The Map Seeker » Travel

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

Medina of Marrakech Needs Guidance

David — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:10:00 +0000

A visit to Medina of Marrakech is worth all the hassles you’ll run into with hiring a guide, but hiring a guide is highly recommended. If you follow some simple rules about how to hire a guide, you’ll really have a great time at Medina .

No matter what, do not hire a ’so called’ guide off the street, even if they promise you a great deal, because in the end, it’s not a great deal. The Government guides will take you to the Medina and you can feel very safe at the same time. If you do hire a guide off the street, just make it very clear that you will not go into any souvenir stores, carpet stores and any other stores, period. This is where they the street guides get their commission, by taking all the visitors and tourist to the stores first, before taking you to your destination. Any of the hotels in Marrakech , which you’ll be staying at, most likely will have their own guides you can hire and will more expensive than a street guide, but again, you’ll be safer and not feel ripped off. If you still insist on hiring a street guide, let them know you will take care of them well, money wise, at the end of the guide if they won’t miss-guide you.

Medina, no matter how you get there, is well worth a visit. Founded in 1070 by the Almoravids, Medina of Marrakech remained a political, cultural and economical center for a very long time. Its influence is still felt throughout the western Muslim world, from North Africa to Andalusia.

Medina of Marrakech Needs Guidance is a post from: The Map Seeker

Facts About Getting the Lawyer Right For You

Get in the Miami Water

David — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:10:00 +0000

People come from all over the world with their families to enjoy the wonderful waters of the Florida coast. Miami is a wonderful cultural city that offers up many fun ways to enjoy the ocean. It is the gate way to a string of islands call the Florida Keys. Along these islands you will find the Bahia Honda State Park . This has become a very popular place to enjoy the beach, do some snorkeling, kayaking and other exploring. Check in with the concession stand for rentals of equipment and or booking a tour. This is a great way to get started off the coast of Miami.

Off the coast of Miami and along the Keys there is an all underwater state park. The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a spectacular place to snorkel and dive. There are plenty of great snorkeling and diving tours for those who just want to immerse themselves in the the ocean environment. Others will find great thrills seeing the park from a glass bottom boat tour or go it alone with a kayak, canoe or paddle boat rental. For these little self propelled boats there are some calm channels to explore and the price is really reasonable. The park has also set up areas to do some fishing so bring a cooler, sunscreen and hat for a nice day along the waters edge.

For those who love to go fast on the open water check out Miami Boat . They have quite the collection of party, luxury and fishing boats with captains ready to show you the water world. They will also host a party for you when you are gathering a group together for a special occasions. All you need now is a room at one of the four star hotels miami has along the coast and set out for an ocean adventure.

Get in the Miami Water is a post from: The Map Seeker

Boston’s Museum of Science is in a Class of its Own

David — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:10:00 +0000

Boston has one of the best science museums in the country. Museum of Science , located at 1 Science Park, it is an excellent museum that has whatever you could possibly be interested in when it comes to science. It has factual information for parents and fun, exciting experiments for children. The entire family will be thoroughly entertained. There are so many exhibits to see, you’ll find that five hours has gone by in a blink.

The Planetarium, the 2-story Van de Graaf generator, capable of producing 2.5 million bolts of electricity, 3D digital Theater, Simulator experience and an IMAX movie theater to list only a few of the hundreds of dynamic exhibits that the museum houses. No matter how old or young you are, there is plenty for you to see and do; the wide variety of subjects such as geology, physics, electricity, technology, anatomy, and biology, even current events like the Big Dig will keep everyone captivated. About the only thing you won’t like about the Museum of Science is their closing hours, but you’ll love how convenient it is to most Boston five star hotels , because literally, one day is not enough time.

The Museum’s mission is to transform the nation’s relationship with science and technology, by promoting active citizenship informed, inspiring lifelong appreciation, encourage young people to explore and develop their interests in understanding the natural and human-made world. They’ve accomplished their mission and gone beyond it with live presentations and current exhibits such as A Bird’s World, Bees, Beyond the X-ray, Bradford Washburn: The Man Behind the Lens, the Butterfly Garden, Cahners ComputerPlace, Catching the Wind, Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff, Dinosaurs: Modeling the Mesozic, Discovery Center, How Your Life Began, Human Body Connection, Human Evolution, Innovative Engineers, Inside the Mind of M.C. Escher, Investigate!, Live Animal Exhibit, Making Models, Mapping the World Around Us, Mathematica, Nanotechnology, Natural Mysteries, New England Habitats, Playing by the Rules: Fish, Fads, and Fireflies, Science in The Park, Seeing Is Deceiving, Suit/Cabot Lab, Sun Power, Take a Closer Look, The Colby Gun and Trophy Room, The Computing Revolution, The Draper Prize, The Light House, The Rock Garden, To The Moon, WeatherWise, Weems Animal Sculptures, and finally, Whales.

