Cruise & Travel

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a skyscraper of 102 floors, the tallest building in New York City, a magnificent example of Art Deco architecture of the period since its completion in 1932, with observatories on floors 86 (air terrace free) and 102, which provide spectacular views of the city.

Every night, the 31 upper floors glow with a color representing the four seasons. On the second floor with the New York Skyride, a flight simulator that takes visitors on a journey around and above the attractions of the city.

Built during the Great Depression and so-called labor at very low costs. The time required were lifted only 410 days, which worked at the same time more than 3000 workers. The foundation began to excavate the January 22, 1930 construction began at a rate of 4.5 floors per week until its grand opening on May 1, 1931.

The number of steps that need to climb to reach the plant 102 are no less than 1860, they performed in the famous marathon New Yorkers, in a promotion that may require between 30 minutes and two hours. Located in the Midtown area at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 34 West Calkle, this colossus has become the symbol of power in the U.S., surpassing the Chrysler Building. However, it is no longer considered a symbol of power in 1974 with the opening of the Sears Tower in Chicago.

Having been displaced as the tallest building in town with the construction of the Twin Towers, returned to this place after the tragedy of September 11. Although it has now been surpassed by many other high skyscraper, remains a symbol of New York and his image has appeared in over 100 films, including “King Kong”. Skip to the Empire State observatory provides one of the best views of the island and it is precisely that which leads to more than 3.5 million people visit each year.

Nightview of New York City

Facts and Events

The building has 73 elevators that travel at a rate of 366 meters per minute. The structure required the use of a 60,000 tonnes of steel and 10 million bricks. The coating includes 20,000 m2 of Indiana limestone and marble of 1000 m2 and the total area is 204,385 m2.

The price of entry to the observatories are:

Adults: US$ 19
Students (12-17 years) and Pensioners: US$ 17
Children (6-11 years): US$ 13
Children under 5 years: Free

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was constructed around 1462, at the height of the Inca Empire. It was abandoned less than 100 years later. It is likely that most of its inhabitants were wiped out by smallpox before the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the area, and there is no record of their having known of the remote city. Hiram Bingham, the credited discoverer of the site, along with several others, originally hypothesized that the citadel was the traditional birthplace of the Inca of the “Virgins of the Suns”.

Another theory maintains that Machu Picchu was an Inca “llacta”, a settlement built to control the economy of these conquered regions. Yet another asserts that it may have been built as a prison for a select few who had committed heinous crimes against Inca society. Research conducted by scholars, such as John Rowe and Richard Burger, has convinced most archaeologists that rather than a defensive retreat, Machu Picchu was an estate of the Inca emperor, Pachacuti. In addition, Johan Reinhard presented evidence that the site was selected because of its position relative to sacred landscape features—such as its mountains, which are purported to be in alignment with key astronomical events that would have been important to the Incas.

Intihuatana Stone

The Intihuatana stone is one of many ritual stones in South America. The Spanish did not find Machu Picchu so the Intihuatana Stone was not destroyed as many other ritual stones in Peru were. These stones are arranged to point directly at the sun during the winter solstice. Intihuatana also is called “The Hitching Point of the Sun” because it was believed to hold the sun in its place along its annual path in the sky. At midday on March 21 and September 21, the equinoxes, the sun stands almost above the pillar—casting no shadow at all. Researchers believe that it was built as an astronomic clock or calendar.

Intihuatana Stone

Tourism

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage site. As Peru’s most visited tourist attraction and major revenue generator, it is continually threatened by economic and commercial forces. In the late 1990s, the Peruvian government granted concessions to allow the construction of a cable car and development of a luxury hotel, including a tourist complex with boutiques and restaurants. These plans were met with protests from scientists, academics, and the Peruvian public—all worried that the greater numbers of visitors would pose tremendous physical burdens on the ruins.

