Ice.  It is quite literally the greenest building material on Earth.  Pure solid water.  What other type of building dissolves harmlessly back into our rivers when it is no longer needed?  But it doesn’t stop there.  When one says “green” and “environmentally friendly”, all to often the word that hides just below the surface is “bland”.  But buildings made of ice are anything but vanilla.  They are exotic works of art worth traveling thousands of miles to see.  Whether it be a child’s snow-fort, or the ice palace of a Russian noble, these buildings are definitely fun sites to behold.

Igloos

Image courtesy icebox grands shelters

You didn’t think we could do a list of buildings and places made of snow and ice without including the grand-daddy of them all, did you?  Many don’t seem to realize just how well igloos work.  It’s a dome of ice; how warm could it be?  Well, consider this… while the temperature outside could be as low as -49 degrees Fahrenheit, the igloos interior could be anywhere between 19 to 61 degrees.  And that’s not with a fire, mind you, that’s just from body heat.  Igloos really grabbed everyone’s attention in 1922 when the silent documentary “Nanook of the North” was released.  From then on, even children in pre-school are fascinated by these unique dwellings.  To see an actual igloo yourself, head for Canada’s arctic wilderness or Greenland.

Quinzhee

Quinzhee image courtesy of Wikipedia

What’s a quinzhee?  It’s basically a poor man’s igloo (but don’t tell the Eskimos we called it that).  Whereas an igloo is constructed of blocks of snow, a quinzhee is much more simple.  To do it, first find a flat area.  Next gather up a pile of snow.  Don’t use a pile that formed naturally.  We need a good, sturdy, man-made pile.  Once it’s high enough (per your taste), let it set for three to four hours.  Then, hollow it out.  Presto, instant snow house.  Where can you find them?  Anywhere you can find snow.  Heck, make one in your own backyard.  But please note that your super-awesome snow-house can turn into an uber-awful, man-made avalanche if you’re not careful.  Snow is heavy, and having an unfinished quinzhee wouldn’t be pleasant.  Suffice to say, be careful, don’t climb on top of them, and never-ever make one alone.  Also, never hollow out the quinzhee while on your back.  That’s a great way to get trapped.  Quinzees will keep you substantially warmer than the outside temperature, especially if kept small inside.

Minus5 Ice Lounge

Bar at the Minus 5 Ice Lounge

This chain of bars is exactly as it sounds, a lounge set to a brisk minus five degrees Celsius in which the entire interior is made of ice.  How much of it is made of ice?  The walls, the seats, even the bar itself.  But it doesn’t stop there; even the glasses you drink your ice cold vodka from are made of pure ice.  The bars are then decorated further with a collection of ice sculptures.  Minus5 was founded by the great-grandson of Buck Rockwell, Craig Ling.  Buck Rockwell was a New Zealand adventurer who, while circumnavigating the north-pole, became stranded in a remote fishing village due to his ship being lodged in pack-ice.  Rockwell formed a taste for ice-cold vodka during his stay, and now his family carries on the tradition.  Minus5 bars can be found in Sydney, as well as the Gold Coast of Australia, Queenstown, Auckland, Viseu, and Las Vegas.

ICEHOTEL

Photo credit: bjaglin

Ice Hotel Church @ Jukkasjärvi-bjaglin234

There are a number of ice hotels in the world.  This one, named simply ICEHOTEL, is the largest and arguably the best.  Located in Kiruna, Sweden, it is now over two decades old and has inspired many copycats.  Every March, 10,000 tons of ice is harvested from the nearby Torne River.  The ice from this river is especially clear, and therefore perfect for ice sculptures.  The ice is then stored throughout the year, along with 30,000 tons of snow, until mid-November when artisans and engineers begin construction.  That’s right, ICEHOTEL is rebuilt from scratch every year.  Artists compete, and those chosen are allowed to sculpt a single suite within the hotel.  This, of course, means that every room is completely one of a kind.  When complete, the ICEHOTEL houses a reception area, main-hall, bar, and even a church… not to mention the suites for over 100 guests.

Ice Palace

image via Wikipedia

There have been many Ice Palace’s built as tourist attractions throughout the years.  But let’s face it, a true palace is a building built for a noble.  Amazingly, the first ice palace, built in the winter of 1739-1740, was constructed for just this purpose.  Empress Anna Ivanovna ordered the palace’s creation as part of a celebration of Russia’s victory over Turkey at the time.  The palace featured an ice garden, ice artillery, and of course, ice furniture.  As it typically goes with nobility, however, Empress Anna had to mar the occasion by utilizing the palace to punish Prince Mikhail Alekseyevich for marrying a Catholic, even though his bride had died a year before.  He was ordered to become a jester and marry a court lady jester who was especially unattractive.  The newlyweds were then locked in the palace and only survived by bribing the guards.  Today, countless other ice palace’s have been built, including Empress Anna’s which has been rebuilt in Saint Petersburg every winter since 2005.

In the frozen north where trees don’t grow and the ground is covered with snow, it seems obvious that eventually someone would try to build a structure with the one material they had in almost endless abundance, ice.  More impressive than the exotic building material though is the ingenuity necessary to create such structures.  There is a trick to building snow-forts in one’s backyard, just as there is a trick to building the grandest of ice-palaces.  And as with all of them, they are definitely worth the trip to see, whether it be a flight half-way around the globe or simply peering out your family room window.
photo credit: jesse.millan

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Buildings of Snow and Ice

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Ice hotels represent one of the most unique travel experiences you can have, as many of the hotels have to be rebuilt from scratch every year. Sleeping in real fur blankets on bed carved from blocks of ice might not be for everyone, but it is an experience you will never forget.

Jukkasjarvi

Sweden’s Jukkasjarvi village is home to ICEHOTEL, the world’s first ice hotel. Built each year from December to April, the hotel features a bar, church, main hall, reception area, and enough rooms and suites for 100 guests. Each room contains blocks of ice sculpted to resemble chairs and beds and each room is slightly different, making the Icehotel a truly unique experience. Its many enchanting qualities have made Icehotel one of the Seven Wonders of Sweden and it is worth a visit for anyone who wants an adventure.