As you can see, there’s always a lot going on in the Exhibit Halls, with new exhibits being added on a continuous basis, so don’t worry about possibly being bore, because it’s not even a consideration.

Boston’s Museum of Science is in a Class of its Own is a post from: The Map Seeker

Haunted Theatres and Parks in Atlanta Georgia

David — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:10:00 +0000

Have you ever heard that there are a lot of haunted buildings in Atlanta? Well, there are certainly a lot of people that claim this to be true. But then residents of almost every town and city in the country claim that there are haunted buildings in them. So, is true? Is this one big haunted nation? Well, it’s not the point of this writer to prove or even argue one way or another. But I will concede that many people are attracted to the idea of haunted locations and frequently seek them out. And the following is a brief description of some of the commonly believed to be haunted locations in Atlanta.

Chasing spirits and ghost hunting may not be the top priority for the guests in the hotels Atlanta USA , though most of them will enjoy a good story, and perhaps chase a few spirits in the hotel lounge. There are people who visit Atlanta just to explore the alleged haunted elements, and there is something fascinating about these stories that keeps them alive and part of our culture. Some of the more popular stories of hauntings include some of the city’s main establishments. The Fox Theatre has continued sightings of a Confederate private and it is reported that he was photographed in a window.

The Shakespeare Tavern is another place where sightings have occurred. A famous one took place during the 1993 performance of Henry IV . The actor playing Falstaff was pretty shaken after seeing a young boy dressed in 1880s velvet in the theatre. And his distress was not due to the incorrect period costume he wore. Other sightings have been reported to have occurred here too. People have also reported seeing a small girl at Six Flags who appearing lost leads them into the woods and then vanishes. These are just a few of the ongoing haunting stories that come out of Atlanta, Georgia and continue to entice tourists.

Haunted Theatres and Parks in Atlanta Georgia is a post from: The Map Seeker

Take a Break and Enjoy the Farmers Markets in Orlando

David — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:10:00 +0000

If there comes a time while you’re in Orlando and for some reason Universal Studios , Disney World or Sea World seems to be way too much for you and your family, why not take time out and get to know the real Orlando and go to where all the locals hang out, the Farmers Markets. There are several around Orlando and each have their own unique atmosphere and style. Instead of standing in long lines for hours at a time, spending exorbitant amounts of money on tickets, on food and on souvenirs, spend a nice relaxing morning or afternoon picking up some fresh Florida citrus, and mingle with the locals. Get a nice respite from the throngs of tourists and spend a quiet time with your family.

The Sand Lake Farmer’s Market, located at 8003 Turkey Lake Road is not too far from Universal Studios and is open every Saturday morning at the Dr. Phillips Marketplace. It’s a medium sized market featuring live music, great, fresh produce from local farmers, beer, baked goods, organic soaps, plants, and hand-made crafts from local artists such as ceramics and stained glass. The market opens up at 9am and runs til 2pm.

The Central Florida Farmer’s Market, located at 4603 W. Colonial Drive at the Central Florida Fairgrounds is Orlando’s largest Farmer’s Markets, featuring 200 vendors. Besides selling an outstanding selection of fresh produce, this market also has antiques, books, arts and crafts and it’s indoors. The market opens at 4am, well before sunrise, on Saturdays and Sundays and stay open till 2pm.

If your staying downtown at a 4 star hotel in Orlando , check out the Orlando Farmer’s Market at Lake Eola. The Lake Eola Market is the longest running markets in Orlando and features vendors selling exotic orchids and bonsai trees, plus there’s a wine and beer garden for the adults, and a lake full of ducks for the children. The produce is picked fresh and brought to the market by local farmers that morning, offering all kinds of organic produce, from tomatoes to corn to squash. There’s prepared foods from Jamaican to Latin. The Eola Farmers market is located on the corner of E. Central Boulevard and North Eola Drive and is open every Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Take a Break and Enjoy the Farmers Markets in Orlando is a post from: The Map Seeker

Atlanta with the Kids

David — Sun, 30 May 2010 00:10:00 +0000

If you find yourself in Atlanta with your kids there are so many things to do you won’t have time for them all. Unless, of course, you live there. Check out some of the great entertainment options such as the Center for Puppetry Arts . You and your kids are going to have a great time. They offer up some great puppet performances such as Paul Bunyan and the Tall Tale Medicine Show, Stellaluna and the Lion, The Mouse and the Other Aesop’s Fables for the little kids. There are shows designed to entertain teenagers and well as some made for adults. They have a museum area that puts a spot light on some of the major puppet designers and puppeteers. Jim Henson is one amazing artist in the puppet business. He is responsible for the creation and acting of world famous puppet shows like The Muppets, Fraggle Rock and Labyrinth. There is also an area to express one inspiration by creating ones very own puppet.

