Traveling to Taipei

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Taipei is the largest and the capital city of Taiwan. It is located in the northern part of the country. It belongs to a subtropical region and is located in a natural basin surrounded by mountain on all sides. It is the governmental, financial and cultural hub of Taiwan and is famous for its old world influences, beautiful temples and massive skyscrapers. If you plan to visit Taipei this year then you can take flights to Taipei from some of the many airlines that provide flights there.

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport terminal

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport terminal

Traveling to Taipei is not difficult. After a flight to Taipei, you will land at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport that is 30 km away from the city. After landing at the airport you can travel in buses, taxis, trains or pre-arranged sedans that will take you to the downtown area. Once you reach the main city, you can easily travel throughout the city as it is well connected with the Mass Rapid Transit system, popularly known as Metro Taipei.

Communicating with the people of Taiwan is not hugely difficult, as the younger people can speak English, though often not very fluently. You may consider learning some Mandarin phrases as the old people usually do not understand English. While moving around in the city, you may visit Taipei 101, famous for standing tall at 101 floors, The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall that is the famous symbol of both the Republic of China and Taipei.

Finding a place to stay in Taipei is not a problem as there is a multitude of hotels and guest houses for you to choose from. The prices for a room vary with the kind of services offered and the popularity of the hotel. So you may consider enquiring about the rooms before getting into one.

Tourists often skip visiting Taipei and visit Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong instead. They are not aware what the Taipei city has to offer. So if you are planning to visit Taipei, board one of the flights to Taipei and enjoy your time at the city.

The Chateau Marmont Hotel on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood

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The Chateau Marmont Hotel is not just another place to stay on Sunset Boulevard, it is a piece of Hollywood history. It opened in 1929, with the original intent to offer apartments for rent. However, during a depression along with the high rent it was demanding, it received very little interest. With that, in 1931 it was converted to a hotel with each suite containing its own living room and kitchen. Later came nine cottages and four bungalows built near the pool. A little known but interesting fact is that the building was constructed as earthquake proof and, in fact, has withstood no fewer then five of them without major damage.

chateau marmont hotel

Chateau Marmont Hotel

Over the years visitors such as, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hunter S. Thompson and Annie Liebovitz have stayed in the Chateau Marmont Hotel. Led Zeppelin rode motorcycles through the lobby and it was the scene of the sad and untimely death of John Belushi in 1982. Lindsay Lohan spent a considerable amount of time here including the day after her infamous drunken driving episode.

You may enjoy dinner served with its delicious european styled food creations. At Bar Marmont you may run into Johnny Depp, Ellen DeGeneres or Wynona Rider spending some time. There are sixty three units in all and it is currently owned by Hotels AB.

Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood

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The Sunset Tower hotel might be best known for its breath taking views of Beverly Hills, The Hollywood Hills and downtown Los Angeles. It is centrally located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood.

Opening in 1931, this hotel’s penthouse has been the abode of Hollywood elite such as Frank Sinatra, John Wayne and Howard Hughes. It was said Hughes also rented extra apartments on lower floors to house his friends of the female persuasion. Its distinctive wall motif includes animals, plants, creatures from mythology, Adam and Eve and even a zeppellin for good measure.

The Tower Bar has become one of the trendiest locations on the strip. On any given night you may see Tom Cruise, Jennifer Aniston or Bill Murray enjoying the soothing piano music. It has seventy four rooms and is privately owned.

sunset tower hotel

Sunset Tower Hotel

Beverly Hills Hotel on the Sunset Boulevard

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The Beverly Hills Hotel is situated overlooking famous Sunset Boulevard. You cannot miss it with its distinctive retro style sign on its front. It sometimes is referred to with, “and Bungalows” added to its title due to the twenty one individually unique units standing to the north. It is also known simply as The Hotel or The Pink Palace by natives of the area. It was opened in 1912 by a mother and her son. The son had previously been managing the Hollywood Hotel. The beautiful, sprawling gardens located around the bungalows are just one of it’s many inviting features. This hotel has, over the years, been adopted by the Hollywood in crowd. This includes producers, directors, actors and actresses. If they are not staying there themselves, they are conducting meetings in the renowned Polo Lounge which may result in the making of an academy award winning film. They might also be found relaxing by the olympic sized pool. It is also home to several other restaurants and lounges including The Cabana Cafe and Bar Nineteen 12. It is currently owned by the Dorchester Collection and features two hundred and four rooms and suites.

beverly hills hotel

Beverly Hills Hotel as viewed from the southeast

The Eiffel Tower in Paris

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The Eiffel tower is a wrought iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. Eiffel tower is the most visited paid monument in the world with millions of people visiting it every year. It is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and a global France icon. It is a structure of  unmatched beauty. One can not possibly visit Paris without seeing it. Whether you want to visit it or not, you will see its top from any location in Paris. The view of Paris from the tower is an experience that one must not miss when in Europe. From the highest public point on the tower (about 273 meters) you can theoretically see to a distance of over 59 km. It rises 984 feet tall (300 meters). At the point of completion (at the end of the 19th century) it was the world’s tallest structure. There is no structure in the world like the Eiffel tower. It is a major tourist attraction center in Paris.

