Rides, ice skating, a Christmas market and mouth-watering food can only mean one thing: Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, of course!  This is the absolute best way to get into the holiday spirit and there is so much to do that will have you wanting to come back for more. 

You don’t have to be an Olympian to go ice skating at the Ice Age 4 skating rink.  Glide through the glittering rink that is illuminated by over 100,000 lights to make every moment magical.  You will want to book your session in advance, as this event is very popular!

Created specifically for Winter Wonderland, the Magical Ice Kingdom is a breath-taking experience through ice and snow.  As you walk through Stalagmite Forest and Ice Castle, admire the beautiful woodland ice creatures including bears, wolves and even unicorns.  There is timed entry for this event, so you will want to choose a time slot before entering!

Going to the circus is fun, but seeing a Christmas circus is even better!  Back by popular demand, the Zippos Christmas Circus is a perfect treat for the whole family.  Watch jugglers, aerialists, and clowns as they entertain the crowd with comedy and thrills.  Even the little ones will have their attention held!

In contrast to the family-fun oriented Christmas Circus, Zippos also presents Cirque Berserk for the evening crowd.  Following a gothic storyteller, the show takes inspiration from exciting tales of the brothers Grimm.  Crazy high-wire acts, acrobats and motorcycle spectacles will illustrate tales in ways you’ve never seen before!

Soar sixty metres into the London sky on the Giant Observation Wheel. For fifteen minutes, take a ride to see the beautiful London skyline.  Private pods are available to give you an uninterrupted 360 degree panoramic view. 

Like to feel the adrenaline? Well there are plenty of rides to please everyone from thrill seekers to relaxing riders.  Carousels, fun houses, and crazy coasters add to the excitement of the atmosphere!

Another attraction to the wonderland is the Christmas market.  Over 150 vendors are there, selling everything from handmade crafts to winter wear to make your Christmas shopping experience even better. 

And of course, what is a Winter Wonderland without the big man himself?  Watch the little ones faces light up at the chance to meet Santa himself in his grotto. Watch Santa and his elves preparing for the big day in Santa’s factory. 

This event is free of admission, so take advantage of London’s spectacular Christmas destination! 

Sydney, the capital of New South Wales is the largest, oldest and most cosmopolitan city in Australia. The city, which is also home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, has some interesting facts about it. Read on for our collection:

1. Sydney is the 73^rd most populous city in the world. It is also the 21^st most-expensive city in the world.

2. The local nickname for the Sydney Harbour Bridge is the ‘Coat Hanger’, because of its arch-based design. The Bridge is 1511.3 feet wide; and took over 8 years to build it.

3. The Rocks in Sydney is one of the most-visited sites. Called the “birthplace of Sydney”, some of Sydney’s oldest pubs can be found here. You’ll also find a maze of cul-de-sacs and courtyards, with historic buildings sitting next to vibrant modern cafes.

4. Sydney Tower is the city’s tallest building. You can have a great view of the city at the top of the tower.

5. Sydney Opera House holds 5 theatres. You can take a guided tour that’ll take you backstage to learn more about this world-renowned landmark. Approximately 4.5 million people visit the Sydney Opera House a year.

6. A resident of Sydney is known as a Sydneysider.

7. In terms of variety, the Fish Markets of Sydney rank as the 2^nd largest in the world.

8. The main languages spoken in Sydney are English, Chinese and Arabic.

9. The Sydney Funnel web spider is considered the world’s most deadly spider. It is the only spider that has killed people in less than 2 hours.

10. Being Australia’s first and largest city, Sydney – also known as ‘Sin City’ – was wanted to be the capital of Australia, but its convict stigma counted against it.

What other interesting or weird facts have you got about Sydney? We would like to hear from you!

Even if you didn’t get a chance to see the 2012 Olympics live in London, you don’t have to worry about never being able to see the venues! The Park is still open for tours even now, and the venues will be reopening in 2013 for public use! The Olympic Park, to be renamed the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2013, was built not only for the 2012 Olympics but also so be used in legacy. This is in keeping with the London Commission for Sustainable Development’s goal for the 2012 Olympics to not only be “the greenest games ever” but also to be used after the Olympics, so that the venues do not become behemoth eyesores, like some Olympic venues have in other countries.