Another, more active way to enjoy your stay with the kids, is to hit the local outdoors. Give the Chattahoochee Outfitters a call. They can take you and your family on a real Chattahoochee River exploration trip. They have all the fun river toys like rafts, kayaks, tubes and pedal boats. It is only minutes for down town Atlanta but it will feel like you are miles away from any major city. Azalea Park spans the river for a few miles and it is a wonderful way to take in the local scenery. They offer up some tours of different lengths to fit your time schedule, budget and ability. If you want someone else to take you down the river than catch a ride on the Roswell Riverboat. There are also bikes available with some lushes green river side paths to ride along.

Your Atlanta hotels concierge will also be able to give you more information on some of the top attractions in the area.

Atlanta with the Kids is a post from: The Map Seeker

Never a Dull Moment in Punta Cana

David — Thu, 20 May 2010 00:10:00 +0000

Usually, in Punta Cana of the Dominican Republic is all about the beach, with 21 miles of some of the whitest and softest coral sand beaches in the world; Punta Cana is where blue-green water kisses white sand and for good reason, it’s a haven for vacationers who only seek refuge in a beach chair, a fruity drink, non-alcoholic or with alcohol. There’s some great shopping to be done with some for the best deals around. Parents will find Punta Cana beaches a perfect place to bring the children. There’s never even the slightest chance of getting bored in Punta Cana, because there’s just to much to do, from snorkeling to swimming with the sharks to diving.

If you’re up for shopping, expect to find plenty of place to spend your money. Especially along the beach, there are stores right off the sands, but be prepared to do some serious haggling, and don’t worry about going super low-ball because the store owners have put a high price on most of the items they sell. After a hard day of shopping, check out the golf, Punta Cana has some of the most beautiful golf courses like Dientes del Perro (Teeth of the Dog), designed by the renowned Pete Dye. The course offers some of the best views in golf and this course has ranked as 35 out of the top 50 courses in the world.

For your family, just about every activity is geared with children in mind. Your hotel in Punta Cana most likely has its own activities, either at poolside or with offering their guests excursion packages, like water excursions running everyday from boats running up and down the coast to diving, to snorkeling and your hotels usually will offer these excursions at a cheaper price. Also, check out parasailing, deep-sea fishing or a ride on a glass bottom boat. Most hotels make it really easy to stay right where you are, but you and your family will barely see the inside of your rooms, because all of what Punta Cana has to offer will pull you in all directions from the beaches to town and to the mountains. Punta Cana has everything anyone could ever possibly want and more.

Never a Dull Moment in Punta Cana is a post from: The Map Seeker

Beaches and Shopping in Pattaya

David — Sun, 16 May 2010 00:10:00 +0000

Central Pattaya, also known as Pattaya Klang, is a very popular beach for tourists and locals. A golden mermaid and dolphins mark the start of the beach with it’s beautiful brown-red sand and a great choice of accommodations and facilities.

After sunning on the beach, head towards Silom Road where the shopping is plentiful. Running from Charoenkrung Road all the way to Rama 4 Road, Silom is lined with shops and malls. You’ll find many business people walking along Silom to do banking, jewelry and gem trading as well as tourist shopping at any of the three shopping plaza’s, like the Silom Complex , which is located at a prime area of Silom Road, just off the Sala Daeng BTS station and the MRT Silom station. The Complexe offers shoppers such stores as Top Marketplace, Power Buy and B2S. Then there’s the Chamchuri Square , located on the Rama IV Road nearby the MRT Sam Yan Station and is Silom Roads newest shopping mall where you’ll find international cuisine from Japanese and Chinese through Vietnamese and Korean to European and American; this shopping center is also the center for education because it is owned by the Chulalongkorn University. The third shopping mall on Silom Road is The Silom Galleria , located between Pramuan Street and Soi 21. The Galleria is also known as Pattaya’s ‘Arts and Craft’ center, because it’s the home to the best quality precious gemstones jewelry, antiques representing the traditional ways of Thai design, and the arts that showcase Thai paintings.

Silom Road is definitely all business and shopping during the day, but at night, this main road is transformed into a night-time hotspot and a place to drink, dance and eat. No matter where you are in Pattaya, Silom Road is easy to get to, either by the convenient Skytrain (BTS) and the subway (MRT) transportation systems. The Skytrain’s Sala Daeng stations is where you’ll interchange with the MRT’s Silom station.

Beaches and Shopping in Pattaya is a post from: The Map Seeker

Dubai Beaches