The city of Singapore boasts some of the most beautiful gardens of the world. Many are designs with not only the plant life in mind, but the architecture as well. One such is the Chinese Garden. In 1975, this garden was designed by a well known man from Taiwan, Prof Yuen-chen Yu. He created it with the model of Imperial China. One enters the garden by way of the White Rainbow Bridge. Once inside the pagoda there are fishponds, courtyards and a building that replicates the temples used by ancient Buddhists for the burial and containment of human remains. Two aspects that personify the traditions of ancient architectural design of China are the Tea House and the Stone boat. The streams and paths and the design and manipulation of the plants create a tranquil and well balanced scene. There is also a Bonsai garden with more than one thousand trees. Here one can view their tiny and perfect beauty or take a class in caring for them.

Two more such gardens are the Mandai Orchid Garden and the Singapore Botanic Garden. The Mandai is conveniently located around other Singapore attractions, including a variety of restaurants, 5 star Singapore hotels, and the Zoo. This garden is a fifty year old sanctuary. On the hills of the garden, among natural landscaping and waterways there are orchids upon orchids, a variety of different hybrids. There is an incredible restaurant within the center of the garden so visitors may enjoy fancy meals in the midst of the incredible flowers. The Botanic garden is located in the middle of the city. There are many rare species here, and the garden also contains over 20,000 orchids in bloom. The first garden specifically created for children is located here and offers classes and lectures dedicated to the study of plants and flowers and the continuing dedication to the protection of the environment. The garden offers musical concerts at the outdoor amphitheater as well as gourmet dining establishments. The care of the gardens by the city of Singapore is no doubt a reflection of the fact that Singapore is in the rain forest. One of only two cities in the world located in the rain forest, the environment and the care of it is of the utmost concern for this country. The gardens offer not only tranquility and peace but a reminder as to just how important the plant and animal life is to the survival of their culture and the survival of all cultures around the world.

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The exotic city of Dubai has evolved from a small fishing settlement that conducted limited trade to an international business and commercial center. Located on the Persian Gulf and surrounded by desert, the city is an ideally situated trading port for the United Arab Emirates and the entire region. Dubai is also the name of the largest emirate in the UAE. Some use the name “Dubai City” to distinguish the Dubai Municipality from the larger emirate.

Dubai’s economy relies on trade, real estate, financial services and tourism. The government has created “Free Zones” to encourage business expansion and development. Businesses located in these zones are treated as offshore companies, which means they are essentially tax-exempt.

With a large number of companies in the area devoted to exporting and importing of goods from around the world, its easy to see why the area is a magnet for business travels. The many business hotels Dubai take pride in catering to the needs and comforts required by these special travelers.

Businessmen who venture outside the conference room will find that Dubai has many recreational and historic sites to astound and entertain. The city is home to well-preserved traditional architecture, open markets which are called “souks,” museums, restaurants, galleries, and even man-made islands that capitalize on the city’s expansive coastline. Recreational activities range from golf to skiing, from swimming to ocean and creek cruises, from hot air balloon tours to desert safaris.

Dubai is also home to a water park and a famous zoo. During the year it hosts a number of cultural and arts festivals such as the Dubai Desert Rock Festival, the Dubai International Film Festival, and the International Festival of Literature.

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Hobby stores in the US today usually have at least one aisle devoted to the art of beading. In fact, the popularity of beadwork and other jewellery-making has grown to the poin that even smaller cities and larger towns have at least one bead store. Online bead marketplaces and forums are also quite popular with the thousands of modern beadworkers.

There is no doubt that beadwork is an ancient art. The oldest pieces of jewellery in the world are a trio of beads that are between 90,000 and 100,000 years old. Made from Nassarius sea snail shells, the three beads are pea-sized and sport nearly identical holes. Researchers believe this proves the beads could have been strung together into a bracelet or necklace. Two of these historic beads were discovered in Skhul Cave which is situated on Mount Carmel in Israle. The other was found in Algeria at the Oued Djebbana site. These beads are 25,000 years older than previously discovered jewellery items.

By definition a bead is a decorative small object that has been pierced to permit stringing or threading. Today beads vary in size from smaller than a millimeter to a diameter of several centimeters. Many beads are in the centimer range.

