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Why You Should Travel To Hong Kong For The New Year’s Parade

The New Year’s parade in Hong Kong is an event not to be missed! The city is dressed up with bright decorations and colorful lights for its biggest celebration of the year, and thousands pour into Hong Kong to take part in the festivities.

Winding along Hong Kong’s picturesque waterfront, the New Year’s parade is filled with colorful, lavishly decorated floats. Representatives from Hong Kong and countries all over the world sing, dance and play music. The songs of marching bands fill the air along the parade’s route as performers in bright costumes prance along the streets.

The forthcoming year (2006) is the Year of the Dog. No matter which zodiac animal is being celebrated for the coming year, there are always plenty of lions and dragons in the parade. Energetic dancers wearing giant lion heads leap in the air as long dragons held aloft by more than twenty people snake past the enthralled parade watchers.

The New Year’s parade is the biggest event of Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year celebration. Close to 300,000 people attend the parade and millions more watch it on television. In recent years the parade has taken place in the evening, featuring vivid, dazzling light displays.

The Lunar New Year is one of Hong Kong’s most important and well-loved holidays. Each year one of twelve different animals is celebrated, according to the Chinese zodiac. Many of the city’s towering skyscrapers are decked out in glittering lights for the holiday. Throughout the three-day celebration, dancers in colorful costumes perform lion and dragon dances in the streets, malls and hotel lobbies. Traditionally, people exchange small, red envelopes filled with money as gifts. Flower markets show up all over the city during the holiday, selling plants and flowers with special significance, and stores and restaurants display flowers meant to bring immortality and good luck.

The New Year celebration usually begins anywhere from January 21 to February 19, depending on the year. While the holiday officially lasts fifteen days, in Hong Kong it is celebrated for three days, with the New Year’s parade taking place on the first day. January 29, 2006 is the first day of the forthcoming new year.

The day after the New Year’s parade a brilliant display of fireworks lights up
Hong Kong’s famous Victoria Harbour. The fireworks can be viewed from the waterfront or from boats cruising the harbour. On the third day of the celebration a large horse race takes place at the Sha Tin racetrack. This lively race is a favorite for gamblers and horseracing enthusiasts.

It’s no wonder why so many travel to discover all that Hong Kong has to offer, with the vibrant fusion of ancient customs and modern day fun at one of the world’s biggest Chinese New Year celebrations.

The Whitsunday islands lie in the coral sea midway along the Queensland coast. A group of over seventy islands make up the archipelago of treed islands and soft sandy beaches.

The protected waters around the islands provide a haven for boaties. Be the captain of your own ship as you explore the endless passages with plenty of harbours and secluded sheltered bays to hide away in. Drop your anchor and spend a night in the crystal clear waters of your own personal paradise.

Airlie Beach is the closest mainland town to the Whitsundays and provides a great starting point for your vacation. Plenty of first class accommodation can be found there as well as shopping and restaurants. You can book all your tours from here which leave from Shute Harbour twenty minutes down the road.

Within easy reach of Airlie Beach is the Great Barrier Reef, a must do activity on your vacation. Explore the vast coral reefs with there stunning colors by diving, snorkelling or even sitting in a semi submersible for a once in a lifetime experience.

For a vacation you will talk about for years Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays will keep you entertained and enthralled for as long as you stay in the region.

Whistler is known as a four-season resort, with activities for all the family available all year-round. If you are planning a trip, when should you come?

First we must divide this question into two parts. If you are coming for the legendary skiing on Whistlers 8000+ acres, you have to choose sometime between November and April. Although there is skiing available later than April it is not for serious skiers, due to the combination of marginal snow conditions and limited mechanized uplift. Within this time, you should definitely avoid November, as although occasionally there is good snow, more often than not it is too thin on the ground. So your choice is between the months from December to April. What are the main characteristics of each month?