Photo credit: charley1965

Ice Hotel - Entrance

Photo credit: bjaglin

Ice Hotel Church

Photo credit: charley1965

Ice Suite 302- Ice Hotel - Sweden

Photo credit: bjaglin

Ice Hotel Suite

Photo credit: charley1965

Ice Bar

Arctic Resort Kakslauttanen

Finland’s Kakslauttanen Hotel and Igloo Village provides an enchanting arctic getaway in the midst of the Lapland region’s beautiful scenery. There are 31 first-class log cabins in the area and a variety of activities to take part in no matter what season it is. During the winter, you can enjoy wandering through the famous Igloo Village and dining at the world’s largest snow restaurant. You can also see the northern lights from late August to April, making it a great place to visit just to experience one of nature’s most famous spectacles.

Photo credit: arcticroute.com

Snow Restaurant

Photo credit: arcticroute.com

Viking ice carving

Photo credit: arcticroute.com

Titanic ice carving

Photo credit: arcticroute.com

Three mast ship ice carving

Photo credit: arcticroute.com

ice gallery

Photo credit: arcticroute.com

Entrance to Kakslauttanen Hotel and Igloo Village

Hotel de Glace – Quebec

Quebec’s Hotel de Glace is truly a unique experience, as any hotel made primarily of ice would be. while you should not expect a luxury experience at the Hotel de Glace, you should expect a vacation that you can tell your friends about, especially when you manage to comfortably sleep on what amounts to a block of ice. The hotel features a spa area with hot tubs and a sauna so that you can warm up as well as an excellent bar. In all, the Hotel de Glace is the ideal destination if you want a memorable getaway.

Photo credit: Simon le nippon

Ice Hotel / Hotel de Glace - Quebec

Photo credit: Simon le nippon

Seats in Ice Hotel

Photo credit: lune15

Chairs in Ice Bar

Photo credit: daveinmtl

Ice Columns

Are you shopping for leather furniture, then check out our helpful guide from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Ice Hotels from Sweden, Quebec, and Finland

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In today’s modern world with airplanes jetting around the globe, sometimes we forget how travel got its big start. Cross country trains and railroads were one of the first big steps in making travel accessible to everyone. Major metropolises like New York City built enormous railway terminals like Grand Central Station and Pennsylvania Station to service the needs of their passengers. While some of these stations have been torn down and replaced, others have been reborn into libraries and museums. In countries like Japan and Germany where high speed bullet trains are being used, new modern railroad terminals are being built. Here’s a look at 22 old and new railroad stations from around the world … and at the end a train station that’s visited by certain famous wizard …

Photo credit: OliverN5

Grand Central Station New York City

Grand Central Terminal, most popularly known as Grand Central Station, is the largest and one of the most well-known train stations in the world. New York City’s Grand Central Station is found in Midtown Manhattan at 42nd Street and Park Avenue. Commuters can travel to Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties in New York, as well as Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut.

Photo credit: wecand

Berlin Central Statio

Berlin Central Station, otherwise known as Berlin Hauptbahnhof, is Berlin’s main railway station and the largest crossing station in Europe. Opened on May 26, 2006, Berlin Central Station is located on the site of the historic Lehrter Bahnhof. About 350,000 passengers travel through the Berlin Central Station each day in more than 1,800 trains daily.

Photo credit: e³°°°

Antwerp. Railway station

The Antwerpen-Centraal, otherwise known as Antwerp Central, is the main railway station in Antwerp, one of Belgium’s most important cities. It was built as a replacement for another railway station in 1895 to 1905 and is now regarded as the finest example of railway architecture in the company. Antwerp Central is difficult to classify as far as architectural style goes because of the variety of influences.

Photo credit: wili_hybrid

Toronto Union Station

Toronto’s Union Station is the most important railway in Toronto, serving as the major inter-city rail station and major commuter railway hub for the area. The city of Toronto owns the railway and it serves over 200,000 passengers every day, making it the busiest railway station in Canada. Union Station is served by VIA Rail, Canada’s national passenger railway system.

Photo credit: rvaphotodude

Science Museum of Virginia  formerly Virginia’s Broad Street Station

Richmond, Virginia’s Broad Street Station is a union railroad station located near the Fan district on Broad Street. Built in 1917 by architect John Russell Pope, the station features a neoclassical style that was popular in American architecture at the time. Passenger service ceased in 1975 and the building is now home to the Science Museum of Virginia.

Photo credit: Gret@Lorenz

jungle in Atocha Station Madrid Spain

The Atocha Railway Station is the largest railway station in Madrid, the largest city and capital of Spain. Run by Spain’s national railway company, Renfe, the station serves both intercity commuters and regional trains from the South. Built in 1851, the Atocha Railway Station is located in a historic part of Madrid.

Photo credit: mdiocuh galeals

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai

Formerly known as the Victoria Terminus, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a historic railway station and the headquarters of Central Railways. Designed in 1887, it is one of the busiest railway stations in India. Although it was originally named in honor of Queen Victoria, an Indian initiative to rename public locations with Indian names saw the railway station undergo its name change.

Photo credit: stevecadman

Gare du Nord Station

Paris’ Gare du Nord, or North Station, is the busiest station in Europe, with about 180 million passengers daily. Gare du Nord serves trains that travel to the north of France and to various other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands. French architect Jacques Hittorff designed the Gare du Nord and its was built between 1861 and 1864.

Photo credit: Sam Ruaat

Washington Union Station

Washington D.C.’s Union Station has transformed into a D.C. landmark and is visited by 32 million each year. Amtrak, MARC, and VRE commuter railroads are all served by Union Station, as is the Washington Metro transit system. Union Station was designed to be the grand ceremonial entrance into Washinton D.C. in 1908 and has defined the city ever since.

