Cap Juluca: Spotlight Hotel In The Caribbean Posted By : Darlene Berkel -
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The Kyiv city state administration wants to get rating of the Fitch international rating agency before 2008, said Denys Bass, first deputy chairman of the Kiev city administration.
Channel: Real Estate Tags: economy forecast Kiev Loan
The office real estate in Kiev is big boom market now. A growth of rental rates is about 30%, and today they are 35-45% higher than in other capitals in eastern and central Europe.
Channel: Real Estate Tags: commercial Kiev office real estate Ukraine
Current prices (average weighted) for one-room apartments on Kiev primary real-estate market
Channel: Real Estate Tags: appartments flat investment Kiev residential
>Set in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, stunning Sardinia is a popular destination for those who live for a variety of aquatic sports and who long for unforgettable seaside holidays beside the Italian island’s clear waters. The renown north-eastern Costa Smeralda of Sardinia, with its 55 kilometres of pinkish white sand beaches, rocky promontories, and classic port towns, has been home to jet-setters since the Aga Kahn and his pals stumbled upon the place in the 1960s and bought a large part of the coast to build a series of extravagant resorts. Today, beautiful women brazenly bathe topless, while their male friends are busy securing their flashy cruising yachts in the bay.
While this stretch of Sardinia’s Mediterranean coast may be a millionaire’s playground, there’s nothing to stop wanna-be jet-setters from getting a slice of holiday action. Walk the streets of trendy Costa Smeralda and you may spot a familiar TV or movie star, a model, or other celebrity. Of course the paparazzi make a living catching their subjects unawares, but who wants to be mistaken for a snoop? However, don’t expect to find Costa Emeralda’s main public beaches packed with movie stars. The super rich and famous practice social filtering by escaping to hard-to-reach places such as Cala Pietra Bianca or the exquisite Poltu di li Cogghi - beaches protected from the rest of us by their isolation and/or lack of signposting.
From OIbia to the Costa Smeralda
The gateway to the Costa Smeralda, the town of Olbia, is one of Europe’s most expensive resort areas. It has a large port where ferries from the Italian mainland berth and a small airport. Before departing the town, shop for exquisite lace, wood carvings, carpets and the delicious bitter honey that is harvested during autumn. From Olbia you’ll travel to Porto Cervo, home to the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club. Although it is packed with rich Italians and their yachts, Porto Cervo lacks the Mediterranean fishing village feel of other Sardinian towns and villages. You will marvel at real estate prices in the realtor shop windows and be amazed at how much a small bowl of pasta can cost you. Be sure to check out the resort hotel of Cala di Volpe, 10 kilometers south of Porto Cervo, where many of Europe’s royals, media stars and hangers on come to revel in Costa Smeralda’s beauty. Nearby Il Pevero, one of Europe’s most spectacular golf courses, attracts golfers of all standards who come for the game and get distracted by the scenery.
Liscia di Vacca, part of Porto Cervo, has a charming stretch of sandy beach and panoramic views of the islands of Maddalena and Caprera. In fact, La Maddalena is an archipelago of twenty-seven islands that have been preserved as national park due to the variety of the vegetation and the unique animals found there. A ferry from Palau can take you to the largest of La Maddalena’s islands, but it’s best explored in a rented boat, when you may catch a alluring glimpse of dolphins swimming next to your bow in the crystal clear waters. For an overview of the area, take the windy road to the top of Monte Mora, highest of the granite peaks that dominate Costa Smeralda’s rugged coast.
Of course it’s no longer just the jetsetters who have time and cash to spare for a Costa Smeralda holiday. And while you might have stay in less expensive accommodations, it’s still possible to get the feel of life as a jet-setter on a trip to Costa Smeralda on Sardinia.
>Jim Thompson, (1906 - 1967) an American and an architect by profession, first came to Bangkok as a member of the OSS (Office of Strategic Services, the forerunner of the CIA) in September 1945, just as World War II ended.
