Puerto Vallarta News

We recently talked about two interesting exhibitions that will take place in Paris until next year: “The mystery and beauty” and “Mantegna” at the Louvre. The argument exhibitions in Paris deserves to be deepened to give a general glimpse of what is going on in the French capital, that has much more to offer apart from historical and monumental buildings.

If you stop in Paris for a weekend or even a week, it’s important to consult a list of exhibitions and galleries so that you can spend your ‘arty’ time wisely in the city of Love. Until the 2nd of February 2009, in three different places (The Grand Palais, The Louvre and The Museum d’Orsay in Paris), will be showcasing a display of more than 200 Picasso paintings coming from different collections all over the world. The main theme of these expositions will be “Picasso and his masters”. The Louvre in particular will showcase a comparison of the Spanish artist and Delacroix’s work on the theme “Women of Algeria in their flats”. At the Grand Palais, there will be different paintings from ancient masters of the past like Velasquez, Manet, Poussin and Courbet, all from the cubic era. An interesting project will be shown in the Museum of Orsay, where “breakfast on the grass” by Manet will be repainted according to the personal style of Picasso.

Until the 15th of February at The Marmottan Monet Museum, an exhibition about the popular painting, entitled “Monet, l’oeil impressionniste”, about Monet’s lovers.

Until the 20th of February at the Luxembourg Museum, there will be an exhibition focusing on works coming from the private collection of Berardo, one of the most important Portuguese Entrepreneurs of all time. After coming back from South-Africa, where he worked in different sectors, the master has put together one of the most interesting collections in Europe. Of the more than 800 completed works, about 70 are exposed. These will be divided into four main themes: surrealism (Mirò, Dalí, Ernst, …), the abstraction from 1910 to the post-war period (Mondrian, Tanguy,…), the Pop-Art period (Warhol, Klein,…) and the post 70’s creations (Schanbel, Stella…). The exhibition is called in fact “From Mirò to Warhol” and offers a general overview of the evolution of Art in the last century.

Until the 29th of January att the famous Pompidou Centre, there will be an exhibition entitled “Le futurisme à Paris - Une avant-garde explosive” that is about the futuristic-evolution in the French capital, exposing works from various artists like Braque, Kupka, Delaunay and Gleizes.

Another interesting exhibition is the “Bonaparte et l’Egypte” at The Institute of Arabic world until 29 of March 2009. This will be a collection of many different works (more than 400) coming from various public and private collections, searching to better understand the Bankruptcy French expedition in Egypt and particularly focusing on the long-term consequences of this adventure, that was conducted, apart from the French army, by 160 scientists of various kinds.

Finally, if you can, you should also take a look at the “Metamorphoses –Corean trajectories” at the Espace Vitton until the 31st of December 2008. This shows different types of Corean Art (paintings, sculptures and architectures), where is reflected the bloody division of a Country that only the past year has rescued to reconcile itself and overcome the division.

Make sure to book your accommodation (Alloggio Parigi) in advance so that you can find that perfect hotel (Hotel a Parigi) or apartment (Appartamenti Parigi).

Thinking of a vacation to Mexico but want to go somewhere different off the beaten path? Here are some ideas for a mexico vacation that will take you beyond Cancun or Puerto Vallarta.

Isla Mujeres, located only eight miles across the bay from Cancun, is a tiny island only five miles long and about a half mile wide. Translated, Isla Mujeres means the “Island of Women”. No, it is not a hidden commune filled with females but it is a charming and tranquil fishing village. It has shops, restaurants and about a dozen or so small hotels where you can rest your head.

With a downtown area consisting of only four or five blocks, this makes Isla Mujeres everything that the big tourist areas in Mexico are not. Surrounded by white sand beaches on all sides, snorkeling and scuba diving are popular in the crystal clear turquoise waters. Kayaks, snorkeling gear, and other water toys can be rented on the beach and fishing, sailing and even swimming with dolphins is available here. Isla Mujeres has something for every one of all ages and is a great place to explore the natural wonders of Mexico.

Another great mexico vacation that is often overlooked is Cabo San Lucas. Its location at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula, gives it an ideal climate of about 78 degrees year round. Once a tranquil fishing village, Cabo has evolved into a wonderful spot for vacationers but remains small and charming. Small however does not mean boring, there are many things to do in Cabo.