eiffel tower
Eiffel Tower

History
The tower was built between 1887- 1889  to serve as the entrance arch for the World Exhibition held in celebration of the French Revolution in 1789. The tower was built by Gustave Eiffel’s company, an engineering company that was well established in the construction of metallic projects. The tower was only meant to last for the Exposition period and was to be dismantled after 20 years  but in 1909, the military found its usefulness as a radio transmitter  and it was left intact indefinitely. It has stood the test of time and it  has become the symbol of Paris and France as a whole.

Features
There are three levels for visitors. Tickets are purchased to ascend to the first and second levels by either stairs or lift. One has to walk for about 300 steps to get to the first level from the ground level. This is equal to the walk from the first level to the second level. The highest level which is the third level can only be accessed by an elevator. In addition to snack bars, there is a Michelin rated restaurant on the second level, called the Jules Verne but it is very expensive. There are other ordinary  restaurants on the first level.

Entrance Cost
A trip to the top by an elevator costs 13.10 euros for adults,  11.50 euros for people aged between 12 and 24 years while children between the age of 4-12 pay 9 euros. A trip only to the first or second level costs 8.10 euros , 6.50 euros and 4.00 euros respectively.

Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

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Berlin is the capital and the largest city of Germany. German is the main language in Berlin but English and French are also widely used. It is a melting pot of different people all over the world so it is not uncommon to meet a person speaking a foreign language. Sightseeing in Berlin is likely to be an important part of any visit to this city. It is brimming with attractions including landmarks, restaurants, castles, vibrant nightlife, and the finest museums and architecture in the world. Even though Berlin was greatly destroyed during World War II, the city was able to survive and revive itself. Now, its history and ruins play an important role in drawing tourists from around the world into the city. If you plan to tour the city, having a good map is highly suggested since roads in Berlin may be confusing especially to tourists.

Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate

One attraction of Berlin that should not be missed is the Brandenburg Gate. It is one of the most popular and iconic landmarks in Berlin and the whole of Germany. It is even considered the national symbol of the country. It was a city gate but is now the only remaining town gate among the other gates to enter Berlin. The Brandenburg Gate played a vital role in the history of Germany. It is the Gate that stood between West and East Germany and was a part of the infamous Berlin Wall. It was commissioned by Friedrich Wilhelm and was designed by architect Karl Gotthard Langhans in 1791. The design was based on the Propylaea, which was the gateway of the Acropolis in Athens. One will be able to notice that the monument is crowned with a sculpture of a four-horsed chariot driven by the winged goddess of victory, Victoria, called the Quadriga. Like most of Berlin’s, the Brandenburg gate was severely damaged during World War II. It was restored in 1957-1958 but was closed from 1961-1989 during the division of the West and East. When Berlin Wall fell, West and East Germany reunited and the Brandenburg Gate was reopened in 1989. The Gate became the symbol of a new Germany – the reunification of the two sides of the great city.

One can understand why tourists do not skip the Brandenburg Gate in their itinerary while staying in Berlin. It represents the rich culture and history of the city. Once it was a sad symbol of Germany’s division. Now, with all its might, it has become a symbol of freedom and unity.

Toronto City Accommodation and Tourist Attractions

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Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is a safe, clean, cosmopolitan city with a superb network of parks, cultural, and recreational facilities. Toronto is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse cities. In fact, it is home to over 80 ethnic communities from Asia, Africa and Europe. Moreover, Toronto is the business center of Canada. It could easily set itself apart by its art, cuisine, history, or sports. Also, due to its top-notch subway system, buses, and streetcars, getting around Toronto is extremely easy to do. Aside from the great number of cabs that swarm the city, the Toronto Transit Commission runs the transportation. Wherever you end up, you will never have any troubles getting to your next destination.

Toronto’s climate is on the whole on the cool side, though variable conditions can be expected. Late spring and early fall are generally considered to be the loveliest times to visit, summer is the peak tourist season, but visitors will find that Toronto’s vibrancy extends through the winter. Toronto’s public buildings are practically all air-conditioned and fully heated. Sometimes during the winter, severe storms may slow down activities and transportation in Toronto for a few days. In the summer, thunderstorms are common, most lasting for an hour or less. But despite these, Toronto remains attractive to tourists worldwide.

With more than 32,000 hotel rooms, accommodation in Toronto is higher than any other Canadian city and has the highest occupancy rate. From the luxurious and exclusive to the charming and affordable, Toronto’s accommodations are sure to fit everyone. One will have no trouble finding the perfect place to recharge after some pleasurable days and nights around the city. From luxury 5 star Toronto hotels to GTA campsites and low cost accommodations, Toronto has something for all budgets. As one can see Toronto is a city with much to offer in accommodation. Plus, aside from convenient accommodations, it offers more than 7,000 restaurants, cafes, bistros, diners, pubs, resto-bars and other assorted eateries making it more convenient and alluring to tourists.