It was originally planned for Thompson to parachute into Thailand to link up with the Seri Thai or Free Thai underground. But the abrupt end of the war gave him the luxury of landing in Bangkok Airport.
He was briefly the OSS station chief in Bangkok and reestablished the US Embassy after which he returned home for his military discharge. In 1946, Jim Thompson returned to Bangkok. This was to be the start of an adventure that was to leave a legacy in Bangkok and the rest of Thailand.
There was another American OSS officer, a Naval Lieutenant, who was to parachute in with Thompson. His name was Alexander MacDonald. Like Thompson, MacDonald returned to Thailand after his military service. Being a journalist by professional before the war, MacDonald started the Bangkok Post, the leading English daily in Thailand.
Thompson’s connection to Thailand went back a long way. His maternal grandfather, General James Harrison Wilson met the Crown Prince Vajiravudh (who later became Rama VI) in England during the wedding of King George V. When Crown Prince Vajiravudh visited the USA, he requested for General Wilson be his guide.
As a child, Jim was exposed to the old photographs and stories of his grandfather hosting a garden party for the Crown Prince Vajiravudh. That was his first exposure to faraway Thailand.
On his return to Bangkok, Thompson was briefly involved in the reorganisation of the legendary Oriental Hotel. Later, he took an interest in the ailing Thai silk industry which was largely a small-scale cottage industry.
He toured the silk producing regions extensively to learn about the source of the raw silk, studied the silk weaving process, the finished products and examined the prevailing state of the industry.
In 1947, the Thai silk industry was in the doldrums. Over the last 40 years, it was battered by the competition from the textiles mills of the developed West, the economic depression and later, World War II. Most of the weavers had given up on the trade and switched to other means of living.
Thompson persevered and finally found a Muslim community of weavers living in the village of Ban Krue by the Saan Saab Canal. This discovery had two fortunate consequents. Firstly, it helped revived Thai silk weaving. Secondly, through his frequent visits to Ban Krue, he noticed a piece of land across the canal from the village. This was to be the birth of another brilliant idea, as we shall see later.
Thompson managed to persuade some of these weavers to start weaving some samples for him. In 1947, he brought the completed samples to America and convinced Vogue the fashion magazine to publish an article, which took the fashion world by storm.
Subsequently, the Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company was started in 1948 and the weaving of Thai silk commenced in earnest. In time the outlets expanded and today there are Thai silk outlets in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pataya, Phuket and Samui.
Internationally, Thai silk is available in every continent in the world. There are outlets in Athens, Auckland, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Paris, London, Hong Kong, Manila, Santiago, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Zurich and the list goes on. Soon the name Jim Thompson became a household word for Thai silk and fashion.
For his untiring efforts in reviving the Thai silk industry, Jim Thompson was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, an award to foreigners for exceptional service to Thailand.
Inspired by the scenic beauty of the land across the canal in Ban Krue, Thompson developed the idea of building a traditional Thai house on that land by the canal. He had such houses from various parts of Thailand brought to Bangkok and reassembled into a showpiece in traditional Thai architecture. As soon as he moved in, the Jim Thompson House quickly became a center of social activity for the gregarious American from Delaware.
In 1967, Thompson went for a holiday in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. While he was out on a jungle walk, he vanished without a trace and all efforts to find him were in vain. His disappearance remained an unsolved mystery to this day.
In the aftermath of his disappearance, many theories were advanced to explain the circumstances of his disappearance. His former connections with the OSS fueled further speculation in conspiracies. Some were sensational enough to claim to have
solved the mystery of his disappearance. It would be fruitless to dwell on such theories without any verification.
What we can be sure of is that Jim Thompson left behind a legacy in the Thai silk industry with the numerous silk outlets in Thailand and the world. The Jim Thompson House still stands today in memory of his efforts to preserve Thai architecture and art.