Photo credit: whitewall buick

Pennsylvania Station (demolished) 

New York City’s Pennsylvania Station, most commonly abbreviated to Penn Station, was opened in 1910 for the Long Island Rail Road trains. In October 1963, demolition of the original Penn Station began after a push for modernization, even though international outrage showed that people wanted the original Penn Station to remain. Today, Penn Station serves 600,000 passengers every day and is North America’s busiest train station.

Photo credit: Canadacow

Cincinnati Museum Center formerly Cincinnati Union Terminal

The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal began its life as the Cincinnati Union Terminal in 1928, designed to streamline Cincinnati’s extremely busy railway traffic. Although the terminal faced destruction in the 1970s and 80s, a 1986 decision transformed Cincinnati Union Terminal into the museum center it is today. Six organizations call the Cincinnati Museum Center home and it has become a major city landmark.

Photo credit: Runder

Gare du Palais inQuebec City Canada

The Gare du Palais is a train and bus station located in Quebec City, Canada. Architect Eugene-Etienne Tache designed the stunning Gare du Palais, which is well known for a stunning fountain display at the front of the station. VIA Rail, Canada’s national passenger railway, serves the station, which is named for its proximity to the Palace of the Intendant of New France.

Photo credit: andresumida

Estacion Mapocho in Chile

Chile’s Estacion Mapocho served for a long time as the hub for all traffic in Northern Chile. It was declared a national monument in 1976 because of its significance to the country, as well as the decline in demand for railway travel. In 1994, Estacion Mapocho was renovated and it now serves as a cultural center rather than a functioning train station.

Photo credit: joosteto

Amsterdam Centraal Station

Amsterdam Centraal is Amsterdam’s aptly-named central station, serving as one of the main railway hubs in the Netherlands. About 150,000 passengers use the station every day, even though the station is currently under reconstruction. Architects Pierre Cuypers and A. L. van Gendt designed the station and it opened in 1889, serving as one of the Netherlands’ most important transportation hubs ever since.

Photo credit: Ralphman

Oakland Train Station

The Oakland Coliseum Amtrak Station is located in East Oakland and it is connected to the Bay Area Rapid Transit Station by a pedestrian bridge. It is also located very close to the Oakland Coliseum and the Oracle Arena, which is where the station gets its name. An electronic ticketing system replaces the need for any staff.

Photo credit: abhijeet.rane

Leipzig Railway Station East Entrance

Leipzig Central Station, known in German as the Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, is the central railway station in Leipzig. By size, it is the largest terminal railway station in Europe and it sees an average of 150,000 passengers each day. The station is known as one of the last grand railway stations of the 19th century.

Photo credit: mbrubeck

Union Station Seattle

Seattle’s Union Station was built in 1910 and 1911 to service the Union Pacific Railroad and the Milwaukee Road. The railway station was abandoned by both of companies by 1971 and sat unused until the late 1990s, when it was renovated. The building now serves as the headquarters of the Sound Transit and can be rented for weddings and other such events.

Photo credit: Prince Roy

Harbin Railway Station China

The Harbin Railway Station is the very first railway station built in China’s history. Serving Harbin, which is China’s tenth largest city and famous as the portal for Chinese trade with Russia as well as for its beautiful ice sculpture displays, the Harbin Railway Station is the busiest train station in China. There are only three modernized railway stations in China.

Photo credit: Andyrob

Paddington Station

London’s Paddington Station is a historic railway site that has served London commuters since 1838. Recently modernized, Paddington Station now serves as the terminus for the Heathrow Express service. Paddington Station specializes in long-distance trains, allowing London commuters to travel to several locations throughout the United Kingdom

Photo credit: Peter π

Piccadilly Station

The Manchester Piccadilly Station is the main railway station for Manchester, England. This station serves as a nexus between the London area, the South coast of England, Edinburgh and Glasgow Central in Scotland, and several other routes throughout Northern England. Piccadilly is the busiest station in the UK outside of London and well-known for its 92% customer satisfaction rate.

Photo credit: pokpok313

Shinjuku Station in Tokyo

Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station is located in the Shinjuku and Shibuya wards of Tokyo and its serves as the main connecting hub for rail traffic between downtown Tokyo and its western suburbs. About 3.64 million people used Shinjuku Station daily in 2007, making it the busiest railway in the world in terms of passenger load. Registered with the Guinness World Records, Shinjuku Station is popular as a tourist attraction.

Photo credit: digny564

Nagoya Station Japan

Nagoya Station is located in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, in Japan. By floor area, Nagoya station is the largest train station in the world, with a massive 4,800,000 square feet. More than 1 million people use the train station every day, making it the 6th busiest train station in Japan, and the station is known for the prominent JR Central Towers.

Photo credit: C Pirate

Platform 9 3/4-C Pirate750

King’s Cross Station in London which was the set used for filming in the Harry Potter Movies, has now added a platform 9 3/4 with a trolley stuck in the middle of the wall, it’s quite popular with a lot of tourists.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

22 Train Stations from Across the Globe

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Anybody interested in sharks can find plenty of free information online. You don’t have to do your own research or buy hundreds of dollars in books to learn more about sharks and related topics. Once you know which websites about sharks are the best, you can rely on them to increase your knowledge base.

Here are some of the top websites about sharks that you do not want to miss:

1. The National Shark Research Consortium. This organization is made up of four shark research organizations: the Pacific Shark Research Center, the Center for Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory, the Florida Program for Shark Research, and the Shark Research Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. With information being pulled from so many top notch organizations you can only imagine how much you can learn on this site. You will find everything from research results to basic information on the different species.

2. Shark Research Institute. Is there something you don’t understand about sharks? If so, you should visit the Shark Research Institute website. They focus on correcting the many misconceptions surrounding sharks. To go along with this, the Shark Research Institute puts a lot of time into fighting against the killing of sharks. The shark science and education sections of the website offer plenty of educational information.

