poster bed with a down filled comforter. The suite features a separate seating area, including a roomy love seat and two chairs, located in front of a wood burning fireplace and wall-mounted LCD TV.

Gorgeous French doors with wooden, plantation shutters revealed a ground level patio. We enjoyed a glass of wine listening to the nearby fountain, singing birds and light breezes blowing through the meticulous garden grounds.

The spacious bathroom has 2 sinks, a separate shower with plush towels and soft, cotton robes. Located between the bathroom and bed, the over-sized jacuzzi tub offers room for two. It’s the perfect way to end a romantic day in Sonoma’s wine country.

The rooms also come with high-speed Internet access, making it convenient to plan out your winery tour or just check your email.

To further your relaxation experience, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa features a renowned 40,000 sq. ft. spa that provides the ultimate in pampering and modern therapeutic enjoyment. The spa facilities are incredible and considered by many to be among the finest found anywhere.

Based on the belief of the healing powers of water, this comprehensive, full-service European style spa has long been a desired destination for both health and pleasure.

There are a variety of different treatments available including massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, as well as shiatsu.

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa also features three swimming pools that are fed by body soothing, geothermal mineral waters.

For golf lovers, try the 18-hole championship Sonoma Golf Club golf course. This beautiful, yet challenging golf course plays approximately 7,100 yards from its championship tees. With a backdrop of magnificent oak trees, lakes, vineyards and mountains, this 177 acre property is one of the best golf courses in the world.

For an unbelievable experience, take a ride and enjoy a gourmet meal with incredible wine country views … on the historic Napa Valley Wine Train.

So whether you are looking for a romantic weekend getaway or a complete body & mind, rejuvenating experience, be sure to put the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa on top of your list.

For additional information and to make a reservation, please visit: http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma

London England, is home to some of the world’s biggest tourist attractions. Once you’re there, it’s hard to know where to begin because there are so many things to see and do. To make sure that you leave the historical city of London having done and seen everything the city has to offer, there are plenty of sites that you must see.

One of the first spectacles that springs to mind, and one of the more modern ones, is the London Eye. The enormous ferris wheel of vision opened to the public in 1999 and despite a number skeptics that didn’t think it would catch on when it opened, it has gone on to become one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions.

Re-designed and re-built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1668, St. Paul’s Cathedral is another of London’s must see attractions. It is a breathtakingly beautiful building which is recognized today as one of Britain’s most iconic buildings.

Arguably the attraction with the most gruesome history, the Tower of London has been a prison and place of execution for London’s people in the past. It was built by William the Conqueror originally, to try and keep London’s rowdy rabble under wraps.

For the artistic types, there is of course, the Tate Modern. The modern art capital of the country and home to works from such esteemed modernists as Picasso, Matisse, Dali and perhaps most notably of all, Andy Warhol.

Buckingham Palace is possibly the most famous London attraction of them all. The official home of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, it’s one of the most instantly recognizable places on the planet. It is open for guided tours and is full of fantastic art works, although is not an official art gallery.

The last London spectacle that I shall mention here, but by no standards the last worth visiting, is the Natural History Museum. It was designed by Alfred Waterhouse and built in 1881 using Victorian building techniques and was originally made to house the growing amount of natural history exhibits in the British Museum and subsequently grew into the vast spectacle of a museum that it is today.

There are too many wondrous spectacles in London to list them all here, however, if you want to see them all, it will require more than just a day-trip, therefore, for your perfect trip to London, you will need the perfect hotel. There are hundreds of hotels in London, and finding the right one is as simple as finding a website that allows you to browse through them all.

In Downtown Las Vegas, you can see up close the largest golden nugget in the world at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel.  The exhibit is open for viewing 24 hours a day.

The large gold nugget is named “Hand of Faith.” It’s the size of a baby, and it weighs almost 62 pounds.

It was found in 1980 by a guy in Australia with a metal detector, who reportedly almost didn’t bother to dig it up because he thought that his machine was faulty.

Hand of Faith was only six inches below the surface. The Golden Nugget hotel bought it for a million dollars.

Photo credit: Golden Nugget – Las Vegas

Las Vegas Snow

If you want to hear wild stories, then talk to somebody that was been to Las Vegas. But can we believe every Sin City story you hear? Maybe not. Some of these tall tales may very well be a myth.