The Olympic Stadium and the Copper Box will reopen in the summer of 2013 for public use. The Aquatics Centre will not be reopened until 2014, but that is because a crèche, family-friendly training centres, café and a new public plaza will be added. The Water Polo stadium that was erected for the Olympics was merely temporary, so the Aquatics Centre will be used for Water Polo events as well. The renewed Eton Manor will feature a tennis centre with four outdoor and two indoor courts, and a hockey centre. In fact, this will be the only permanent 2012 Paralympics venue. The Velodrome and BMX track will be joined with a new mountain bike and road bike tracks to form the Lee Valley VeloPark. These will be modified to suit bikers of all ages and abilities.

Not only will the venues be reused, but they were also constructed using recycled materials or with the idea of sustainability in mind. For example, the Copper Box was constructed with water fittings designed to reduce the water consumption, its copper covering is made of 60% of recycled copper, and the use of skylights reduces the need for artificial light. The Velodrome’s cable roof reduced the steel usually needed for a roof that size, and the timber used for the track was sustainably resourced. The ring beam that supports the fabric roof on the Olympic Stadium was made of reclaimed gas pipes, and the whole stadium used less than half the steel than other stadia, making it one of the lightest stadia in the world.

I personally love the idea of reusing the venues for future use. The idea to build these venues using recyclable materials and to reduce the carbon footprint was commendable, and the effort into making that part of London – which was a heavily industrialised area – into a greener place, bringing back wildlife and planting up to 4,000 trees and 300,000 other types of plants, was excellent. The Olympic Park is now a beautiful place, and you would have never guessed what it looked like before they began construction. I would highly suggest visiting the Olympic Park and checking out all these venues for yourself!

Three different times of the day, three different activities and three different…countries? Yes, countries! It is very possible to visit three countries in one day, especially when on the Mediterranean Coast stretching between France and Italy. What some people don’t realise is how close these bordering countries are with each other- something I certainly did not understand until I crossed European country borders myself! I come from a small island, and the only way to get into another country is either to get on a plane or boat. With the Schengen Agreement, you are allowed to travel between a large number of European countries without having to whip out your passport every time you pass through the border. So why not try to visit three different countries in a day?

Your trip can begin in Nice, France and end in Ventimiglia, Italy. These towns are along the Mediterranean coast referred to as the French Riviera and are so close together you can stop by them all along your way north the coast. The French Riviera is the coastline of the south of France, and is an area that had the first modern resorts because of its natural beauty. Tours of this coastline are sublime, because of the splendour of the area and the good weather year-round. It has hot, dry summers and mild winters, making it a pleasant destination at any time of the year. You can spend a whole day (or more!) in Nice, for it has much to offer- such as shopping, ruins from Roman times, and charming views.

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, and is completely surrounded by France on three sides, its fourth side facing the Mediterranean. It is directly between the French town of Nice and the Italian town of Ventimiglia, and will be your second stop on this trip. Monte Carlo is famous for its gambling and also has a large entertainment centre, featuring restaurants, nightclubs and sports clubs. I can promise that you would not want to spend merely a few hours there, for there is much to do! You can loiter there for a few days…but why would you, when you can travel onto Italy, making it your third country in one day?

Wrap up your hectic day with some pasta and wine in the charming seaside Italian town of Ventimiglia. Not as much of a tourist destination as Nice, it is more laid back but still has bits of its history scattered around…such as the remains of a Roman theatre, the medieval city centre, as well as other remnants of its ancient past. It’s a good end for an amazing journey, and if there is any town you want to revisit, it will be just a short car ride away.

Three countries in one day: didn’t think you could do it, huh? If you plan your day well, it is very possible along the French Riviera.

Do you sometimes feel that vacation causes more stress than it should?  All of the travelling, packing, organizing, and walking can really take a toll on our minds and bodies.  Well, here are a few tours that will have you so relaxed!  

Champagne, softly lit candles and hot stones can only mean one thing: a stone massage for two at New York’s first Green Spa.  Upon your arrival, you and your guest will be given robes and slippers while you relax in the tea lounge in preparation for your session.  You will then be escorted to a private suite where you will soak in the relaxing sounds of a waterfall while you are massaged with warm stones from head to toe.  Finishing your treatment, women will be given a special rose to remember their time there.

Spas are certainly not just for women!  Men can get in on all the relaxation as well at Green Spa New York.  This package allows men to learn to roll the perfect cigar, have a nice sushi lunch and be fully pampered by experts.  Spend a wonderful four hours sipping on cocktails as you receive massages by therapists that will tend to your special needs.  Using pure essential oils, you will be taken on an aromatic journey that will relax your body and reduce stress.  You will leave your session feeling absolutely rejuvenated!

