Crowne Plaza Hotel Fullerton

xcitement at Knott’s Berry Farm Theme Park and Major League baseball games at Anaheim Stadium can be found just five miles from our Fullerton accommodations.

The Zetter, What’s on at The Zetter Hotel London

Located in the Writer’s jaunty neighbourhood, Clerkenwell, this form new hotel is supported on the thought of ‘old against new. Farringdon Tube Station is a short walk away.

Los Angeles Travel Guide

Los Angeles is the USA’s second largest city after New York. It has been called everything from La La Land to Tinseltown but is most commonly known simply as LA.

Eastgate Tower Hotel – Seoul, Korea

Eastgate Tower Hotel is located on the 18th, 19th, and 20th floor of Cerestar Mall (ex: Preya Town), one of the main shopping and entertainment centers in Dongdaemun district.

Spain – Holiday in a Romantic Land

Spain is romantic country and also a very beautiful country. The city of matadors and bull fights has a lot of culture and entertainment to offer.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Nagoya, Japan



For those of you who have never been to Japan, you may not think these pictures very exotic.  They were taken from my balcony and show a neighborhood called 'Kurokawa' in Nagoya.  It was very convenient for me to live there as the subway was just across the street from my apartment building.  I also loved walking these streets in the evenings.  I lived in Japan from March through August '07.
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Australian Open Preview 2011

For sports fans the world over, the Australian Open heralds the start of a new year. The first major of the tennis season, the de facto Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific is wildly popular with players and fans alike, despite the formidable distance some have to travel and the notorious extreme heat that often stops play on the court. The Open’s charm and inherent allure, clearly, has as much to do with the fact that it opens the tennis and world sport calendar as the fact that Melbourne is such a gracious and phenomenal host city.

Flinders Street Station and Melbourne skyline from the Southbank Promenade – Photo credit
While many players stay at the Crown Towers Hotel Melbourne, avid tennis fans from out of town inevitably jostle to secure decent accommodations in the vicinity of Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park and the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct. The two-week period of the Open signals busy times for hotels in Melbourne, as the superb capital of Victoria transforms, for all intents and purposes, into the capital of world sport.

Tennis fans relax in Federation Square to catch Australian Open coverage on the giant screen – Photo credit
One reason to be in Melbourne for, or indeed, tune in to the Australian Open this year, is to witness the high caliber of tennis on the court. Contemporary fans of the game have it good, to put it mildly, and in the esteem of veteran players and analysts, bear witness to a level of play at or above golden eras of yore. Many in the game thought, for example, that it would take a stroke of divine providence to mimic the halcyon years of Björn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors and Ilie Năstase or, indeed, re-create a rivalry as dramatic and delightful for fans as the one between Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.

Rafael Nadal – Photo credit
The easy answer resides with the sheer raw talent and power behind conspicuous names like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Soderling and Andy Roddick, to name but several stars on the men’s side of the draw. Nadal and Federer, of course, are the names to watch again in 2011 and between them, own 26 Grand Slam titles. The Swiss pro with over $60 million in career prize money has won the Australian Open four times however, three more than Nadal, and was the champ in 2010. Of note, crowd favourite Lleyton Hewitt will meet a tough round one opponent in David Nalbandian.

Rod Laver Arena – Photo credit
While the women’s side may not stack up to the Martina Navratilova-Chris Evert era or feature a rivalry like Stefi Graf-Monica Seles, a slate of dynamic players will fill the bill nicely in Melbourne. The female side of the draw has a strong top seed in young Caroline Wozniacki but most eyes will be on the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena (2010 champion), as well as fellow Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin.

Serena Williams – Photo credit
Other stars to look out for on the women’s side include Maria Sharapova, the #18 seed, Ana Ivanovic at #17, Elena Dementiava at #9 and the always strong Jelena Jankovic at #8. At 26, Vera Zvonareva, the #2 seed, is also under a lot of pressure to win her first Grand Slam title.

