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Luciano in Ibiza

It’s hard to go wrong when you’re considering spending some time on an island in the Mediterranean Sea.  Ibiza is a splendid place, with gorgeous beaches, and a local culture that is open and friendly, and really sets the pace for any time spent here.  It is one of those mythic places that has developed a reputation of late for parties that are too good to be believed, waves too pure for this world, and stunning food that simply can’t exist.  But it does, and Ibiza consistently lives up to its own myth, offering more and still suggesting that there’s a lot that’s still hidden.  Our 5 star Ibiza hotels put you right in the center of things.  You’ll be able to give in to the absolute luxury in the hotel, and also explore all the wonderful things Ibiza has to offer.

Our rooms are done with elegant Spanish style, with remarkable flourishes and graceful understatements, so that you’ll be falling asleep and waking up in splendor.  And after a sumptuous meal prepared by our world-class chefs, you’ll be ready to see what’s in store for you in this paradise on earth.  It’s hard to avoid the clubs here, and after a short visit, you might decide there’s no reason to.  The crowds are usually very warm and lively, and the music is infectious, and it’s part of that old saying, When in Rome…  The djs are really out of this world, and have a knack for spinning that is helping to make the music a global phenomenon.  One of Ibiza’s big attractions these days is full-time producer and part-time dj Luciano.

He got his record-spinning chops in Santiago, Chile, before becoming part of the creative elite in Ibiza.  His home base these days is Switzerland, but Lucien Luciano does make it over here to play really fantastic sets and set the room spinning.  He runs his own label now, Cadenza and specializes in recording djs who are masters of his own specialties, deep tribal and tech house.  It’s definitely worth checking out.  And a word to the wary: don’t worry about memorizing all the different types of electronic and techno music, as long as you know there’s a difference between them, you should be able to finesse your way in and out of some lovely conversations with your fellow dancers.

Tags: 5 star Ibiza hotels, Cadenza, dj Luciano, Lucien Luciano

Know Your Customer: A Necessary Plan

The USA PATRIOT act, Section 326 , applies to customers accounts opened on or after October 1, 2003. It requires banks and other financial institutions to have a Customer Identification Program (CIP) , which will apply to a risk-based approach at verifying customer provided information. The banks and other financial institutions are facing an ever increasing regulatory pressure to improve the Know Your Customer  (KYC) programs, which not only confirms the CIP, but the sources and recipients of their funds.

Where many financial institutions are still struggling with the key requirements, like the CIP, many other financial institutions are improving documentation and KYC reviews for accounts opened before October 1, 2003, and match or exceed current practices and databases. This approach is comprehensive and ensures that organizations have a consistent institutional approach to the CIP, which will facilitate reviews in the future. It’s the absence of an effective CIP program that weakens critical components related to databases for certain accounts, which an institution’s anti-money laundering (AML) program, like the enhanced Due Diligence, becomes ineffective and creates a domino effect leading to non-compliance.

An effective Know Your Customer program must ensure that the institution has accurately confirmed CIPs, have properly considered a variety of risk factors and include processes to detect and deter potential suspicious activity. By implementing a KYC remediation project on a frequent basis will better enable a response to issues detected by the internal controls or when a regulatory agency orders an internal review.

KYC remediation projects include the involvement of senior management to establish an appropriate tone by clearly communicating individual responsibilities, priorities and accountability. Apply risk based approaches to monitor, identify and investigate all high-risk accounts. Use case-management technologies to plan a project, track and measure its progress and one that ensures individual accountability. Create tools to immediately identify customers utilizing high-risk products that will result in aggregation of dollar amounts. Finally, document all activities, this should include even the unproductive reviews concerning due diligence.  As you can see, an effective KYC program involves a lot more than collecting documents and data, it requires a proactive atmosphere.

Tags: anti-money laundering, Customer Identification Program, Know Your Customer, USA PATRIOT act

Customer Service in Restaurants

It may seem to be old fashioned but great costumer service in the restaurant business is as important as ever to the success of the restaurant and even the industry itself. In today’s economy, dining out can be a luxury experience for many couples and families. If they arrive at a restaurant and are greeted with an annoyed or unfriendly host or hostess, they will automatically be put in an aggravated mood, which is likely to last throughout the meal. Steven Barbarich knows that customer service begins with the consumer’s first experience with the company and never actually ends. The most immediate encounter will likely conclude with the recognized satisfaction of the consumer with the product, however, any wise business person will realize that any customer may be a repeat customer, and ensuring this is essential to building a solid costumer base.