Extras: A tour for Cusco and Machu Picchu is about US$ 600.00, not including airfare.  In addition, Machu Picchu was considered one of the seven wonders in the last election few years ago. The experience is unforgettable.

Bellagio Hotel

Bellagio is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. It is owned by MGM Mirage. Inspired by the Lake Como resort of Bellagio in Italy, Bellagio is famed for its elegance. One of its most notable features is an 8 acre (32,000 m²) artificial lake between the building and the Strip. The fountain shows on the lake are a major free attraction and provide a romantic ambiance for couples walking along the strip.

Hand Blown Glass Display by Dale ChihulyInside Bellagio, Dale Chihuly’s Fiori di Como, composed of over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers, covers 2,000 square feet (610 m²) of the lobby ceiling. The hotel also contains a Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Bellagio was conceived by Steve Wynn and built by his company, Mirage Resorts, Inc. following the purchase and demolition of the legendary Dunes hotel and casino in 1993. Bellagio was designed by Marnell Corrao Associates and Jon Jerde. Bellagio is home to Cirque du Soleil’s aquatic production of “O”, only the second permanent production show for the world-renowned troupe.

The Bellagio employs approximately 10,000 people. In the fall of 2006, the casino floor was remodeled and new uniforms were issued, changing the original color scheme to a more contemporary blue tone.

Film history

Bellagio was featured prominently in the film Ocean’s Eleven (2001). The curved staircase that Tess Ocean (played by Julia Roberts) so impressively descended was removed during a 2006 remodel to accommodate the entrance pathway from a newly built hotel tower, called The Spa Tower. New shops and restaurants fill the space. The vault for the three casinos that were robbed (MGM Grand, Mirage, and Bellagio) owned by Terry Benedict (played by Andy Garcia) was located beneath the Bellagio. There is no confirmation whether in fact the vault exists as portrayed in the movie.

Poker Room

Bellagio's Restaurant

Many professional poker players prefer to play at the Bellagio poker room, calling it their home base due to the high table limits. Poker professionals refer to the high-limit table as The Big Game. Bellagio has also partnered with the World Poker Tour to host several of their tournaments.

Fountains

The Fountains of Bellagio attraction consists of an intricate water fountain display set to light and music. The display takes place in front of the Bellagio hotel and can be viewed from the Strip. The fountain show takes place every 30 minutes in the afternoons and early evenings, and every 15 minutes from 8 pm to midnight. Exceptions: a single or string of shows may be withheld when winds prevail; a single show may be skipped to avoid interference with a planned event.

The Fountains were created by WET Design, who specializes in creating intricate water shows. The design incorporates an array of underwater pipes with over 1,000 nozzles that makes it possible to stage fountain displays coordinated with over 4,000 lights and music.

Walt Disney World

For many years one of the most important destinations for tourism and entertainment is Walt Disney World, located in Orlando, Florida.

This world of fun whose main character is the famous Mickey Mouse, has several parks within their areas, each with a different atmosphere and style, but always giving great importance to the magic and excitement familiar details that will has earned during its entire existence.

Cinderella Castle is the hallmark of this brand, and is located on the first park created by Disney, called Magic Kingdom. It hosts a recreated world of magic and memories, which surround us with their classical and modern attractions, bringing to mind the early days of animation, along with memorable characters that have accompanied our childhood and youth, and lasting until today.

Over the years they have created three parks within the Disney area. Epcot was created to recognize the advances in technology, to show that Disney was no stranger to this development and also contribute their quota to the growth of technology. It also has a visit to some of the most important cities in the world, to know their habits and engage at least a few hours, with everything related to each of the countries shown. After the park was built cinema, which was formerly called MGM, now called Hollywood Studios, which involves the classic world cinema, with the most memorable films of all time and the glamor that is the U.S. show. A very fun park for those who enjoy the film in all its stages. And the last one created by Disney park is almost new Animal Kingdom, which combines life in the jungle with the customs of different cultures, separated by continents.

