The Roman Colosseum is one of the standard landmark attractions for most tourists who visit this great ancient city. And while it remains one of the world’s awesome testimonies to ancient culture, it can also be difficult to image all of the activities that took place there on a regular basis in ancient times. The Colosseum was the main social event location and all sorts of activities occurred there. Some were political in orientation while others served as major competitions or pure entertainment. Guests in a grand hotel might sense a feeling of ancient Rome in the atmosphere.

The famous fights of the gladiators continue to entice imaginations and also inspire events that are reminiscent, if loosely, of these competitions. One of the most disturbing, though also sensational aspects of the Roman fights was that they went on until the death of one of the opponents. These fighters spent most of their lives training and preparing for these fights and they were some of the most respected citizens of ancient Rome.

Tourists who visit the city and southern Italy today can view and wonder at the remains of this ancient landmark, though it is incredibly difficult to image what it would have been like to be there. The front desk staff in a Rome hotel will have good information on the Colosseum, its events and other attractions in this great city.

Atlanta is a great metropolitan area rich with cultural events that are popular for residents and tourists to enjoy. Listed below are some great cultural attractions Atlanta has to offer all year round. Some are expensive to attend, but are well worth the price. If you’re in town staying at one of the better Atlanta hotels , make sure to ask the concierge if they offer their guest discount ticket to any of these wonderful events.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is exactly what music lovers need to fill up their desires for great sounds; sounds of Yo-Yo Ma, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Lang Lang, Jon Kimura Parker and Midori only to name a few. The Atlanta Ballet is without a doubt the city’s most elegant and timeless performing company.

The High Museum of Art is a world renowned museum hosting wonderful exhibits featuring art works from around the world. If you’re here with your family , check out their Family Fun Days, or if the concerts at the ASO didn’t quiet fulfill your music needs, the High Museum of Art hosts Monthly Jazz Nights.

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens located inside Piedmont Park is 185 acres of land designated for the delights of the Atlanta residents and visitors. This park is a favorite destination where the Fuqua Orchid Center and Conservatory will astound you at the same time bringing a sense of peace to any type of day you are experiencing. The pathways are lined with yearly art displays and there are wide areas for children to play.

Cape Town is a major city in South Africa that is filled with people living busy lives. It is surrounded by the ocean which can give the beach goer some much needed rest from the pace of daily life. There is another way to enjoy the area, which is to spend some time hiking along Table Mountain

People come to the Cape Town hotels to see some of the history of the country and city. While they are visiting they are encouraged to get out onto the mountains that tower above the city for a new perspective.

Get away from the guest house and really see the beauty that lies in the wilderness in the area. The mountain has many trails to walk along with breathtaking view of the city and ocean below. There is a lot of plants and flowers that give off wonderful fragrances to enjoy. If you find a guide they can tell you the history of events that occurred on the mountains as well as help point out the wild life that live there today.

It really is a beautiful place to spend time in. With the movement of the body and the breathing of fresh air one is bound to be rejuvenated and inspired.

We’ve all heard at some point or another of the picturesque and exotic land of Morocco. Most imagine it as a place of fantasy and completely out of reach when they hear tales of streets lined with markets and bazaars selling exotic spices and silks or snake charmers and acrobats entertaining in the streets. The truth is all these and more can be found in Marrakech.

This marvelous and sometimes mystical city is full of exotic sights and smells that encourage travelers to drift through its back streets enjoying mint teas and other local refreshments popular to the region while imagining the bygone time when the city used to be a way station for traveling caravans instead of a bustling metropolis lined with ancient architecture. you might even stumble upon one of the Oasis like botanical gardens scattered through the city even if you didn’t set out searching for them.

The Marrakech hotels themselves are worth visiting for their gorgeous roof top terraces where you can view the stunningly picturesque architecture the city is known for and listen to the sounds of merchants calling their wears in the streets bellow in some regions of the city. Whether you choose to stay in the lap of luxury or seek out a more traditional feeling hotel you should be sure not to get lost in your rooms and venture forth to see and taste the delights of this wonderful city.

There is so much to do and see in Boston that it can be difficult to fit everything into a single trip. This is one of the reasons why many people become frequent visitors of this New England city. In addition, from a western perspective, the entire region seems to feel a little congested and most of the major cities are within a day’s drive to each other. So, for people who live on the East Coast, making frequent trips to Boston is relatively easy. And for those who are coming from the West, an airport hotel can be one of your best friends.

Some of the popular tourist attractions in the city include the New England Aquarium, which is a great place to visit for children and adults. In addition, the Boston Children’s Museum and the Museum of Science are excellent places for the entire family. And surprisingly the adults are generally as captivated, thrilled, educated and entertained as are the children.

Meanwhile, for the grown ups, a trip to the original Cheers Bar might be a great idea, or the Sam Adams Brewery is another option. And for people who want to explore the history of this great city the Paul Revere House is a must see attraction. In addition, there are some great city tours available and many of them are particularly theme oriented.

Regardless of how many trips it takes you to do it, exploring Boston can be one of the greatest adventures of your lifetime. These and other attractions are some of the favorites for the guests in the best Boston hotels .