December is a game of two halves. The early part will find the slopes deserted, great deals on accommodation and restaurants and a lottery with respect to snow. If you have come in a great early snow year, this will be a fabulous time to visit. If not, bring your rock skis and plan to spend some time in Whistlers great spas. Later in December, and especially over Christmas and New Year, you will pay the steepest prices of the season, have trouble getting a table in any of the good restaurants and stand in some brutal line-ups on the Harmony Chair. However you will experience the rush which goes with peak season in a top resort: the buzzing nightlife, the parades, the fireworks and the thrill of First Night in the Village.

January often has the best snowfalls of the year (Jan 2006 was the snowiest month in Whistler for 25 years). It also offers discounted accommodation (you can safely wait to the last minute to get a great deal on a beautiful chalet or condo), and no lift lines, except on weekend powder days, when the locals will crowd the lifts lines at 8.00 to catch the fresh tracks. But it can be cold, and it gets dark early. January is the best month for hard-core skiers.

February and March are more crowded, but more mellow. Avoid Presidents Week in February and Spring Break in March and you could have the best of all worlds: plenty of time for snowfall accumulation to have built up, plenty of buzz in town but easy access to the best tables.

April is mainly for the British market, who come over in droves during their Easter holidays. The peculiarity of the April snow is that there is more of it at the top of the mountain, but less at the bottom, so dont bother to pay the premium for a ski-in, ski-out condo as it may not be possible. Last minute Whistler accommodation discounts are widely available in April.

In the non-skiing season you can pretty much write off the autumn: too cold to swim in the lakes and too much rain. May and June can be fabulous weather-wise; perfect conditions for white-water rafting in the snow run-off and great golfing weather. But you will probably have to leave it to July and August if you are looking for warm water in Whistlers beautiful lakes.

The city of Tampa is situated on the western coast of the state of Florida in the USA. With a thriving commercial seaport and many waterfront areas, Tampa is also close to a number of notable beaches, such as Clearwater and St. Pete. Located across from St. Petersburg and within easy reach of Orlando, the city has much to offer visitors, including many historic sites, family attractions and major sporting venues. Tampa currently has a population in excess of 300,000 and covers more than 110 square miles / 285 square kilometers.

Tampa also features a wealth of shopping centers, together with restaurants, bars and a healthy nightlife. Much of city life is centered around the downtown area, which contains the Port of Tampa and the Waterfront district. With two universities, many entertainment venues and the outstanding Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, the city has earned itself a reputation for being Florida’s cultural center.

Tampa Tourism:
Tourist attractions in Tampa are extremely impressive, with many superb beaches nearby making Tampa the perfect holiday destination. Facilities include imposing landmarks and monuments, museums and art galleries, many must-see sights and family attractions, recreational activities, and a number of large parklands and gardens. Top attractions include Busch Gardens, which is one of the best theme parks in the whole of Florida, with thrilling rides combined with a vast zoo.

Also worth a visit in Tampa are the Florida Aquarium, Dinosaur World, the Weeki Wachee Springs, the extremely historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Raymond James Stadium, which regularly hosts major professional football games and is the home ground of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Throughout the year the city regularly features many exciting festivals, including the extremely popular Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which is held each year during January and always attracts large crowds.

Tampa Transport:
Around Tampa, public transport is well ordered and the city is easy to reach by road, with nearby highways and interstates. Greyhound buses operate within Tampa and travel to a number of Florida cities, including Orlando and Miami. Other popular modes of transport include Amtrak trains, inner-city streetcars and taxis, which should generally be booked in advance.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) stands around 7 miles / 11 km from the city center and is an important transport hub, regarded as one of America’s most efficient airports. With many passengers arriving each day, Tampa Airport offers a range of convenient ground transport, such as shuttle buses, taxis and car rental options.