This is particularly important in the restaurant business when repeat patronage often forms the bulk of an establishment’s business. In addition, the rate of repeat customer purchase is probably the highest with restaurants than with any other field. Customer service in a restaurant takes on many aspects, and oftentimes includes making it as personal and friendly as possible. It is true that people will return to a place where they feel recognized and respected. Hosts and hostesses should always greet customers with a friendly disposition, and when possible attempt to remember and verbally recognize regulars. It is also important to give accurate wait times for a table. One of the positive dynamics in most restaurants is the systematic aspects of service. Bus persons will often take on the immediate needs of a table when they notice that the server is tied up with another table. The host or hostess is also able to and often does offer to bring initial drinks to the table. One of the most important things for a server to remember is that regardless of how busy they are, when they are at a specific table they should give them their undivided attention and be respectful of their questions and needs.

Tags: repeat customer, Steven Barbarich

Hot Tubs Will Rinse Away Stress from Busy Days

The days are long and can be filled with stress, either a stressful day at the office, or a day of driving children to sports events and dance classes, one may come home and be filled with tension, as well as exhaustion. Nothing really beats what it feels like to step into a bubbling hot tub. There is a wide variety of choices available at choosehottubsdirect.com.

The physical tension floats away as the body and the muscles begin to relax. And the tension and the stress of one of those long days will just simply disappear. People have been reviving themselves in this way, the way of the water, for centuries. Ancient civilizations were aware of the benefits, long before the medical community supported those positive effects of the hot soak. So why is it that something so simple can ease the mind and take one’s worries away? The steam from the hot water, as well as the water itself, is one of the aspects that will ease stress.

The buoyancy that is created by the bubbles eases the aches and pains caused by walking around all day. Gravity makes the body kind of pound down on itself. Each step one takes throughout their day will gradually put pressure on the joints and the spinal column. This is one of the main causes of back problems. When one floats in a hot tub, the body is able to put itself back together.

The muscles relax and bones will separate and release and the pressure will go away as more than thirty percent of that pressure will be relieved simply by a few minutes a night relaxing in this manner. The blood will begin to circulate again as the capillaries open up, and the heart will begin to work pumping that blood throughout the body easing the aches of a long day. Sleep will come easier and one will be refreshed and ready for the next day.

Tags: choosehottubsdirect.com, physical tension, Sleep

Help with the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

After the attacks of September 11, 2001, financial and banking institutions have been inundated with increased regulatory oversight for the increase potential of money laundering activities . A good example of this is the identification of terrorist activities concerning any funding or finances has been added to the list of anti-money laundering (AML) issues . These previously only focused on stopping other forms of illegal activities, such as drug cartels or organized crime.

The US Congress, as an effort to first detect and then combat terrorist funding, has ratified the USA Patriot Act that provides a stringent AML regulations and will impose harsher penalties for financial institutions and banks if found they are non-compliant. These regulations will extend beyond the United States federal legislation to groups like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which was created by the Group of 7 Finance Ministers that are requiring banks who do business globally, to comply to the ever increasing onerous international AML regulations.

The potential loss of a bank’s reputation is only secondary to AML’s primary concerns of compliance with the regulatory requirements. But, any bank can reach beyond basic regulatory compliance if they think strategically, which will give them solutions to help benefit and not exploit business.

There will be issues with financial organizations and banks to achieve regulatory compliance, they are expected to improve AML capabilities into practice immediately and are to deter, detect and report any suspicious activity. The issue banks and financial organizations will run into will be establishing a AML policy and procedures across all aspects of their organization, appoint a corporate AML officer, implement a AML training program for all directors and employees, improve upon due-diligence for new and existing customers and proactively monitor and detect any suspicious activities.

The AML offers little specific directions regarding their fundamental mandate, so many companies have come to the aid and offering solutions to any company, financial institution and banks who deal globally around the world.