The Jim H W Thompson Foundation set up after his disappearance is dedicated to the preservation of Thai artistic and cultural legacies.
>In the South Pacific Hawaii is comprised of six tropical islands. Hawaii is one of the most picturesque visitor destinations you can find in the world. The excellent beaches and many outdoor activities that Hawaii has to offer makes for an excellent tranquil setting. Many unique zoos such as the only rainforest zoo in the United States is found on the big island of Hawaii. You can also find several well known beaches in Hawaii such as the Kailua Beach and Waikiki Beach. Maui is also an excellent island for the outdoor enthusiast which two dormant volcanoes and activities such as biking and whale watching.
Many vacationers to Hawaii end up going to Honolulu on the island of Oahu. This city is known for its wide selection of resort accommodations along with an excellent variety of activities such as scuba diving, deep sea fishing and swimming with dolphins. In addition, Honolulu features Waikiki Beach which is known as one of the best beaches in the world. If you prefer other activities then Honolulu also offers the Waikiki Aquariums, the Honolulu Zoo and the Honolulu Botanical Gardens. If you prefer your outdoor activities in the form of nature walks then there is the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve which offers trails that focus on giving you the experience of unspoiled Hawaiian flora and fauna while promoting the preservation of local marine life. For the history buffs there is Pearl Harbor which features the USS Arizona Memorial to those who died in World War II.
The second most popular destination in Hawaii is Maui which has the world’s largest national park called Haleakala. In addition the west shore has some excellent beach options. Some of the best surfing and windsurfing in the world can be found at the Ho’okipa Beach Park on the east shore. In addition the small historic town of Lahaina nearby offers an excellent selection of museums and cultural activities. You can also experience the unique option of the Molokini Snorkel Cruise which lets you visit a half submerged volcanic crater that has some of the most unique marine life anywhere in the world. Between December to Mid-May there are number of humpback whale watching cruises available to visitors.
An excellent option for accommodations in Oahu is the Doubletree Alana Waikiki which gives you very comfortable and beautiful rooms with prompt customer service at about half the price of other hotels in Hawaii. It also features great cuisine at the Padovani’s Restaurant downstairs and it within walking distance of the famous Waikiki Beach.
In Maui an excellent option is the Pineapple Inn which is very small, but has a terrific value. There are only four rooms at this inn with one cottage. However it offers excellent panoramic ocean views and an excellent tropical garden. Each room comes with a small kitchenette so you can stay in your room and enjoy the ocean for as long as you want.
>If you are planning a visit to Greece, don’t miss the Hellenic Festival in Athens located in the second century Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Planning a sea voyage to Greece’s many islands can be a memorable experience. Greece offers mountain climbing, sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, river rafting, kayaking, and hiking in it’s beautiful natural settings.
Visiting Piraeus
Piraeus is known as the premier port on the Aegean Sea and is a busy hub for travelers and locals. While in Piraeus, visit the Marina Zea and catch a ride to the Saronic Gulf to view the large yachts, restaurants, shops and taverns along the shoreline. The Hellenic Maritime Museum exhibits modern and ancient ships and is a great place for those interested in naval history. Piraeus also offers an archeological museum featuring bronzed statues of Apollo, Athena, and Artemis. Kastella Hill offers a spectacular view of the sea and the surrounding traditional Greek houses perched on the scenery. The Hill is home to shops, restaurants, clubs and coffee houses. Take in a soccer game of the Olympiako’s, the resident, champions of Greek Soccer.
Amazing Athens
The Acropolis is the most famous site in all of Athens and lies in the center of the city. It contains a cluster of ancient ruins and is very popular among tourists. National Archaeological Museum is a museum featuring the art and artifacts of the Minoan’s an ancient tribe of people who once dominated the Aegean Sea. The Jewish Museum, Parthenon, and the National Gardens are all tourist hot spots in Athens. Kolonaki is a modern Athenian street filled with chic boutiques, coffee houses and restaurants.