Tampa Hotels:
Being a popular and sunny coastal city, with many exceptional attractions, it comes as no surprise that Tampa offers an array of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and affordable accommodation. Some of the most popular hotels in the city can be found in the heart of the downtown district, close to facilities such as shops and restaurants. Also, a number of waterfront hotels in Tampa offer exceptional coastal views and are extremely desirable, although the hotel rates often carry a premium, particularly during the high season, which is from January to April. Weekend and summer rates are usually reduced and this is a good time to find discounts.

Tampa Restaurants:
Tampa has an abundance of restaurants, which are readily available and suit every palate. Restaurants, cafes and bars have developed greatly in recent years, due to the rapidly expanding tourism trade and busy seaport. Concentrated around the central areas of Tampa, in the Hyde Park neighborhood – particularly along South Howard Avenue, the waterfront and throughout the lively Ybor district, most types of cuisine can be found in Tampa, including fast food at large food courts in shopping malls, traditional Hispanic eateries and exclusive seafood restaurants along the coastline.

Tampa Shopping:
The city offers a diverse shopping destination, with a large and varied selection of shops and stores. Facilities in Tampa include many designer outlets, well-known department stores, top boutiques and shopping malls. Popular shopping areas include the city’s historic and cultural areas, the Centro Ybor Mall – which is located in the Ybor Historic District, and Old Hyde Park Village in Tampa’s Old Hyde Park district, where you will find a mixture of modern stores, specialty shops and art galleries, in a particularly scenic setting.

Tampa Weather:
Tampa features warm and sunny weather, with pleasant breezes from the ocean. Temperatures during June through August are at their hottest and can attain highs of around 33C / 91F. Winter and spring are warm seasons and many people choose to visit the Tampa area at this time of the year. December and January are the coldest months with daytime temperatures remaining extremely mild and warm, generally around 22C / 72F, although lows of 15C / 59F may be experienced.

With a population rapidly approaching 700,000, Baltimore is the biggest city in Maryland and covers an area of more than 80 square miles / 210 square kilometers. Close to Washington DC, Baltimore lies on America’s eastern coast and contains an important port, complete with large harbor.

Many of the main sights and attractions in the city can be found around the central downtown district, which is divided into a number of notable areas, such as the city center, the Inner Harbor, Camden Yards and also the West Side. Throughout this area you will find a large selection of shops, restaurants, bars and important structures. Also, the Fells Point area, close to the Inner Harbor, is known for its vibrant and animated nightlife and entertainment venues.

Baltimore Tourism:
There are plenty of places worth a visit in the Baltimore area and top attractions include many notable landmarks, historical buildings, appealing museums and a number of art galleries, which contain works by many famous artists. Must-see sights in the city include the National Aquarium, the Basilica of the Assumption, Robert East Lee Memorial Park, the Maryland Zoo African safari experience, the Star Spangled Banner Flag House and also the city’s most famous sight, the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

Museums in Baltimore are also plentiful and top museum attractions include the extensive Baltimore Museum of Art, the B&O Railroad Museum, the baseball-related Babe Ruth Museum, and the Maryland Science Center, complete with IMAX theater and planetarium. Annual festivals in Baltimore include the Baltimore Blues Festival – held in Paterson Park each May, July’s Artscape along the Mount Royal Avenue, the popular Taste of Baltimore festival in October, and December’s festive Washington Monument Lighting Ceremony.

Baltimore Hotels:
Baltimore and its surrounding districts feature a range of fine hotels at all levels. For budget accommodation, looks for motels along nearby Interstates and close to the airport. Reasonably priced accommodation is available in the city center, together with a number of top, five-star hotels, with luxury facilities. Waterside hotels around the Inner Harbor area are amongst those most desirable, although the Mount Vernon area is becoming an equally appealing place to stay. Historic hotels are plentiful in the Fells Point area, together with affordable family-run bed and breakfasts.