Tags: anti-money laundering, Finance Ministers, money laundering activities, regulatory requirements

Sanjay Dutta, DJ In Kolkata

Traveling in India is a heady experience, and something that engages all the senses.  No matter where you go, there is always a flurry of activity in the streets, and the intoxicating rhythms of the country take root in the sounds and smells that surround you.  It’s an amazing place, and Kolkata is one of the most fascinating cities here.  It’s one of the longest continually-inhabited places on the planet, so there is a rich cultural, political, and spiritual history here that has haunted travelers for centuries.  If you’re looking to stay in the city, then we have a magnificent selection for you.  Our hotels are chosen for their spectacular track records for showing guests India in splendor and comfort.

Convenience and hospitality are the rule of the day here, so you can taste the rich traditions in Kolkata and also have access to all the contemporary technologies that make life easier.  There is an amazing blend of the old and the new in Kolkata, where you can see ancient temples all day long, and then go to dance at an electronic music club at night.  One of Kolkata’s best musicians around is dj Sanjay Dutta.  His mixes get the crowds moving, and his mastery of the electronic beat is legendary here.  A self-proclaimed vinyl junkie, he has a thorough knowledge of the best recordings in the industry, and plays them out like a master chef offering a sumptuous meal.

He started working in the late 80s, and has the chops to dazzle with the charms of youth and the restraint of a pro.  Sanjay Dutta has worked continually since the beginning, mostly in Kolkata with a short stint in Mumbai, mastering his ability to manipulate sounds to create a minimal techno sound that is rather infectious.  His status is legendary, with sets that could go on for seven hours, and his work today creates an equally intense buzz.  Today you can hear him playing with a coolness and grace that will also get the heart beating, helping you to find the perfect groove to come to know Kolkata.

Tags: five star Kolkata hotels, Sanjay Dutta

The New Delhi Project

Visiting India is a fantastic proposition, and planning a visit is a journey in itself.  For world travelers, a trip to India is usually a magnificent moment, and one that can never be forgotten. Repeat visitors find more to this country, that never unfolds itself completely, and there’s always more than meets the eye.  Delhi is, for many, the heart of India, and it never stops changing.  For guests looking for five star hotels in Delhi, there are a splendid array of fabulous choices.  We’ve selected some of the finest, with excellent reputations for hospitality and style.  You’ll have a wonderful home away from home here, in all the luxuries and convenience that a five-star hotel can offer.

In Delhi, there are many adventures waiting for you.  It’s probably the finest city in the world for people-watching, and days could be spent engaged in this beautiful activity.  For those looking for exciting things to do at night, the choices are wide open, and there’s something here for everyone.  If you happen to be in the mood to dance, however, and would like to experience something local but absolutely contemporary, look for DJ San and the New Delhi Project.  They’ve played all over the country, and are a heavy force in Delhi.

For electronic music, they’re some of the most innovative movers and shakers on the scene.  Their work is based on improvisation, working with live instrumentations as well as electronic beats, and they’ve focused on capturing some of the most interesting local sounds.  New Delhi Project mixes all these together in a hybrid that is very exciting and innovative.  At the center of their work are rhythms that come from the Sufi tradition, so this isn’t just background music to get you into a groove.  It constantly invites you in, hypnotizing you with the rhythms and also making you aware of the various sources and forces that go into bringing it all together, in a sound that is as vibrant as the city.

Tags: five star hotels in Delhi, New Delhi Project

Kualalumpur Colonial History

Sultan Abdul Samad was beautifully lit up as though for Christmas, which is kind of funny, because this was Kualalumpur Malaysia Hotel and not known for Christmas celebrations, plus it was the wrong time of year, but no matter. The lighting at night of this huge brick home of the Malaysia Supreme and High Court is beautiful, it kind of feels Moorish and Tudor at the same time. We were walking around like a couple of slack jawed gawkers (or SJG’s as Tammy says) at the one time British Colonial seat of governance. I had not realized, but was quickly informed and many times after that, that Malaysia was part of the British Empire until 1957. I had no idea. I remember reading accounts of World War ll naval battles in the Straights off the city, and that seems like so long ago. The whole historical area down here is great fun to tour around in. The area is known as Independence Square, that is to say, Merdaka Square, and life for the colonial set in Kualalumpur must have been sweet, I suppose. At the Royal Selangor, a club readied for Brit administrators to play cricket an the big lawn. The club itself has a fascinating history, starting in 1884, just a shed almost really, and seems to have been known as the “Spotted Dog” where they used to play the mentioned cricket and other sports to amuse the civil servants. These days, they have marathon dancing, gold and golf and more gold, soccer (don’t they call it football?), and of course darts. Oh, and tennis, must not forget about tennis. They have karaoke, pizza, tea gardens and all manner of get together and have fun activities. Makes we want to move to Malaysia and join in on the fun.