In this post will mention some of the major attractions of each park, but soon also commented on the outskirts of each park and the hotels that Disney has, which is a separate story. Now we know the most incredible attractions.

Magic Kingdom

- Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack Sparrow Includes (Classic)
- Splash Mountain (Classic)
- Big Thunder Mountain (Classic)
- The Haunted Mansion: Include the bride remastered (Classic)
- Space Mountain (Classic)
- Phillarmagic (4D attraction)

Hollywood Studios

- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Classic)
- Rock and Roller Coaster, Starring Aerosmith
- Toy Story Mania
- Star Tours (Classic)
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (Classic)
- Journey into Narnia
- Lights, Motors, Action! (Show)
- Voyage of a Litlle Mermaid (Show)
- The Great Movie Ride (Classic)

Epcot

- Spaceship Earth (Classic)
- Ellen’s Energy Adventure
- Mission Space
- Test Track
-The Seas with Nemo and Friends
- Soarin ‘

Animal Kingdom

- Expedition Everest
- Dinosaur
- The Boneyard
- Kali River Rapids
- Maharajah Jungle Trek
- Primeval Whirl
- The Tree of Life
- Kilimanjaro Safaris

Most attractions have the Fast Pass system, which allows you to not expect much in the ranks and be able to maximize the time. Ticket prices for a single day is US$ 80.00, but the low price when purchased packages of several days. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com

Cancun's Beaches

Cancún (pronounced can-koon) is a coastal city in Mexico’s easternmost state, Quintana Roo. It is the municipal seat of Benito Juárez municipality and a world renowned tourist resort with modern beachfront hotels surrounded by the Bahía de Mujeres (Bay of Women), the Caribbean Sea, and the Nichupte and Bojorquez lagoons. The mainland downtown commercial section (Cancún City), connected to the island by two bridges, has broad avenues lined with whitewashed shops, restaurants, and hotels.

In Cancún there are about 140 hotels with 24,000 rooms and 380 restaurants. Four million visitors arrive each year in an average of 190 flights daily. The hotel zone is one of the most exclusive internationally, with upmarket restaurants, bars, and the like which have catered for quite a number of the rich and famous. The hotel zone tends to be rather expensive as it is aimed at visitors and relies on the all inclusive hotels to keep them all in this area allowing prices to soar. Downtown is home to less expensive places to shop like Walmart, Comercial Mexicana and Soriana, not to mention several flea markets like the one in the hotel zone. On the opposite side of the island from the Caribbean Sea is the Nichupte Lagoon, which is used for boat and snorkelling tours of the area.

Nightlife
The City night club, Mexican Independence Day 2006Most clubs normally sell a wrist band ticket for entry inclusive of “free drinks”, however to get “free drinks” requires tipping the waiters regularly. The main large clubs in the Hotel Zone include “The City”, “Daddyo’s” and Coco Bongo. Mexican Independence Day will offer distinct entertainment throughout Mexico and this extends to Cancun, night clubs will provide live entertainment such as traditional Spanish guitar players, cock fighting etc.

Downtown Cancún offers a more cultural aspect, there are cuban/salsa type bars/restaurants. There are also many clubs for all types of people, including gay clubs like Karamba or Glow, but the hotels are more accessible to all types of travellers, including some with lower rates. International brands in Downtown area include Radisson Hacienda Cancún, Best Western Plaza Caribe, Oasis America.

Marine life
There are many opportunities and organised trips for speed boating, scuba diving etc. Cancun hosts many geological parks with lush marine life. Cancún’s hotel zone also has an interactive aquarium where visitors can see the marine diversity of the area. There are also a variety of locations where visitors can “swim with dolphins” and feed sharks.

Weather
The temperature of the city is warm, moderated by the marine breeze which circulates through its avenues. The temperatures are typically between 26°C and 36°C (78.8°F and 96.8°F) all year round. Hotel rooms with air conditioning are essential. Terrific lightning illuminates the night sky and hurricanes remain a rare hazard.