Baltimore Shopping:
For the best selection of shops in the city, head to the Harborplace area, which contains over 200 shops, including a number of independent outlets and fashion boutiques. Also, the nearby Village of Cross Keys is home to an array of appealing small shops and specialty stores. For antiques, take a trip to Howard Street, where you will find a cluster of notable antique stores, which have become known as the city’s ‘Antique Row’. Baltimore also features a number of large and modern shopping malls, such as Security Square and Owing Mills. The regular Lexington Market is another major shopping draw card and has been established for more than 150 years, with an enormous selection of market traders.

Baltimore Restaurants:
With its scenic coastal location, it is hardly surprising that Baltimore restaurants specialize in seafood and all things fishy. Much of the local produce comes from the nearby Chesapeake Bay and many of the city’s restaurants serve steamed crab, amongst other local dishes. For lively dining in Baltimore, look no further than the restaurants around Mount Vernon and Fells Point, while for more exclusive establishments, the restaurants along Charles Street are some of the most highly regarded in the city.

Baltimore Transport:
A number of public transportation options are on offer in the Baltimore area, such as buses, trains and popular trams. Many visitors to the city find that hiring a car is the most convenient way to travel around, being particularly useful for day trips and excursions to nearby towns and cities, such as Annapolis and Washington DC.

Situated just 10 miles / 16 km from the city, Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) is the state’s main airport and caters for large numbers of passengers each day. A range of ground transportation is available at the airport, including taxis, shuttles and trains.

A visit to the catacombs is a fascinating part of any trip to Rome. The catacombs in Rome are a place where art meets history and religion in a very powerful way. There are several catacombs along via Appia Antica, but not all are open to the public.

The catacombs are located on the ancient way that connected Rome to southern Italy Via Appia Antica. This ancient road was opened in 312 B.C. and went all the way to Brindisi on the Adriatic sea.

At the time, there was a law against burying the dead inside the city, so Via Appia Antica became the place of choice for burials. The catacombs and fantastic burial monuments are located along the way from Casale Rotondo to Cecilia Metella’s tomb.

If by now you imagine yourself spending your day in dark, gloomy caves, staring at bones, you can forget about it. Via Appia Antica has a great view. It is one of the most luxurious areas in Rome. The rich people of modern Rome live nowadays next to the burial location of their ancient ancestors, so while you admire the art work of the tombs, don’t forget to take a glimpse at the houses and gardens of the area.

Inside the catacombs you will not see bones, but the work of art that decorated the ancient tombs of the rich and important.

Entry to the catacombs is only possible with a guide, for safety reasons. The guide, a priest or friar, will explain you all about the history, art and symbolism of the place, and then walk you through the catacombs.

The Catacombs of San Callisto (or Callixtus) The burial location of the Bishops and Popes, are named after Callisto who restored and enlarged them.

Until the third century, Christians in Rome had no official grave yards. At the beginning of that century, the Pope nominated St. Callisto to be in charge of the burial lands on Via Appia Antica. This was the beginning of the custom of burying Christians in lands that belonged to the church. As time passed, these underground grave yards that were dug in a soft rock, evolved to a maze of canals, layer upon layer.

Whenever the room in one layer was exhausted, another layer was dug, so the most ancient layer is at the top.

Santa Cecilia was buried in one of the graves here. Later, her tomb was moved to the church of Santa Cecilia, and a copy of her statue now stands in the place of the grave.

The tunnels here resemble a dark labyrinth, so stay close to your guide. The guides walk rather quickly through the place to make room for the next group. A tour takes about 40 minutes.

Continuing on Via l’Appia Antica, we find the catacombs and church of San Sebastiano. There are four floors of catacombs here, and a statue of St. Sebastian by Bernini. These were the first to be named “catacombs” after the greek words “Kata Kymbas” that mean “by the graves”. These catacombs are the only ones that are easily accessible to visitors. Of the four floors only the second is usually open.

In the Tricila area of the catacombs there are hundreds of graffiti writings on the walls, mentioning St. Peter and St. Paul. Those are probably from the time their relics were kept here, until they were transferred to the Vatican. Christians used to gather here in order to commemorate them.