3. SharkInformation.org. Those who want to learn the basics of sharks, while also viewing many high quality photos and videos, should visit this website often. This is one of the best educational websites on sharks. Some of the most popular categories include species, photos, videos, and facts.

The above three shark websites are popular for many reasons. If you are interested in any aspect of sharks, you should visit all three sites to see what you can find. You will not be disappointed.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Shark Information Websites

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July 4th.  Now sure, any time you refer to the Fourth of July as America’s birthday, some know-it-all will point out that the Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed precisely on that day.  But a date had to be picked, and that’s the one the founding fathers chose.  Today, July 4th is marked by one of the greatest creations ever known to man… fireworks.  Every year, countless locations across the USA play host to some of the most spectacular fireworks displays on the planet.

New York City

Click here to view the embedded video.

Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display is one of the most famous fireworks shows in the country.  Fireworks are released from three different locations within the city.  The Air Force does a flyover, and NBC broadcasts the event across the nation.  This isn’t even counting the numerous other fireworks displays taking place at the same time throughout the area, lighting up the night sky.

Philadelphia

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While celebrate the fourth of July in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love?  Let us not forget that Philadelphia, was America’s first capital.  And, even more significant for July 4th, this is where the Declaration of Independence was signed.  What better place to celebrate the birth of a nation than in the city in which it was born?  Suffice to say, the city hosts one heck of a fireworks show.

Boston

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This is a city that loves the Fourth of July.  If you hear “Stars and Stripes Forever” on the radio, chances are it’s being played by the Boston Pops.  Every year for over three decades the Boston Pops have played a top rate concert accompanied by one of the best fireworks shows in the country.  When it comes to celebrating the Fourth, you can never go wrong with Boston.

Washington D.C.

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This one’s a no-brainer.  Washington D.C., the capital of the United States of America, is of course going to have one of the best fireworks displays for the Fourth of July.  The day begins with a parade along Constitution Avenue, culminating in a fireworks display over the Washington Monument.  Throughout the day, various institutions celebrate the holiday as well, from the Smithsonian Institute to the National Archives.

Chicago

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Chicago exhibits not one but two fabulous fireworks shows, the first being on the third and the second on the fourth.  The shows are displayed over Lake Michigan, making the entire lake-front the best seats in the house.  Concerts and various other events happy throughout the city to accompany the two fireworks spectaculars.

San Diego

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This is another city that loves the Fourth of July with events taking place throughout the city.  The largest fireworks display takes place over San Diego Bay with the “Big Bay” celebration.  Another great attraction around the Fourth is the San Diego County Fair, which is one of the best county fairs in California.

Seattle

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“Family Fourth”, Seattle’s largest Fourth of July fireworks celebration is also considered one of the best in the country.  The event is a day long extravaganza filled with family activities and concerts for everyone.  The fireworks display takes place over Lake Union and features fireworks designs from throughout the world.

Lake Tahoe

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Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe spans over 192 square miles and is the second deepest lake in the United States.  It is also a major tourist attraction with a plentiful amount of outdoor summer recreation.  So why, you may ask, is Lake Tahoe on this list?  For no other reason than it is the single largest synchronized fireworks display west of the Mississippi.  Whether viewed from the shore, or from a boat out on the water, the show is spectacular.

Disneyworld

Click here to view the embedded video.

Disney’s theme parks have been known for some time for their fabulous fireworks displays, which are held on many days throughout the year.  So it goes without saying that on Fourth of July itself Disney pulls out all the stops.  Be warned though, this is no “well kept secret”.  July 4th and the days around it are considered to be some the busiest days of the year at Disney’s theme parks.  Show up early, and be ready for a crowd, but don’t worry, the show is worth it.

New Orleans

Click here to view the embedded video.

If there’s one city in the United States that knows how to party, it’s New Orleans.  Now sure, it is mostly known for its Mardis Gras celebration every year, but the city also hosts one heck of a Fourth of July bash.  The “Go 4th on the River Dueling Barges Fireworks Extravaganza” is considered one of the best in the nation.

Mount Rushmore

Click here to view the embedded video.

It is one of the most iconic monuments in the United States, featuring four of the nation’s greatest leaders, and every year it hosts one heck of a fireworks show.  Strangely though, the fireworks spectacle occurs on July 3rd instead of the Fourth.  This could provide a distinct advantage though as one could viably enjoy two great fireworks displays over one July 4th weekend.  The first at Mount Rushmore, followed by a show wherever one pleases on the Fourth.  It may require a bit of travel, but where’s your sense of adventure?

Whether it be New York, Mount Rushmore, or even Disneyworld, there is still one fireworks show that is greater than all the others, and that’s the one right down the street from your own home.  The Fourth of July may be a celebration of the USA, but it is even more so a day when Americans remember what it is they love so much about their country… the friends, neighbors, and family they share it with.
photo credit: beigeinside

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Best Places to Celebrate July 4th

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Below is a list of travel stories and news for 4/7/2009

Barneo Ice Station Opens – via gadling
In another spring tradition, the Barneo Ice Station has opened for another season, providing the gateway for adventure travelers and explorers to make a “last degree” journey to the geographic North Pole from the Russian side of the ice.

3 things travelers will lose and gain in this recession – via Elliot.org
Kiss those little bottles of lotion goodbye. But don’t despair. You stand to gain better things, thanks to the ailing economy. That includes free Wi-Fi in more places, better customer service and of course, many unbelievable bargains.

Bathrooms That Are Part of the View – via NY Times
the chic boutiques of London and Los Angeles to hot new hotels in more exotic locales like India and China, exposed bathrooms are a growing trend — whether in the form of transparent glass walls and shower stalls or bathtubs set in the middle of the bedroom like free-standing sculptures.
photo credit: adselwood

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Travel Stories and News for 4/7/2009

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If you enjoy the tastes and smells of far-away lands, you’ll take great delight in a large-scale wine tasting. Most small wine-shop tastings offer only a few bottles to try and perhaps some cheese and crackers. For a flat rate, a wine expo typically offers you the pick of hundreds of wines. You’ll be able to try pairings of food and wine that are typical of different countries and watch experts discuss the pairings in a live program.

