Archive for Traveling Tips
11.11.08
Posted in Traveling Tips at 11:25 am by admin
Hotel Rotelle is situated on a hill in the Valdichiana Senese area. It overlooks a splendid valley and is a paradise for a totally relaxing holiday.
FACILITIES
Hotel Rotelle**** has 8 suites which include a bedroom, separate living room and beautifully finished bathroom.
• Air conditioning
• Satellite TV
• Mini bar
• Heat (during the winter)
The Hotel Rotelle**** offers:
• billiards room
• relaxation area with hydromassage tubs and sauna
• restaurant (typical Tuscan cuisine, Chianina meat dishes, traditional Florentine steaks, fish dinners, international ethnic cuisine, specialities from the grill, large selection of local wines)
• wine cellar
• bar
Outside there is a large swimming pool, reserved for guests, with a panoramic view, deckchairs and chaise lounges (open from April 20 to October 30).
During the summer there is also a hydromassage tub next to the pool.
New this year!!!
Our relaxing “Tuscan Atmosphere” Nature Path, where you can enjoy the aromas, essences and sounds of unspoiled nature (with benches, tables and chairs)
Location:
Hotel Rotelle is just 50 km from Siena, the city famous throughout the world for its Palio horse race, splendid medieval buildings and exquisite works of art.
It is 12 km from Pienza, a town located in the Orcia Natural Park on a hill between the Orcia and Asso valleys, famous for its typical local products such as the renowned “Pecorino di Pienza” cheese and the Pieve di Corsignano medieval church, among other attractions.
It is 10 km from Montepulciano. Situated in a panoramic position, it is celebrated for its local Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine, and is a charming town thanks to its winding narrow streets and Renaissance style.
It is 35 km from Montalcino, famous for its production of exceptional wines such as the well-known “Brunello di Montalcino”, the Abbey of Saint Antimo and much more. It is considered one of the most prestigious towns in the Siena area.
Thanks to its strategic position (between Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, Perugia, Assisi, Lake Trasimeno, Monte Amiata , Rapolano Terme, etc.), guests at the Hotel Rotelle**** have plenty to choose from when deciding on fascinating day trips:
• nature
• history
• culture
• food
• wine
Extras:
We also organise culinary courses (to be booked before your arrival) with our Chef de cuisine Kris (who has worked at the Ritz in London and the Ristorante de Kris in Italy).
Wellness packages include use of the relaxation area, beauty treatments and relaxing massages including shiatsu, drainage, and others.
Other than Hotel Rotelle, you can browse our offers for cheap hotel in Torrita di Siena, pls visit our catalogue of Hotels all over Italy, where you can find also a wide range of Bed and Breakfast in Rome and Hotels in Florence, from cheap to luxury, togheter with Hotels in Sicily
Permalink
11.02.08
Posted in Recreation Resources, Traveling Tips at 9:40 am by admin
Chamonix ski resort is a stunning destination with the towering Monte Bianco and tumbling glaciers. Each of us enjoy going hiking or sometimes wandering around. I normally get a flight from Clayton and stay at a Chamonix luxury catered chalet for the duration of my vacation.
We used to stayed in Quality Inn Cincinnati unfortunately it rarely met the standards of its marketing: This Quality Inn is located approximately 25 miles from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and five miles from Paramount’s Kings Island Park. It’s also 11 miles from Cincinnati Zoo, 13 miles from the University Of Cincinnati, and 16 miles from Newport Aquarium, Firstar Center, Cinergy Field, and Paul Brown Stadium. Hotel amenities include the outdoor pool and popcorn machine. In the morning, a complimentary continental breakfast is served, along with free weekday newspapers. This Quality Inn also offers a public microwave, free local calls, safety deposit, and free parking.
However in Chamonix ski resort the hotel is always outstanding. Even eating out in my families’ preferred hotel restaurant, Alexanders, eating Italian Barbecue Pork is a memorable experience. Chamonix Mont Blanc is a large enough town to guarantee that there is plenty for the non-skier to do. Including a museum and a shopping arcade of designer boutiques, Chamonix provides a choice of walking, French alpine charm and sightseeing which barely any ski resorts can match.
Permalink
10.07.08
Posted in Traveling Tips at 5:55 am by admin
Strategically located in one of the more fervently creative, economic and cultural areas of Central Italy, just a few minutes away from Bologna’s historical centre and the lively Colli Bolognesi hills, the TOP Hotel Park Bologna is a landmark for business travel and meetings. It is the ideal venue where to organize events; the right place in Bologna to suit the needs of a sophisticated business clientele, and, can serve as the starting point for memorable excursions, while providing a welcoming atmosphere for relaxing stays in the Emilian capital for the pursuit of culture and fine cuisine.