Photographers at the Australian Open – Photo credit
While tennis is obviously the main draw at the Australian Open, there are a host of other events on hand for visitors to enjoy. The Heineken Live Stage will host a fine line-up of musical talent from Australia, from Tim Rogers to Under the Apple Tree, Operator Please to Jason Singh. Above and beyond the action on stage, the Grand Slam Oval, between Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena, will once again pulsate with activity.

Andy Murray – Photo credit
With a beer garden, bars, live music, DJs, shops and games, the Oval is the place to be throughout the two-week Open. A AUD $29 ground pass provides affordable access to tennis on the outside courts and music on the Heineken Stage.
Schedule-wise the Australian Open begins at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 17, with the final championship match, the Men’s Singles Final, set for 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 30 – all local Melbourne time.

Roger Federer – Photo credit

Nagoya, Japan2




Three more pictures, this time of downtown Nagoya which was always just a pleasant subway ride away.

source : http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2010/10/nagoya-japan2.html

Hanami in Japan




'Hanami' is when one views the cherry blossoms in the spring.  It also involves a lot eating and drinking while viewing.  Notice all of these in the pictures.  It's like a dream, isn't it?


source by travel-in-world 

Best Afternoon Tea Hotels in London

Afternoon tea in London is a genteel, if not classic way, to make the most of your time in the incomparable English capital. Without question, hotels in London provide the most sumptuous and elegant tea services in the city and garner innumerable awards and plaudits for their efforts. From the traditional to the slightly exotic, here are 12 of the very best afternoon tea hotels in London.
Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill
30 Portman Square, West End
The Churchillian High Tea experience at the Hyatt Regency is a stately late-afternoon affair and perfect homage to Sir Winston. The emphasis is on indelible classics, like treacle tart, Sherry trifle and Assam English Breakfast.
The Park Lane Hotel
Piccadilly, Mayfair
The exquisite Art Deco confines of the Palm Court lounge set the tone for the Park Lane’s afternoon tea service.

London skyline from Mayfair – Photo credit
The Dorchester
Park Lane, Mayfair
The Dorchester’s branché reputation rests largely on the immaculate tea service in the hotel’s Promenade and über-posh tea service in the Spatisserie.

The Dorchester – Photo credit
The Langham
1c Portland Place, Regent Street
2010 recipient of “Top London Afternoon Tea” honours by the United Kingdom Tea Council’s Tea Guild, The Langham delivers a decadent, top-of-the-line high tea service.

The Langham – Photo credit
The Milestone
1 Kensington Court
Knightsbridge and Kensington Gardens form a picturesque backdrop for afternoon repast in the handsome Park Lounge of The Milestone.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
66 Knightsbridge
The traditional afternoon tea at the stylish Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park open-air terrace is the perfect way to celebrate a glorious summer day in London.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – Photo credit
The Lanesborough
Hyde Park Corner
Minutes away from the Mandarin Oriental, The Lanesborough at Hyde Park Corner has won multiple awards of excellence for a service that features a tea sommelier and all the clotted cream and preserves you can handle.

Hyde Park – Photo credit
Sofitel London St James
6 Waterloo Place
The Sofitel St James puts a French spin on afternoon tea in the plush Rose Lounge, with various adornments and edibles that are très Paris.

Queen Elizabeth II procession outside Sofitel London St James – Photo credit
Grosvenor House
Park Lane, Mayfair
Surprise, surprise, yet another Mayfair, Hyde Park-adjacent afternoon tea standout. Yes, indeed, Grosvenor House – a JW Marriott hotel since 2008 – proves once more that the upmarket area of London has a firm grip on distingué customs. With that in mind, Anna’s Afternoon Tea in the Park Room is a good way to wind down after a long day in the shops and museums.
The Athenaeum
116 Piccadilly, Mayfair
The five-star family-run Athenaeum pours award-caliber teas every day in the gorgeous Garden Room. Impeccable service and attention to details make the hotel’s tea service most memorable.
The Goring
Beeston Place
Few hotels in London evoke the quintessential charm and class of the venerable Goring. In the hands of the same family for over a century now, The Goring hotel is a lovable throwback. From the refinement of the bar and lounge to the cuisine of Executive Chef Derek Quelch, no detail is subpar. This of course, includes afternoon tea.