If there ever was a greater city than Dallas, it has not yet been discovered. Ok, it probably has, but when you are in Dallas you are guaranteed to forget all other places. It is the eighth largest city in the nation and that is no small achievement. It is a great spot to visit if you haven’t been there before, some people even say it is the number one place to go to relax in Texas. In a place that claims to make everything bigger, it is no wonder that even the smallest hotel here feels like a luxury Dallas hotel . It isn’t what you can do inside the hotel that is great though, it is what you can do when you get out.

Dallas has more than thirteen entertainment districts, and there is always one near by any hotel you might be staying in. There are a also a number of shopping districts, with some of the finest shopping in all of Texas. Depending on what you are shopping for it may even be some of the finest shopping in the Southwest, although it is undisputed that there are other places that have better art markets in the Southwest. That doesn’t mean not to look for art there though, there are also a number of galleries that serve all kinds of tastes.

If you’re going to spend some vacation time in Miami you are most likely going to spend some vacation time on the beach and or in the gorgeous blue waters. This southern Florida city is one of the most popular summer vacation destinations in the country and this is not by some strange coincidence. Miami has some of the most incredible and popular beaches and fascinating night life scenes in the nation.

There are nightclubs that represent all musical tastes and preferences for atmospheres. You can find popular music dance clubs or quite romantic wine bars and country and western themed live music venues. Whatever you’re looking for in beach fun and entertainment, you will find it on the edge of Miami, and whatever you’re looking for in a great evening out, Miami will find it in you.

Hotels Miami are great places to begin your quest for the perfect vacation agenda. They have great information on all of the beach activities and where you can find the best gear, equipment and even lessons for whatever water sport you happen to be interested in and want to pursue. You can even charter boats or swim with dolphins. Miami water sports and beach activities are endless.

While Munster, Indiana has its own cultural atmosphere and unique aspects and independent identity, it is considered to be part of the larger metropolitan region of Chicago. And instead of taking away some of the interest in and dynamics of Munster, it actually contributes to it and means that there is a large number of amazing cultural attractions that are easily accessible to Munster residents and tourists and are frequently considered to be part of the city’s overall atmosphere. However, and most importantly, Munster has a great deal to offer the guests in the hotels Munster and the city is a popular place to vacation in its own right.

Two of the unique and popular attractions that are found in Munster are a Pepsi Cola bottling company and also the Three Floyds Brewing Company. Pepsi Cola has branches and company buildings across the country though it is always a great asset to any city and they provide a great interest attractions for the tourists. The company was originally established in 1898, yes Pepsi is that old, and it has been satisfying the taste buds of the world since then. It is one of the favorite fountain drinks in many establishments and Pepsi products can be found in places like Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, among others. And of course the local businesses in Munster will serve Pepsi products at their counters.

Three Floyds Brewing was originally founded in Hammond in 1996. It moved to Munster and has been a favorite aspect of its culture since then. It arrived in Munster in 2000 and opened the popular brewpub in 2005. Three Floyds is frequently recognized to be one of the best beers in the world, and Munster tourists are always interested in visiting the pub and also the brewery. Public tours are available at the Brewery every Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm. In addition to the great beer it creates the brewery sponsors various charities and has special events during the year.

Los Angeles isn’t likely to see any rain while you and your family visit but weather prediction is still not at 100 percent and if you plan your trip for December through March you’re more likely to encounter it. Don’t worry your vacation won’t be ruined by a little unexpected moisture there are plenty of diversions scattered throughout the city to keep you entertained and mostly dry.

For a city that’s all about the new and trendy and equally known for its relaxed attitude you can find some rather nice places to enjoy a cup of tea on a rainy day. You won’t be disappointed, no matter your tea preference or whether your interest in tea is casual or you happen to be a self-declared tea snob, in the options offered to enjoy a cup. Los Angeles, like most major cities, has a Chinatown and this means you’ll find tea shops selling unique blends and known favorites whether your tea preference runs black, white, or green. If you prefer a more western tea experience there is a traditional English Tea Room located in Pasadena called Rose Tree Cottage; even five star hotels Los Angeles has scattered through it offer the occasional tea room.

Need to burn off the excess energy you had been saving for the theme parks? There are plenty of places to play indoors. If you’re into skate parks or like watching extreme sports you might want to peek in at Van’s Skateboard Park in Anaheim, it’s as large as a department store and full of ramps and fixtures to keep the most imaginative skater busy for hours. Another popular outdoor activity brought indoors you’ll find throughout the area is rock climbing and there are several locations like Rockreation in Santa Monica or The Rock Gym in Long Beach available.

There’s nothing exciting usually about going to the movies on a rainy day, but in Los Angeles, it can be. A chance to see the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theater’s interior is worth the price of a ticket all by itself and there are several other places if you look hard enough to see movies you may have missed growing up on the silver screen once more. Not to mention the fact there are museums of all types around the city from art and science to children’s museums and even wax and oddity museums.

Near Rice University and Hermann Park, with luxury Houston hotels nearby, travelers will find the Houston Museum District , containing at least 18 museums — a veritable cornucopia of art, photography, memorials and history. There’s even a museum about the Buffalo Soldiers, a museum that has a goal of explaining, collecting, and preserving historical artifacts and documents which chronicle the history of African Americans as soldiers in the Civil War.

