Thursday, May 22, 2014

Top 10 activity holidays in Europe



Change your daily lifestyle and explore Europe and have exquisite holidays that will inspire you and will give you time out of life to relax your body. If you are looking to improve your fitness, having fun by learning a new skill, then it is the time to check these 10 best holidays in Europe. Let’s have a look:
·         Mountain biking and hiking in Italy:   
 You can get on two wheels and have fun biking Tuscan countryside. The Tuscan landscape is beautiful and challenging enough to motivate and push your body. The holiday is inclusive of mountain biking, guided Nordic walks and personal fitness training. The fitness activities like yoga, gym, swimming in fresh water pools will make you and your body fit. 
·         Road cycling in Mallorca: 
 Cycling is one of the most suitable exercises to make your body fit. The Tramuntana Mountains in Mallorca is good for cycling is will testyour body and keep it  fit and moving. You can also hire the best of cycles, have sports massages and can explore the mountain hills on hybrid bikes. 

·         Tennis and Golfing in Cyprus: 
 Aphrodite Hills is a perfect place for the people looking to play tennis and have fun playing a golf game. It is a vast golf course in Aphrodite Hills inclusive of 18-holes.you can enjoy the scenic beauty by looking at the clear blue sea. You can have up to four rounds of golf and two golf sessions followed by a sports recovery massage. Aphrodite Hills Tennis Academy takes care of tennis lovers as well by arranging private lessons.
·         Surf and Yoga in Morocco: It is not a concern if you are a beginner or a regular hang tenner. ParadisPlage Surfing Holidays welcome you to come and have surfing lessons and yoga. Surfing is a great workout; ask people who have been surfing since years. When you are done with your surfing experience, you can go and relax on the private beach and have a fantastic view of North African sands and Atlantic Ocean.
·         Rock climbing in Corscia, France: 
 Even if you are a beginner in rock climbing it doesn’t matter as in Corscia you will get rock climbing courses normally week-long specially designed to take you upto an expert level of rock climbing.  The course is limited to six people to have more grips on everyone participating. 

·         Pack Rafting in Finland: 
 Pack rafts are lightweight boats that can be folded into your backpacks and once you have reached the destination you are good to go. There are several rafting courses offered in Finland by at affordable prices. Come and enjoy the experience of pack rafting.
·         Paddle boarding in Ibiza:  
You can explore the hidden bays and turquoise waters of Ibiza by doing paddle boarding. This is not only fun but also a great way to explore the coastline and region of Ibiza. Daily paddleboard activities inclusive of Zumba, mountain biking and meditation are arranged.

·         Skateboarding &Long boarding in Galicia, Spain:  
Surfing and Skateboarding have a close relationship, being in modern era skateboarding is gaining popularity. Join us and have a unique experience of skateboarding along with yoga, table tennis and other camp activities.


·         Crafts and walking in Serbia: 
If you are looking for a activity to relax yourself rather than getting down a hill on two wheels then Blue Plum Escapes welcomes you for a holiday. You will be staying in a 200-year old hamlet and a place in wine valley of Zupa, Serbia. You will be offered daily breakfast and yoga sessions. You can also study crafting including knitting, weaving, crochet and pottery.
·         Skiing in Finland:  
During winters Finland, offers deep snow, husky safaris, cozy chalets and cross country skiing. The most exciting thing to do here is skiing and going absolutely wild. In Lapland, you can have the best skiing experience that you won’t forget.

Royal Opera House Muscat: a symbol marvellous Islamic architecture and shift in Conservatism.



Royal Opera House Muscat which opened in Oman in 2011 after much controversies, is a shining symbol of modern Islamic Architecture and design. The opening season for this Opera house was pretty impressive and the performance of Plácido Domingo did grab a lot of attention across the entire Gulf. Many of those countries are now in the race to construct their own facility. Kuwait, Baghdad and Dubai are already on their way to conceptualise their own opera house while Doha already has a very popular centre of performing arts which opened in Katara Village in 2010. 
A shift in Conservatism
Now we see a trend here, but more than the trend what we should focus on is the shift in the conservatism that is taking place in these regions. Complete and expensive indulgence in music has been regarded as Haram i.e. sinful. Before this facility in Oman even opened, a fatwa was issued by Grand Mufti, Sheik Ahmed bin hamad al-khalili who saw the place as unaccepted to be visited by Muslims.
There were others who also questioned whether such a cost was justified , wether it could have been used in some other constructive way. At the time when the Opera house opened, the country was in need to inspire better economic conditions so this Royal House was seen as a big indulgence during that time at least.
Perhaps without Qaboos bin said al said, the Omani Sultan, the facility would never have been possible. He overthrew his father during a coup in 1970 and is famous for his liberal policies.  It was because of his efforts that all censorship laws were removed and also granted women the right to vote. He has always been in favor of the cause of women equality and even appointed Christina Scheppelmann, the opera house’s director general. 
Symbol of unique contemporary Islamic architecture.
The perfectly manicured gardens and the Grandiose building of the Royal Opera House is an example of contemporary Islamic architecture. The dazzling marble archways soaring at least 9 m high, quite intimidating and magnificent. The ceiling carved out of Burmese teak looks stunning. The Italian marble and Austrian lights add a lot of luxury to the design as well.
It is not just a lavish facility for the love of music. It has attracted talent worldwide and also received critical acclaim for excellent acoustics of its auditorium. The new and latest innovations also makes it one of the most advanced facilities in the world. The touch screens located behind every seat display translations of all the performances. At the touch of a button the hall transforms into a concert hall characterized by shoebox shaped hall with a ceiling that is flat.
The versatile nature of the Royal Opera House makes it capable enough to host almost any type of musical performance be it a Jazz concert or African Brass Band. The theaters success will be advantageous for Oman’s tourism that is already growing. With more players in the gulf serious about establishing their own facility things are going to get interesting in the Gulf.