Tags: Kualalumpur Malaysia Hotel, Royal Selangor, Sultan Abdul Samad

Jaipur Food Tour

It is easy to eat vegetarian here in Jaipur, even the Jaipur hotels for tourists offer vegetarian fare and options. So when your eating schedule is all screwed up from travel and it feels like dinner put it is eight in the morning, it might be good to get some dahl, the lentils you can mix up with rice, so light and delicious and cheap, you will feel Indian in no time. We had come in by train, an experience not to be missed, having struggled to get our tickets right in Mumbai, going to the wrong lines and generally getting hot hungry and cranky. When we recovered and had our tickets finally, we retreated for some na’an like bread with spicy potatoes infused with turmeric. I use quite a bit of turmeric at home and wondered in this Indian version was any stronger,so I picked some up and and bringing it home. Hopefully, it will not break open, as turmeric is a very stronly colored powder, and very strong smelling, bound to stain lots of things. Often he food was remarkably like what I have had and or made in the States, like paneer, made from whole milk that one can make quite easily at home. You simply get some whole milk, squeeze in some lemon juice, and let the acid of the juice cause the proteins in the milk to coagulate, and there it is, paneer. Often, as we had it here, it is served with creamed spinach and lentils, and served with those na’an breads. One can still get meat, of course, and there is no pork here, but chicken is available, and we had a chicken tandoori, which I am not sure if that is native to this region or not. But it was that bright red tan-door color and hot and delicious, as I felt protein deprived after a few days of lentils and vegetables, delicious as they were.

Tags: Jaipur hotels, paneer, tan-door

The Hidden Chemistry of the Grill

There’s a lot to recommend for an outdoor kitchen.  It speaks of a choice of lifestyle, where you’re demonstrating to the world that you’re making relaxing a priority, and this includes time for family and friends.  Our cal flame grills are the perfect centerpiece for your outdoor cooking needs.  We have charcoal grills, drop in grills, convection, and many other splendid variations, including the number of burners.  We have something to suit every taste, and it will certainly suit your lifestyle.  Our grills are designed with a precision and care so that your grill will become your perfect tool for making the perfect meal.

As your family and neighbors start to get used to your new grill – and it won’t take long! – they’ll start to approach you with a slightly swoony look, perhaps, as they come to associate your new hobby with pleasant memories of the last savory meal.  And your neighbors will start to love how you’re making the air smell.  You’ll soon be learning tricks of the trade, testing out how different foods taste with different marinades, and come to see that there is a very exact science to this, and of course, some of it is pure art.  As you begin to look into the science of cooking, however, you’ll start to understand how flavors work.

The American Chemical Society met in the Summer of 2009 to discuss the recent theories about food and food science, concentrating on what happens at the barbecue.  Among the famous guests was Shirley Corriher, the witty author and food science expert.  They discussed all sort of issues about cooking outdoors, articulating the way science works in food preparation, which is often something that chefs can become intuitive about; knowing exactly when to add extra marinade for, example.  In terms of flavor, sweet tastes tend to intensify the next flavor, and salt reduces the bitterness of the next flavor.  These little tidbits are very useful in preparing a meal, so that you can really make the experience a gift for all those involved.

Tags: cal flame grill, Food, science of cooking, Shirley Corriher

The Art of Tanjung Aru

Malaysia is a fascinating country, with a complex blend of cultures that is in a constant state of evolution.  Kuala Lumpur, or KL as the locals call it, might be the most concentrated part of this evolutionary energy, and it’s certainly one of the most exciting cities in the world to visit.  This is perhaps why, when visiting Kuala Lumpur, hotels are such an important part of the planning.  They are the center of your journey, the place where you rejuvenate your body and spirit so you can see the city with fresh eyes.  Our hotels are carefully selected to offer you the best accommodation experience around.  There is a sumptuous combination of the practical and the decorative here, so that you have access to all the latest technologies and conveniences, but are constantly resting in world class style.