The Goring – Photo credit
The Landmark London
222 Marylebone Road
Truly one of the grand hotels of London, The Landmark’s Winter Garden Restaurant is another room where afternoon tea is a veritable art and symphony for the senses.

Marylebone, London – Photo credit

source by hotelclub

Hanami in Japan2



Aren't the cherry blossoms a sight to behold?  I especially like the picture where you can see the castle past the blooms.

source by travel-in-world

El Paso

Just a few from El Paso during my visit a few weeks ago. The first is of the UTEP football stadium/field. It's very nice but didn't wow me like Notre Dame stadium did the first time I saw it. The next picture is Rosa's from the Marty Robbins song. Finally, El Paso from above near Kern's Place where my aunt lives. Veronica, if you're reading this, can you send me photos with all of us in them? Somehow, I didn't take one picture with people!

source: http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/2009/07/el-paso.html

Best New York City Travel Apps

With so much inherent buzz, so much virility and as the standout global hive of activity, it stands to reason that New York City should be on the cusp of city app supremacy. Tech-savvy visitors to The Big Apple, for one, can already download a series of enlightening podcasts from the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting entitled “Made in NY: Walking Tours of Film and Television in New York City”.
In the world of apps, the variety of choices available for The City That Never Sleeps is stupendous and, frankly, a little intimidating. Worry not, however, as we’ve happily sorted though the lot of them and separated the wheat from the chaff. With that in mind, check out the best apps for New York City tourists.
Wayfinder
This Android app won USD $7,500.00 and the “Best Overall App” prize at the 2010 NYC Big Apps competition. Wayfinder helps neophytes (and locals) navigate the morass that is the NYC transit system. Apple users can purchase the superb NYC Subway app by PressLite for $0.99.

Photo credit
CabSense NYC
CabSense processes tens of millions of GPS data points from NYC taxis to help you find the best corner to hail one. Bottom line: this is the app you want at 4:00 a.m. when you’ve had one too many and want to get back to your hotel in Midtown Manhattan asap.

Photo credit
9/11 Memorial
Available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices, the 9/11 Memorial app tells the story of September 11, 2001 by those who were there and serves as a vivid, solemn complement to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum (set to open September 11, 2011).

Photo credit
MoMA Audio on MoMA WiFi
For visitors to the incomparable Museum of Modern Art, the free MoMA Audio app for iPhone and iPad is a valuable and indispensable tool. Requires a WiFi connection (which the MoMA offers for free).

Photo credit
The Scoop by The New York Times
The New York Times is the paper of record for New York City and, as such, The Scoop app is a vital tool. The definitive guide to the city includes info on restaurants, bars, cafés, day trips, museums, shops, special events et al. Free for iPhone and iPad.

Photo credit
Zagat To Go
A $9.99 universal app for iPhone and iPad, Zagat To Go is a wonderful and deep resource for fans of the famous restaurant survey guide.

Katz’s pastrami – Photo credit
Art Guide New York
For a tidy $3.99, iPhone and iPad users can get the inside story on the colossal New York City art scene, courtesy of the Art Guide app.

Neue Galerie – Photo credit
50 Years at Pace
A much more specific art-centric app, 50 Years at Pace chronicles the famous gallery’s commemorative half-century exhibition which ran from September 17 to October 23, 2010. A first-rate primer for prospective cognoscenti. Free and compatible with iPhone and iPad.