The playground of Palm Springs, California is less than a two hour drive from most cities in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties and less than an an hours drive from the cities of Riverside and San Bernardino. It is approximetly 130 miles from the Los Angeles International Airport and 100 miles from the Orange County John Wayne Airport.

Whether you like sitting around the pool at a luxury hotel, dining at fine dining establishments, golfing at some of the best golf courses in the nation, hiking in the nearby mountains, playing tennis on top rate courts, gaming at indian casinos, partying at exclusive night spots, mountain and trail bike riding, spending the day or week being pampered at a luxurious spa, shopping in designer stores or celebrity gazing, you can do it all year long in or near Palm Springs.

Palm Springs is a desert city, surrounded and sheltered by mountains and sits approximately 466 feet above sea level. It’s average yearly high temperature is in the high eighties, it’s average yearly low temperature is in the mid fifties and it’s average yearly rainfall is less than eight inches. This makes Palm Springs a city that can be enjoyed any time of the year.

Play golf where the pros play. The Palm Springs area has over 100 beautiful, exquisitely maintained golf courses, some of which are famous throughout the world. Play tennis at some of the best tennis courts and clubs around. If you like shopping, you will find a myriad of art galleries, antique shops, designer boutiques, craft shops, jewelry stores, malls and shopping centers, carrying almost anything you might wish to purchase. Be pampered like royalty, stay in luxury hotels and spas like the Hilton Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Racquet Club, the Hyatt Regency Suites, the Parker Meridien Palm Springs, the Spa Resort Casino, the Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel and dozens of others. Relax and rejuvenate is one of the many health and beauty spas that Palm Springs is famous for. Take a 2.5 mile ride up the mountain on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Visit the Moorten Botanical Gardens with it’s nature trails and over 3,000 varieties of cacti, succulents and flowers. Tour the Joshua Tree National Park with it’s amazing desert scenery, rock gardens and 1000 year old Joshua Trees. Experience the culinary arts of some of the finest chefs is some of the best restaurants in the world. Party and dance at top night clubs. Etc., Etc., Etc..

This article has barely started to cover the things you can experience in the Palm Springs area. To cover everything would take several books instead of an article. Whether you stay a night, a weekend, a week or a month you will never run out of things to do and experience.

For more information about the city of Palm Springs, California see: http://palmsprings.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to the city of Palm Springs, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, real estate brokers, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.

Just south of Palm Beach and less than an hour’s drive north of Miami, Florida, you will find the resort city of Delray Beach, Florida, with it’s over two miles of clean well maintained sandy beaches, historic downtown shopping area, beautiful gardens and parks, world class tennis center, golf courses and it’s large variety of hotels and motels.

Looking for a place to stay? Try the Breakers-On-The-Ocean, (561) 278-4501, with it’s picture perfect beach setting and it’s 200 feet of private beach, complimentary beach cabanas, putting green, ocean front suites and ocean view apartments, the recently renovated and restored Colony Hotel And Cabana Club, (800) 552-2363, with it’s 70 guestrooms, all with vinage tropical furniture, fabrics and colors, hardwood floors, unique appointments and Florida works of art, personal air conditioning and operable windows or the Delray Beach Marriott, (561) 274-3200, with it’s soft sandy beach, heated pool, on site spa and fitness center, rooms with private balconys and it’s Marriott service. If you don’t like these hotels there are numerous others to choose from.

Feel like some golf? Check out the Delray Beach Golf Club, (561) 243-7380, a 1923 Donald Ross Design located off of Atlantic Avenue just three miles west of the historic Downtown Delray Beach area. This jewel is a meticulously manicured championship track, and features 6,907 yards and a par-72 or the Lakeview Golf Club, (561) 498-3229, a 3,006 yard, par 60 executive golf course, built in 1972. There are also over 100 other golf courses surrounding the Delray Beach area.