The splendid sense of design here is perhaps most visible and obvious in the food.  Inside the hotels, and also all through the streets and in every neighborhood, is a fantastic array of smells that speaks to the multiple cultures contributing to the way the city eats here.  KL offers some of the most delicious foods in the world, with rich and complex flavors that will leave you wondering how good life can get.  Food is an excellent way to enter into the culture, because it’s one of the easiest way for nuance to find its expression in the world.  Visual art is another splendid way to begin an understanding, and KL has a sensational reputation for art in the international scene.  It’s film scene is also on the rise, with new pictures, and new companies, such as Tanjung Aru, presenting works from Malaysia by Malaysian artists.

Tanjung Aru is a relative newcomer to the global film market.  They have released only a few small films, but the care and attention is meticulous, and the future looks very bright.  They focus on experimental and documentary works that advance the form in some significant way.  One of their future projects, Compound, will be a stunning installation where the insides of a building are projected on gallery walls, and the spectator becomes the world outside.  Their most recent project, Karaoke, is a bittersweet story of homecoming.  These works are very ambitious, and represent a large scope that is looking at the international film scene as well as interpreting the local into art.

Tags: hotels, Kuala Lumpur, Tanjung Aru

New York at the Holidays

New York is a great city any time of the year, but at the end of the year, during the Holiday season the city really comes to life. The lights are spectacular from Tiffany’s signature white light show flake over 5Th Avenue to the light wrapped columns in the financial district to the colored lights on the sky scrapers the tree in Rockefeller Center the city is ablaze with seasonal lighting. Radio City Music Hall Holiday Spectacular show, opera at the Met and Broadway all on the list for the visitor to do. Staying in a mid town boutique hotels New York will keep you in the center of all the action. The city is easy to get around with a very reliable subway and bus system and an extensive number of cabs some of which is available for uses twenty four hours a day. Heading up town to see the trees at the Met Museum of Art and central park decorated with lights is a pretty place to go at night. Shop windows are alive with animated displays enticing shoppers to come inside. Heading further up town is the Cloisters housing the Unicorn tapestries this is a place to see a mid evil style holiday as the cloisters are built to be reminiscent of the period in which the tapestries were produced. Not super easy to get to due to their northern most situation on the island of Manhattan but worth the extra effort if your so inclined and have the time. The museum of natural history is a fun place to take children the hall of dinosaurs is a favorite for them where giant dinosaur fossils loom high above the visitors. What ever your preferences NY is a great place at the holidays.

Tags: boutique hotels New York, financial district, Radio City Music Hall

George of the Madrid

Believe it or not, I hitchhiked in the airport to get a ride to Madrid. I needed to save as much Euro’s as I could because I didn’t want to exchange money in the airport. A woman named Carmen, naturally, took me into the city. She was very mellow and shy and she worked in a hospital, she was a doctor! I asked her about her hobbies and she told me she liked to hike ‘El Rockodromo’. That sounded pretty fun. I might have time to hike it myself, I’ll have to see.

When she dropped me off, I still needed to find one of the five star Madrid hotels where my friend was staying for a week or so. But first, I still needed to find a exchange bureau. I phoned my friend, George, he was already upset with me, he said he was hoping to pick me up at the airport and that he’d been waiting for my call. So, by the time I got to his hotel, he wasn’t very talkative, but I found out that it had nothing to do with me; he had just lost his job. That’s why he’s at this hotel in Madrid, trying to find work. I slept on the sofa bed that was next to George and his new girlfriend. I felt very uncomfortable about his new girlfriend, I mean, George is just a friend of mine from way back in the day, but here I am intruding.

The next day, George told me that his hotel room is my hotel room, but he did kind of wince when I said I’d be staying 3 days. George means a lot to me, for me he has always been the ultimate bachelor. I met him studying English in Barcelona. He was always a bit over weight, kind of like a Jay Leno. But, he has such an outrageous sense of humor, and a great smile with baby eyes that he was never without a girlfriend, but his relationships never lasted long.

That night, we all went out to a nightclub, progressive rock, but for some reason, it was an extremely slow night and no one danced. So, George, his girlfriend and I all went out on the dance floor and danced the night away.