The TOP Hotel Park Bologna is a functionally designed 4-star Hotel fitted with innovative technology and high quality. Here you will find high-speed wireless Wi-Fi internet connections throughout the hotel and in the rooms.
The facilities include 350 spaces in terms of open air parking as well as a garage without valet service plus parking spaces for 6 GT53 buses. You will also an open air pool with water slide (open June through August). Laundry service is provided for a fee and safety deposit boxes are complementary at the hotel front desk.
The atmosphere is modern and functional, specifically designed for the needs of business travellers seeking comfort and practicality. There are 4 floors providing 142 spacious and comfortable double rooms, 16 of which are communicating. Special attention has been given to the décor; the upholstery and furniture feature pastel pink, yellow and orange hues.
Every room has been designed to provide maximum comfort: each is carefully soundproofed, with autonomous air conditioning/heating, en suite bathroom having both bath tub and shower, blow drier, satellite TV, radio, minibar, high-speed wireless internet connection (for which there is a fee). Specially fitted rooms for disabled persons are also available. Also, a third bed may be added to any of the rooms.
A Buffet breakfast is served American or Italian style in the hotel’s La Buar restaurant from 7 am to 10.30 am. You will find an assortment of eggs, bacon, cheeses, cold cuts, cornflakes, yoghurt, jams, croissants, fruit juices, cold and hot beverages etc.
You will find the TOP Hotel Park Bologna in the heart of the Emila Romagna Region, strategically located at the centre of one of most important business and tourist junctions of Central Italy. The hotel is just a few minutes (8.5 kms) from Bologna’s historical centre, within easy reach of the A1, A14, A13 motorway exits which are 10 kms away, the city’s convention grounds are just 13 kms away, the local airport just 18 kms away and the Central train station 12 kms away. Also within easy reach you will find the city’s historical center, with Piazza Cavour (50 m) from Piazza Maggiore), which well served by public transport buses of which there is a stop very close to the hotel for the (Boaria) 96 line. Buses run during the daylight hours every 20 minutes and tickets are sold at the hotel’s concierge desk.
Permalink
09.17.08
Posted in Traveling Tips at 4:04 am by admin
The thought of a safari might probably conjure up the ideas of amazement and the location of Africa. African safaris have been well accepted in Africa for decades and have become famous with the English holiday tourists because of the good weather and the superb wildlife that will often be explored.
The greatest time to scout out Zambia for a great walking safari is around March as the weather is magnificent. The number of English tourists who travel over to Africa for a safari has significantly risen in the last eight decades due to the strong pound and also due to the increased attention of South Africa.
The wildlife that you can often observe is big, you can see tigers and rhinos all up close. Zambia is great for people who want to come and investigate the animals and also wish for a romantic vacation. The African safaris are not too strenuous that you can’t possibly go back to your wonderful hotel in the evening for a romantic evening. That is why walking safaris in Zambia may be perfect for a honeymoon. Africa has some of the best privately owned apartments and safaris in the country and should be experienced by all at least once. Why not go on a safari, Kaingo specialise in Africa safaris.
Permalink
08.27.08
Posted in Regional, Traveling Tips at 4:20 am by admin
Purpose of this article is to introduce hidden treasures and places in Rome unknown to the mass but enchanting for their beauty and historical value; advises and reviews on Hotels in Rome.
Planning an Itinerary to Rome can be difficult if you are unsure of what to visit: sometimes it’s better to take a Rome Tour. This article gives some insight to some must places of the Eternal City.
Must see places in Rome:
Santa Maria degli Angeli
Ancient Roman thermal Baths restored by Michelangelo to become one of the most imposing Roman Basilicas
Piazza Venezia
The geographic centre of Rome. At the centre the white imposing mass of the Altare della Patria, tells the story of Italy in the marbles of its relieves.
San Clemente
The story of Rome in a church. Many levels on top of each other which speak of various events and cultures, persons and cults, men and divinities. An absolute must for all visits to Rome.
Via della Conciliazione
The monumental entrance to the Vatican, created as an expression of the historic concordate between the Fascist state and the Catholic Church.
The reservation is simple as 1-2-3: check the availability for hotels in Rome, find which hotel or Rome accommodation best fits your needs, and proceed to the reservation filling a form and proceeding to a secure payment in credit card.
Permalink
06.02.08
Posted in Traveling Tips at 2:11 pm by admin
Mention the city of Salzburg, in Austria, and it’s amazing how many people burst into their favourite song from “The Sound of Music”. Despite this, Salzburg has another claim to musical fame - it was the birthplace of Mozart. With much of its central city relatively untouched for centuries, Salzburg also offers the chance to see magnificent architecture in abundance.
