The Map Seeker » Travel

Re-Upping in Love: Vegas and Dining

David — Thu, 05 May 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Las Vegas does have a certain reputation for romance. The lure of the lights, and the magic of the casinos and shows make it a perfect spot to get close to the important other. The city itself is a representation of other places, some imaginary, so it is rather easy here to feel like one is in another world. And that’s a great place for romances to get sparked. Its romantic reputation is often based on its easy access to instant weddings, but there are also plenty of couples who come to town to get away from the rest of it all and enjoy each other’s company.

Changes in the past few years have made it particularly amenable to those who want to enjoy a perfect moment together. Contemporary Las Vegas dining is indeed world-class, offering plenty of remarkable choices for every taste. The meal can be the center of the perfect evening, the moment when everything begins, and begins brand new. For the couple who might be looking for ways of renewing their sparks, it can be the way to pave the way into the future. Taking along some of the basic principles for making love stay , time spent away from it all is time that sometimes stops, just like in the movies.

Re-Upping in Love: Vegas and Dining is a post from: The Map Seeker

Picking a Visitor Insurance Policy

David — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:10:00 +0000

Anyone who is planning to travel to a foreign country should consider buying some form of visitor or traveler’s insurance. This is especially true of those traveling to lesser developed countries who may need medical evacuation in the case of an emergency. Visitors to the USA should also take out policies because the costs of health care services here is so expensive.

When choosing a visitor insurance policy, applicants need to consider the specifics of their travel. How long they plan to be in the country and whether they will be staying in one place or traveling regularly across the nation will impact the terms of the insurance. Policies will also take into account whether a spouse and/or children need to be covered along with the primary traveler.

The next consideration is to look at the risks involved with the travel. Office workers generally have less risk than those traveling for sport or recreation. Another consideration is whether anyone has existing medical conditions. If so, they will need to make sure that their visitor medical insurance provides for required checkups and medications.

Once all the conditions for the travel and insurance are outlined, it is time to find an actual policy. Research reputable insurance companies and compare both prices and specific policies in order to find the one that is both affordable and provides the necessary coverages.

Picking a Visitor Insurance Policy is a post from: The Map Seeker

The Mysteries of Miami Circle

David — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:10:00 +0000

The most attractive draw for most tourists visiting Miami relates to the city’s intimate connection with the radically new. It is an entirely contemporary place, where the blend of cultures makes for a hybrid center that is truly at the cutting edges of history. Discos and boutique Miami hotels have a sense of design and class that appeal to anyone with a desire to be in touch with what’s happening in the world at this very moment.

In terms of music, visual art, and media arts, the city has become a major player in the world culture scene. There are also other aspects of the city that speak to something much older, offering a very rich and complex experience. Although the current culture is very much in the present, there has been a long history of human presence here. This was brought into sharp relief in 1998, when a developer began digging for what was to be a new housing property, and struck something much more essential.

Now known as the Miami Circle , the team found hundreds of holes in the bedrock, and 24 of these formed a perfect circle. There is some evidence that suggests this was a structure built by the Tequesta tribe, and possibly 2,000 years ago. The site is sometimes called the American Stonehenge , because of the perfection of the circular shape, and also because of a number of other fascinating artifacts. It puts the city very nicely at the edges of the future, as well as a common past.

The Mysteries of Miami Circle is a post from: The Map Seeker

DC Independent Film Festival

David — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:10:00 +0000

As the world continues to spin, and young people discover that there’s more to their computer video software than anyone could have imagined, the independent film community continues to grow by leaps and bounds. It is a very different time for anyone with an interest in turning an idea into a real film. The process may still be pain-staking, and sometimes utterly frustrating, but nothing takes as long as it used to, at least on the technical sides of things.

There’s plenty of evidence for this in the number of film festivals every year, as well as the growing number of new festivals all over the world. The DC Independent Film Festival , however, remains a gem, and one that’s still in the rough. But it’s a carefully planned roughness, as if the festival directors were taking dictates from some thing like the Dogma parameters, to make something small and wonderful all at once.