Spend your days, sunning, swimming and playing on the two miles of, clean well maintained, beach. Go scuba diving or snorkeling in the clear warm Atlantic waters. Cruise the calm protected waters of the Intercoastal Waterway. Visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, (561) 495-0233, with it’s two museum buildings which house 5,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts, including a 500-piece collection of tea ceremony items, more than 200 textile pieces and recent fine art acquisitions, and it’s 200 acres of expansive Japanese gardens with strolling paths, resting areas, tropical bonsai collection, small lakes teeming with koi and other wildlife, nature trails, pine forests and park and picnic areas. Visit the American Orchid Society, (561) 404-2000, a botanical paradise with thousands of orchids on it’s 3.5 acres of themed gardens and a magnificent display greenhouse. Play tennis at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, 561-243-7360, with it’s 14 clay courts and 7 hard courts, an upstairs pavilion and conference room, and a pro shop with a locker room, racquet stringing and merchandise. Go shopping in downtown Delray Beach, with it’s brick sidewalks, historic architecture, antique shoppes, gift shoppes, boutiques, art galleries and more.

If you want more to do, take a scenic drive down to Miami, stop in Fort Lauderdale on the way, or go up to Palm Beach and go shopping on Worth Avenue. Take a tour of the everglades or go sport fishing. There are enough activities in or near Delray Beach to keep you occupied for a day, a week, a month or even longer.

For more information about the city of Delray Beach, Florida see: http://delraybeachfl.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to the city of Delray Beach, Florida guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, real estate brokers, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.

In 2006, Virgin Blue, Australia’s number two airline after Qantas, agreed to buy nine Boeing 737-800 jets valued at $US634.5 million. The Brisbane based company has a programme to expands its fleet of younger, more fuel-efficient aircraft.

Virgin Blue’s fuel costs account for over 23% of its gross revenue. It wants newer, more fuel efficient aircraft to lower costs.

By decreasing the variety of aircraft in its fleet, Virgin Blue will also reduce maintenance costs due to economies of scale in engineering technical skills requirements and spare parts procurement.

The company said it ordered the next generation 737 because it is a reliable and cost-efficient aircraft, which is essential in their competitive low-cost market.

In introduction of QANTAS’s low cost carrier Jetstar, has further increased pressure on reducing costs.

Like the Boeing 737-600 and Boeing 737-700, the 800 features many improvements including more efficient CFM56-7B turbofan engines. Over 4,000 CFM56-7B engines are in service as part of the most popular engine/aircraft team in commercial aviation.

The CFM56-7B turbofan, with it’s swept fan and advanced compressor is among the most modern, efficient and reliable turbofans ever. More than 500 airlines fly CFM56-7B-powered 737s and, since entering service in the mid-90s, they have accumlated over 50 Million flight hours.

All CFM56-7B engines delivered from mid 2007 were compliant with future Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), environmental requirements.

The CFM56-7B also powers the Boeing/GE BBJ (Boeing Business Jet) and 737 military variants including transports special mission aircraft.

Another improvement in the 737-800 is the new wing with greater thickness, span and wing area, larger tail surfaces and a new flightdeck.

The flightdeck has six flat panel LCDs which can present information as on the 777. A heads-up-display (HUD) is optional.

Virgin Blue’s aircraft feature distinctive winglets. These winglets stand approximately 2.4 metres (8 feet), tall and are installed at the wing tips. They help with reduced fuel burn (by reducing vortex drag), reduced engine wear, and producing less noise on takeoff.

Virgin Blue’s Boeing 737 800s feature three toilets, six premium economy seats with extra legroom and red leather upholstery and eight exits.

Recently the company fitted some of its 737-800 jets with video-on-demand systems. Passengers now have the option to view staellite feeds of 24 different pay television channels for a small $4.90 charge that they pay by swiping a credit card through the card reader that is installed next to the LCD screen.