Tags: Euro's Barcelona, Five star madrid hotels

Silk Revived in Bangkok

Ask what to see in town any of the hotels in Bangkok Thailand will tell you to see Jim Thompson’s house. We went to see the charismatic and mysterious man’s house in Bangkok never having ever heard of the man, but it turns out his house is the second biggest tourist attraction in Bangkok. Lissa and I had to go see it. When we told our driver where we wanted to go, he smiled and everyone goes there. We really enjoyed the visit, the place used to be his actual house and is filled with priceless art works all housed in a traditional Thai house, a kind that is almost gone from the city. the mysterious Thompson single-handedly revived the silk industry and became rich in the process. His collection just boggles the mind, and features a sixth century statue of Buddha that is considered one of the oldest in the world. We could not take pictures in the house. Turns out he died a mysterious death in the Malaysian jungles, where he is said to have been killed by the CIA, or tigers or insurgents. We pondered the meaning of Jim Thompson’s life and collections over pad thai and a cold Thai beer. We got ours and found many happy treats right on the street, where we could watch the food cooked before our eyes, fresh, fast and cheap. It is this array of street vendors that give Bangkok so much of its style and spice. I began wondering if Jim Thompson ever went to them. Surely he had, the mysterious CIA guy who fought in World War ll. No doubt he ventured out of his magnificent house and snuck down the street in search of street food.

Tags: dining, hotels in Bangkok, Jim Thompson's house, Thailand

Costa brava

The north eastern Catalan region of Spain can boast a magnificent destination in Costa Brava a region long neglected by tourism but that is beginning to change. The beautiful curving beaches on the Atlantic coast are inviting, affordable and closer than you think. Booking your reservations at a Costa Brava hotel can be difficult at  certain times of the year so planning ahead is necessary at peak holiday times of the year. For anyone visiting there is an endless list of activities to keep you busy here. On, over and in the water include para-sailing, hang gliding, fishing, tour boating, sailing, motor boating, water skiing, wake boarding and surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling. On land you can walk, run, bike, hike, site see, eat, shop, party and rest. A great destination with something for everyone. Costa Brave meaning rugged or wild coast is appropriate name the rugged cliffs tower over the beaches. Some towns in the region of Costa Brava have really gone all out to attract the tourists new hotels and renovations, shops and eateries and a variety of tourist attractions. Still there are the hidden gems tucked away along the rugged coast where it seems time has stood still and life is pretty much as it was one hundred years ago. renting a car is worth it even if only for one day to explore the back roads and catch the glimpses of the ocean from high on the cliffs. Also finding those hidden gems of villages where traditional foods and art work can be seen and purchased. Along these rocky coast you will find the Dali Gala Museum housing many works from the noted Spanish surrealist painter Salvatore Dali and Pablo Picasso museum. These and other artists frequented the area due to its beauty and remoteness in the early part of the 1900′s. Costa Brava is fun to explore and see.

Tags: beaches, Costa Brava, hotel

Jude Law’s Hamlet Coming to New York

What is there to do in New York besides going to the theatre? Well, a lot of course, though Broadway, Off Broadway and the Off Off theatres are certainly one of the best and most popular options. In fact, whether it’s a business trip, or purely one for fun, most of the guests staying in the top New York hotels will find their way to one of the greatest shows in town, well, actually, in the country. And one of the hottest options is catching a performance of Jude Law who is currently playing Hamlet and the production will soon open on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theater.

Hamlet is often considered to be Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy. Among the top others of course are King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth, though Hamlet seems to stand alone in respect and critical analysis. The character of Hamlet is also often considered to be the pinnacle role of many actors’ careers and being cast as the melancholy prince in a major production has traditionally been considered to be a great honor.

Law has had an interesting career and has risen above the danger of being categorized and stereotyped as simply the pretty face. He has gained respect and recognition for his talent and professionalism and has expanded his career into the roles of producer and director. He was born in England and began his acting path with the National Youth Music Theatre. He also has a strong theatre background to support his being cast in this iconic role. Some of his major film appearances include The Talented Mister Ripley, Cold Mountain and Closer, among many others. His role as Hamlet began in the London West End theatre of Donmar Warehouse and moved on to the Elsinore Castle in Denmark before heading to Broadway where it’s about to begin previews.

Tags: Jude Law, Othello, top New York hotels

Palace Resort on an Island in Udaipur

Udaipur, India is known both as the city of Lakes, as well as for being the Venice of the East. Both of these affectionate names are reflective of the natural beauty and culture of the city and region. One of the other major elements the city is known for is its many incredible palaces from the Rajput era. Of these, the Lake Palace is one of the largest and most well known and serves as one of the major tourist attractions the city offers to guests staying in an Udaipur palace hotel.