Filmmakers get requests from their out-of-town guests for these two weeks in spring, and Washington business hotels are always welcoming. All walks of life come to see the new work, but also to take part in the symposia and lectures, where ideas dominate in a field that’s starting to get the sense that ideas are a good thing. There’s also live music for when things too cerebral.

DC Independent Film Festival is a post from: The Map Seeker

Boston Film Festival Includes World Premieres

David — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:10:00 +0000

The 26th Boston Film Festival kicks off September 17th at the Stuart Street Playhouse. Opening Night features the world premiere of two films: “To Be Friends” by Jim and Aaron Eckhart and “Locked In” a Suri Krishnamma production shot in the Boston area. Other premieres include the world premiere of Joseph Mantegna’s documentary “Norman Mailer: The American” and the US premiere of “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” starring Zack Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, and Lauren Graham. Many of the stars and directors of these films will be on hand to answer audience questions after each screening.

The BFF will screen thirty films this year in the categories of Feature, Documentary, Short, and Animation. Awards will be given on closing night, September 23rd, for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, Best Young Actor and Actress, Best Documentary, Best Short, and Best Cinematography. Special Awards this year include the EcoFilm Award and the Mass Impact Award.

One of the highlights of this year’s event will be a special 35th Anniversary screening of “Jaws.” The film, which was shot in nearby Martha’s Vineyard , and starred the late Roy Scheider. BFF will honor the actor with a career achievement award at the screening of his final film, “Iron Cross” on the closing night of the Festival. Brenda Scheider, Roy’s widow, will be on hand to accept the award.

Look for area Boston Hotels to be filled to capacity during the Festival’s seven-day run as the list of celebrities attending keeps growing. As of press time, the Festival’s website had confirmed appearances by Aaron Eckhart, Eliza Dushku, Todd Stashwick, Joelle Carter, Sara Roemer, Leslie Bibb, Ed Burns, Sam Rockwell, and Wade Williams. Additional announcements are expected prior to Opening Night.

Boston Film Festival Includes World Premieres is a post from: The Map Seeker

Mazatlan is perfect for weddins or vacations

David — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:10:00 +0000

Mazatlan is the closest Mexican resort to the United States, and it is a perfect destination for anyone who is looking to soak up some sun and seeks a vacation with a relaxed pace. Vacationers will find may attractions to draw them from their five star Mazatlan hotels .

Much more attractive for vacationers there is also plenty to see for tourists who want to see sights more than kick their feet up and unwind. Those looking to see the sights have options that range from horseback riding, whale or dolphin watching, and snorkeling to visiting one of Mexico’s largest breweries, Pacifico Brewery , so there is plenty to keep you interested in your trip.

But for those looking to unwind and relax this Pacific city is perfect. With lush golf courses designed by Lee Trevino and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. be sure not to forget your clubs so you can enjoy these courses featuring fantastic layouts and stunning ocean views.

One of the primary attractions of this quiet vacation destination is its picturesque scenery and assortment of beautiful churches make it the setting for many couples weddings in Mazatlan . If you’re looking for the perfect place to have both the wedding and your honeymoon look no further. Though getting your guests to go home so you can have a private week together after the ceremony might be a trick in of itself.

Mazatlan is perfect for weddins or vacations is a post from: The Map Seeker

Manila SLab

David — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:10:00 +0000

For all of the fantastic offerings found throughout the history of world art, the Philippines is one place that’s been overlooked for way too long. In the past couple of decades, however, it’s started to become more visible on the global scene. This isn’t due to any sudden boost of innovative artists, but more a question of focus. Who knows why the so-called arts cogniscenti have decided to start paying attention, but the results have been very positive for everyone, as the scene starts to reveal itself as rather electrifying. It also seems to be that this has been the case for quite some time.

