Wednesday, 10 October 2012

İstanbul Fotoğrafları / Istanbul Night Photography

Kuleli Military School

The Tunnell

Karaköy

Kadıköy Balon

Haydarpaşa

Unkapanı

Moda

St. Antoine Church

Rumeli

Mimar Sinan Bridge / Mimar Sinan Köprüsü - Büyük Çekmece

Galata

I hope you enjoyed the post all photos taken from my friend Kaya Eliçin http://photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=4084472

You can see more of them by clicking the above.

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

2012 Travel Trends - Top Destinations

Croatia, Vietnam and Panama were named as "up and coming" destinations in an annual survey of 640 travel agents and owners from Travel Leaders. For top 10 international destinations based on 2012 booking data, the Travel Leaders survey listed Caribbean cruises; Cancun, Mexico; Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Mediterranean cruises; Rome; London; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Paris; Montego Bay and Negril, Jamaica.

Fodor's Bowen put Cuba on her list of top destinations for 2012. U.S. citizens can now travel to Cuba legally even if they don't have relatives there under new U.S. State Department regulations permitting certain types of trips. "Everyone wants to get in to see the country before everything changes," Bowen said.

But it hasn't been easy for tour companies to meet State Department standards, which require itineraries to have a religious, humanitarian or educational purpose. Some Cuba trips — including Abercrombie & Kent's — have been canceled or postponed.

Interest in Myanmar also is increasing. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited, and an organization founded by activist Aung San Suu Kyi said it welcomes responsible tourism. Abercrombie & Kent has filled several tours and just added another departure for fall 2012.

So let's see some photos of Myanmar ;

Taungthaman Lake, Amarapura -Myanmar/Burma/

Shwe Indein Pagodas -Myanmar /Burma/

Thursday, 8 March 2012

Great women of travelling - happy Women's Day!

Today, 8th of March, is the international women's day celebrated since the beginning of the 20th Century. The day's purpose is about the general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women. Started originally as Socialist political event to secure women's rights, nowadays the day is more about people, mostly men, expressing their love and caring towards women.

The rights of women have increased steadily throughout the history. To celebrate the day of women, we are going to list some of the famous travelling women who have stayed in the history books due to their achievements.

Amelia Earhart

In the age of 34 on May 20 1932 Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. After a flight lasting for 14 hours and 56 minutes Amelia Earhart landed to Northern Irland and thus creating one of the important milestones in the history of women.

Junko Tabei

In May 16 1975 Junko Taibei became to first woman to climb the highes mountain in the world, the Mount Everest. She was chosen to a group of 15 women out of hundreds of applicants to become the first ones to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Laura Dekker

At the age of 16 Dutch teenager Laura Dekker became the youngest person to sail solo around the world. She started her journey on 21st August 2010, and reached her goal on 21st January 2012.

Felicity Aston

On 23 January 2012 Felicity Aston reached the Antarctica's Hercules Inlet and became the first woman to cross the Antarctica solo. The 33-year-old explorer passed the journey by skiing which took her 59 days.

Any other important woman travellers who should be mentioned? Tell us in the comments section!

Friday, 2 March 2012

Top 10 Hotels of 2012

According to Tripadvisor users here is the list of top 10 hotels in the world for 2012.

Enjoy...

1- The Phoenix Resort San Pedro, Belize

2- Anastasis Apartments Imerovigli, Greece

3- Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort Hopkins, Belize

4- Riad Kniza Marrakech, Morocco

5- Derwent House Boutique Hotel Cape Town Central, South Africa

6- Castlewood House Dingle, Ireland

7- Palais Amani Fes, Morocco

8- Loch Lein Country House Killarney, Ireland

9- Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Urubamba, Peru

10- Golden Well (U Zlate Studne) Prague, Czech Republic

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

10 Free Things to Do in Las Vegas

The best way to make a relatives holiday affordable is to do the free stuff. & there's lots of free things to do in Las Vegas to help you have an cheap relatives holiday.