Mozart, however, is very much an element of Salzburg, and can’t be forgotten very easily. There is Mozartplatz, with a big statue of guess who! The music academy is called Mozarteum, and of course there’s the house he was born and raised in (Mozart Geburtshaus) and another house where he lived between 1773 and 1780. This residence, known as the Mozart-Wohnhaus, contains a fascinating museum, well worth visiting.
Best of all, though, is the confection called Mozartkugeln, or Mozart balls, a chocolate covered mix of nougat and marzipan, which seems to decorate a large number of shop windows.
“The Sound of Music”, however, doesn’t receive the same enthusiastic support, and in some ways is almost ignored in Salzburg. Still, it is possible to visit the gardens of Schloss Mirabell, where many scenes were shot. You can also wander the cemetery of St Peter’s. This is where the Von Trapp family hid from the Nazis in the movie. In real life it’s much harder to imagine so many people hiding in such a small space!
The old part of the city centre provides many delights, so make sure you take a stroll around this exquisite area. Start with both the Residenzplatz and Kapitelplatz, which are on either side of the magnificent Dom (Cathedral). Finish up in Domplatz and you’ll be rewarded with a view of the Dom, the first building outside of Italy that was built in the baroque style. Its three bronze doors symbolise faith, hope and charity.
Even better, take the time to go inside and appreciate the interior. There’s also a museum if you want to explore further. There are many other beautiful churches nearby, including Franziskanerkirche (Franciscan Church) and Kollegienkirche (Collegiate Church). Alternatively, you can find a place to sit and drink a coffee while you absorb the atmosphere.
No trip to Salzburg would be complete without a visit to Festung Hohensalzburg - the Hohensalzburg Fortress. This old building dominates the old part of Salzburg, sitting on a hill above the city. You can be energetic and walk 15 minutes up the hill to reach it, or you can catch the funicular. When you reach the top, if you breath hasn’t already been taken away by the walk, it will be when you see the stunning views in so many directions.
You can pay to visit the interior of the fortress, which includes a fascinating look at everything from state rooms to torture chambers.
Hopefully you will also get to hear some of the interesting tales about the fortress, some true, some not, but all entertaining. One archbishop had a particular fondness for turnips, and there are supposedly 58 of them located in various motifs around the castle. Another story tells of when the city was under siege, and the whole population was hiding in the fortress. With their food almost gone, they paraded their final cow along the ramparts. They fooled the enemy into believing they still had abundant provisions, and the enemy gave up and went home!
If you have plans to visit Austria, then make sure you include Salzburg on your itinerary. There is so much to enjoy and admire, and something to suit everybody’s taste. Even if your taste doesn’t run to Mozart or “The Sound of Music”!
Copyright Felicity Walker 2005
Travelling in Austria is a much loved past time for the author. To find out more, check out http://www.travelaustriainfozone.com or http://www.travelaustriainfozone.com/salzburg/ for more information.
Permalink
05.27.08
Posted in Traveling Tips at 6:34 am by admin
Arguably the most famous waterfall in the world, Niagara Falls consists of three separate waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls), the American Falls, and the adjacent Bridal Veil Falls. It is the second largest waterfall in the world, second only to Victoria Falls in southern Africa. Imagine its power, with over 168,000 cubic meters of water falling over the crest line every minute! A breathtaking sight indeed. Attracting 14 million tourists annually, Niagara Falls straddles the Canada-US border and is shared by the cities of Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario.
As glaciers melted and retreated after the last Ice Age, land rose behind it to form ridges such as the Niagara Escarpment. It also formed today’s Lake Erie and its surrounding lowlands. The lake overflowed nearly 12,000 years ago, and Niagara Falls was born. Erosion has shifted the falls from its original location seven miles north in Lewiston.
During summer, Niagara Falls draws the highest number of visitors. After dark, floodlights illuminate both sides of it until midnight, from the Canadian side. From the American side, you can have a view of American Falls from walkways along Prospect Park or from an observation tower.
Queen Victoria Park on the Canadian side contains gardens, and platforms that offer excellent views of both the American and Horseshoe Falls. The underground walkways in the park lead to observation rooms creating an illusion of being within the falling waters. For the highest panoramic view of the falls, you can visit the observation deck of the Skylon Tower. If you look at the opposite direction from the tower, you can get a view of far-away Toronto as well.
Since 1846, the Maid of the Mist cruises have carried visitors into the whirlpools beneath the falls. The Spanish Aerocar, a cable car designed by a Spanish Engineer and built in 1916, carries passengers over the whirlpool below the falls on the Canadian side.