Deserted beaches, on both the Pacific coast and along the shoreline of the Sea of Cortez, make Cabo San Lucas an awesome beach vacation. If you enjoy water sports, boating, marlin fishing, horseback riding and golf, you will enjoy Cabo. Golf has become very popular in the area and there are five championship golf courses already here and more on the way.

Cabo San Lucas is a perfect mexico vacation spots spot for those looking for something different. It can be quiet and relaxing for a romantic getaway or it can be a place where you will keep going till you drop with the whole family.

Another one of Mexico’s jewels is Tulum. You will find Tulum about an hours drive south of Playa Del Carmen on the Mayan Coast. Tulum is best known for its Mayan ruins. Small but impressive, the ruins are perched high on top of limestone cliffs that offer a breathtaking view below of the sparkling Caribbean and a romantic coastline.

The little town of Tulum is slowly expanding and there are several very good local restaurants and a few on the beach in the smattering of hotels in the area. Accommodations range from five star boutique hotels to rustic cabanas.

Tulum offers the perfect mixture of tranquility, relaxation and seclusion but still gives you the option of exciting nearby attractions. Day trips in the area are always a good choice and the Eco-tourism experiences are limitless.

It is a much slower paced vacation and a combination of 3-4 days in Playa Del Carmen and 2-3 days in Tulum is a great way to combine the best of both worlds in these treasured spots.

Christmas time is always full of parties, events, dinners, school plays and market days and so it’s hard to know whether you’re coming or going. The chances are that you cant even count on two hands, let alone one hand the amount of invitations that you’ve said yes to, the things you have to go to and not to mention the things you actually want to go to. It can all be so stressful, especially when dates just seem to overlap and time just seems to run away. So below, you have a list of the most important events coming up this winter in Barcelona. Take a few minutes and have a read of this here guide, so that you know what you’re doing this winter.

Fira de Santa Llucia – 29th of November – 23rd of December

The Fira se Santa Llucia is held every December outside Barcelona’s Cathedreal where over 400 stalls and other festive treats such as the famous Nativity Scene will stand. Dating back to the year 1786, this fair is well established and can therefore offer a great atmosphere and a well developed reputation. One of the best loved activities of the fair is the infamous Catalan tradition of ‘caga tió’; not so famous outside of Catalonia, ‘caga tió’ is a huge smiley face log that children hit with a stick, that then drops out presents.

The Procession of The Three Kings – 5th of January

This is one event that you really, truly must attend. It’s Spain’s biggest Christmas event and Barcelona being one of Spain’s biggest cities, it’s sure not to disappoint. Hundreds upon hundreds of people will gather at the harbour steps to watch the arrival of the three kings in the procession of the Cabalgata los Reyes Magos. As they arrive on their impressive float, a beautiful display of fireworks will be set off, along with fog horns and loud cheers. A 21-gun salute will welcome their arrival, before they set on their way around the city, past its most famous monuments and eventually ending up at the foot of the magical Montjüic fountains.

Even though there are only two events listed above, I can guarantee that they will keep you and your family entertained for hours. Furthermore, these events won’t only give you hours of entertainment; they will also provide you with the opportunity to take a much deserved break from all of the crazy Christmas preparations. So, make sure to book your accommodation (alojamiento en Barcelona) well ahead of time as the hotels (hoteles Barcelona) and apartments (apartamentos en Barcelona) tend to get booked up quite quickly, especially around Christmas time.

Choose The Maldives for your Honeymoon

The beautiful holiday destination of The Maldives is an extremely popular honeymoon destination.

There are 1200 islands in total, with 80 of those containing resorts and tourist facilities.

For this reason it is often booked out year round so it would be a good idea to book early regardless of the time of year you are traveling. Being in the tropics, it never truly gets cold there so you can even travel in the traditional winter months and still enjoy your time there. It should be noted that the Maldives is a very expensive place to holiday at. Resorts have a monopoly over accommodation and there is not really any budget accommodation there. It is a place for the cashed up tourist and luxury seeker.

Some of the best and most exotic honeymoon resorts in the Maldives are:

- Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru

- Four Seasons Resort Maldives

- Laguna Maldives

- Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort

- Soneva Gili Resort & Spa

- Vakarufalhi Island Resort

- Vilu Reef Beach & Spa Resort

- Mirihi

That is just naming a few - there are plenty more! Whichever you choose, you will definitely be pampered and most people find it difficult to leave!