10 - Mirage Volcano

Each night between 7 PM & midnight flames & smoke shoot from the top of the 54 foot volcano. There's bursts of flames all over the lake that dance to exotic music. My kids think this is entertaining & I don't mind going since they expanded it.

9 - Tropical Rainforest

In the Mirage as soon as you walk in the front entrance is a 100 foot dome with lagoons, plant life & a waterfall.

8 -White Tiger Habitat

Siegfried & Roy's rare white tigers can be found near the front of the Mirage, inside. This is seperate from the large habitat that is outside of the casino that you must pay to get in to.

7 - Mirage Aquarium

This giant aquarium is behind the front table. Standing 53 feet tall, holding twenty,000 gallons of saltwater the aquarium features over one,000 animals representing 60 species from all over the world.

6 - Lion Habitat

Located inside the MGM Grand. (Every time they have gone they have seen the lions, but we have seldom been lucky to catching a feeding time or trainer time)

5 - Wild Life Habitat

Found at the Flamingo. Filled with lush foliage, flamingos, penguins, cranes, turtles, fish & plenty of other birds. The penguins are fed every day at 8:25 AM & two:55 PM. This was a giant hit with the kids.

4 - World's Greatest Circus Acts

Located at Circus Circusin the arcade. From 11 AM until midnight every half hour is a circus performance. You might see a trapeze artist, tight rope walker, jugglers, or clowns. I have not been impressed with the clowns, but the juggler is phenomenal.

3 - Atlantis Aquarium

Located at Caesars in the Forum Shops near the Cheesecake Factory. This aquarium is filled with colorful fish, sharks, & sting rays. They are fed at three:15 PM & 7:15 everyday. In addition every hour the statues on top of the aquarium come to life. This show has lights, fire & smoke. My kids could watch the aquarium forever trying to select all the different fish. The show frightened my three year elderly, but the other kids liked it & are still speaking about it.

2 - Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Located inside the Bellagio near the check in area. Filled with trees, plants, flowers, gazebos, bridges, ponds, & water features. This area is changed often & is always stunning. It is a great place to take some pics of your kids with professional backgrounds.

1 - Ethel M Chocolate Factory

Located at two Cactus Garden Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89014. You can take a self guided tour, enjoy free samples & watch the chocolate from behind giant glass windows. You can also walk through the cactus garden. At Christmas time, this cactus garden is beautifully completed in Christmas lights.

You can find cheapest hotel offers for Las Vegas in our website http://www.galahotels.com/Hotels/United_States/Las_Vegas.aspx

Check it may be you will arrange your dream holiday in Vegas ...

Please add your comments if you know any other free things to do in Las Vegas

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

10 Most Unusual Hotels of The World

Here are 10 most unusual hotels of the world we have picked for you ;

10 - DOCKSIDE CRANE HOTEL

This is a actual dockside crane which has been the recipient of smart engineering & dedicated devotion seldom seen in a private home not to mention in a hotel property. Replacing the outside ladders with modern lifts to gain entry, the elderly machine room in the body of the crane has been transformed in to a luxurious bedroom that would not be out of place in the most modern of design hotels

It is an out of this world property - staying here guarantees you tales to tell your friends!
Managers, Willem & Carla have managed to keep the existing observation windows & industrial feel, but have added comfort, warmth & the latest flat screen & audio equipment to generate an fabulous surroundings to enjoy a boyhood dream for plenty of your own personal, WORKING crane.
An fabulous breakfast is included, delivered magically by the internal lift to your bedroom.

View Crane Hotel's Website

9 - MARTELLO TOWER

This is the largest and most northerly of the chain of towers put up by the Board of Ordnance to keep out Napoleon. Built in the shape of a quatrefoil for heavy guns, very a million bricks were used in its construction

It stands at the root of the Orford Ness peninsula, between the River Alde & the sea, a few hundred yards from Aldeburgh. They bought it, sadly damaged, in 1971, with eight acres of saltings. They removed the derelict 1930s superstructure (one time elegant, by Justin Vulliamy), repaired the outer brickwork & parapet (an brilliant job) & restored the vaulted interior, which has a floor of teak & an intriguing echo. The bedrooms are screened from the central living area but not fully divided, so that, lying in bed, you can still have a sense of being in a bigger loftier space & you can enjoy some conversation along with your fellow guests.