A visit to the Buffalo Soldier National Museum will provide history buffs and tourists information about the men and women who began serving in six all African American Army units, following an act of Congress in 1866. These units were known as the 9th and 10th cavalry, as well as the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st infantry regiments. These were the first professional African American soldiers in a peacetime army in the United States; the recruits came from various places; largely, they were former slaves and veterans who served in the Civil War.

Five thousand African Americans fought in these regiments, making up about ten percent of the total troops who fought in the Indian Wars from 1866 to 1891. Cheyenne warriors gave them the nickname Buffalo Soldiers in 1867; the Cheyenne translation was actually “Wild Buffalo,” a name bestowed upon those the Cheyenne fought as a measure of respect for their fighting abilities, specifically of the 10th cavalry. Eventually, this nickname spread, becoming a generic term for all African American soldiers.

Into the 20th Century, service continued as the four regular regiments fought in 1898 in the Spanish American war in Cuba, as 12 percent of the total fighting force, and also in the Philippines war from 1899 to 1902. The 10th Cavalry, which fought the Cheyenne, also fought in the Mexican Punitive Expedition of 1916, where they again made up 12 percent of the total fighting forces that were hunting down Pancho Villa; their regiment endured half the casualties of that trip, with ten men killed.

The Buffalo Soldier National Museum was established at the turn of this century, in 2000, by a Vietnam veteran and African American military historian named Paul J. Matthews. Exhibiting hours at the museum are from ten in the morning to five in the afternoon on Mondays through Friday, and ten to four on Saturdays. The cost of learning the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers is five dollars per person.

Tampa, Florida is the home of many great cultural establishments. It also happens to be the home of some professional sports teams such as the Buccaneers and the Tampa Bay Rays, just to name a couple. The Buccaneers are the city’s major league football team and the Rays are its Major League Baseball team. As with other cities with outstanding professional sports teams the residents in and around Tampa are extremely supportive of and devoted to their teams. They have even been known to book the rooms in a hotel Tampa USA so the opposing team’s fans doesn’t have access to them. Of course that might also be a legend, but it does explain the lack of alternative colors at most of the major sporting events.

The Buccaneers played their first season as part of the 1976 expansion plan and while the country celebrated the bicentennial Tampa also celebrated its new football team. They play their home games at Tampa Stadium, which it continues to be informally called though after 1998 it is officially called the Raymond James Stadium. The team has won one Super Bowl Championship, which occurred in 2002, which was also the year they won their only Conference Championship. The current starting quarterback for the team is Josh Freeman, who was selected by Tampa in the 2009 NFL Draft.

The Tampa Bay Rays are actually based in St. Petersburg and are a member of the American League’s Eastern Division. The team is relatively new and was only established in 1998. Since that time they have played their home games at Tropicana Field. They won their first division title in 2008, which was their best record to that time. At this time the team has retired two players’ numbers. Jackie Robinson, who wore number forty two and retired in 1997 as well as Wade Boggs who wore number twelve and retired in 2001 are the only players to have achieved this status to this date.

The state of Florida offers some of the most prime locations for vacationers from around the world. There are big cities where attractions can range from the famous and fantastic amusement parks to some of the most eclectic and electric clubs in the country. It’s history is as deep and complex as the ocean, and there’s certainly a lot to explore here that’s water-related. For water fun that the whole family can enjoy, the possibilities are endless, but there’s plenty of offerings that fall into the educational variety.

But if the idea of an educational experience seems a little dry, then don’t forget that this is also the land of the best resorts. Florida is a place where pleasure is first, but there are always great benefits. Don’t forget the sunscreen, but also be prepared to remember why the sun is considered a healing agent when the beach starts to call your name.

For divers, this is a superb place to have a new adventure, and there are plenty of offerings in the works. One of the more fascinating sides to its history is its generous record for shipwrecks . The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, and it’s estimated that people have been navigating the waters for at least 6,000 of these. Thanks to the efforts of the Department of the Interior, many of the local shipwreck sites are registered as historic places.

This effort has resulted in the preservation of 13 major shipwreck sites, and there are many more in the area. It is a kind of hobby for some divers to look for sites that might reveal some of the mythical lost gold and buried treasure of legend, but it’s much wiser to stay on the underwater beaten path and see what’s been protected. It’s the stuff that pirate dreams are made on.

The best way to experience and see Seattle is to walk. There are many walking tours given by several tour groups, which are affordable and will allow you to enjoy the sights, smells, tastes and atmosphere of Seattle. There’s really no other way to explore and find all the nooks and crannies that all the locals know about, but aren’t in the guide books. Most tours are first come first serve, but reservation can be made.

Several tours offer what’s called the ‘Emerald City’ tour, where you’ll get to explore most of Seattle’s famous landmarks and city icons. What a great way to spend an afternoon, visiting urban parks, the famous Central Library, the place where the Great Seattle fire started, you’ll visit the world-famous Pike Place Market, hidden parks and sculptures and you’ll be shown how Seattle transportation system works, so after the tour, you can do some of your own exploring without getting lost.

Seattle is known for it’s coffee, but which coffee house is the best? Take a Coffee walking tour to find out for yourself. You’ll enjoy stopping at Seattle’s original Starbucks , go inside the coffee shop where Frasier and Niles sipped their lattes, go from one coffee shop to the next, sampling free coffee from some of the city’s most favorite coffee houses. Plus, you’ll be able to ask questions when you visit an actual coffee roaster.