If you love diving, then you will find that the Maldives a great choice for your honeymoon. The best diving attractions in the Maldives are the colorful schools of fish such as Black and White Snappers, Humpback Snappers, Barracuda, Unicornfish, Yellowback Fusiliers, Trevally Jacks and more. The sheer number and range of fish here is astounding and divers will never experience a boring dive, nor will they ever see the same dive twice! There are just too many species to see on one dive; you really need to go several times to get an idea of the astonishing life in these waters.

The fact there are no cars (only boats) make The Maldives a very secluded destination for your honeymoon. There can be nothing more romantic than an afternoon boat trip on crystal blue water with colorful fish and coral beneath your boat.

Other honeymoon options in the Maldives are private bungalows.

Some of the best places to visit whilst on a Maldives honeymoon are:

- Male - This is the capital of the Maldives and is the most commercial of all areas. It is only here that you will find a few stores and small restaurants outside of the resorts.

- Makunudu Island - This is an amazingly romantic place, with golden beaches and walkways which are lined with palm trees. This is a place where you will feel at one with nature and your partner.

The Maldives are possibly the single most romantic honeymoon location in the world. I hope you will consider visiting here for your honeymoon! Or at least make it known to your fellow bachelor friends who would appreciate your valued recommendation.

Read more about Maldives Hotels and vacation packing checklist.

New York City Attractions

New York Rangers Tickets

When thinking of ideal places to retire, one has to include New York even though the rents are high, and the homes are expensive. However, if you choose the suburbs or areas in Manhattan where housing is affordable, you can live your retirement years in what is referred to as “the Big Apple.”

While New York receives millions of visitors a year, you can still enjoy the city that almost never sleeps. Let’s review some of the highlights of New York, and the benefits of choosing it as an ideal place to retire.

New York has the finest restaurants in the world, and in every corner of the city. For example: Little Italy offers the best Italian fare; Manhattan has cuisine as diverse as its culture; Chinatown offers the best delicacies; Queens has waterfront which have been highlighted in food magazines; and Staten Island, Bronx and Brooklyn boroughs have restaurants which offer you the finest and most regularly visited restaurants in every category imaginable. In addition, one can spend a day at the South Street Seaport and enjoy shopping and dine in wonderful restaurants there as well.

New York has more museums that most cities, and among the more famous are the Metropolitan Museum of Art; Museum of Modern Art; the Whitney Museum; and the Guggenheim Museum, to name a few. In addition, the most famous attractive of all is Central Park. Filled with lush greenery and trees; paths for cycling and running; this park is renowned as the most beautiful and well kept park in Manhattan. Moreover, on a wintry day, just after a snowfall, the scenes within are reminiscent of a Currier and Ives postcard.

With so much history in Manhattan alone, you can spend hours upon hours exploring all of the areas which are not only historic, but engage in the many stories this city has to tell. You can take a ferry boat ride to visit Ellis Island, which has been completely restored, and visit the Statue of Liberty as well.

New York Yankees

If you love performing arts, you will love New York. Broadway is the “Great White Way” in which entertainment abounds. Musicals, plays, and thousands of theaters throughout the five boroughs are always offering the best entertainment anywhere. In addition, Lincoln Center is home to the ballet and opera; Carnegie Hall offers concerts; and Madison Square Garden hosts major concerts and sports events as well.

There is no other place on this planet that offers as many shopping areas as New York. Every borough has hundreds of stores and malls in which you can spend a day and still not see everything single shop. New York also has flea markets; the Fulton Fish Market; and the New York City Terminal Market, where you can buy fresh vegetables and fruit daily.

Living in Manhattan can afford you the opportunity to use the subway or bus systems to get around town, without having to worry about taking a car. Queens is only 45 minutes from Manhattan by car, while Brooklyn is a bit closer, and Staten Island and the Bronx are approximately 15 minutes away by car.

Retiring to New York is not just a place to live; it is an adventure unlike any you’ve ever experienced. It is filled with businesses and street vendors; parades and holiday celebrations for all ethnic groups; it is home to St. Patrick’s Cathedral as well as many other famous Churches, and Christmas week you can stroll along 5th Avenue and look at the incredibly beautiful window displays at all the famous stores such as Tiffany’s, Macys, and others. After which, you can sip a cup of hot chocolate at Rockefeller Center while watching skaters do their thing on the rink just out side your restaurant window.

Yes, New York is an ideal place to retire. It doesn’t matter if you live in any of the five boroughs; you are never far from where the action is. New York, New York – as the song says, will make you “want to be a part of it!”

new york city tours