Three of the most famous Parisian landmarks are the twelfth century cathedral Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité, the nineteenth century Eiffel Tower, and the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe. The Eiffel Tower was a “temporary” construction by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Universal Exposition but the tower was never dismantled and is now an enduring symbol of Paris. It is visible from many parts of the city as are the Tour Montparnasse skyscraper and the Basilica of the Sacré Cœur on the Montmartre hill.

The Historical axis is a line of monuments, buildings and thoroughfares that run in a roughly straight line from the city centre westwards: the line of monuments begins with the Louvre and continues through the Tuileries Gardens, the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe centred in the Place de l’Étoile circus. From the 1960s the line was prolonged even further west to the La Défense business district dominated by square-shaped triumphal Grande Arche of its own; this district hosts most of the tallest skyscrapers in the Paris urban area.

The Invalides museum is the burial place for many great French soldiers, including Napoleon, and the Panthéon church is where many of France’s illustrious men and women are buried. The former Conciergerie prison held some prominent ancien régime members before their deaths during the French Revolution. Another symbol of the Revolution are the two Statues of Liberty located on the Île des Cygnes on the Seine and in the Luxembourg Garden. A larger version of the statues was sent as a gift from France to the United States in 1886 and now stands in New York City harbour.

The Palais Garnier built in the later Second Empire period, houses the Paris Opera and the Paris Opera Ballet, while the former palace of the Louvre now houses one of the most famous museums in the world. The Sorbonne is the most famous part of the University of Paris and is based in the centre of the Latin Quarter. Apart from Notre Dame de Paris, there are several other ecclesiastical masterpieces including the Gothic thirteenth century Sainte-Chapelle palace chapel and the Église de la Madeleine.

Burj al-Arab

The Burj al-Arab is a luxury hotel in Dubai, the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates, and was briefly marketed as “the world’s first seven-star hotel”. It was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. At 321 m (1053 feet), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel. It stands on an artificial island 280 m (919 feet) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai’s urban transformation.

Rooms and Prices

Despite its size, the Burj al-Arab holds only 28 double-storey floors which accommodate 202 bedroom suites. The smallest suite occupies an area of 169 square meters (1,819 square feet), and the largest one covers 780 square meters (8,396 square feet). It is one of the most expensive hotels in the world to stay in. The cost of staying in a suite begins at $1,000 per night and increases to over $15,000 per night; the Royal Suite is the most expensive, at $28,000 per night.[10] Suites are around the same size as average houses, ranging in floor space from 1800 to 8400 square feet.

Suites feature design details that juxtapose east and west. White Tuscan columns and a spiral staircase covered in marble with a wrought-iron gold leaf railing show influence from classicism and art nouveau. Spa-like bathrooms are accented by mosaic tile patterns on the floors and walls, with Arabian-influenced geometries, which are also found elsewhere in the building.

Restaurants

Room

One of its restaurants, Al Muntaha (Arabic meaning “Highest” or “Ultimate”), is located 200 metres above the Persian Gulf, offering a view of Dubai. It is supported by a full cantilever that extends 27 metres from either side of the mast, and is accessed by a panoramic elevator.

Another restaurant, the Al Mahara (Arabic “The Oyster”), which is accessed via a simulated submarine voyage, features a large seawater aquarium, holding roughly 35,000 cubic feet (over one million liters) of water. The tank, made of acrylic glass in order to reduce the magnification effect, is about 18 cm (7.5 inches) thick. The restaurant was also voted among the top ten best restaurants of the world by Condé Nast Traveler.

Enjoy a fascinating cruise around Alaska. The covers are full of adventures for those who enjoy an atmosphere worthy of a cup of hot chocolate.

Fantastic view of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, top quality care and peace of mind that any traveler could want. For a good holiday or to relax a few days, this cruise is the best option.

See the various cruise lines to choose the option that best fits your needs … and enjoyment.