View Fort Clonque's Website

8 - HUVAFEN FUSHI

Underwater spa & designer cabins in this luxury location.

Set within its own lagoon Huvafen Fushi is a naturalist's wonderland, both above & below the waterline is an attraction in itself. The resort also offers the world's first underwater spa treatment rooms.

Find yourself in a waking dream at Huvafen Fushi. Maldives most island stylish resort is set within its own private lagoon amongst mesmeric settings of transparent ocean & designer everything. Showcasing the world's first underwater spa you will grasp the true meaning of imagination, devotion & natural harmony.
This visionary island rests on the North Male Atoll offering serenity & new life, providing the utmost privacy with sand walkways snaking through virgin vegetation & expansive living areas for those used to the highest standards of erotic living

View Huvafen Fushi's Website

7 - MAMA SHELTER

If design counts, i require to add Mama Shelter hotel to this list.Designed by Philippe Starck to offer an eclectic & electric ambiance.

It is fun, frivolous & funky!

In the historic Saint Blaise quartier, located in the heart of authentic Paris with its flower lined cafÃ© terraces, gardens & its air of rebellion, MAMA SHELTER welcomes you. Created by the Trigano relatives (co-founders of Club Med) & Italian philosopher Cyril Aouizerate, MAMA SHELTER was designed by Philippe Starck to offer an eclectic & electric ambiance. You'll find comfortable beds, with crazy bedside masks, immense Apple TV's & plenty of neat touches to make your stay enjoyable.

View MAMA SHELTER's Website

6 - HOTEL DE GLACE CANADA

The Ice Hotel: an exceptional winter event that is unique in America

PURE SENSATION WINTER EXPERIENCE - Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada

This magnificent ice and snow architectural wonder offers unforgettable experiences that are sure to enthrall everyone! Imagine sleeping in a spectacular structure crafted each winter from the purest of nature's materials; ice and snow, destined to appear at the first snowflake of every winter!
The 9th season of the Ice Hotel will be from January 4th through March 29th 2009. Check with us for 2010 season bookings.
Since 2001, the Ice Hotel has become an unparalleled and world-famous winter experience. It takes five weeks, 500 tons of ice, and 15,000 tons of snow to craft the Ice Hotel with its ceilings as high as 18 feet, walls covered with original artwork and furniture carved from ice blocks.

View Hôtel de Glace - Canada's Website

5 - LA BALADE DES GNOMES

Amazing fairytale rooms & a Trojan Horse suite

These ten extraordinarily-decorated & furnished bedrooms, evoke ideas from the corners of the world, re-interpreted as fairy tales.

Hidden in an unassuming farmhouse up a pleasant - but not remarkable - country lane, this amazing property was designed & built by architect & visionary hotelier Mr NoÃ«l. Originally opening an innovative restaurant, La Gargouille (the Gargoyle), specialising in scrumptious dishes using local ingredients & bio-organic produce, he's taken inspiration from fairytales to construct these amazing bedrooms, next door to the restaurant. Defying normal classification, these rooms highlight wonderful imagination, attention to detail & sheer audacity to delight guests.

Rooms are stunning!! An imaginative & other-worldly place.

View La Balade des Gnomes's Website

4 - JAILHOTEL

Authentic jail feeling in the first Jailhotel in Switzerland.

The Jailhotel is located in the heart of Lucerne, right in centre of the Elderly Town, and only a couple of minutes away from the lake. This former jail was built in 1862 and was converted in to a jail hotel in 1999, the first in Switzerland. It has a great budget choice for visitors and offers various conference rooms and business facilities.