If a coffee buzz is too much for you, then check out walking tours that take you to all the pubs and microbreweries throughout Seattle. You’ll get to sample local beers, see brewing processes, learn about beer made in Seattle compared to beer made around the world. You’ll visit the city’s oldest taverns, a bar where Nirvana played, go inside a bar next to what was the tallest building west of the Mississippi, drink a beer at one of the best Irish pubs in the country . Keep in mind that you’ll be paying for any of the beers you drink and you don’t have to drink at every stop, because you do want to be able to walk back safe and sound to the best Seattle hotel you’ve booked during your stay in Seattle.

While most visitors trek to Alaska to enjoy the mild summers with (sometimes) unending daylight, more intrepid travelers will brave the offseason in order to experience the Alaska that most people imagine: cold, snowy, windy weather worthy of an artic parka. The Interior (which makes up most of the state) may reach into the 90s(F) in the summer, but can fall below -60 (F) in the winter.  The coldest recorded temperature was -80(F) in 1971.

This largest US state is home to islands, volcanos, mountains, glaciers and more coastline than all the other states combined. Plan for ice fishing, mountaineering, ice climbing, or cross-country skiing — and that barely scratches the surface. Watch polar bears, whales, moose, caribou and countless other species in their native habitats. Remember to bring appropriate gear, esp. if camping out in the Artic. Parkas (with hoods), boots and gloves are essential when traveling off-season into the northern-most corners of Alaska. Rent a cabin for the winter to experience the “real Alaska.”

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with avoiding the Artic — parkas, skiis, and snowshoes, etc. — and cruising the coastline during the warm summer months or taking in Alaska’s historic landmarks and cultural sites.  The state boasts eleven cultural groups and a rich, history that predates the establishment of the arrival of Europeans in 1741 by hundreds (if not thousands) of years.  However it will always be the wilderness of Alaska that calls to most visitors — sea, mountain, animals, snow and ice.

The island of peace and tranquility has become quite the island of fun over many years. It has been an on going, ever changing, industry for a number of decades. Some of the entertainment parks have had their share of big start up excitement and closed up endings. There was a miniature golf park that had over 50 different landscaped greens with three different 18 hole courses called Sijori Wondergolf. This mini golf facility is currently closed for renovation so visitors may have to just go play with the big boys on the big course at Sentosa Golf Club

Visitors used to flock to hotels on Sentosa Island in the 1990s to spend some time at Fantasy Island. It was a water based theme park that featured lots of water slides and other water ride features. It was a very popular theme park but it closed its doors after a number of accidents occurred. There were two fatalities which brought a lot of legalities so the park closed in 2002. The main water attraction to spend time at today is the Wave House.

Volcanoland has been closed down to they can build another resort which will integrate the artificial volcano attraction into the whole complex. It used to have a Mayan theme so it will be interesting to see if they stay with that or move in another design direction. Another partially used leftover attraction is the Sentosa Monorail. It used to circle around sentosa until they shut it down in 2005. Most of it was torn apart, but they kept the monorail service that goes between Singapore and Sentosa.

The Musical Fountain was a very popular main attraction for 25 years. Each day this fountain would come alive as it danced to fun music and was lit up with colorful lights and lasers. The water was manipulated to all forms of mist and sprays as stories of legends to center stage. Now people come to see the updated replacement for the Musical Fountain, which is the Songs of the Sea Show. The Songs of the Sea promises to give the best in pyrotechnics, water, lights, lasers and flames that can be had. This show shouldn’t be missed.

Now there is the jump on the go green band wagon with a fun adventure through Sentosa on the Segway. Check out Gogreen Segway Eco Adventure to find out how to get in on the extra green leisure ride. They have some great tours waiting for participants.

I’ve heard some interesting things about Palmdale, California from family members who live there. They told me that it’s a great place to vacation at and there’s plenty of hotels , golf courses, great nightlife and that they made the top 25 list for the fastest growing cities. So, they (my cousins, Aunt and Uncle) finally convinced me to come out for spring break. I know Palmdale wouldn’t be like Fort Lauderdale, or Galveston or Rocky Point, but I do miss my Mom’s side of the family, I haven’t seen them for almost 5 years, so off I went.

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/asuicideblonde/ / CC BY 2.0)

When I arrived, I was immediately struck by the small town charm and the quaint downtown area. I could tell that Palmdale is definitely a family oriented town and it lacks any major highways going through it, which is what they consider a major accomplishment. I pulled up to my favorite cousins home, and there was a big sign that plastered the garage ‘Welcome Stupid Cousin!’, yep…that’s why she’s my favorite. After getting all caught up with her, she drove me over to see my Aunt and Uncle, and it was great to see them too! My other cousins were there also, I swear cousins come in dozens!

We all headed to Hart Park to have a picnic, I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I’ve been on a picnic in the park! Hart Park is named after William S. Hart who was an actor in the silent film era and he donated this 260-acre part of his ranch to the city of Palmdale. After spending the entire day with my extended family, it was time for me to find my hotel. They insisted I stay with them, but I insisted that I stay by myself, I mean, I really love my mom’s side of the family, but staying an entire day and an entire evening with them would drive me nuts, really! They are the weirdest bunch of lovable people, but weird is as weird does.

