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Valencia: Rich in Historic and Contemporary Architecture

Valencia, Spain experienced a dramatic increase in tourism and outside interest beginning in the mid 1990s. This former industrial city has quickly become known for its interesting history, culture and beaches. In 2007 it gained greater prestige by hosting the renowned America’s Cup, an international sailing competition. The city has many monuments, which attract visitors, such as the City of Arts and Sciences and the World Heritage Site. The Serrano Towers and the Quart Towers are amazing relics of the medieval city that have been restored for contemporary appreciation. Malvarossa Beach remains a favorite destination for travelers who are staying in one of the 5 star hotels Valencia.

The City of Arts and Sciences, “Cuidad de las Artes y las Ciencias was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, in collaboration with Felix Candela. It is an amazing example of contemporary architecture and consists of 5 areas or buildings. These include an opera house, which is also a performing arts center, the L’Hemisferic which has a planetarium and an Imax theatre, a beautiful garden walkway, an open air oceanographic park and a science center. Each of these offers a breathtaking view of incredible avant-garde architecture and design.

The World Heritage Site, “Lonja de la Seda” is an amazing example of late Gothic architecture and is one of the premiere tourists attractions of the city. It was built between 1482 and 1548 and served as a civil building. The secular nature of this incredible building was uncommon in a time when most great structures were created for spiritual worship and services. This illustrates the great power and wealth held by this major Mediterranean mercantile town. Valencia’s prominence dates back further than the mid 15th century and the construction of Lonja de la Seda. Previously there had been another building in this location, and it also served secular or mercantile purposes. The Oil Exchange, “Lonja del Aceite” was the location of great business activity, including more than the name imply’s. Toward the middle of the 15th century the city had become so prosperous that the new building needed to be constructed, which is the one that remains today

Tags: 5, hotels, star, Valencia

Cubbon Park, Bangalore

Bangalore is one of the most beautiful cities in India, if not around the world. One of the aspects of this city, is that there are the gardens and parks throughout, and that most of the city streets are lined with flowers as well. Some have been growing for as long as the city has been here. As with many large cities, the buildings and the concrete seems to be becoming more abundant. This happened in one US city, Chicago. Mayor Daley stepped in and made certain requirements of businesses, that flowers must be planted. Now, more flowers grow down the center lane of Lake Shore Drive, than are found in some entire cities elsewhere. The government of Bangalore has also stepped in, and provides communities and businesses such as four star hotels, Bangalore and all her residents, with the plants and flowers to continually supplement their neighborhood gardens and parks. Restrictions have been placed on the use of fertilizers and pesticides and those taking care of the landscaping throughout the city are taking extra effort and care to becoming more and more eco-friendly.

Gardens and parks are a necessary element in big, urban cities. They provide space for outdoor activities such as running and bicycling, and they are just places for the young and old to escape the hectic pace of the city in which they live. The parks are designed with water-ways, fountains and curving pathways, beds of multi-colored flowers, and lotus and fish ponds. Cubbon Park, one of the favorites of Bangalore, has an extensive collection of sculptures. They are placed throughout the entire spread of the park, adding to the colorful, Colonial architecture and the Neo-Classical, red painted library the sits in the center of the park. The bandstand hosts outdoor theater and concerts, and the park even offers classes such as pottery and instruction on the various kinds of plants and flowers that decorate the park. All of this is set under the shade trees and amongst the art, a most incredible way to spend an afternoon, every afternoon.

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Sustainable Living in Singapore

The government of Singapore has stepped in again. However, in ways that will benefit the rest of the world as well as the country, in terms of the environment. The belief is that it is now the responsibility of everyone to come together and fix the sick environment. There are government mandates as well as government reimbursement programs available. This is a long term program, with the realization that these problems of the pollution and energy usage cannot be fixed overnight. The people involved will need to endure and persevere in the continued care of the environment. The technology has become so advanced that to turn away from the possibilities now is not only a ridiculous notion, but quite a dangerous one as well. And some of the technology has become so advanced that at this point it is becoming less expensive for consumers to take advantage of and utilize the means of alternative energy. One of the government mandates requires big business such as resorts, restaurants and five star hotels Singapore to install water conservation devices in the toilets, urinals and taps. Not only has this cut down on the water usage in the city, but the continued incentive has been a noticeable reduction on the water bills for these establishments. Research and development has been underway for many years, on creating a viable means of desalination plants, thus furthering conservation and making the most of natural resources. Also a mandate for these big businesses as well as large apartment buildings and condominiums is a mandatory recycling program, which will be in effect by the end of 2009. Many of the landfills on the island have already been converted into eco-parks, wherein scientists and researchers are discovering new ways of recycling and new forms of renewable energy sources.

The government reimbursement programs include funding for the installation of the water saving devices as well as the installation of solar panels. Companies using air conditioning for big buildings will need to insure that they are using the most current and ecologically friendly models of air conditioners, and the government will provide rebates for this as well, sometimes picking up at least 80 percent of the cost to the consumer. Hybrid cars, the rebate program for those choosing to purchase alternative means of transportation has been extended to run throughout 2011. Giving people time to save up to buy these energy efficient vehicles, and then giving them a little bit back for their effort and continued dedication to the protection and care of the earth and her environment.

Tags: five, hotels, singapore, star