If you’re looking for a spa treatment that is a little more exotic, this one is for you!  This excursion to Massada, Dead Sea and Ein Gedi Spa bring all the natural qualities of a wonderful treatment.  At the beginning of this tour, you will be taken on an excursion of Massada, Dead Sea and Ein Gedi spa by your bilingual guide.  You will then take a cable car to visit the Massada fortress and palace of Kind Herod.  Bathe in the springs at Ein Gedi that are rich in minerals.  Also, during the session you will be given the opportunity to visit six pools, get a massage, take a dip in a mud bath or lounge on the beach.  Your tour will end with you relaxing in the Dead Sea!

A friend once told me that her New Year’s resolution was to be kissed as the clock struck twelve on the first day of the New Year. So here are some great and different places that I would suggest for that magical kiss with that special someone:

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Famous for its Carnival, Rio is also great destination any other time of year. This is one of the few times of the year that the locals join the tourists for a great time! This celebration is on par with their Carnival and the fireworks are absolutely amazing. Dress up in white and share that New Years kiss on the beaches of Rio! And you cannot come all the way to Brazil without experiencing its rainforests, can you?

Venice, Italy

This small city in Italy is perfect for a New Year’s kiss. On the last night of the year, many restaurants in Venice have feasts starting from 9p.m. and lasting until midnight, with great food and cheap wine. Also, in St. Mark’s Square there is a huge celebration with music, fireworks and a huge group kiss at midnight. And nothing spells romantic like a gondola ride through the canals of Venice!

Cape Town, South Africa

Welcome the New Year dancing in Cape Town! Some of the hottest parties and celebrations are held in this seaside city, and you can have your special New Years Kiss while on the beach. You of course will have to try the wine while in South Africa, for it rivals even Italy for quality!

Hong Kong, China

Although the Chinese Lunar New Year does not coincide with December 31^st, there are still celebrations held in Hong Kong! You will not be at a loss to find a popping party the night of. Top the Hong Kong experience off with your New Years kiss while LED lights count down the last 60 seconds of the old year! You cannot forget the wonderful beauty outside Hong Kong either, for China is home to some of the most breathtaking sights.

Sydney, Australia

Although not as typically romantic as European cities, Sydney has a lot to offer. Enjoy your New Year’s kiss as some of the first New Year’s fireworks in the world explode in the night sky amid music! The best part of being in Sydney at the end of the year is that it is not wintertime; you will be coming in the height of summer. You can spend your days at the beach, dolphin spotting and enjoying the Australian lifestyle!

The Palazzo Ducalo, Venice, also known as the Doge’s Palace, combined with St Mark’s Cathedral and St Mark’s Square make up the most beautiful architectural complex in the world. The Palace on its own is a very impressive complex. Every façade is really striking, whether you approach on a boat via the Lagoon or from La Piazza (St Marks’s Square).

For over a thousand years it was the residence and seat of the rulers, the Doges, of the Venetian Republic. In 1923, the palace was turned into a museum. Since then it has been one of the top draws in Italy with huge crowds going in and out of and around this pale chalky masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture and design.

Throughout its history, until it became a museum it has been a place where official, legal, political and commercial work took place. Its fabulous halls and rooms housed public offices, archives room, courtrooms, prisons, torture rooms, the Doge’s apartments, stables, armouries, and other facilities.

The structure, as it stands today, is the culmination of centuries of building, rebuilding, renovation, expansion and a variety of architectural styles. It has suffered the ravages of three devastating fires, the first in the 10th century, the next in 1483 and the last in 1547.  No traces of the original building remain but the result of the fires and the growth and power of the Venetian state saw additional construction and extensions to the structure.

Most of what we see today is the result of work started and directed by Doge Bartolomeo Gradenigo in 1340. His efforts were focused mainly on the side facing the lagoon. Before that other major works were carried out under Doge Sebastiano Ziani (1172–1178) and Doge Francesco Foscari who extended the building by raising a wing facing the Piazzetta (little Piazza). The highlights of this construction were the ground floor arcade, the delicately beautiful open loggias that run along the first floor, the internal courtyard and the lovely Porta della Carta.