So, after checking in, my favorite cousin and I checked out the El Dorado Restaurant Bar & Dancing club . I told her, that it is spring-break after all, and I needed to get in some partying before I head back to college. We danced and drank the whole night away. It’s been a while since she’s done that much partying, and she was too drunk to drive home, I was too drunk to drive back to my hotel, so guess where we both ended up staying the night? At my Aunt and Uncles, we called them from the bar and asked them to pick us up. We laughed to whole way to their house, we were so drunk.

The next mornings hangover and seeing that I woke up on a sofa bed down in the recreation room of my Aunt and Uncles reminded me of why I don’t like spring breaks.

Well the air currents are changing and the sun is staying up a little longer now that the spring is beginning to show up like it does every year. It is time to plan a summer trip to Boulder Colorado which the whole family will love. There is an endless supply of outdoor experiences to be had in the area which makes it a great place to unwind the mind, body and spirit. The downtown pedestrian mall is a great place to start the trip with a nice walk through the quaint shops and cafe’s surrounded with trees and flowers. The summer is when there are often street performers entertaining everyone and there are usually festivals and art shows going on so there is more than likely one happening when you get there. One of the nice things about Boulder is that everything is rather close together. It is not that much to walk to most of the great places to shop and eat. Visitors will find all kinds of cuisine as well as a yummy treat found at places like the Belvedere Belgian Style Chocolate Shop which for some would be the best way to top off a great meal. Most of the boulder boutique hotels are located near the downtown so it should be easy to enjoy. Once visitors have had some time in town they will be ready to hit the mountains, prairies, lakes, rivers and ponds. There are what seems like endless trails to hike and a few rivers to kayak as well as ponds to fish in. Let the kids just run free along the waters edge while you sit with a line in the water watching the turtles and frogs hopping about. The birds chirping will keep you company and may lull you into a nice nap.

Anthony Carter has been in the NBA for 10 years and has played in many games. In the NBA he has played for the Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also spent some time playing overseas in Italy. However, his journey started in college at the University of Hawaii. There haven’t been too many professional athletes to come from playing collegiately at Hawaii and make it pro. Most people who go to Hawaii are there for a vacation and are looking to relax and are searching for hotels .

Anthony Carter starred at the University of Hawaii for two years and averaged 18.4 points per game. After his college career he was not drafted directly into the NBA. Instead he was able to sign on with the Miami Heat after going to training camp and fighting for a spot. As a member of the Miami Heat Carter played a big roll in the playoff battles against the Heat’s man rivals, the New York Knicks . Carter bounced around from team to and while he always played his role well it was a struggle for him to stick with a team.

Eventually Carter signed on with the Denver Nuggets and found a role that he felt comfortable with. Backing up Chauncey Billups and running the point guard for the second unit is where Carter thrives. He has an aggressive mentality that fits in well with his team because he is not waiting on anybody he gets the ball and goes and that is exactly what the coach wants from his second unit. There isn’t much fall off from the starters to the subs when Carter is playing at his best. Coming out of Miami Anthony Carter was undrafted however he was able to have a 10 year career which is longer than many of the other players that were actually taken in the draft.

It is that time again for horse racing fans in England and the biggest event of the season is about to get started. Once again Kauto Star will be going head to head with Danman, with a wild victory and the score set at 1-1 for these two horses, it seems no one can say who will win this time. As it stands, Kauto Star’s odds seem to be in the lead with his extravagant win at the King George on Boxing day as well as winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year in a record breaking race in which the championship was taken back for the first time after having been defeated the year before. Denman has also shown recent winnings at the Hennessy Gold Cup in November, but that is feeling an awfully long time ago and his odds have been lowered a bit because of it.

The next in line for best bets look like Imperial Commander who has done well lately, as well as Cooldine. Although Carruthers has been doing great this year it looks like Tricky Trickster and What a Friend have the next best chances based on their recent racing history. From there it is all downhill as some of the best contestants from previous years will not be joining in this year. At least one of them has gone on to bigger and better things though, so there are no worries here. If you want to bet on an underdog, take a look at Madison Du Berlais, Albertas Run Calgray Bay, and Casey Jones who are all at odds below 100 and still look like there is a chance one of them could come in higher than expected. While most of the others aren’t really worth a look, the rest of the line up looks like My Will who is running with the odds of 100 along with Mon Mome, and Aran Concerto. Mr.Pointment and Cerium run at the bottom of the list with odds of 200 and 250 respectfully.

Samuel L. Jackson is one of my favorite actors. He looked so good at the Oscars this year! His wife was wearing an amazing diamond necklace that she said was a birthday present! Wow! That was some birthday present! His tux was perfectly tailored and a far cry from the purple velvet misunderstood number he opted for several years back. Even the fashion critics were impressed.

What I especially love about Samuel L. is his ability to play characters that are less than friendly, but be so open and warm in person. I admire his range and his ruthlessness. His list of nominations and great performances is too long to mention. But there is one thing that you cannot fail to mention when you are discussing Samuel L. Jackson, and that is Mr. Quentin Tarantino . This man is an absolute genius! It was this man who brought Samuel L. into the lime light and gave him a place to shine. With his break out role in a racially charged drama, Tarantino helped Samuel navigate the path for longevity, which is uncommon in Hollywood.