Vegas - A city of Casinos



Vegas, one of the most amazing cities to visit at any time of the year, Located in Nevada, Vegas is the destination primarily for gambling, night life and parties and never ending shopping. It’s a place where the maxim, ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ has originated from. It assures its visitors that each one will have a unique and unforgettable  life experience .
Vegas is the city of casinos, it has earned the title as it offers plethora of casinos where people try their luck, some win and some loose but at the end of the day it’s the fun experience that matters the most, the rules pertaining to the game vary from casino to casino.
The city has glamor, it is lavishly decorated which makes Vegas stands out from other casino states of the world.  You will never get enough of Vegas in your entire stay.
Some of the best casinos are listed below,try not to miss them:
Mirage: one of the most expensive and popular hotel and casino ever built in the city; it remains busy throughout the year. You will often find eminent personalities who try their luck in the game. Roulette is the most popular game amongst the people.
Bellagio:the casino where ocean’s eleven was shot has made Bellagio quite popular among those who didn’t know it, the ability to accommodate 3000 people at the same time, Bellagio’s ability to provide the best time to each and every one makes it quite popular among people there. You can play black jack, bingo, slot machine and have a gala time at the same time enjoy the company of the best music and some of the most amazing drinks.
El cortez:This is one of the most popular casinos and hotels for the locals, don’t go on the size of this casino for you might just play the best game of your life here. Over the last few years it has been renovated and has brought many eminent personalities at its door-step .
Palms: Entertainment, party, drinks and gambling all under one ceiling makes palms popular in vegas. A paradise for the game lovers, try your luck at the table games and slots and play all night. Relish the time you will spend there as the place offers value for money. Enjoy the ambience of the most amazing casino in vegas.
Four queens: offering many benefits to its customers, they look to make the stay of their customers memorable. Play slots and table games, get instant cash back and free merchandizes, if you are lucky you might get discounts to stay at their hotel and enjoy your entire stay.
Casino Royale
The names says it all, a casino that has been remodelled in the last few years has made it quite popular among the young generation of the world. The food and drinks are affordable, but what sets it apart are the games it has to offer. You can enjoy the company of smart people, try your luck in poker and get instant cash back.

Monday, May 5, 2014

US a place to explore cultural diversity


The American culture has variety of customs and traditions, including food, arts, religion and language. The US is a country of immigrants being influenced by every region of the world. Mostly English are those who colonized the country in the beginning of early 1600’s and followed by the Africans, the Asians, Latin Americans & Native Americans. The United States is being also referred to as the “melting pot”, in which different cultures have contributed their own distinct “flavors” and added to American culture.

Language
It is strange to know that there is no official language for the United States, however around 50% have made English as their official language and around 90% of people speak and understand English. Also, every language in the world is spoken in the United States be it English, German, Spanish, Chinese or French. Particularly in the South part of the US, the English and other languages are spoken with unique pronunciations & phrases.

Religion
Almost every religion is being practiced in the United States; however, more than 75% of the Americans identify themselves as Christians and follow Christianity. Next to Christianity, Judaism is being practiced largely and about 1.4% population believes in it. More than 20% of the population has no religious affiliation.

Clothing
Clothing differs by region & culture, but the American style of dressing is mostly casual. Denims, cowboy hats, boots & sneakers are some of the clothing items closely related to the American culture. Some of the known American clothing brands are Calvin Kevin, Ralph Lauren, Polo, US Polo, Michael Kors & Victoria Secret. The American clothing is greatly influenced by celebrities.

Food
American cuisine is being greatly influenced by Native Americans & Europeans. Some of the common foods which people enjoy are hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, cheese and meat loaf and macaroni. The Apple Pie is one of the famous desserts being served. The Southern-style cooking includes dishes like collard green, fried chicken, corn bread & black-eyed peas. Mexican style cooking has shredded cheese and beans, pastas, chili and burritos.

Sports
The United States is a country full of sports. The known and most practiced sports include football, basketball, baseball & hockey. Americans developed their own form of playing football which is popularly known as American football. The favorite pastime sport is baseball; it is a very organized sport.

Holidays
The Americans celebrate their independence day on July 4th as they got independent from the British on that very day. Other holidays are Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and birthdays of the American Presidents George Washington & Abraham Lincoln.