A total of 56 different rooms and suites are offered from original Unplugged rooms where you have a bunk bed and more authentic jail experience, to the larger Most wanted rooms, and largest Theme suites of Jail Governor, Library, Barabas and Falling Water.

The thick walls, solid doors and barred windows retain their original feel and as you are sleeping in a converted cell, should not expect your room to be large. Private bathrooms are small-but-adequate with a shower. The Unplugged rooms have their private shower across the corridor.

Great atmosphere, fantastic location and straightforward budget prices

View Jailhotel's Website

3 - ATOMIUM

Childrens hotel in Brussels icon

The Atomium is an icon of Brussels built for 1958 World Fair Exposition, at a time when the belief in progress, science & modernity was immensely strong. The structure symbolises an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times.

French artist Alicia Framis was commissioned in 2005 to generate an educational project based on the buildings characteristics & features as well as its history & its symbolic value. The kids sphere captures the optimism of a future enabled by expertise & science, in a way that reflects the insights of the world in the 21st century.

ball of The Atomium has been divided in separate functions: mini spheres (water molecules) suspended from the ceiling to sleep in, the floor for workshops/playground, a petit club sandwich & washing facilitoes. Kids spend a night at The Atomium marveling at the panoramic view of Brussels from its spheres; & make the most of their visit by discovering other symbolic parts of Brussels from a distinctive vantage point. The desire to highlight the educational aspect of The Atomium is based on the idea that towns & cities play a major role in society today.

The Atomium is made obtainable for pre-booked groups of primary school kids aged between 6 & 12.

View The Atomium's Website

2 - THE PAVILLON

Funky Rock'n'Roll hotel in Central London

All the 30 rooms have ensuite facilities & are decorated in a variety of amazing styles, from Honky Tonk Afro - as a tribute to the 70's through to Better Red Than Dead - a room covered in every imaginable shade of red. Popular for picture shoots & with actors, musicians & pop stars, it is regularly used for TV & Music video's.

The Pavilion Hotel is a tiny funky laid back townhouse in central London. Created by the sister & sister duo of Danny & Noshi Karne as an eclectic, exquisite alternative to uninteresting hotels.
Danny is a former fashion model who got worn out of staying in uninteresting hotels around the globe & desired to set up something different.

Supermodels Sophie Anderton, Naomi Campbell, Erin O'Connor, Bridget Hall & Honor Fraser.

Recent guests

Musicians including The Sugar Babes, Craig David, Jools Holland, Bryan Ferry, Ian Brown, The Manic Street Preachers, Neneh Cherry, Morrisey, Badly Drawn Boy,
Faithless, The So Solid Crew, Jarvis Cocker, Marine McCutcheon, The Libertines, Mis-Teeq, The Beach Boys & Duran Duran

Actresses & Actors Kate Beckinsale, Helena Bonam Carter & Estella Warren, Daniel Day Lewis, Charles Dance, & Antonia 'Huggy Bear' Fargas.

most of which have begged to know how much their room service bill is!!

View The Pavilion's Website

1 - JUMBO STAY

The first property in a 747 jumbo jet on the ground. With 27 rooms and 75 beds, this 1976 vintage plane guarantees a memorable night for guests.

The Jumbo Jet hotel
This is a actual c1976 Jumbo Jet, retired and converted to hostel and cockpit accommodation.
Pick between a couple of en-suite rooms, budget dormitory, twin and three-bed combo rooms with shared shower and toilet in the corridor or the luxury suite in the converted cockpit with its panoramic view of the airport. At Jumbo Stay you are guaranteed a unique and outstanding experience for all traveler budgets.
Terrified of flying? Start your trip here!

Check out...
First Class Lounge Conference Facilities:
The first class lounge has been converted to provide a chilled conference location on the upper deck of Jumbo Stay for up to 8 people.

Morning - or afternoon tea: 50 SEK per person
Conference Lunch, starter, main work, dessert and coffee: 140 SEK per person

Lounge: 2500 SEK

May even be combined with accommodation.