Niagara Falls provides detailed information on Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Hotels, Niagara Falls Vacation Packages, Niagara Falls Attractions and more. Niagara Falls is affiliated with Cheap Niagara Falls Hotels.
|
|
Permalink
05.23.08
Posted in Traveling Tips at 1:16 pm by admin
For all those who desire to bask in the glory of nature along
with an adventurous vacation, anchorage in Alaska is just the
ideal destination. Bordered by snow-capped mountains Anchorage
is one place that is the home for four seasons that offer
pleasant atmosphere. These seasons make enable the residents as
well as the visitors enjoy their work. Mother nature has
bestowed the place with almost everything possible. From huge
water bodies and glaciers to seals, whales and sea bears
Anchorage has it all.
To know about the tradition and culture of Anchorage, Alaska,
make a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. At the
outdoor area of the center there are five traditional permanent
village exhibits and a talking circle where traditional games
are paraded. While in the indoor visitors are entertained with a
short introductory film about the Native cultures. There are
also various educational performances such as dancing, singing,
storytelling etc. Also worth visiting is the Anchorage museum of
history and art that is located quite close to the heritage
center. The museum displays more than 20,000 archaic pieces that
have great historical significance. The Alaska Zoo is a definite
pull of Anchorage, Alaska. The zoo has different species of
polar bear, Arctic fox, reindeer, lynx etc. In order to confront
ferocious grizzlies, bison’s, musk ox and other wildlife Alaska
Wildlife Conservation is just the right place. The Chugach
National Park in the northeast area of Alaska is famous for
hiking and wild animals such as wolves and bears. Other places
worth visiting are the Elmendorf State Hatchery and Anchorage
Coastal Wildlife Refuge.
People from all over the world take keen interest in being a
part of the celebrations in Anchorage, Alaska. For instance the
month of January is swarming with people because of the Annual
Anchorage Folk Festival, February is recognized for Ski for
Women and Anchorage Fur Rendezvous events.
Anchorage, Alaska is a place for people of all ages. The place
offers a plethora of activities for instance the Nordic Skiing,
Alpine Skiing, Snowmobile etc. Besides these fishing, river
rafting, canoeing, kayaking, sail boarding, sailing and other
motorized water sports can be relished here at ease. Along with
these the H20asis Water park that lies in the southeast of
Anchorage and includes a 43-foot high water coaster is a round
the year pull of this place. Also people frequently visit
anchorage because of the numerous sports events held here.
Baseball, basketball and hockey are the most cherished sports
here.
The nightlife of anchorage is quite thrilling and enjoyable.
There are many bars and dinner theatres here. The Rumrunner’s
Old Towne Bar & Grill downtown located at the corner of 4th and
E Street are eminent night-out joints. Also known is the Fly By
Night Club, a non-typical dinner theater that features
non-politically correct political humor.
Another wonderful feature of Alaska is that luxury as well as
budget travelers can have a gala time here. The accommodation
and lodging of all sorts is readily available. Besides this
camping can also be conveniently done at this place.
Permalink
05.20.08
Posted in Traveling Tips at 11:30 am by admin
Yesterday was our last day in New York City and our flight left
at 7:57 pm, so we figured we’d store our luggage at the B&B for
a few hours and head out one more time for one more round of
urban exploration.
Well, one area we hadn’t seen much yet was Brooklyn (other than
Coney Island which we explored on Friday). We really liked
Brooklyn, formerly a sleepy suburban area, which has has nicely
matured into one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in New
York City, no wonder, thanks to its stately architecture,
multicultural shopping areas and green mature trees in many
areas.
Our beloved Q train got us to Prospect Park, another masterpiece
by landscape designer Frederick Law Olmstead, although this
exhibit is a lot wilder and more natural than its Central Park
counterpart. Although the day was a bit on the cool side, there
were tons of people jogging, biking, walking and Prospect Park,
just like its big cousin in Manhattan, has big fields with
multiple baseball diamonds and soccer fields. The action was in
full swing and we caught a live performance by a Mexican
mariachi band, fronted by a young girl who was literally singing
her heart out.
At the north end of Prospect Park is Grand Army Plaza, which is
dominated by a massive Civil War memorial arch. Across from the
arch is the Brooklyn Public Library, opened in 1941 in a late
Art Deco style, and now blocked off for some renovations. Just
around the corner is the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and the
monumental Brooklyn Museum of Art.
But we had no time to explore these areas further, we only had a
less than a couple of hours left before we had to pick up our
luggage to head to the airport. Off we went and hopped onto
another subway to head towards Washington Square Park, one area
that I had definitely wanted to see.