It’s a great time for a visit here, where the Manila hotels offer stunning interiors to prepare guests for the stunning exteriors. For art lovers, the real treasures are inside the gallery walls, in places like the Silverlens Gallery, or SLab , which take the great innovations of the past to inform cutting edge contemporary works by some of the leading artists of the age.

Their installations and group shows are receiving high praise, and the curators seem to have a splendid sense for the here and now. It’s also important to keep in mind that some of Manila’s best art happens outside of the gallery walls, demonstrating a city that’s entirely engaged with the moment, and making a future that is as complex and wonderful as the city itself.

Manila SLab is a post from: The Map Seeker

Reasons to see Albany

David — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:10:00 +0000

Albany, New York is a wonderful place to visit whether you plan to go in the summer for the wonderful temperate weather and festivals or the autumn to see the bright colors of the leaves changing. Being the capital city of New York state means it’s got quite a selection of things to see whether you’re just shopping for the perfect college to attend or coming up to see the city on a vacation.

During your visit there are a variety of Albany luxury hotels to choose from all over the city so you can stay near the attractions that you wish to see most. Quite convenient whether you are interested in historical districts or if you would prefer to stay near the downtown districts where there are a wide selection of clubs and live music venues to see. Not to mention that the last call is at 4am on weekends in Albany.

Albany’s is situated 150 miles north of New York City and a good stopping point on a tour to Montreal, Canada make it a perfect spot to catch a band on tour so be sure to check the line up for the local venues if you’re hoping to coincide your visit with a tour stop of your favorite band. Better yet, look up who’s playing the small venues and promote an up and coming artist.

Reasons to see Albany is a post from: The Map Seeker

Boston and Fort Warren

David — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:10:00 +0000

There’s no question that Boston is an entirely contemporary city. There are many urban attractions here that are truly at the cutting edges of culture in the world, and a night on the town is an adventure into the modern and everything beyond. It also has its fair share of old places, too, and old traditions. Those looking for the best hotel rates Boston can offer will very likely be looking for the new, but the old is worth exploring as well.

Places like Fort Warren are definitely interesting points of focus. To get here, one needs to take a boat across Boston Harbor, and it’s well worth the trip. There are old dungeons where prisoners were kept during the Civil War, and if it sounds a little spooky, it certainly is. One of the most exciting things about history has everything to do with the ghosts one finds.

At Fort Warren , there’s plenty of fodder for spooky material, but the story of one particular woman is more interesting than the rest. The story goes that she would dress as a man to sneak in to see either her lover, or her husband (the story changes, as they always do). She was discovered, and subsequently hanged in a dress that the warden’s wife provided. A woman in the same dress is often seen, and more often heard. Another voice from Boston’s history.

Boston and Fort Warren is a post from: The Map Seeker

Everyday Seattle in Photographs

David — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:10:00 +0000

The Emerald City really does have everything. After taking one short trip to the Great NorthWest, it’s kind of hard not to decide to live in Seattle some day. To every visitor who comes here, every guest in every Seattle hotel , it feels like an original idea, where the life before was leading up to the trip to the city which would one day become home. It is a good idea, after all, being one of the most livable cities in the world, and one of the nicest. It’s also got innovations in every field, from painting to music, and with {Isaac Layman+http://www.lawrimoreproject.com/lp/Artists/Pages/Isaac_Layman.html#19 , with photography.

Since he graduated from UW in 2003, he has been making impressive debuts in the field of experimental photography, creating images that seem to work in nearly any gallery space. It’s an unusual technique, and one that could only come from the mind of a singularly obsessed artist.

He photographs his house+http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/flying-off-the-walls/Content?oid=4444209 , and the objects are always of the everyday. Extension chords, for example, are the fodder for a gaze that deconstructs and reconstructs in an amazing geography of meanings. Using multiple shots from multiple perspectives from a high-resolution camera, the images are then put back together to create works that are immediately unsettled. It’s a new way of seeing photography, from someone who is involved in a life-long project of learning how to see the world.

Everyday Seattle in Photographs is a post from: The Map Seeker