View Jumbo Stay's Website

I hope you enjoyed the post :)

Monday, 27 February 2012

10 Most Expensive Hotel Rooms in The World

Have you ever dreamed of spending a relaxing night at a luxury hotel? Or maybe planning a romantic evening or a honeymoon where you want to impress your beloved? What would you want included? A gorgeous view? A large comfy bed? A jacuzzi? A personal butler?

Did you know that prices at the best hotel suites have gone up 10% this year? Are you ready to drop about $30,000 for one night? Would you be willing to spend that kind of money on a hotel room? And by the way, none of the nightly room rates includes tax so be prepared to add another 10 – 17% to your bill at checkout.

Here are the 10 most expensive hotel rooms in the world from the last year.

10. The Penthouse Suite, The Martinez Hotel, Cannes

Nightly Rate: $18,000

This is the biggest, most expensive, and the only terraced penthouse suite on the Cote d’Azur. Both of the two suites has a jacuzzi, plasma screen televisions, DVD library, kitchen, open bar, private butler on call 24/7 (ditto for a limousine), and an option to join both suites into one big apartment. The luxury has no limit here – the design is kept in the Art Deco style, with streamlined furniture, silk curtains and teak parquet floors.

The wraparound terrace is 2,000 square feet with the views of the Lerins Islands as well as the entire Bay of Cannes and can comfortably hold 100 people. One Saudi sheik liked the suite so much he wanted to rent it for five years. The hotel said no. What else can you say? Tres magnifique!

9. Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton Moscow

Nightly Rate: $18.200

The floor-to-ceiling windows in the Ritz-Carlton Suite will give you the most beautiful views of the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Christ the Savior Cathedral. The furnishings are in a Classic Russian Imperial style. The 2,500 square-foot suite comes with a spacious living room, dining area, library, office room and boardroom, grand piano, and heated floor.

You will get to enjoy five meals a day and their very own KGB-approved autonomous energy supply system and secure telecommunications array.

8. Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Nightly Rate: $19.000

The two-story, 8,400-square-foot suite features views over the Arabian sea, marble flooring, a rotating four-poster bed in the master bedroom, dining area, and a private cinema and elevator between the split-level rooms.

The marble bath comes fully stocked with full-sized products from Hermes. Guests are met by a chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph (or, for a bit extra, by a helicopter). A personal butler stands 24/7 at the ready to fulfill every wish. The Royal Suite is the last word in luxury with a marble and gold staircase, leopard print tufted carpets and Versace linens.

What you can also enjoy is a submarine ride to an underwater restaurant complete with shark-infested aquarium.

7. Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt, Vendôme, Paris

Nightly Rate: $20.000

This pricey suite is located on the 5th floor and takes 200-sq.-meters. A 60-sq.-meter balcony is overlooking the Rue de la Paix, with an outstanding view of the Vendôme column. The Imperial Suite has high ceilings, a dining room, kitchenette, bar, and a mansard roof. It also includes in-suite spa with whirlpool bath, steam room shower and a built-in massage table. Also included are high-speed Internet access and a computer with flat screen monitor, multi-line telephones, and a separate work area to help you enjoy the work process.

6. The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas

Nightly Rate: $22.000

The Bridge Suite is located on top of a bridge that connects the two Royal Towers buildings, so it overlooks the entire resort and marina. An 800 square foot balcony and 12-foot high ceilings throughout with full length windows allow you to enjoy a 360 view of the water, lagoons and pools in Paradise Island. We can make a guess that most of the price is paid for the location of the suite. Forbes reports the suite has hosted guests including Oprah, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, and Bill Gates.

The suite has 10 rooms that are decorated in black, red and gold (including a 22-karat gold chandelier in the dining room). The living room is a 1,250-square-foot room with grand piano and twin entertainment centers. The master bedroom has a sitting area, his-and-hers closets so large that you can park your car there, and hand-painted linens. The kitchen also has its own entrance, so a permanent staff of seven, including a butler and a cook can access the rooms without bothering you.