The Boston Wine Expo: January 23-25th, 2009. On its 18th year as a staple in Boston’s cultural experience, The Boston Wine Expo brings its experience to an intense weekend of food, wine, and culture. Keynoted by Gary Vaynerchuk (Wine Library TV.com) with cooking exhibitions from a line-up of PBS cooking legends, this Boston Wine Expo should meet your expectations with a flourish. Saturday tickets start at $85 and you’ll have to steer clear of some seminars that charge an additional fee. Tasting wines from more than 400 wine producers should keep you smiling all day.

The New York Wine Expo: February 27-March 1, 2009. The New York Wine expo offers 600+ wines from more than 170 winemakers from all over the world. With keynotes from Mark Oldman (“Every Day With Rachel Ray”) and Kevin Zraly (Windows On The World Wine School) will inspire your mind and captivate your senses. With tickets starting at $75 USD the New York Wine Expo offers a relatively inexpensive way to expand your palate without dealing with all the jet lag.

The Washington D.C. Wine Expo: February 14-15th, 2009. If you were wondering what to do with your Valentine’s evening, you might consider tasting all 800 wines from more than 200 wineries between bites of complimentary food. Do you think you could remember all 800? With celebrity chefs offering free cooking demonstrations and personal meet-and-greets with wine producers all evening, you’ll be sure to find your $85 well-spent.

All events are 21+ and you must present positive I.D. before making entry to the event.
photo credit: law_keven

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Travel The World For Less: East Coast Wine Expo’s

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Bradt Travel Guides, coming out of Britain, have developed a good repuation for covering the more unusual destinations across the world or more traveled places with a unique viewpoint, and for covering all of these with detailed information and balanced coverage. They’ve been expanding in recent years and in the last few months, a number of new books have been released by Bradt, including these:

• Central and Eastern European Wildlife has been published for the first time and includes everything from the bears and wolves to the many birds you can find in this region
• A guide book to Colombia has been issued by Bradt for the first time, recognizing the resurgence of interest in tourist travel to this country
• São Tomé & Príncipe, the island nation which is Africa’s second-smallest country, gets its first Bradt guide this year
• Antarctica: A Guide to the Wildlife has a new edition which is perfect reading for anyone cruising to Antarctica
• Transylvania, the traditional home of Dracula in Romania, is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists and it’s not surprising that Bradt has issued its first edition of this guide this year
• USA By Rail, which Bradt claims is one of the only books exclusively covering US travel by train, has been updated with a new edition including all the current timetable details

photo credit: frielp

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Newest Guide Book Offerings from Bradt

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Postcards used to be every traveler’s favorite way of keeping friends and family updated on their trips with short prose and whimsical “wish you were here!”s. Today, though, the digital ages has threatened postcards with email, social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace, and even travel-themed ecards and digital postcards.

In additional to private forms of digital communication, mass travel blogs like TravelBlog and STA travel have seen huge numbers in recent years. TravelBlog sees 100 new members each day, adding to its already 80,000 strong member base, and STA travel has accumulated 60,000 blog entries in just 3 years. These sites make it easy for travelers to communicate with loved ones and strangers from afar, telling stories of their travels and misadventures.

Despite the proliferation of digital communication, postcards aren’t doing as poorly as one might think. Britain’s Royal Mail processes about 135 million postcards each year, a surprising 30 million increase in three years. In addition, postcards now have a somewhat nostalgic value, and avid travelers, even the armchair kind, like to collect postcards from around the world.

To keep the personal touch to your travels, don’t forget the lonely postcard – it can be a wonderful reminder of your vacations.

photo credit: Laineys Repertoire

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Postcards Struggle to Find Their Place in a Digital Age

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When it comes to vacation ideas, green is the new black. Eco vacations are becoming more and more popular as travelers seek experiences that enable them to get close to nature without leaving a mark.

So what’s an eco vacation and where do you find one?

TIES, The International Ecotourism society, says ecotourism complies with the following principles:

• minimize impact
• build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
• provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
• provide direct financial benefits for conservation
• provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
• raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate

An eco vacation can be luxurious or spartan. If you’re in the mood for roughing it and hard work besides, take a look at some of these volunteer vacations. But if you’re looking for something a bit less demanding, consider some of these trips.

The Cottages at Spring Hill Farm in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains feature a fully equipped kitchen that you can have stocked for a fee upon arrival. Each cabin has a private drive, a fireplace, custom-built beds and a deck with hot tub. The six cabins on this 92-acre nature preserve were made from reclaimed lumber. Spa treatments are available in your cabin and guests can order a three-course dinner to be delivered to the cabin.

Bison Quest Sanctuary and Spa at Wild Echo Bison Reserve in Montana is all inclusive. The experience, booked for only one private group at a time, includes spa treatments and a variety of activities from studying the bison up close with the Reserve’s staff biologists to whitewater rafting to horseback riding. Or you can just relax with a sauna in a sweat lodge. Guests stay in cabins with their own baths or Native American tipi. The facility is off the grid; electricity comes from solar and wind power and low-water composting toilets are used.

At Pacuare Jungle Lodge in Costa Rica guests sleep in thatched roof bungalows with a private bathroom and shower. The lodge, deep in the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest, practices sustainable tourism. There is no electricity. Guests are provided with candles for their bungalows, and the main lodge is lit with gas lanterns at night. Activities include guided tours of the rainforest or a visit with the nearby Cabecar Indians. Combo packages include side trips to the Tortuguero Lagoons and Canals; Caño Island. Costa Rica’s best spot for diving; or he hot springs at Ecotermales del Bosque.