Las Vegas is larger than life. A city of non-stop gambling and incredible lights. When one thinks of Vegas, they think of gambling casinos, strip joints, showgirls and huge luxurious hotels with flashing lights and dancing waters.

What they usually don’t realize is that this atmosphere is contained to the Las Vegas Strip. The “Strip” is just one section of Las Vegas, not the entire city.

What people don’t stop to think about is that Las Vegas is simply a town just like any other. They have schools, government offices, grocery stores, parks, all the normal features that every single town in America has. If one were to visit Las Vegas and venture off of the strip, they’d find a town with normal people going about their everyday business.

It’s said that prostitution is legal in Las Vegas. This is probably a popular notion due to the exhibitionist nature of the town with all the shows featuring nude showgirls. Vegas is also famous for their quickie wedding chapels and thousands of hotels.

Go into any casino and you’ll find beautiful women in sexy clothes. Nevertheless this is all part of the Vegas image. Prostitution is illegal and people do get arrested for solicitation in Vegas.

The Hoover Dam is a huge construction that took five years to build and used four million plus cubic yards of concrete. It was a massive feat of engineering. During the building of this dam almost a hundred workers lost their lives. The rumor circulating is that some of their bodies remain buried in the concrete still.

The truth is, the concrete was poured in small increments and allowed to dry before pouring the next batch. If anyone were to have fallen into the wet concrete, they would have been easily pulled out.

Due to the idea of Las Vegas being all casinos, hotels and shows, people tend to get the idea that every Vegas resident lives and works on the strip. Women here are all strippers and gorgeous. In actually, this couldn’t be further than the truth. While many of the residents may have jobs on the strip, they clock in and out and go home to their normal subdivisions in surrounding areas.

Still others hold down jobs in schools, grocery stores and government offices and may rarely venture onto the strip. The women living here are normal looking just like the women in any other American town.

Once a woman who won a huge jackpot at the “Megabucks” slot machine experienced a tragic accident mere weeks after her winning and became paralyzed. Since that time a rumor has circulated that everyone who won a major jackpot at the Megabucks slot machines encountered a tragedy of sorts immediately afterwards. Even though the winners are alive and happy today, the rumors persist that they have died or have experienced some horrible incident.

Another myth includes bodies being found in a hotel’s box springs. There’s no proof or evidence that this ever happened in Las Vegas. It did, in fact, happen in some small town over on the east coast of the US. Somehow this incident ended up in Las Vegas as the rumor circulated.

As incredulous as this sounds, there’s even a rumor that kidneys get stolen in Vegas. Apparently someone started a story of a man who awakened in a hotel room one morning to a note that advised him to call 911 or else he would experience dire circumstances. The man supposedly did so only to be told by the doctors that he was missing a kidney.

Las Vegas is quite a colorful place with a crazy present and an even more raucous past. One can be sure to hear some interesting tales about this city. Just remember to take everything you hear about Las Vegas with a little bit of caution and amusement .

Remember that outside of the Strip, Las Vegas is just a normal town with ordinary people going about their business. Oh, and don’t believe everything you hear.

October in London will be month like no other. Enjoy a month of spine-chilling Halloween fun that will definitely be fun for the entire family.

Historic London will offer many eerie attractions that are easy to reach using the London Sightseeing Pass (www.londonpass.com).

The London Bridge Experience and The London Tombs is a two-part attraction which takes visitors back in time to meet some creepy medieval characters, then on to The London Tombs for a terrifying encounter with the undead.

And as a special Halloween celebration the ZSL London Zoo will be transforming itself for ‘Boo at the Zoo’ with spooky stories and ghost walks to get you screaming in terror. ‘Boo at the Zoo’ will be taking place at ZSL London Zoo from Saturday 21 to Sunday 31.

While the Tower of London is home to the Crown Jewels, the famous fortress also has a macabre history as a place of torture. And, Hampton Court Palace was home to King Henry VIII, infamous for his six wives, two of which were sentenced to death by beheading. Enter their Tudor world and bring history lessons to life.

The London Sightseeing Pass gives access to all these and more. With over 55 top London attractions to choose from you can take the family on a walking tour of British films and see the famous Platform 9 3/4 from the Harry Potter films, practice your ice skills and ten pin tricks at the Queens Ice & Bowl or just have a laugh at the Cartoon Museum.