His break out role, and by far one of Mr. Jackson’s more poignant roles, was that of Carl Lee in “A Time To Kill”. Jackson plays a black man who kills his daughters’ rapist after he is found not guilty. It is set in Mississippi in the midst of a racially charged time. Mr. Jackson visited local golf clubs during shooting and was surprised to find that racial tension was still present. Find a Nice place to stay and see first hand the history of Jackson Mississippi and the South.

Since his controversial role as Mr. Carl Lee, Samuel L. has been in a variety of superhero, super funny, super great movies! You can always count on being impressed when Samuel L. Jackson is in the line up. Tarantino seems to have a list of favorite actors he enjoys working with. Samuel L. is, of course, at the top of this list and holds company with Bruce Willis, and Uma Thurman.

Well, there are many places to eat as a vegetarian. Many of these restaurants have some great ethnic twists of Indian and Asian cuisine and an be found all over the world. Even if you wonder into a steakhouse, these days, you can find that they will accommodate your needs and serve up some nice veggies and salads for you. Being a vegetarian is a whole life style. It also means that you don’t buy or ware anything that has come from an animal like leather products. I am sure you have heard about the paint bombing of people wearing fur coats and leather jackets. To me, that is sort of the opposite of being a peaceful vegetarian and wouldn’t recommend it but I suppose this is how some people have expressed their feelings about the industry of leather goods.

Cotton is the way to go. Even synthetic fiber wear is better than leather for a vegetarian. Hemp is also a very popular material use for vegetarians. Now people can find eco-friendly products for advertising with logos on it like at Leaderpromos.com. These products are not only saving animals they are meant to save the planet too. They even have a great selection of biodegradable mugs that are supposed to degrade in a managed landfill with in 5 years. There are some nice handcrafted wear at Tinctoria made for men and women in current style of today. Some people think of hemp baggy pants and shirts when they think of vegetarian styles but this is no longer true. Now there are more companies making more form fitting outfits with all sorts of non animal based fabrics.

So current times are a good time to be a vegetarian. There are many more options that fit your lifestyle like great cookbooks and restaurants as well as fashionable clothing.

Fremont is an infinitely cool place to be.  It has an amazing history, as one of the California towns that’s seen a lot of influx of people coming to escape adventures in the world at large, and making new adventures here.  The 1960s were a colorful time, but ultimately enormously tumultuous, too.  There are many vestiges of it here, in the buildings, the ephemera, and in the people’s minds.  You don’t have to be interested in the events of 40 years ago, but it might help to make some sense of the place.  There are also plenty of other things to do, with distractions and attractions that will make for a lovely time.

Hotels here are very nice, specializing in comfort and hospitality that are hard to beat anywhere else.  There is always an ambience of relaxation, of a pace of life that’s more natural, along with a remarkably cosmopolitan sensibility.  This is not a place that history passes by, but one where the citizens are dedicated to making a good place to live.  There are plenty of signs that the community is very alive and active, with an arts festival that brings a steady supply of people from San Francisco over.

Then there’s also the ubiquitous presence of Jerry Garcia.  This was one of the Dead’s favorite stomping grounds, and there is a strong sense of history here for the band whose ouvre became a long anthem to a new culture.  Complete with long jams and exceptional solos.  It’s a difficult thing to speak of for some, who still get choked up about his passing, and it’s a bone of contention for others who would rather forget the whole thing, but for the rest of us, it’s a wedge in the consciousness to remind us of a latent possibility to make something better.

As a kid, I had a great affinity for trains, no matter what the size.  I loved especially the miniature railroads that are designed with children in mind, and one of the best of these is located in another favorite of mine, the city of Austin, Texas.  You’ll find on that city’s southwest side, just east of the Mopac Expressway, and off Barton Spring Road, the Zilker Zephyr Miniature Train.  A part of the concessions at Zilker Park, the train is a pleasant diversion for parents and their kids, running on a narrow-gauge, light rail track, which leisurely takes you and your family along scenic Barton Creek and Austin Town Lake.  The train departs every hour at the top of the hour on weekdays and every half-hour on weekends, as long as the weather allows, and only costs a few dollars.

You can bring food and drink onboard, which you can purchase at a nearby concession stand.  The train itself circles a large field in the park, comes round the river and then back again.  There’s a number of ducks and geese and plants native to central Texas, which you can point out to kids as you go.   You may want to note that parking can be hard to find on a weekend, and that part of the ride may be in the sun.  Definitely bring a hat.  If you’re traveling, check into one of the fine Austin hotels and come have one of the best miniature train rides in Texas.

If you’ve never been to Austin before, you should have a great time, just exploring the city’s natural environment, from Zilker Park and the Barton Springs Pool, to Austin Town Lake.  At dusk, you can watch over a million bats fly from under the Congress Avenue Bridge.  Depending on the age of your kids, this can be a fascinating and thrilling experience.  Take your time, though, and get to know this wonderful city.

A window opening always sounds the same in any city, and it doesn’t seem to matter much if the time of year makes it cold or hot, it still opens in the same direction.  We speak of things that are important here, and our lives sometimes intertwine in unexpected ways, but the mornings are always the best times for seeing ghosts.  In the night, we are too worn and hungry to be able to ask the really necessary questions, and we let doubts slide, even when we are pretending to be strong and know everything there is to know.  Mornings are the times when the ghosts who are not afraid to be seen come out, or stay out from the night before.