It was a little quiet there on this cloudy and cool day and the
Washington Arch, compared to other monuments, seemed a little
diminuitive. We had a quick pizza in one of the cheap student
eateries around New York University and got back to the subway.
However, we realized we were on the wrong platform (for
northbound trains), so we headed back out the subway to reenter
on the correct side.
Guess what - our metro transit card didn’t let us back in! The
display said “Just used” and there was no way we could get back
in at a different entrance at the same subway station. I guess
that’s a built-in mechanism to safeguard against 2 people using
the same transit card. So we had to trekk about 20 minutes south
to Prince Street and use our metro card there. Our $24 transit
pass got major use over the last 4.5 days and when we go to NYC
again, we’ll definitely pick up another transit pass. Well, at
least we won’t make the same mistake again to swipe the card and
then exit the subway station…
Just after 2:30 pm we picked up our luggage at the B&B and spent
the next 2 hours discovering a new subway line (the N line)
which we caught all the way to Astoria Boulevard, where we
picked up the M60 bus to get to LaGuardia airport. It took us a
couple of hours, but it was great to get one last ride through
the New York City neighbourhoods.
After being thoroughly searched, patted down, having my shoes
x-rayed and otherwise being inspected, we finally got on our
American Airlines ride back home to Toronto and saw one last
vista at dusk of the City that never sleeps.
We will return…….
Permalink
05.10.08
Posted in Traveling Tips at 4:25 am by admin
Ski chalets are a strange hybrid of hotel and second home. They were invented in the sixties to provide a safe haven in the European Alps for the English, who hated going abroad yet looked on the Alps as their own. They could relax without having to speak a foreign language, and their appetites would be satisfied by a boiled egg and a bowl of porridge for breakfast, rather than ’some awful foreign muck’.
Initially, a handful of Brit entrepreneurs rented some private chalets for a winter (one bath to 12 people). They installed breathless young ‘gels’, who said they could cook but couldn’t, gave them a miserable housekeeping budget up front which the girls spent on themselves, and told them get on with it.
The Brits lapped it up. Strapping young men came out in their droves to sample first the chalet girls, then the skiing, and finally what there was in the way of food. There was none to speak of as the chalet girls were too busy skiing with the young men, and had already blown the food budget. To calm them down when they came back from skiing ‘absolutely starving’, the gels would bake the young men a cake for tea. Then they let them drink loads of paint stripper, known in smart circles as ‘vin rouge’, before, during and after an awful dinner.
But it didn’t matter - everybody loved it. The bachelors went home in love, and the Brit entrepreneurs were coining it in. The gels, who were paid a pittance, could supplement their meagre incomes by sending a telegram home to Daddy, who was frightfully important in the City.
After about fifteen years things were beginning to look a bit tawdry. The catered ski chalet ethos was well and truly established but starting to get a bad name; the punters wanted something better. They had a lot more to spend as Mrs Thatcher was in charge. Changes were afoot. Unreliable chalet girls were replaced by girls who could cook, or couples of a more responsible nature, who would share chalet duties with ski guiding.
There was enough money sloshing around in the eighties for keen independent skiers to buy properties mainly in the French Alps and set up small ski chalet holiday operations of their own. There were, and of course still are, large tour operators with dozens of chalets, but the very nature of a catered chalet holiday is the personal service that a group of friends can get from like minded people, whose livelihood depends on making them feel welcome and relaxed.
Yesterday’s rough and ready has been replaced by today’s sophisticated. Competition is strong, mainly because so many people have upped sticks from the UK, and set up in the mountains where they see an easier way of life and a more relaxed way to run a business.
The service offered by today’s independent chalet owners is almost unrecognisable compared to that of the sixties. Bedrooms mostly come with their own bathroom, the food can be first class (many a five star chef is plying his trade in the relative peace of the Alps) and the wine is of a superior quality nowadays, but is still usually unlimited. There are exceptions of course, and it’s still possible to find budget ski accommodation not unlike the early sixties. Basically you get what you pay for, and if you want cheap and cheerful, it’s not difficult to find!
The best ski chalets are often designed and furnished to remarkable standards, complete with saunas, satellite phones and broadband connections. Skiing with the guests is often offered as a complementary service, as is a minibus, which doubles as a taxi service from the airport.
Strangely though, there is still cake for tea…
Simon Dewhurst has has been involved in many aspects of the ski business for 35 years, including teaching downhill and cross country skiing, club racing, speed skiing and running chalets in the French Alps. He has written a book “Secrets of Better Skiing”, which can be found at http://www.ski-jungle.com
Permalink
« Previous entries