Users have priority access at the busiest sites to avoid queues, a free guidebook and over 40 additional deals and discounts, making the London Sightseeing Pass the perfect money saver and the ideal way to explore the city’s premier attractions.

A one-day London Pass costs $64 for adults and $43 for a child. A two-day London Pass costs $87 for adults ($65 for children aged between five and 15 years), three-day passes are $108 for adults and $73 for children, and a six-day option costs $143 for adults and $101 for children.

Check out all the activities on offer with the London Sightseeing Pass at www.londonpass.com. The website includes a
London map tool to plan visits, details on all the featured attractions, and comprehensive information on special offers that are exclusive to London Pass holders such as free gifts at Harrods and commission-free currency
exchange.

For additional information and to buy a London Pass visit www.londonpass.com

Situated in Copenhagen in the vaulted cellar of a XIIth century building, the medieval atmosphere of the Kong Hans Kaelder has immediate appeal.

The cellar was once owned by King Hans (1455-1513), and lies in the oldest building in Copenhagen as well as is the site of the best restaurant.

The minimalist décor is illuminated by a cuisine that some people describe as “bearing the stamp of Matisse or Picasso”.

Since he took over this restaurant, chef Thomas Andersen has striven to conjure up inventive cuisine, ranking amongst the best in Scandinavia, that is indeed based on French gourmet traditions but also draws inspiration from dishes and products from further afield.

Taste delicious regional and Scandinavian products paired with exclusive products from the best suppliers in France, Spain and Italy.

Hans Christian Andersen once lived upstairs, writing Love in the Nicola Tower.

Rothenberg Germany

Germany is a land of extremes. In this ancient land, you’ll find geographic wonders ranging from the sand dunes of the North Friesian Islands to the towering Alps to idyllic pastoral land dotted with enchanting villages. You can visit castles, sample some of the world’s best beer and wine, explore historic sites and so much more.

Of course, you’ll want to visit Bavaria, home to Munich with its many unique towns and villages, of which Neuschwanstein is perhaps the most famous. The castle, by the same name, was the inspiration for Disney’s signature Sleeping Beauty castle.

There are plenty more interesting destinations, so consider planning a trip other regions, as well. You might want to journey to Germany’s most northerly province, Schleswig Holstein, and visit Hamburg and the surrounding area. Another idea would be to explore the Black Forest, which boasts picturesque scenery, relaxing spas and even casinos.

If you cannot make up your mind as to where to travel, let prolific travel writer Karen Brown do the work for you. On her popular website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, she has created several different itineraries for travelers to Germany. Her suggestions include places of interest, maps, regional tips and excellent places to stay. The following hotels and inns were chosen by her readers as the top lodging choices in Germany.

Built in 1730, the Hotel Bulow Residenz in Dresden is a charming Baroque relic painted a sunny shade of yellow. Hotel Bulow is across the river from the city center, so it offers close access to Dresden’s many attractions, but is located in a quiet, peaceful setting. Elegant guest rooms range from cozier single rooms to more spacious suites decorated with antiques. Breakfasts are often served in a vine-covered courtyard. The hotel has a formal restaurant as well as an intimate piano bar in the wine cellar. The hotel was chosen by Karen Brown readers as Germany’s “Most Romantic” lodging.

A trip to Rothenberg is a bit like waking up in the middle of a fairy tale — you almost expect to see Hansel or Gretel skipping down the streets of this medieval village. A stay at the Romantik Hotel Markusturm is all part of the enjoyment of a visit to this magical town. The guest rooms, decorated by host Lilo Berger, are welcoming, comfortable and eclectic. Lilo’s husband, Stephan, creates the wonderful dinners; his wine soup and homemade beer are among the highlights. Karen Brown readers have chosen this delightful hotel as the winner of the “Warmest Welcome” award for Germany.

The Gasthaus Die Krone in the Black Forest town of Staufen is a delight. This family-run hotel is located in a pedestrian-only area, so it enjoys a quiet and peaceful spot. The exterior of the building is charming with shuttered windows, window boxes bursting with color and a mural depicting the Revolution of 1848. Guest rooms are simple and pleasing with light pine furnishings and beds topped with white duvets and fluffy pillows. The hosts are friendly and welcoming and in addition to the guest rooms, there is a restaurant where dinner is served nightly. The hotel won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Greatest Value” in Germany.