Nearly every Venetian and Italian artist, architect and designer of note has contributed to the Palace at some time or the other. The fires may have destroyed many masterpieces, but they only inspired later exquisite works. Frescoes, paintings, sculptures, staircases, ceilings and nearly every corner and cornice has the touch of some master. Listing them and their works in the Palace would require a separate article to do any justice.

Today the entrance to the Palace is from the Porta Del Frumento leading to the Museo dell’Opera containing a profusion of sculptures. The upper floors are where the Doge’s apartments are located. The second floor contains the Institutional Chambers, the Armoury and the attic prisons (immortalised by the escape by Casanova).

Venice, especially the Palace, was famed for its intrigues, conspiracies, plots, shady politics and assassinations. This led to the construction of a series of backdoors, stairways, secret chambers and hidden corridors running through the Palace. To visit these areas you have to book a scheduled tour in advance. It is called the Secret Itinerary Tour and can only be done in the company of a guide.

A visit to the overwhelmingly marvellous Doge’s Palace generally finishes with a walk-through the attic prisons onto the New Prisons, which is reached by the world-renowned Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri). The Bridge is reputed to have acquired its name from the sigh of the prisoners as they trudged across never to beautiful Venice or the world again.

As you walk out, you too sigh, wishing you had more time to really take in all the Palace has to offer.

Visiting Hours: Daily 8:30 – 7:00 (closes 5:30 in winter), last admission one hour before closing. Closed January 1 and December 25

It is said that many of Monet’s works were created twice – the first time at his garden and the second on canvas. And the gardens are really an artistic creation with profusion of flowering plants and trees randomly placed. Yet the beauty lies in its seeming randomness. Monet disliked regimented gardens and scattered flowering plants and trees randomly allowing them to grow without restraint. Monet’s garden is divided into two sections:

The Clos Normand
This section has a central alley of iron archways with climbing plants including roses, coloured shrubs and nasturtiums that cover the ground under the arches. There are also two yew trees. There are numerous flower beds of hollyhocks, daisies, poppies and other more exotic flowering plants.

The Water Garden
This distinct portion was inspired by Monet’s fascination with prints of Japanese gardens.  Ten years after he moved in, Monet started the Water Garden. Through this section of the garden runs a stream with the famous blue Japanese bridge and other smaller ones over hung with wisterias, weeping willows, a bamboo grove, nympheas and azaleas.

Monet painted The Water Lilies, a series of twelve canvases and based several others on the blue Japanese bridge. Monet’s house with its famous pink crushed brick deserves an honourable mention. The restored house is a faithful recreation.  None of Monet’s original paintings are in the house.

The house and gardens are open daily: From April 1st to November 1st, 2012
From 9.30 AM to 6.00 PM
Fees: Adults €9.50.  Children over 7 and students: €6.50

Tips:  Go early as crowds wanting to get in can be large. Take the guided tour and you will get the best out of your visit. 

About Giverny
The little village of Giverny is about 80 kms to the West of Paris and in the valley of the Seine. It falls in the Haute-Normandie region of France. The village has remained a small one though it gets a massive influx of tourists every day.

Besides the attraction of the Monet’s house and gardens, the village also boasts a Mechanical Museum dedicated to restoring old engines and machinery. Then there is the Museum of Impressionism Giverny dedicated to the history of impressionism. The village and surrounding countryside are lovely and begging to be explored.

About Claude Monet and his Giverny Connection
Claude Oscar Monet was born in Paris on 14th November, 1840. He travelled widely and painted many locations. He first saw Giverny from a train window. He moved to Giverny and rented a house in 1883, later buying it and an adjoining piece of land in 1890. He was totally captivated by the place. He would live there, creating some of his greatest works, many featuring his gardens.

Monet died on 5th December, 1926 and is buried in Giverny’s cemetery.

Travelling to a new place can be a very daunting prospect for some. China, with it being so impossibly vast and diverse isn’t any easier. Being the most-populated land on the planet, it is imperative to know what to expect once you’ve decided to travel to China. To help you venture out to the unknown, here are some basic, important first-timers’ guide for you:

Use Public Transport: It is advisable to use public transport as much as you can. For one, China’s public transport systems are very extensive. And, ditching the taxis and airplanes in favour of bikes and buses let you see the place how the locals see it. You’ll see that many towns and cities are well set-up for cycling.

Toilet: When looking for a toilet, look out for the ‘WC’ sign. And an useful word to know at such times is cesuo, which means ‘toilet’ in Chinese. Some public toilets require a small fee, while others are free. 
Most public toilets are squatting ones; and be wary that most of them don’t have toilet paper.  So, it is highly advisable to always carry some tissue paper with you at all times.