There are places to stay, where hotels in DC can open up a kind of window, a metaphorical window, onto a morning that is simply understood with scents of hospitality and graceful touches.  There are places we stay when we are visiting to get to know the city in all of its inside outs, and to begin to open up other notions of living with unsettled spirits.  These spirits are not as worn out as we may have once thought.  They come back to life when they are recalled, and this is why we sometimes bring flowers to the cemetery, so that we might recall, and help turn an autumn back to spring.

These eyes are windows on a world, these moments are windows on a moment in a day, and this hand is learning how to close.  It is the first season for learning how to close, and it was not easy until someone advised using a little salt, and a little bit of the water from under the bed.  When my throat begins to close, I think I may have pushed too hard, but I always wake up with more than I started with.  This morning was stamped with a trail of salt by our bed, that lead toward something we could not see.  When we were younger and not so smart, we would have followed the trail, but this morning, there are too many spirits that are up in arms to be so reckless.

On a recent trip to San Diego, California I had more than a great time. In fact, you might even say the trip changed my life. And that’s a bit of a laughable dramatic statement I also believe that it might be true. Might isn’t the word, it is true and here’s say. I went with my good friend Carl who had agreed to teach me how to surf. His cousin owns a great condo on the beach and Carl house-sits for him every summer while his cousin is on vacation. Well, he was recently asked to fly out for a weekend because his Cousin had a business trip to go on and wanted to Carl to take care of his new puppy. Carl invited me to go with him, and while that’s not something I would normally pass up I was scheduled to work that weekend and it took some major negotiation to get it off. Meanwhile, to kind of up that anti, as if a free trip and great accommodations, after all I couldn’t find a cheaper San Diego hotel Carl promised to teach me how to surf while we were there.

So, that’s actually not the most interesting part, though it is certainly associated with it. It turns out that I really didn’t catch on well to surfing, well maybe it’s because I didn’t end up getting much of a chance. While Carl was giving me a demonstration, a quite impressive one by the way, I sat on the beach and watched. As I was sitting there on my towel a little brown dog came running up to me with a leash dangling behind. I talked to the dog and petted it so that it would stay with me until I saw some sign of a leash less hand and worried face. That didn’t take long and not only was the approaching face worried it was also beautiful.

The owner of the dog and beautiful face is named Paul and he and I started talking while he thanked me for grabbing Pooch, if you can believe that’s what he named his dog. We seemed to hit it off immediately and then he mentioned that he had an extra ticket for The Old Globe’s production of a new musical called Whisper House. Well, I didn’t whisper my response though I also tried not to sound too eager. Meanwhile I forgot all about Carl and walked off to get some coffee and pastry with Paul and Pooch. We had a great conversation and I had wonderful time at the theatre. It turns out that Paul has a time-share in San Diego and visits frequently. Thanks to Carl’s cousin I can visit whenever I want as well. Paul and I talk on the phone regularly and of course email everyday. I don’t know where it will lead but I’m certainly willing to follow the possibilities.

Anyone who’s ever seen in a movie set in New York City knows the sights to see once they arrive: The Empire State Building, Central Park, Broadway, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty.  How often, though, have you seen the Seaport District pop up onto film?  How often do movie characters wind up outside the South Street Seaport Museum?

The short history of the area is as follows: The Schermerhorn family purchased what’s known today as the Seaport District in the 18th Century.  In the early 19th Century, the family built a series of buildings known as Schermerhorn Row.  This brought together a number of merchants, providing a thriving business.  Once the 20th Century arrived, however, the area fell into neglect and much of these buildings were about to be demolished in the 1960s.  Concerned citizens came together and fought to preserve the Seaport; they purchased a number of the buildings and thus kept the Seaport District alive.  The South Street Seaport Museum now helps to provide necessary funds to maintain and gentrify the area.   They succeeded.  Today, this waterfront location has attracted a community, while the Museum reaches out with various exhibits and programs.

Once you arrive in New York and check into the hotels, big or small, come visit the Seaport District, where you’ll find in the museum an exhibit titled, DecoDence: Legendary Interiors and Illustrioius Travelers Aboard the SS Normandie, where you’ll see the interiors of this 83,000 ton and 1,028 foot long French ocean liner, one of the floating palaces of the mid-20th Century.  You’ll see how this ship was made with the best of French decorations, Dupas glass panels, Aubusson carpets, as well as Lalique towers of light.  The first class restaurant alone sat 700 guests and contained Lalique chandeliers.  It’s a look at luxury from a vanished age.

I came to Seattle on the Empire Builder, I had to travel across 5 States where the scenery changed wildly from desert wastelands to farmlands, to cold snow covered mountains to verdant green valleys. It was an incredible journey on the train, especially being able to sit on the observation car to witness the dramatic land changes.

Seattle is so much better than what I expected, so much so, I extended my stay here. Initially, I was only going to spend the day here checking out Pike Street Market, but I ended up staying the night. It was easy to find a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi here in Seattle, yes just a little humor, and I found this hotel on line at this site http://www.hotelseattle.net, and was able to book a room that day! It was great!