There are a lot of impressive things to see in Toronto including Toronto’s waterfront, which is one of North America’s largest recreational waterfronts. It provides a picturesque backdrop for a lot of popular and entertaining attractions including Harbourfront, Ontario Place, Rogers Centre, the CN Tower, and the Toronto Islands. Downtown Toronto offers numerous art galleries and museums. At the northeast end of the city, Canada’s largest zoo, the Toronto Zoo, features more than 5,000 animals in their natural environment. Just north of the City, Canada’s largest theme park, Canada’s Wonderland, features more than 200 attractions and more than 68 rides in an exhilarating atmosphere. Throughout the city you will find Toronto’s Historic Sites. There’s something for everyone at these fascinating places and each one shares a different story from Toronto’s colorful history. Other Toronto attractions include Air Canada Centre, Rogers Centre (formerly Skydome), and Ontario Science Centre. Furthermore, one should visit Ontario Place, Toronto’s number-one destination for family fun.

Philadelphia City Accommodation and Tourist Attractions

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Philadelphia is a great place to visit. There are many things to see and do there. Those who are looking for what to see in Philadelphia fill find a long list of great attractions and points of interest. The wonderful hotels in Philadelphia give tourists a comfortable place to stay while they take the time to explore one of America’s oldest cities. It is easy to find accommodation in Philadelphia. Those who have a taste for luxury can enjoy staying at a one of the city’s high class, five-star hotels. Philadelphia has a unique flavor that is full of important moments in history. The city hosted many important events during the time that America was firmly being established as its own nation. Yet, for those who are not into history, there are many of Philadelphia’s attractions that they will find to be quite exciting.

Those who love history will have a hard time deciding what to see in Philadelphia first. They can go see the Liberty Bell or even visit the site of Benjamin Franklin’s house at Franklin Court. Then there is Elfreth’s Alley, which is the oldest residential street in America. There is even a house that is believed to have been the home of Betsy Ross. These are just a few of Philadelphia’s attractions that a history buff might enjoy. For students, a trip to Philadelphia can be very educational. They will never run out of things to see, learn, and do.

For those who are not interested in history, Philadelphia can make for a very fun trip. This city is the birthplace of the Philly cheesesteak, which happens to be many people’s favorite sandwich. While this sandwich can be found gracing the menus of many restaurants nationwide, the best ones are made here. Philadelphia also is home to many nice museums and many famous music stars frequently have their concerts there.   At the Adventure Aquarium visitors get to walk through underwater tunnels where they get a close up look at sharks and other marine life. This aquarium is a very popular one of Philadelphia’s attractions.

Many people go to Philadelphia just because they love the atmosphere there. The city has places to go for those who like the highlife as well as for those who are more laid back. Philadelphia is the favorite city of many people who were not even born there. There have been many movies made in this historical city and visitors often find themselves standing in the middle of a scene from their favorite movie. Those looking for a nice urban vacation should definitely consider going to this city. Philadelphia has a lot to offer.

Philadelphia’s accommodations are very nice as well. The long list of hotels helps to ensure that there are nice accommodations available for any budget. Many of the hotels are close to popular attractions and shopping. There are many good reasons why people choose to visit Philadelphia. It gives tourists from other countries a good picture of the American spirit and the history by which that spirit was formed.

Linz City Accommodation and Tourist Attractions

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Linz is the third largest city in Austria. It was extensively damaged in world war two, so lacks some of the historical attractions of the capital Vienna, or uniqueness of Graz. It is the industrial and innovative powerhouse of the country and has some startling contemporary designs. You will not be able to miss the Lentos, which is a gleaming glass and steel landmark hosting a world class collection of artwork, or across the Danube river is the Ars Electronica Center which is devoted to the latest in technology. Some of the accommodation also boasts a modern art edge, and offers unique foil against the old Gothic architecture of other cities. If you want to relax, the city is home some lovely cafes along the cultural mile in the center where students and young people come to meet.

Graz City Accommodation and Tourist Attractions

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Graz is a city that has assimilated influences from Slovak, Italian and Germanic cultures, giving rise to one of the most unique urban landscapes in Europe. The city itself has a volcanic mountain in the center, and also a glass elevator that will give you a view of the entire city. You can see the historic Old Town, which boasts a splendid variety of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance buildings. In 2003, it held the title of European capital of culture, and has a clutch of the best museums in the country. It has a significantly slower pace than that of the capital, and you might like to step out of the city and its attractions, into the nearby countryside which is occupied with fantastic vineyards, thermal springs and mountains. There is no lack of budget accomodation, since Graz has big student populations because of the four universities. This contributes to the lively nightlife.