The Romantik Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof is an excellent spot for every type of traveler. Its location is unusual, located on a sand-dune island in Germany’s northernmost spot; the hotel is surrounded by acres of prairie land. There is a wellness center where guests can enjoy a relaxing spa treatment, as well as a sauna and swimming pool. The inn’s restaurant serves breakfast far longer than traditional breakfast hours, so you need not rise early and rush to get in the morning meal. Children will adore the hotel as there is plenty of room to run and play, and the hotel has a children’s program, baby sitting services and a room filled with toys. Hiking, fishing and golf are among the many local activities available. Karen Brown readers have chosen Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof as Germany’s best “Splendid Splurge.

Author:Tess Kirkpatrick loves writing about boutique hotels in Germany and other travel destinations.

If you are looking for a great vacation, Turkey should be high on your list of countries to visit. The sun is always shining and the beaches are great. In the evening you can eat wonderful Turkey food and then dive into the wild nightlife.

If you just want to relax, you can spend the whole day on the beach. If you want some action, try one of the many available water sports: jet skiing, para-sailing, banana boat or simply play a fun game of beach volleyball.

Looking for something more adventurous,? Then trek into the mountains or try mountain or ravine climbing. If water is more your element, Turkey also has a lot of places for diving, sea kayaking and rafting.

The most popular Turkish destination without a doubt is Alanya. About 10 % of all tourists in Turkey are on vacation in Alanya. The reason is the combination of two wonderful beaches and the many interesting sights.

The best site many be castle hill, which divides two beaches. From the top of the hill, about 820 feet (250 meters) above the sea, there is a great view of Alanya and the surrounding country.

The Water Planet Aquapark is one of Turkey’s largest water parks and is an excellent place for children. Here they can try everything from water slides and rafting to bungee jumping and crazy golf.

Antalya is a little different than the other Turkey destinations. The city is not the typical fishing village that grew into a tourist village. The city has about 500,000 residents, so here you see more locals than tourists.

As a large city, Alanya has many shopping centers, bazaars and shopping streets. In addition, there are also many interesting sights from the Roman Empire in the city. Many are located in the old part of the city called Kaleici.

The number one golf destination in Turkey is without doubt – Belek. Eight golf courses can be found in the area. Due to its popularity, you must book several months ahead if you are going in the high season.

Belek is more than just for playing golf. Belek is also a paradise for bird lovers. The city does of course also have fine shopping and several water parks.

Kemer is a nice, little village that is surrounded by the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean. The city has a unique mix of the original Turkey and a modern tourist destination. Here are lively pedestrian streets, an elegant marina and beautiful beach promenades.

Close to the city is the ruins of Phaselis, where Alexander the Great spent his winters. In the middle of Kemer is the Moonlight Park. It’s a large park area with playground and dolphinarium. You can also find many restaurants, bars and discos.

Kusadasi offers an international feeling because of the many arriving cruise ships. Most passengers come to see the famous sight Efesos (also called Efesus) near Kusadasi. If you enjoy smart cafes and international clothing brands, Kusadasi is the city for you.

If you are looking for a romantic vacation destination, the city of Side might be the answer. In the old town you can view many Roman buildings. Stroll among the well-preserved wood and stone houses in quiet streets. Finish the day in the city theater, where concerts and theater have replaced long ago gladiator fights.

Author: Morten Elm

Ninini Lighthouse

At Ninini Point in East Kauai, stands the Ninini Lighthouse. The word Ninini translates to “Pour.” The wood and concrete lighthouse was initially established back in 1906.

Overlooking beautiful Nawiliwili Bay which is south of Lihu’e, the existing Ninini Lighthouse structure was built in 1933.

The imposing lighthouse tower stands about 86-feet tall. If you include the fresnel lens, the total height is 116-feet.

The lighthouse as automated in 1953 and no longer has a full-time lightkeeper. Once in a while a maintenance volunteer does allow a few lucky visitors to climb to the top for incredible panoramic views.

Right next to the Ninini Lighthouse you will find the stone foundation remains of the lightkeeper’s guest quarters. The visibility of the lighthouse beacon extends for 17 miles (27 km). Ninini means “Pour.