Sleep in a treehouse at the Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge in Dominica. Cabins are also available and arrangements can be made to stay with a local family. Eco workshops are among the activities offered, in addition to hiking through the rainforest, lazing in a hammock or getting a massage. There is a restaurant and bar as well as a communal kitchen where guests can do their own cooking. Light is powered by a wind turbine, and water is supplied through the use of collected rainwater. We also offer a range of nature, adventure and community eco tourism services, facilities and activities to suit all.

Mystic Blue offers eco friendly sailing tours of the Greek Isles. Biologist Dr. Panayiotis Pafilis leads two tours that explore the area’s wildlife. Each night of the tour, you’ll sleep on a different island.

Maho Camps and Estate Concordia offer a range of accommodations on two resorts on St. John in the US Virgin Islands from private apartments to tent cottages connected by wooden walkways. Each tent has a separate sleeping area with twin beds and an extra mattress behind the sleeping-couch in the living area. Bed linens, blankets, towels, cooking and eating utensils are all provided, including propane stove and ice cooler. Every tent-cottage has its own private deck, electric outlets, lights and fans. Barbecue areas and fresh water are available. Nearby bathhouses are equipped with modern, low-flush toilets and pull-chain showers connected to a recycling system that irrigates the surrounding vegetation.

The Mountain Trail resort in Mukteshwar, India is nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. Guests can go on guided nature walks, go rock climbing or bird watching, or take yoga and classes, among other activities. The eco friendly resort is built to blend in with nature. There are 10 double rooms and two quadruple rooms–all with Western-style bathrooms–available.

North Island in the Seychelles is a luxury resort of 11 guest villas located on a once-deserted island with four beaches. The resort has a full-service spa and a restaurant with no menu. Instead, the chef interviews the guests, finds out their food preferences and designs meals accordingly. Each villa is self-contained, with a bedroom, writing and changing area and a marble bath. The resort’s owners bought the deserted island and implemented the “Noah’s Ark” concept, which endeavors to turn back the island’s environmental clock 200 years by reintroducing many critically endangered species slowly over time.

The Web provides a number of resources for travelers looking for eco vacations:

• Eco Tropical Resorts has listings for resorts in every continent but Antarctica.
• Ecotours lists eco travel agents, tour operators and eco resorts throughout the world.
• TIES has a searchable database of tour operators, travel agents and hotels and resorts that have been approved by the organization.
• Green Travel Hub allows you to buy carbon offsets and find hybrid car rentals in addition to providing a list of green hotels.
• Green Globe member hotels and resorts are committed to sustainable tourism.

photo credit: muha…

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Eco Vacations For Everyone

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The 95th Tour de France starts July 5. This year the tour will begin in Brittany where the tour has started six times before. Choosing the route, which alters every year, begins three years in advance and must take several factors into account:

• International regulations: Rules stipulate that the course not exceed 3,500 kilometers spread over 21 days with two days of compulsory rest. Also, the individual stages can only exceed 225 kilometers twice.
• Balance: The first week should include several flat stages before the riders take on the high mountain stages in the Alps and Pyrenees and two days need to be reserved for time trials.
• Equity: The race should pass through as many the regions of France as is possible. So far, the only area that has never hosted the Tour is the island of Corsica.

Here’s a look at the towns on the this year’s tour.

Brest to Plumelec
Situated on a Roman site along the River Penfield, the Germans turned this port city into a submarine base during World War II. The city was under siege for six weeks after the Allied Landing and all but three of its buildings were destroyed before the Germans gave up. Compensation payments from the West German government helped rebuild the town, which is now a major port with two harbors: one for naval shipping and the second for commercial shipping. Brest is home to Océanopolis, a marine park.

Auray to Saint-Brieuc

photo credit: Tc7

Auray is best known for the medieval harbor of Saint-Goustan, a stretch of 15th and 16th Century buildings along the River Loch. Auray was the site of a 1364 battle of the Hundred Years War between Jean de Montfort and Charles de Blois.

Saint-Brieuc is named after St. Briocus, a Welsh monk, who established an oratory there in the 6th century. It is situated between the ravines of the Gouët River and its tributary the Gouëdic, near Saint-Brieuc Bay on the English Channel. A major fishing center, the city is the capital of the Côtes-d’Armor region of Brittany.

Saint-Malo to Nantes

Another city named after a Welsh monk, this one called Mac Low who came to the area in the 6th Century. France’s largest marina is known as the Corsair City after the French privateers who wreaked havoc on British shipping during the 18th Century. Jacques Cartier, who discovered Canada, lived in and sailed from Saint-Malo.

Nantes, the sixth-largest city in France, is situated at the junction of the Loire, Erdre and Sèvre rivers. During the 18th Century, Nantes was France’s busiest port thanks to its role in the slave trade. Nantes, which has been occupied since Roman times, was named France’s greenest city in 2003.

Cholet to Châteauroux

photo credit: Stéfan
Cholet, on the right bank of the River Moine Pays de Loire district, is famous for its Japanese gardens– the largest in Europe, which were established between 1899-1913.

The region is also infamous for its association with Bluebeard, whose castle Chateau Tiffauges is located here. Gilles de Rais was a 15th Century nobleman who fought with Joan of Arc; he also kidnapped, tortured and murdered hundreds of young boys. The château ruins cover seven acres within defensive walls.

Chataeuroux is the birthplace of actor Gérard Depardieu. The city takes its name from a castle built in the 10th Century by Raoul, prince of Déols.

Aigurande to Super-Besse Sancy

photo credit: Panoramas

Fifty kilometers from Chataeuroux is Aigurande, the next stop on the tour. Aigurande has a population of fewer than 2,000. The town’s historic buildings and cobblestone streets are very well preserved.

Super-Besse, a ski resort located between 1.350 and 1,850 meters altitude in the Sancy mountains,
boasts 45 kilometers of ski slopes.

Brioude to Aurillac

Brioude, located on the banks of the Allier river is renowned for its 12th Century Romanesque church, the Basilica of St. Julien. The church contains the tomb of St. Julien and has been a sacred spot since the 4th Century.