Until its launch on September 5, 1994 the 737-800 was known as the 737-400X Stretch. Compared with the 400 the 800 is 3.02m (9ft 9in) longer, taking typical two class seating from 146 to 162, while range is significantly increased. The Boeing 737-800 has sold strongly since its launch, and early 2002 was the highest selling Next Generation model. First flight was on July 31 1997, first delivery (to Hapag Lloyd) was in April 1998.

The largest single order for the 800 series has come from the Irish budget carrier, Ryanair. After 28 had already been ordered earlier, a firm order for 100 aircraft was made in January 2002, with an option of another 50, to be delivered over the next 8 years. Ryanair will use the aircraft in a single class configuration, to seat 189 passengers.

Valentia, dating back to 137 B.C., is what we now know as Valencia, Spain. If there was any confusion as to where Valencia is or what it is known for, the city’s renovation with breathtaking architecture turned into museums, aquariums and Imax cinemas plus the hosting of the world famous America’s Cup 2007 has definitely put it on the map. Valencia has gone through all kinds of cultures, taking advantage of each one’s contributions, from the Romans through the Arabs, the Catholic Kings with Ferninand and Isabel, the dictatorship of Franco up to the democratic Spain which now exists. All of this and all that is happening nowadays is what has made Valencia, Spain what it is today and what it will be tomorrow.

Starting in the 70’s, this Mediterranean city began hosting important congresses, now even better equipped with the new vanguard Music Auditorium and Congress hall built in 1988 in the old river-bed of the Turia River. A little further down the river-bed, you will find an impressive group of four white modern buildings, each one offering beauty to the eyes from the outside and an eye-opening experience on the inside. This is the biggest cultural free time resort within a city in all Europe.

The City of the Arts and Science consists of:

1.The Oceanographic Park
A spectacular revelation of the different phases of marine life, bringing what was once far away and unknown, close to the human eye.

2.Hemispheric Planetarium
Brought about so that once again, the spectator can experiment for themselves the attractive sensations of what space is all about. Through the most modern technology with Imax cinemas and laser shows, you are brought so close to outer space through impacting images and sounds.

3.The Prince Philip Science Museum
This was designed to house permanent science theme related expositions and modern technology.

4.The Arts Palace
This building will soon be completed and will be destined to the creation and diffusion of the scenic arts.

Heaps of fun for everyone in Valencia

There are so many other attractions for everyone’s likings, all located inside the city centre and very easy to get to by bus, metro or car hire, such as the IVAM ( Valencian Institute of Modern Art ), Guillen de Castro Street no. 118, open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. It usually costs 2 euros but Sundays and holidays are free. The Palace of the Marquee of Dos Aguas, found in a beautifully decorated alabaster building on the outside and typical Valencian ceramic and horse carriages on the inside. It is found on Poeta Querol Street no. 2, open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 to 2, from 4 to 8 but Sundays and holidays only from 10 to 2. Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings it is free and on the other days it costs 2.50 euros. But do not stop here, visit one of the many tourist offices within the city centre and get free information and timetable for all.

Las Fallas, the most popular street celebration in Valencia dating back to the 16th century is quite an event. It is celebrated from March 15th to 19th, where during five long days and nights you can enjoy seeing over 350 huge carton monuments on almost every corner, religious parades made up of the local lads and lassies dressed in beautiful brocade vestiments, offering bouquets of flowers to the Virgen Mary. All this can be seen in and around the Basilica Square where the flowers are artistically made into the Virgen’s cape, with the baby Jesus held in her arms. But if you could not plan your visit or flight for these days, there is a fantastic Fallas Museum in the Monteolivete Square no. 4 which is the home of the most voted figures which have been saved from being burnt, which is the highlight of this celebration.

Valencia, Spain and its sea adventure

All that has been mentioned before has been and will continue to be part of this city’s life for a long time, but the Americas Cup 2007, the most important yachting and sailing event in the world will only happen once. So if you are still planning some fantastic vacations and want a lot of new thrills, catch a flight to Valencia and book your hotel early to make sure that your holidays will be smooth sailing!