5. Presidential Suite, Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

Nightly Rate: $25.000

The suite is located on the 53rd floor above Tokyo with spectacular views that include the Imperial Palace outer gardens and Roppongi Hills.

In the suite’s 3300 sq ft you get pure luxury with a stunning four poster bed in the master bedroom, personal concierge, connected living room/dining room, an oversized marble bathroom with Sony BRAVIA 20 inch flat screen television, and access to indoor pool and fitness studio.

4. Villa La Capula Suite, Westin Excelsior, Rome

Nightly Rate: $29.000

The suite is located on the fifth and sixth floor underneath the cupola of the hotel which was made famous by Fellini’s movies. It covers 6,099 square feet and has an additional 1,808 square feet of balconies and terraces. While it only has two bedrooms, five more can be joined to it. The entire suite was just remodeled in 1998 for a cost of around $7 million. So now you will have all things Roman and excessive – a cupola, a Pompeii-style Jacuzzi pool, frescoes (the painted horizons on the frescoes were designed to match perfectly with the real Roman one), stained glass windows, and almost 2,000 feet of balcony space including a sun deck overlooking the Via Veneto district.

The downstairs also has a private kitchen, and the dining room features an antique Murano glass chandelier, a private wine cabinet with over 150 wines to choose from and a study/library covered in hand-carved wood. And what really makes this suite over the top is a private cinema with Dolby surround sound.

Now that’s living la dolce vita.

3. Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons Hotel, New York

Nightly Rate: $34.000

The $50 million Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons in NY was designed by legendary architect I.M. Pei, Peter Marino and hotel owner Ty Warner.

The nine-room suite has walls inlaid with mother of pearl, gold and platinum-woven fabrics. The suite is located on the 52nd floor of New York’s tallest hotel with floor-to-ceiling bay windows offering a breathtaking 360 degree view of the City. If that is not relaxing enough you can enjoy a waterfall in the Zen Room, play the grand piano in the library or soak in a tub overlooking Central Park. Full spa treatments, a personal trainer and a 24/7 butler are all included, and if you still find a will to leave, you can choose to be chauffeured in a Rolls Royce or Maybach, and you’re always guaranteed a table at the hotel’s renowned L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurant.

2. Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas

Nightly Rate: $40.000

If anyone knows how to vacation in Las Vegas, that will be Hugh Hefner. Even though he is known as a homebody he has spent a few nights away from the mansion at the Sky Villa. The suite itself was built to model the original playboy mansion; it also incorporates elements derived from a vintage Playboy magazine article about the ultimate bachelor pad. The suite cost roughly $10 million to build but the high-rollers can rent it for a small $40,000 a night. Everything screams S-E-X-Y at the Sky Villa. The two-story 9,000 square foot Villa includes a glass elevator, a rotating bed set beneath a mirrored ceiling, and a glass wall Jacuzzi that extends out over the hotel and offers amazing Strip views, around-the-clock butler service, massage and spa rooms, work-out room and poker table, fireplace, three bedrooms, and pop-up plasma TVs.
Sorry, Bunnies not included.

1. Royal Penthouse Suite, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva

Nightly Rate: $53.000

The Imperial Suite, which is actually an entire top floor of the hotel, is reached via a private elevator and has four bedrooms, six bathrooms with mosaic marble floor, a cocktail lounge and a terrace with a dramatic view through the bulletproof windows over the city, Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc — all of which overlook Lake Geneva. The suite is decorated in a contemporary style, with marble and hardwood floors. The living room has a billiards table, a library and a cocktail lounge with a view of the water fountain, and can accommodate 40 people. The dining room seats 26 people around an oval mahogany table.

The hotel’s staff reassures guests that the security in the Imperial Suite is among the best in the world, ideal for celebrities or traveling heads of state who visit the United Nations headquarters next door at the Palais Wilson.

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