Aurillac, the umbrella capital of France, is the provincial capital of the Cantal. The town lies on the west side of the Monts du Cantal range.

Figeac to Toulouse

The town center of Figeac doesn’t look much different from the way it did in the 13th Century. Figeac has been a settled community since the 9th Century when it was a way station for pilgrims. Later in the Middle Ages it became an important trading center. Figeac is also the birthplace of Jean-François Champollion, the man who deciphered the Rosetta Stone.

Known as La Ville Rose for the color of the bricks on its ancient facades, Toulouse is France’s fourth largest city. The city, which has been occupied for 2,000 years, was an important outpost of the Roman Empire and later served as capitol of the Visigoths. Toulouse was central to the development of the troubadours, the medieval poet-musicians who are credited with inventing modern European literature and giving us the concepts of chivalry and courtly love.

While the cyclists won’t have much time to look around, visitors to the city should really take the time to see some of Toulouse’s important monuments.

• Basilique St-Sernin: Charlemagne himself donated relics to this Romanesque church, considered to be the biggest in the western world.
• Le Cloitre des Jacobims: Founded in the XIIIth and XIVth centuries, this complex of brick buildings is a fine example of Languedoc Gothic art.
• Saint-Etienne Cathedral: A mishmash of architectural styles spanning the 500 plus years it took to build
• The Capitole: A neoclassical masterpiece of pink brick with pink marble columns.

Toulouse to Bagnères-de-Bigorre

Bagnères-de-Bigorre, located near the Spanish border in the Haute-Pyrénées, is home to a hot spring where the wealthy have gone to take the waters since Roman times. The area lost some of its luster after World War II, but a luxury spa that opened in 2003 continues the tradition of pampering that the town is known for.

Situated within the Pyrenees national park, Bagnères-de-Bigorre is a great place for sports and outdoor activities. There’s excellent skiing nearby in the winter. White water sports, hiking trails and golf courses are available for the rest of the year.

Pau to Hautacam

Located less than an hour’s drive from the Spanish border, Pau has hosted the tour 61 times before this year. The City of a Thousand Palm Trees is famous for its Boulevard des Pyrénées, a grand avenue through the center of town with buildings on one side and a spectacular view of the Pyrénées on the other. In the 19th Century, Pau became a magnet for British tourists who were responsible for the creating continental Europe’s first golf course in the area in 1860.

Hautacam is a ski resort near the thermal spa of Argeles Gazost.

Lannemezan to Foix

Best known for its three-towered castle, which sits on a crag overlooking the medieval town, Foix has been occupied since Roman times. The village also contains the 2th Century Church of St. Volusien and a number of hal-timbered 16th Century buildings. Lannemezan is a small market town nestled on a plateau in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Lavelanet to Narbonne

photo credit: Joel Mann

Situated in Cathar country at the foot of Montsegur castle, Lavelanet stands alongside the Touyre river, where the three valleys meet. It’s a small village whose primary industry is cloth making.

Narbonne was built by the Romans as a trading post along the newly constructed Via Dolmitia, making it the first Roman city outside of Italy. Narbo, as the Roman called it, grew to become the capital of the Roman province of Narbonensis and one of the most important cities in Gaul.

The St. Just and St. Pasteur Cathedral, known also as the Narbonne Cathedral, is one of the city’s most interesting sites. Although the first stone was laid in 1272, the building remains unfinished–partly because town fathers refused to tear down part of the town’s wall to finish the project.

Narbonne was a center of Jewish learning in the 11th and 12 centuries, principally for is contribution to the study of Kaballah. Jews had been living in Narbonne since the 5th Century.

Nîmes to Digne-les-Bains

photo credit: Fr Antunes

The focal point of the city is its 1st-Century Roman arena, known as Les Arènes. One of the world’s best-preserved Roman arenas, Les Arènes can seat 20,000. These days spectators head to the arena for the bullfights. Nîmes is the biggest European bullfighting scene outside Spain.

Nimes is also home to the Jardin de la Fontaine, France’s first public garden, which was created in 1750.

Digne-les-Bains is the capital of the lavender trade in Provence. The town’s eight hot springs have been drawing visitors since Roman times; they were mentioned in Pliny the Elder’s Natural History. The waters are supposed to be good for respiratory problems.

Embrun to Prato Nevoso

Embrun sits on a cliff overlooking the Durance River. A popular spot for outdoor sports enthusiasts, the town’s nickname is “Little Nice of the Alps.” The Italian ski resort of Prato Nevoso will be appearing on the tour for the first time this year, though it has served as a stage for the Giro d’Italia, the second most important stage race in the world.

Cuneo to Jausiers

Cuneo, in Italy’s Piedmont, is located at the foot of the Maritime Alps on the Stura di Demonte river.

The smallest town to hold a Tour de France stage finish, Jausiers in the Ubaye Valley is famous as the birthplace of the Arnaud brothers who founded the town of Arnaudville in Louisiana and later emigrated to Mexico. The brothers became rich in the Americas and their success attracted friends and family from the valley to join them. Many of the emigrants returned to valley and built lavish homes here that became known as the Mexican villas.

L’Alpe-d’Huez

A ski resort, L’Alpe-d’Huez has hosted a stage of the tour 25 times since 1952. It’s the home of tour’s most famous climb, an ascent featuring 21 hairpin turns that’s also known as the Dutch Mountain because a rider from the Netherlands won eight of the stage’s first 14 finishes.

Bourg-d’Oisans to Saint-Étienne

A vast plain surrounded by sharp cliffs, Bourg-d’Oisans is the main entrance to the wild nature preserve of Ecrins National Park. A cycling mecca, the town sits at the base of the road to Alpe d’Huez,. Tourists wishing to tackle the mountain can ride to the top where the tourist office offers a certificate of official completion.

A center for the arms industry in the 16th Century, Saint-Étienne is a coal mining center and the one-time capitol of the French bicycle industry. The Church of Saint-Pierre of Firminy, the last project of modernist architect Le Corbusier is located nearby. The church was completed in 2006, 41 years after his death.