Scams: Beware of the infamous ‘teahouse scam’ where unsuspecting tourists are charged exorbitant amounts for a cup of tea. Make sure you order only after verifying the prices. Another infamous scam is the ‘art student scam’, where scammers approach tourists and sell them mass-produced paintings misrepresented as original works to raise money for tuition fees and the like. There are also other scams you should be wary of, like the Black Taxi scams, and others.

ATMs:  There are tons of ATMs everywhere, and credit cards are widely accepted. At ATMs, check on the machine for a MC logo/Visa sign, as these machines accept overseas cards and have an English option. While AMEX is rare, Bank of China accepts Maestro.
When using an ATM, after you have entered your Pin, select Overseas, and then Savings (this seems to be the only option that works with overseas cards). If the Pin requires six digits and you only have four, add ’00′ to the beginning.

Medicines:  Make sure you bring basic medicines like Imodium/anti-diarrhoea pills and other over-the-counter medications you might need. While some of them are available in pharmacies, you’ll find that the names and dosage/instructions are in Chinese.

Consider your visiting time: Consider visiting the country during off-season, so as to avoid the huge number of people travelling in China. The numbers can be really overwhelming during these times:

Chinese New Year: Date varies but generally late January or early February
May Day: First two weeks of May
China National Day: Middle two weeks of October

Also, consider the weather too, as summers can be really hot in China; and the smog gets overwhelming.

Traffic rules: Traffic can be really rough; cars are allowed to turn right at red lights, so be particularly careful at zebra crossings. Also, look out for other cars that frequently ‘forget’ to stop. Silent electric bikes often travel the wrong way on the road and pavement too!

Hope these simple guides will make a long way to determining you have an awesome time in China. Happy travelling!

You are welcome to add more info/guides in the comments section that you think will help first-timers travelling to China.

Jamaica is known as the home of reggae, Bob Marley and jerk chicken. But there is more to Jamaica that meets the eye. The Jamaica Ocho Rios Jazz Festival celebrates music at its finest and is a definite can’t-miss for music lovers. It occurs during June, giving you a taste of summer in the Caribbean. Quick tip: bring a lot of sunscreen and mosquito repellent!

If you really want to cool down, you can always kayak in the White River Valley! This will give you a nice dunking in fresh water, a thrilling ride through rapids, and you will even get to see a riverside dwelling reminiscent of early inhabitants of Jamaica!  If river kayaking is not your thing, you can try the White River Valley Tubing – a more relaxing way to experience this river. It’s slower paced, giving you more time to appreciate the beauty of Jamaica and take pictures. Another great way to cool down is to take a Jeep Safari to Dunns River Falls. You will get to see a bit of Jamaica as the zebra-striped jeep takes you to some breathtaking sights. And, finally, the famous Dunns River Falls, where you can climb the 600-foot cascades!

Ocho Rios, despite its name, is not all about rivers. If you’re in the mood for something a little less conventional, you can always try Jamaican Dog Sledding. Yes, I know, dog sledding is usually done over snow and Jamaica never has snow. But why should that stop you? You will learn about the adventurous individual who decided to start the whole movement, meet the dogs, and harness them in preparation of your own ride! This is a great and rather unusual way to see Jamaica, and something to brag about to your friends.

If you cannot make it in June for the Jazz festival, or if Jazz just doesn’t tickle you the right way, you can always come down for the Reggae Sumfest in July. Eat some great food and soak in some of those ‘irie vibes’ as you listen to the music. To authenticate the experience even more, you can take the Bob Marley tour. Get the full history of the creator of Reggae and all the places he visited, lived, and is buried.

If you’re all ‘reggae-d out’ by the end of the Sumfest, there are many other things you can do in Montego Bay, like, let’s say, a zip-lining tour. This thrilling tour takes place in the canopy of Jamaica’s forests and will give you a fantastic bird’s eye’s view of the Jamaican rainforest- literally! And if you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, you can always try the ATV Safari in Sandy Bay. Sandy Bay is known as one of the most idyllic parts of this small island and you will get to experience and see some of Jamaica’s rich history while zooming along.

Jamaica is full of rich culture, fantastic music, beautiful sights and friendly people, and is a must-visit for everyone who wants a Caribbean holiday. Yeah mon!