Traditional beads are made from natural materials. This includes stone, bone, clay, resin, wood, coral, shell, and gemstones. Synthethic materials are also in popular use as bead materials. Plastic, glass, polymer clay, and metal beads are abundant. Still other types of beads include seeds, paper, ceramic, and fiber.

Beadwork is any craft or art that employs beads in the final product. Beads can be strung onto wire, thread, or other fiber to create earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Woven beadwork employs special thread to create patterns and images, much like weaving cloth. Many native and indigenous tribes in American are known for this type of beadwork. Another use for beads is affixing them to a surface such as clay or fabric as decoration.

Some of the more brilliant beads available today include fire-polished beads, lead crystal beads, and fused glass beads. Cloisonne beads, lucite beads, and pressed glass beads can also provide beautiful options for jewellery and woven beadwork.

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Located on off the eastern coast of Africa, the beautiful island of Mauritius sits in the India Ocean, a part of the Mascarene Islands. While it is known for its stunning beaches and decadent lifestyle, the island is also a trove of cultural and geographical diversity as well as home to a number of interesting sites. While it will likely always be known as a beach paradise, the island has so much more to offer.

The best time to visit Mauritius is in the winter. Summers tend to be humid, hot, and wet with cyclones and anti-cyclones. Winter (which is May – November in the southern hemisphere) offers drier weather while maintaining the warm, tropical feel of the island. July is the coolest month, with the central plateau being the coolest part of the island year-round.

This famous island retreat is known as a great place to relax and “get away from it all.” As such there are plenty of luxury hotels on Mauritius designed to pamper each guest. The food here is just as unbelievable as the scenery. The local cuisine favors Creole recipes with strong influences from African, French, Chinese, and Indian dishes.

The island was formed by underwater volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The original crater can be spotted from several of the surrounding peaks on Mauritius. The island is comprised of mountains, the central plateau, lagoons, virgin forests, stunning waterfalls, and, of course, the picture-perfect beaches — which you have to see to believe. There are beautiful coral reefs surrounding the island. Be sure to visit Black River Gorges National Park to truly appreciate the island’s natural wonders.

Some of the historic landmarks on Mauritius include the Balaclava Ruins, the Dutch Ruins at Vieux Grand Port, and the Martello Towers.

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The are many different ethnic cultures that make up the people of Singapore. The country has large populations of Indian, Chinese and Malay people living in the ethnic quarters of Chinatown, Geylang and Little India. This melting pot is the birth of many different celebrations and throughout the year there are many events to celebrate.

These festivals are always colorful and celebrate events such as myths, religion, family or traditions. They usually take place in the ethnic quarters and these places are alive with an intoxicating carnival atmosphere. Major festivals include the Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, and Deepavali.

Many of these festivals are open to friends, family and visitors. In fact you may well be welcomed into a celebrating family home at this time. It is good manners to dress appropriately for these festivals in Singapore and always take off your shoes when entering a religious building such as a mosque or temple.

If you are planning to visit Singapore you will be able to find lists of upcoming Singapore festivals as well as other information such as public holidays that will be observed.Some of the best Singapore hotels have listings of local festivals.

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Today the fashion elite begin to gather in New York for their twice-annual runway extravaganza. The newly-named Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will run in Bryant Park through February 20th. The event showcases the fall lines of many of the top American designers and design houses to fashion critics, press, and buyers.

Fashion Week dates back to 1943 when Eleanor Lambert an important fashion publicist, organized the event to call attention to American designers. In the middle of World War II it was impossible for the press and buyers to travel to France. “Press Week” forced the media to focus on American innovators and trends. A great success, fashion magazines began to feature more and more American fashions in their pages.

While there was some question about the success of a luxury event in the current economy, Fashion Week is going on as usual. However, many designers are scaling back their expenses. Some are showing fewer designs to save on fabric and production costs while others are forfeiting a runway show in the park and instead inviting guests to drop in shows. Magazines are sending fewer representatives to save on their costs, as the fashion publishing world has been hit not only by the economic crisis, but also by the decline of magazine publishing with the rise of the internet.

None of this means that the glamour will be missing from the event. Celebrities will be filling up New York hotel suites in the area and top designers will still be putting on elaborate and exciting runway shows in the huge Bryant Park tents. Look for ongoing media coverage in television, newspapers, and online.

