11th of May, 2010

Posted by Doug in Entertainment, Travel at 12:42 pm

Atlanta, Georgia is a place that’s rich with history and culture. It’s one of the great cities in the world to visit, and now more than ever there are plenty of reasons for coming. In the past, it was a place to change planes, but the secrets are getting out that it’s also one of the most fabulous cities in the country. Still small enough to maintain its distinct identity, but large enough to have a very cosmopolitan feel, there is something for everyone. There are plenty of live entertainments to enjoy here, including live music, theatre, dance, and other kinds of performance, but it’s also increasingly a place for movies.

It’s indeed a rich place for film-lovers, and there are also a number of very popular movies filmed in Atlanta . Because of its extremely lovely natural appeal, with different kinds of vegetation and landscapes, it is a perfect choice for filmmakers looking for shots of the country. It also has a lively urban center, which means that multiple locations are very accessible here. As if this weren’t enough, there are also new tax incentives that make it very financially reasonable to choose Atlanta as a setting.

For guests, this can mean that there are times of the year when celebrity star-gazing is particularly good. And who knows? Perhaps this means that one might run into someone famous on the streets, when setting foot outside of the luxury hotel . It’s not uncommon. In the 1970s, BUrt Reynolds spent a lot of time here, with films like “Deliverance,” and “Sharkey’s Machine.” Even “Smokey and the Bandit” took advantage of some of Georgia’s back roads.

The filming of “Roots” in Savannah was a ground-breaking work that touched the entire country, but it also sparked interest in Atlanta as a fine choice for film . “The Big Chill” may be the first big contemporary Hollywood blockbuster to be shot here. This opened up the doors for other kinds of movies as well, where they didn’t have to be action-oriented, but could appeal to urban audiences looking for films that allowed for intimacy with the viewers. “Driving Miss Daisy,” “The Blind Side,” and “The Last Song,” are just some of these. There are also generous amounts of side-slitting comedy’s set here, most notably some of the more celebrated works of Tyler Perry. Even in film, Atlanta has something for everyone.

27th of April, 2010

Posted by Doug in Travel at 11:58 am

There are many towns in this world where getting a tattoo seems particularly perfect. That is, if one is looking for a tattoo, because it’s not for everyone, although there are more and more people these days, from all walks of life, getting inked. The towns that have the biggest urban scenes are usually the ones that seem to have the most appeal for getting new designs drawn on the body. That puts New York at the top of the list, very likely. Because it does have the reputation of being the best city in the world, and that’s a reputation that’s sometimes even considered by those who don’t live there, it’s a perfect place to get a tattoo, or at least get to know the scene a little bit.

Some of the best artists and designers in the world are pulled by the magnetic attractions going on here, so one could reasonably expect that New York tattoo artists might have a good reputation. They certainly do. There are lists of the best in the city, and the list is growing all the time. Scott Campbell seems to make it on most of the lists, as does Anil Gupta . There are dozens more, including Stephanie Tamez, whose move from graphic design to skin art has put her in the rising star spotlight.

If you do happen to be on the lookout, thinking it would be a cool thing indeed to get your mark made here in NYC, then it’s a very good idea to plan ahead. It’s certainly possible to look at the selection online from the comfort of your luxury hotel , but getting in on the same day is virtually impossible. Even with the best connections.

These artists, and the best studios, are usually booked way in advance. They can also be pretty pricey, where some artists might charge around 100 dollars an hour, these folks can earn upwards of 200-300, or even more, depending on the circumstances. However, planning ahead when it comes to permanent art is always a good idea, because haste can open the doors to regret, but a little hesitation and some thought can lead to a work of art that you will love for the rest of your life.

29th of September, 2009

Posted by Doug in Travel at 12:08 pm

Mauritius is practically synonymous with luxury.  A splendid beach lifestyle with a lively culture that is a mixture of African, French, Kreol, and Indian tradition, Mauritius has an infectious rhythm that never stops moving, and never stops evolving.  This is, of course, the place where the dodo bird used to walk, and it has a very complex and fascinating history.  Guests here will enjoy the natural splendor and the fine food, and there is something here to suit nearly every taste.  It has a great night life, with the local sega music keeping the people dancing until the sun comes up.  When planning a vacation in Mauritius, luxury hotel accommodations will compliment every itinerary, and move a great experience into the realm of the fantastic.

Our luxury hotels have a magnificent sense for hospitality, with all the amenities to make you feel like you’re coming back to your senses.  From the decor in the rooms to the fine detail in all the facilities, they are designed for relaxation in true splendor.  Taking time to rest here is not only possible, it seems impossible to avoid.  You’ll be lulled to sleep and wake up refreshed, ready to enjoy a spa or a fantastic meal.  And the spaces outside the hotel offer exciting adventures for the savviest travelers.  Traveling in the city, you’ll no doubt notice that the languages spoken here are not uniform.  They say that Kreol is the unofficial national language, and that’s probably what you’ll hear.  Interestingly, the language says a lot about the history, and this hasn’t only caught the attention of the travelers, but linguists like Dr. Aaliyah Rajah-Carrim at the University of Leeds in the U.K. also find it pretty fascinating.

He’s been studying language here for years, and notes that in government and schools, the official language is English, and everyone is exposed to it in some way.  French and Kreol are used widely, and Kreol in most casual speech, where at home, people speak a combination of Kreol and Bhojpuri.  One of his current projects is to study the links between how identity develops among Kreol speakers as they begin to write their language using technology in Mauritius.  Internet and text messages have changed all of our lives, and it’s no different here, where suddenly a language that hadn’t been written before is finding its way into cyberspace.  It’s a fascinating thing, and just one avenue of distraction while visiting this amazing place.

25th of August, 2009

Posted by Doug in Travel at 5:18 pm

Located in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean lies the beautiful island of Mauritius.  With many a Mauritius luxury hotel to choose from along the coastline, to the incredible landscapes of the inner island, to the waters that surround it all, this island has fast become a tourist hot-spot.  Those looking for peace and quiet will find what they are looking for here, as well as those looking for outdoor adventures and exiting excursion through tropical forests.

On the sea there are many tour boats that will take one out for a look at the marine life, or take them from one island to the next as there are many interesting destinations located on the smaller islands off the shores of Mauritius.  The travel agencies can arrange for these tours, as well as most of the local hotels.  One fine tour, perfect for those not fond of going under the waves of the oceans, is the tour in the boat with the bottom made of glass.

Another option are the submarine excursions which also take one under the water, without every having to get wet.  These are both great ways to get some really beautiful photographs.  There are also many opportunities for the sports of surfing, snorkeling and swimming, as well as para sailing and scuba diving.  There are so many aspects to the island that are worth seeing and worth experiencing, that one excursion is just not adequate.  So it is a wonderful fact of life on Mauritius, that there happens to be so many different activities in which to take part.

When sailing past the eastern shores one will have the chance to see the hills and the mountains on that side of the island.  To the north, the waters are calm and so those who are a bit nervous about being in the open water will find a sail around these shores relaxing.  Many also find that jumping off the boat for a bit of snorkeling is wonderful in these calm waters.  Along the western side one has the chance to catch glimpses of dolphins as the schools are known to live in these waters.  Any where one chooses to explore on the island will provide one with memories that will last a lifetime.