Much of the architecture of the French Riviera traces to the Belle poque or "Beautiful Era" bracketed by the latter half of the 19th century and the end of World War I. (For example, the Hotel Negresco in Nice.) The period was characterised by ostentation and extravagance, evident in many of the villas and hotels of the region. Though a clearly dominant decorative and structural influence, multiple architectural styles from pre-historic times...more
Choosing the proper French gifts for someone on a special occasion may sometimes be really difficult. It all depends on what the receiver is like and, of course, the type of relationship we have with him or her. Decorative French-styled objects are popular for those who value their homes and luckily there is a broad selection of such things not really just in gift shops around the world but also in online stores. Finding the appropriate gift...more
There is a lot of confusing and misleading information when it comes to what is and what is not culturally acceptable in Dubai. Dubai is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with over 100 nationalities living together in harmony. Millions of tourists flock to Dubai every year and the city is truly a cultural crossroads. The local population is quite small (estimated around 15%), but Emiratis in general are warm, welcoming, and very tolerant of foreign visitors and residents. In return, it is greatly appreciated if those who travel to Dubai take a little time to learn about the local customs and culture.The UAE is a Muslim country. The culture is based on a deeply rooted belief in Islam and centers on the family. Mosques are dotted throughout the landscape of Dubai and five times a day the melodious prayer call or "adhan" will be heard. The official weekend is Friday, although government offices and certain multinational companies are also closed on Saturday. Arabic is the official language; however English is widely spoken by almost everyone and all the street signs are in both English and Arabic. There is no specific dress code in Dubai, and you will see both ends of the spectrum from...more
Venice is considered a strong city regarding culture, music and entertainment. As the city's night life is a prominent one among the different city's of Italy. Venice basically is considered as the starting or birth place of music. Music composition and music publication started from Venice by a person named "Ottaviano Petrucci". He started using...more
India, a land of diversity, has a rich variety of Indian culture, religions, languages, exotic food, dress style and all. The pristine beauty of land with rich heritage and monuments with historical and cultural importance offers an array of place to see throughout the Indian mainland. Indian monuments, temples, forts and caves all display the rich...more
When you are traveling in Iran, make sure you arrange for a trip to central Iran and south east so that you get to see towers of silence at the vicinity of some of the ancient towns and villages. At the community of Zoroastrians where people were living in towns or villages, like in any other human settlements, they needed a place to treat their dead bodies.Exposure, Not BurialZoroastrians believe in keeping four elements clean in the nature: water, air, earth and light. So, they are not going to contaminate them. Instead, they keep them pure and protect them against impurities. When a corpse decomposes, it can penetrate the adjacent earth and make it unclean. So, there should have been a different method to treat the dead bodies. As Zoroastrians believe that human body is a vessel for the soul, when a person dies, the most valuable part is gone and the physical vessel does not have any place in the realm of the next world. This is because of the spiritual quality of the other world.Therefore, the body, which decays, should not be places at a point where one of the sacred elements could be made unclean. In other words, the earth and underground water sources must be kept clean. The...more
Travel around Australia is a very unique experience and can be one that is a bit intimidating to those who choose to take a holiday in this region. Perhaps one of the main reasons is that most of the Aussie population lives and works within the major...more
As executive director at the Dallas Historical Society, Michael Duty was responsible for 3 million objects in the organization's collection, and a key player in the successful campaign to renovate the Texas Hall of State, a national landmark...more
The Algarve is known the world over for its stunning beaches and seemingly endless sunshine, making it the perfect destination for the ultimate beach holiday. Its no wonder that so many travellers flock to this beautiful part of Portugal year on...more
The Stamford Plaza Brisbane is a 4 star Accommodation which sits right on the Brisbane River overlooking the Story Bridge. In the evening, as the city and bridge light up, you'll discover the views, from this wonderful location are nothing short of...more
RVs are convenient. It can't be denied. That statement is irrefutable. And owning an RV is even more convenient. It makes it possible to travel on the spur of the moment. It makes it possible to indulge random whims. It makes it possible to avoid...more
When many hear of Australia, the land down under, they question and waver as to selecting them for a holiday destination. The fact is, Australia is one of the hottest vacation destinations in all the world. People from all walks of life flock to...more