Staying in Athens is recommended at the Hotel Athens, the Grande Bretagne Hotel, the Art Hotel, the Athens Hilton, the King George Palace, the Life Gallery Athens Hotel, the Periscope Hotel, and the Eridanus Hotel. These hotels are highly recommended by fellow tourists visiting Greece.
Colossal Crete
The Palace of Knossos is home to labyrinthine ruins that have been reported to be the home to the monstrous Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature that devoured young virgins in ancient times. Be sure to visit the Venetian Walls and Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis, the historic village of Iraklion and the beautiful sixteenth century fortress known as The Venetian Fortezza. Some popular lodgings in Crete are: The Anastasia Hotel, King Minos Palace Hotel, the Megaron Hotel, Mike Hotel and Apartments, the Galaxy Iraklio Hotel, the Santa Marina Plaza, and the Camari Garden Apartments. Greece is filled with ancient history, beautiful scenery and friendly hospitality. Including Greece in your travel itinerary will ensure a pleasurable, memorable trip for the entire family. Greece is a land that must be experienced to be truly appreciated.
>Choosing to visit Germany can be an educational and historically enriching experience for the whole family. Four must see cities in Germany are Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg.
Stopping in Berlin
A famous Berlin landmark is the Berlin Wall. This stop will provide for an education about Germany’s history and how the dismantling of the Wall has affected the German people. Other exhibits in Berlin are the Jewish Museum, the Perganon ancient history museum, The Brandenburg Gate monument, the Atlas archaeological museum, The Story of Museum history exhibit and the Klusor Wilhelm Memorial Church ruins from bombings during World War II. The New Synagogue of Berlin features an exhibit of the Berlin Jewish culture. Wintergarten Variete showcases a world famous cabaret show. The Berlin Cathedral is a beautiful Protestant church and will delight architecture lovers visiting Berlin. The art lover will not want to miss the National Gallery featuring eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century art, and the Tacheles hosting works by trendy German artists. The Ritz Carlton Berlin offers rooms at an average of $348 a night, the Swissotel Berlin for $168 per room, the Movenpick Hotel Berlin at an average of $177 , and the Hotel Pension Bregony provides rooms for about $87. All these hotel are highly recommended by other tourists.
While in Frankfurt
Visitors to Frankfurt will want to experience the Frankfurt Zoo, St. Leonard Church, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum, the German Architecture Museum, and the Frankfurt Historical Museum. Other popular attractions are the Goethe House, home and museum of the legendary writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Leibieghaus, a unique castle-like art museum located in Frankfurt. Recommended Lodging in Frankfurt is provided by: the Hilton Frankfurt at about $486 a night, the Hotel Excelsior for an average of $251, the Hotel Friedberger Warte for an average of $159 a room, and the Best Western Alexander Am Zoo for about $152 a night per room.
Memorable Munich
Munich attractions that are popular with tourists are Staatlickes Hofbrauhaus a sixteenth century famous beer hall and the English Garden, a classic scenic park featuring classic English horticulture as well as Greek, Chinese and Japanese exhibits. Don’t miss Viktualienmarkt an outdoor marketplace featuring German crafts. The Old Pinakothek art gallery is a popular stop. Religious enthusiasts will enjoy the Church of Our Lady, a fifteenth century cathedral with domed towers as well as St. Peter’s Church which offers amazing scenic photo opportunities. Munich is also home to the BMW factory museum, a great stop for the automobile enthusiast. Hotels that are recommended in Munich are: the Hotel Torbrau at an average of $280 a night, Le Meridian Munchen at $251, Hotel Uhland at about $148, the Hilton Munich City at about $338, and the Royal Hotel at an average price of $105 per night.
Touring Hamburg
Hamburg also offers popular tourists stops in the form of art galleries, historical exhibits and museums. Hamburg lodging that is recommended by other tourists are: The Park Hyatt Hamburg, Madison Hotel Hamburg and the 25 hours hotel.