My arrival here was so easy, so much better than my arrival in Chicago. As I said, my journey here was fascinating, plus I got in a little bit of reading and did some blog postings and generally chill. Speaking of chill, as I stepped off the train, I could see my breath, which is a good sign that it’s cold, and I wasn’t looking forward to putting on my winter clothes, but by the time I checked into my hotel, it began to warm up, so much so, I got to shed one layer of clothing before I headed out the the Market.

Pike Place Public Market is wondrous, strange and a treasure. I really enjoyed the fish market next to the entrance; fishmongers throw their fish over the heads of all the shoppers, a  great display of flying fish. What was interesting were the other fishmongers who don’t toss their fish around, they just sit around in hopes someone will come by to buy fish, but personally, I’d rather buy fish being tossed about in the air over my head, nothing like eating flying fish.

Well, on to Los Angeles, then to New Orleans!

There are many activities in which to take part when one first lands in the Indonesian city of Jakarta.  Some travelers will find that shopping or night-clubbing is their ideal way to experience the city, which is true to an extend.  The social, political and cultural history of a city or a country however, is best captured in a walk through the art museums. All of the arts, be they the performing arts of music and theatre, or the visual arts provide an in depth look into the people and their history, must more so than spending all of one’s time in the trendy and hip bars and discos.

One of the most public and most noticeable pieces of the evidence of the history of Jakarta is located on the streets, in the architecture of the office buildings and the apartment houses.  Fine hotels offer historical luxury, of which many may be found online here.  For a modern look at the current artistic vibe of the city, one will want to head over the Arts Hub of the city, the Taman Ismail Marzuki Center.  This is a multi-arts complex which houses a variety of the arts, from music and dance, to film and street performers, and from the traditional to the contemporary.

The entrance of the center is guarded by Ismail Marzuki himself, or a likeness of him rather.  Marzuki was an incredibly respected and well loved Indonesian musician.  The Jakarta Institute for the Arts is located within the center, the only college of its kind in all of Indonesia, the first one dedicated to the study and the practice of visual and performing arts.  This is too, the location of the Jakarta Planetarium, combining the arts of the heavens with the arts of the earth.  It is quite possible to spend the entire day walking through the center, having a taste of the cuisine of the country, the spirits, and the conversations found in the cafes and the bars.  This is not only a tourist attraction, but a meeting place for the local artists, a place to feel the history, and to see history being made.

Years ago, I had a commission for a painting.  The man who commissioned the painting, lived in New Jersey.  He wanted a large painting, to include his four children, three sons and one daughter.  Large paintings are expensive to ship, and as I had a friend in New Jersey, I decided to fly out, buy the canvas and supplies there, and paint.  Shipping me to New Jersey via United Airlines, was far less costly than shipping a three foot by four foot canvas via UPS, go figure.  I planned to take each and every Sunday off, and head into the city of New York, to explore-to find inspiration-and to eat some very fine Italian food. 

I had been wanting to go to the neighborhood of Little Italy for as long as I could remember.  I went online and found a different hotel for each of my Sunday night visits at http://www.4starhotelsnewyork.com. One night in Soho, one night in the East Village (of course), one night close to Central Park, and one night in the borough of Brooklyn.  I wanted to feel like a bohemian, I wanted to feel what it was like to simply follow one’s own nature, one’s soul calling if you will.  I had remained in one place for far too long, finding inspiration from books and documentary television shows. 

In those four Sundays, I found what was necessary for me to finish the commission, and found so much more.  It was the beginning of my own personal tradition of a Month of Sundays.  The art galleries of Chelsea and Soho, the street musicians and artists of the East Village and the character of the people in Brooklyn brought me back to Manhattan for many years to follow.  Next month I celebrate my 74th birthday, and a few days after that I will return once again to the city of New York, for my first one woman show. 

This trip will not however be simply a month of Sundays.  It will be a full month.  And yes I will wear fashionable square, black rimmed glasses, but I will leave the classic black beret hat and turtleneck shirt to those waiting for their first show.  They need those accessories after-all, to prove perhaps that they do have artistic and bohemian blood running through their veins, but for me…that kind of thing is no longer necessary, as I do, finally have a one woman show on the island of Manhattan.

There’s a lot of concerts that are worth missing, and there are occasionally shows that you just can’t miss, but then there are shows that you don’t hear about until much later, and wish you’d seen them so much that it’s almost as if you were there, anyway.  That’s the kind of sentiment that few bands can evoke, and TV on the Radio is certainly among these, if not at the very top.  Their musical output has been tremendous in the past few years, and if you add the multi-tracking together in the mix, there’s hundreds of hours of sound in each album.

Their show in Central Park last summer was one that I would have had every intention of seeing, if I’d only known about it.  But I can’t blame anyone but myself.  It was a weird year, there was this girl, and then there were problems with my bike, and there are lots of reasons why I couldn’t read the listings.  But if you’re traveling to New York and looking for a hotel, Central Park is a great location to search, just because bands like this might happen to be playing.  There are plenty of other reasons, but this is the only one that comes to mind right now.

This is probably still completely connected with that girl, for me, because we first listened to TV on the Radio together, and we couldn’t believe what we were hearing.  They still have the same effect on me, when I get the chance to listen to them with the attention they need.  It’s great background music, but when it’s right there playing on your current sate of consciousness, strange currents begin to move through you, and you might forget about what was bothering you a few moments ago, and you might even forget that you’re standing in the rain.