Photo credit
Museum Guide New York
Have the entire New York City museum world at your fingertips with the handy Museum Guide New York app. $2.99 for iPhone and iPad.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – Photo credit
Wallpaper* New York City Guide
Ever-fashionable, Wallpaper* magazine offers a branché take on New York City for the design-conscious tourist. Available for $2.99.

Photo credit
Time Out New York
Time Out’s usual vigilance is on display in a fabulous free New York City guide for iPhone and iPad.

Photo credit
New York City Cocktail Compass
Want to hit up a local dive for happy hour or hip hotel lounge for a pre-dinner martini? Give the New York City Cocktail Compass app a whirl.

Grand Central Terminal Oyster Bar – Photo credit
Village Voice
A venerable voice in New York for well over half a century, Village Voice’s alternative take on life in the city makes for a marvellous app.

Greenwich Village – Photo credit
Central Park Conservancy
The magnificent $1.99 app from the Central Park Conservancy is a fully interactive and intimate guide to the most famous urban park on the planet.

Photo credit
Brooklyn Restaurant Scout
No city’s restaurant scene is hotter than Brooklyn’s and the Brooklyn Restaurant Scout is the ultimate app to help you decide where to eat in the foremost borough. $2.99 for iPhone and iPad.

Frankies Spuntino, Brooklyn – Photo credit

source: hotelclub

Shop Till You Drop in Seoul

If you choose the capital of South Korea as a travel target this season, your trip will not be complete without a visit to Seoul’s incredible retail districts. A bona fide shopaholic’s dream, the massive metropolis is a top destination in Asia.

Image by trindade.joao
Myeong-dong is the main shopping district in Seoul. Since the capital of South Korea is such a big city, save time by choosing wisely where to stay. There are plenty of conveniently located hotels in Seoul to choose from.
Many department stores and top boutiques in Myeong-dong feature clerks proficient in both English and Japanese. The commercial zone is Korea’s trendiest and most expensive shopping area, so you’d better prepare to max out your credit cards. Migliore, Shinsegae and Lotte Department stores are just a few of the upscale malls on hand. The area is served by an eponymous subway station on line 4.
Image by jgmarcelino
If Myeong-dong proves too expensive or too crowded, you can make your way to nearby Namdaemun market. Located next to Namdaemun Gate (Great South Gate), this traditional market has been around since 1414 and is one of the largest retail markets in the city. With over 5,400 stores and more than half a million visitors each day, Namdaemun is a major hive of activity. Exclusive items and materials that cannot be found anywhere else are traded here, so the market is definitely worth a visit. Namdaemun is close to Hoehyeon station, on subway line 4.
Image by d’n'c
Image by The Daily Ornellas
One of the most acclaimed shopping venues in Seoul is COEX mall, located near Samseong Station on subway line 2. The largest underground mall in Asia spans over 85,000 square metres of shops and restaurants, with famous local brands and international labels. Apart from two food courts, a cinema multiplex and kimchi museum, COEX also has an impressive aquarium.
Image by anja_johnson
A shopping spree around Seoul can continue with Itaewon, another must-see area of the city. Famous for its tailors, leather and shoe stores, you can also find a number of high-quality jewellery shops and some of the finest art galleries in Korea. The area has more than 1,000 shops to choose from, over 1.4 km2, from the U.S. Army Base to Hannam-dong.  Although many of the vendors speak English and Japanese, a Korean interpreter and haggling skills are recommended if you want the best bargains. Itaweon is reachable from the station of the same name, located on subway line 6.
Image by chamko rani
For the best deals in electronics, head to Yongsan Electronics Market, on subway line 1 at the Yongsan Station. This huge area contains 20 buildings with more than 5,000 stores. The local products are up to 20% cheaper here than in other outlets, while international brands can be bought at prices 50% cheaper than in any other place in Seoul. While the area has many “traditional” operating stores, with fixed prices and warranties, there are some venues that allow and encourage bargaining, so an interpreter would be recommended here as well.
Image by pmsyyz

source by http://blog.hotelclub.com/shop-till-you-drop-in-seoul/

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