The Lake Palace is a beautiful luxury resort that takes up almost an entire island. It is situated on four acres of rock known as the Jag Niwas Island in Lake Pichola. Interestingly, access to the resort and the small island is provided by the hotel in the form of a boat that ferries guests to and from the resort from the City Palace. The Palace was originally built under the direction of Maharana Jagat Singh II, who was the 62nd Successor of the Mewar dynasty. Due to this, and the fact he made it the summer residence of the royal family, it was initially known as Jag Niwas. Following the reign of Singh II, many successive leaders have used the palace as their preferred summer residence.

Throughout its existence, the palace has been the favorite location of many celebrities and political figures. It has experienced some deterioration due to natural weathering and has also been through great renovations. By the early 1960s it was becoming obvious that it should be turned into a luxury resort. It was taken over by the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces in 1971 who remodeled the estate and added 75 new rooms. Some of the famous people who have stayed here include Vivien Leigh, Queen Elizabeth and Jacqueline Kennedy. It was also featured as a central setting for the James Bond film Octopussy.

Tags: Jacqueline Kennedy, Udaipur palace hotel, Vivien Leigh

Color and Design Found at Next Day Blinds

One of the great aspects about choosing window treatments these days, is also something can create a bit of difficulty and confusion, as there are so many different options. The variety of choices can be overwhelming, however if one just takes some time to think about the look and the feel they are desiring for their house or apartment, for at Next Day Blinds there is something for everyone.  Whether one is creating a look for a new home, or re-decorating, the blinds are an essential element, for function and for style.

Blinds are a great option for any home or office space. They offer privacy, control over the light coming in from outside, and they are also design elements that can spruce up any space with color and decoration. At Next Day Blinds, one will be able to look over samples and decide which look is best for them, as well as just what the aim of their own treatment will be.

Knowing the specific function will help one narrow down their options and come to decisions based on that specific function, whether it be the cutting down of light and heat, or the increase in privacy. Two common choices are the horizontal and vertical slatted blinds. However one very beautiful option is in the Roman shade. The Roman shades offered at Next Day Blinds,  comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

They are made up of just one large bit of fabric the folds in on itself when open, creating folds and layers that are beautiful and elegant. They offer total privacy due to the fact that they are generally that one piece of fabric, and they offer incredible options for design. The design elements alone, such as the fabric or the choice to add fringe along the bottom makes the aspect of redesigning the look of the home a fun and excited experience, not one filled with tension. One can experiment with this kind of blind as the colors and the patterns will change the look of one’s room or entire space, and they are an inexpensive way to add flair and style to one’s home.

Tags: desing elements, Next Day Blinds, re-decorating

Chennai’s M. Natesh

When you’re going on vacation and looking for the perfect hotel, Chennai, India is one of the most beautiful spots in the world.  It’s one of India’s most populated cities, and rests on the eastern coast, so there are urban adventures as well as a lovely coastline.  You can escape to nature and escape into the city all in the same afternoon.  Our hotels are perfectly situated so that you can enjoy the best that Chennai offers.  We specialize in your comfort and rejuvenation, providing a uniquely delicious experience in accommodations.  So, find the hotel of your choosing and prepare to have a vacation here seated at the center of luxury.
After a delicious meal with local and international cuisines served by our top chefs, exploring the lovely city of Chennai is certainly on the menu.  There are attractions and events here that will entertain and educate guests of all ages.  There is truly something to offer everyone here, with fascinating sight-seeing tours into Chennai’s history and present, galleries and museums showcasing the best in visual art, and any number of events that happen here every day.  Tourists looking for a taste of the cutting edge in their visual art appreciation should look into the work of M. Natesh.
Born and raised in Chennai, M. Natesh has a lively background to his lively present.  His father was a famous Tamil playwright, and  M. Natesh has a background in drawing dating back to when he was three years old.  His training was in visual art, which began in India, and moved toward European art schools for modern techniques, but Natesh rejected these in favor of the techniques in India which of course are also modern.  He combines his visual art background with his father’s theater work to make art installations.  These are very charged pieces, arguing political themes from a very insistent and articulate point of view.  His work is a fascinating entrance into art in modern Chennai.