The Spring Fashion Week will be held in September. Next year Fashion Week ill move to Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center.

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While it is one of Asia’s most famous and popular tourists destinations, many westerners are still unaware of the unique draw offered by the Indian state of Goa. As the smallest of all Indian states, many Americans overlook this beautifully attractive vaction spot. Goa’s fame rests on its incredible beaches that offer a relaxing mix of palm trees, white sands, sparkling ocean and lots and lots of sun.

The various beaches, cities, and villages of Goa attract hordes of visitors every year. While the more daring will camp out in the natural beauty of the region, most will find accomodation in the best hotels in Goa or rent one of the many private beach cottages. The state also has a number of beach resorts as well as budget hotels.

With its lush coastline, Goa is known for its fresh seafood. Many of the fish dishes are created using local spices, chili peppers, and elaborate recipes that bring out the unique flavors of the area. A blend of Indian and Portugues influences, the cuisine here is unlike that of any other part of India.

The Portuguese influences in Goa date back to its colonization by Portugal in 1510. Unlike the rest of India, Goa was not ruled by Britian. It’s culture, language, and food show the Portuguese colonial influence to this day, especially in the architecture and religious buildings of areas like the capital city of Panjim.

Visitors to Goa tour historic sites, churches, and temples. Other explore the wild beauty of the national parks and wildlife preserves. There is great shopping in Goa’s open markets and the nightclubs are reknown for their trance music and sponsoring rave parties. And, of course, there are the beaches, which offer a range of environments from quiet, small, and secluded to the popular, crowded large beaches with their own marketplaces and attractions.

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England’s second most popular city is Blackpool. The city’s reputation is based on its seaside attractions and popularity with factory workers and other city-dwellers seeking a holiday or weekend getaway. Though the city no longer draws as many tourists on extended holidays, Blackpool still attracts more visitors than any other city except London – over six million every year.

As popular as it is, it is no wonder the city has more hotel beds than the country of Portugal. Vacationers can choose from a number of tourists resorts, Blackpool bed and breakfast options, and luxury hotels. Other than sleep, the rooms won’t get much use, as the city provides an abundance of activities and sites to entertain and amuse. Having fun is pretty much the motto of Blackpool.

In addition to the numerous beach and water activities, the city has a number of theme and amusement parks, a huge variety of shopping opportunities, wonderful restaurants, and countless clubs, bars, and pubs. In addition to the various nightspots, Blackpool features five miles of electric and neon lights on The Promenade. Illuminations happens every night during the late summer and fall, extending the season even after the days start to shorten.

One of the iconic attractions in the city is the Blackpool Tower. Built in 1894 it is modeled after the Eiffel Tower and houses the Tower Ballroom, Tower Circus, and a number of leisure and entertainment venues including several restaurants.

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Despite fears to the contrary, Hong Kong has continued to thrive and grow since its return to the People’s Republic of China a decade ago. This is largely due to the agreement reached between China and Great Britian that allowed Hong Kong to retain many of the same laws and regulations that were in place prior to the transfer. Hong Kong Basic Law will continue to provide a high degree of sovereignty for this Special Administrative Region for at least another forty years.

Visitors to this exciting area (it includes much more than the city borders) will have the chance to experience the unique blend of Eastern traditions with modern urban lifestyles. Here you will find steel skyscrapers, 5 star Hong Kong hotels, swanky nightclubs, and shopping galore. You’ll also find most of the region grinding to a halt during traditional Chinese festivals. Hong Kong has wonderful, traditional foods and historic architecture such as the Tai O stilt houses.

Some of the more popular tourist destinations include the Fu Shin Street Traditional Bazaar, the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Ocean Park (to view Hong Kong’s pandas) and the Avenue of Stars. Visitors will also want to enjoy the incredible views of Victoria Harbour and the views from Victoria Peak.

Those willing to venture outside the modern cityscape will find beautiful parks as well as surrounding countryside to explore. Hong Kong encompasses beaches, mountains, rivers, and hills as well as cement, steel, and glass. Visitors can sail on the harbor or go hiking through the countryside. There’s also cycling, beachcombing and swimming for active tourists.

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