Roanne to Montluço

Roanne is famous worldwide thanks to its star chefs, the Troisgros family whose restaurant Troisgros earned three Michelin stars. Roanne is also a major mechanical engineering center, where the Leclerc tank was made.

A walk through Montluçon is like a walk back through time. The chateau of the Dukes of Bourbon towers over the medieval city which consists of steep, narrow, streets, 15th and 16th century buildings and numerous fountains. Yet that’s only part of this city’s story. The other side of town houses the city’s rubber and metal processing industries and its mechanical and electrical components factories, which make Montluçon the Auvergne’s second largest industrial center.

Cérilly to Saint-Amand-Montrond

Cerilly is notable for its castle and it 11th Century Romanesque church, which is dedicated to Saint Martin. The church is famous for its bell-tower and a 17th century entombment.

Saint-Amand-Montrond comprises three medieval cities: Saint Armand le Chastel, Montrond and Saint Armand sous Montrond. Gold and printing are the city’s major industries.

Étampes to Paris

A satellite of Paris, Étampes came into existence in the 7th century. It’s known as “Little Venice” because of the many rivers that flow through it. The town has 26 buildings of historic importance including the Tour Guinette, a ruined keep built by Louis VI in the 12th century; Notre-Dame du Fort, which dates from the 11th and 12th centuries; and the 16th Century St Martin with its leaning tower.

photo credit: phillipo

Paris needs no introduction. Here, the riders enter the Champs-Élysées riding up the Rue de Rivoli, on to the Place de La Concorde and then take a right onto the Champs-Élysées. Riders head up toward the Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs-Élysées, round the Tuilerries and the Louvre across the Place de La Concorde back onto the Champs-Élysées.

The tour moved its finish to Paris’ Champs Elysees in 1975 and it has finished there every year since.

photo credit: Brother G

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

A walk through the Tour de France

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So a friend sent me a link to Kiva.com a website that lets you lend money to businesses in developing countries to help them grow their businesses. Please check it out and see if there’s anyway you can help even $25 will make a difference, check out the Kathika Profile.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Kiva Microlending Website

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Trip Advisor, the popular travel Web site, has posted their choices for the top 10 romantic hotels in America. Although I agree with many of their choices, I find it surprising that all they chose nothing east of Phoenix. What about New England? or Miami’s South Beach? or New Orleans’ French Quarter?

Their picks are as follows:
1. Hapana Beach Prince Hotel, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
2. Post Ranch Inn – Big Sur, California
3. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Wailea, Hawaii
4. Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix, Arizona
5. Aloha Pualani Hotel Boutique, Kihei, Hawaii
6. Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada
7. Meadowood Napa Valley, St. Helena, California
8. Wai Ola Vacation Paradise on Maui, Lahaina, Hawaii
9. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
10. The Avalon Hotel on Catalina Island, Avalon, California

To read their entire survey of best hotels throughout the world, click here.

Photo credit: Super Starfish

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Top 10 Romantic Hotels in the United States

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Each year in Europe, two cities are named to be the continents Capitals of Culture for the year. It gives sometimes little-known cities the chance to make their name on the world scene – like one of this year’s Capitals, the town of Stavanger in Norway – and others the opportunity to recover a reputation. That’s the case for  the other 2008 Capital of Culture, Liverpool, which wants to return to its musical roots and get past the industrial and welfare problems that it’s perhaps become more famous for.

Last weekend Liverpool officially kicked off its year as a Capital of Culture by welcoming back some of its most famous citizens: most notably, of course, ex-Beatle Ringo Starr came back to perform in the opening concert. Beatles-related tourism is definitely one of Liverpool’s strong points, with museums, tours and memorabilia all being key attractions.

In preparation for the big year – which is also Liverpool’s 800th birthday – the city built a large new arena, and that was the venue for Saturday’s huge “Liverpool the Musical” performance, where Ringo Starr got involved again.

During the rest of the year, all manner of cultural events from exhibitions and concerts through parades and special festivals will take place, so it is definitely a good year to be in Liverpool.

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Liverpool’s year of culture begins

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Disneyland, in Anaheim California just south of Los Angeles, is fun for young and not-so-young all year round, but the original Disney theme park really puts on a show for Halloween. The celebration, dubbed HalloweenTime, lasts from mid-September through October 31 and begins when you approach the park. The giant floral arrangement in front of the Main Street Station has been transformed into a giant Mickey, made completely out of white and orange miniature pumpkins.

Halloween Decorations
The fanciful displays continue as you enter the park. There are 300-plus decorated pumpkins in the windows up and down Main Street, leading to a 6-foot-tall Mickey jack o’ lantern in Town Hall Square.

Costumes
Of course, guests are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes and you’ll see more than a few princesses and devils. Mickey and the other regulars even get into the act, with Mickey donning a vampire’s cape.

Attractions
Halloween is the favorite time of year at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. The not-so-spooky year-round attraction is arrayed with decorations based on Tim Burton’s Nightmare before Christmas film. And, that’s not all. You’ll also find Halloween food, special merchandise in the Disney stores, and “spooky” music throughout the park.

Mickey’s Halloween Treat
Little ones can attend a special private costume party with Mickey and his friends on October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, and 29-31. There’ll be trick or treating, music, food and lots of fun. Admission is $29 in advance and $39 the day of the event.

Hours and Admission
Disneyland is open every day. During the week (Monday through Thursday), the park is open from 10 am to 8 pm. On weekends, Disneyland is open from 8 am to midnight. Single-day admission tickets are available at the park’s ticket office. Adult tickets are $66, for children 10 and under tickets are $56. Multi-day and season passes are also available.

If you Go
Disneyland is easily accessible via Orange County’s John Wayne Airport as well as other airports in the greater Los Angeles area. The Disneyland Hotel is located right on the Disney property and is connected to the park via the signature monorail.

Photo credit: Loren Javier

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Disneyland at Halloween

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