Tags: Chennai, hotel, india

Bruno Morphet in Cape Town

Once you’ve settled into your Cape Town luxury hotel, you’ll soon realize that you’re comfortably poised in one of the hottest cities in the world.  Cape Town is an amazing place, with an incredible array of cultures and languages coming into contact with each other every day.  Our hotels provide the finest accommodations, meeting the highest standards in the industry, and are specially designed to refresh your body and spirit so that you can enjoy all the things the city has to offer.  We offer a rich mixture of contemporary and classical design, providing a soothing and invigorating ambience for guests of all ages.  Our culinary offerings are prepared by world-class chefs trained in international cooking traditions to reflect a cosmopolitan palate.  After a wonderful meal and a fantastic rest, you’ll be ready to see the sights.

For first-time visitors, Cape Town will be stunning in its lively heartbeat.  For return travelers (and there are always many of these…), it’s an exciting welcome back.  The city offers something for everyone, from museums that educate about South Africa’s complicated history, to special events that celebrate the local cultures in style.  There is also a spectacular night life.  Some of the finest musicians on the African continent migrate to Cape Town, to take part in the heady evolution of world rhythms.  The massive array of African traditions blends easily with those of other continents to forge new styles constantly.  Electronic music would have to be enormously exciting and sophisticated to compete with the rest here, and there are some wonderful offerings from DJs like Bruno Morphet.

Bruno Morphet started spinning records here in 1996, and now he’s one of the most well-respected names in the industry.  His style is deep minimal and techno, and he’s hyper-connected, with a solid foundation in the past and the present.  It also seems as though he has glimpses into the future, based on his visionary stylings that keep the young people here dancing until the wee hours of the morning.

Tags: Africa, Bruno, cape, DJ, Morphet, Music, Town

Picasso’s Malaga

“Hey, did you know Pablo Picasso’s middle name was Ruiz?” Candy asked me over her rum and coke. “I didn’t know he had a middle name. I thought it was just one name, Picasso, like Cher,” I said, sipping a Grey Goose and Vodka. We occasionally went to the bars of hotels Malaga Spain exhibits like it shows its Picasso museum also known as the Museo Picasso Malaga which we were heading over to as soon as we finished our brunch, on a Tuesday. We had got in from Morocco the night before and had spent the morning lounging around the beach in Almeria and just hung around. The city itself was alive and a little touristy as we had come before season and heard a lot of British accented English (I know, that sounds silly) and went to the museum inn the after noon and stood in line for the bag check and for tickets and we were about to bag it when the line suddenly moved and we were in, ready as we were for tapas. It was quite nice there, Picasso’s work was all over (you have to like Picasso, of course) we saw a lot of sketched work and no so many completed objects, kind of like proto Picasso. so it was wee bit disappointing, I think we were expecting a gallery chock full of tremendous works, but you see Picasso’s work throughout the world and I suppose you can not have it all in one place, he only mad so much, prolific as he was.

Well, it was off to tapas and we had sangria and tapas like bacon and prawns, spiced seafoods, artichokes all over the place, shrimps, ham, costillos or ribs as they are known here.

Tags: dining, Hotel Malaga, landmarks, Spain

South Africa Welcomes Home Caster Semenya

Caster Semenya was welcomed back to her home town last week, to celebration and dancing.  After her long time away competing and staying in luxury hotels, South Africa and her people were there to welcome home their champion.  Questions about her gender have plagued the track star for days, but once she stood in her home town, all of that tension seemed to melt away.  Children from her town mobbed her, in the South African village of Ga Masehlong, this is a village wherein most houses do not have plumbing or electricity.

She had just finished running and winning the eight hundred meter race for the Women’s Championship in Germany.  This is where the officials for the competition announced that Semenya should be tested, due to her muscle mass, her deep voice and the fact that her running times are so fast.  In her small town however, which sits about one hundred and eighty miles outside of Johannesburg, neighbors and family members could not believe at just how much she had accomplished in the past few months.

They greeted her with a live band, and a tent was set up in her father’s yard for the celebrations.  The children from her old school rushed to join in the festivities, one little girl stating that she wants to run like Semenya when she grows up.  When Semenya emerged from her van, the band played, and about three hundred students were all dressed in blue.  Speeches and songs were sung for close to two hours.  She was given welcoming home presents, such as a laptop computer, and scholarship money to help her further her education.  And a stadium nearby the town will be renamed after her.  She expressed her gratitude to her town and to the officials, and they just stated that to celebrate in Semenya’s achievements was like celebrating the achievements of the entire village.

Tags: Johannesburg, luxury hotels South Africa, Semenya