Virgin Island, Exotic and beauty for travelling destination



Virgin Islands, group of about 100 small islands, West Indies, E of Puerto Rico. The islands are divided politically between the United States and Great Britain. Although constituting the westernmost part of the Lesser Antilles, the Virgin Islands form a geological unit with Puerto Rico and the Greater Antilles; they are of volcanic origin overlaid with limestone. The islands are subject to sometimes severe hurricanes between August and October and suffer from light earthquakes. The water supply is almost completely dependent on rainfall and is preserved in cisterns; some water also comes from desalinization plants.

The tropical climate, with its cooling northeast trade winds, and the picturesque quality of the islands, enhanced by their Old World architecture, have encouraged a large tourist trade. The population is predominantly of African descent and the main religion is Protestantism. English and some Spanish and Creole are spoken. The islands were first visited by Europeans when Columbus landed on St. Croix in 1493.





Puerto Rico


A self-governing island commonwealth of the United States in the Caribbean Sea east of Hispaniola. Inhabited by Tainos when it was discovered by Columbus in 1493, it was colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century and ceded to the United States in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917, although residents of the island do not vote in U.S. presidential elections. Commonwealth status was proclaimed in 1952 and has been upheld by various plebiscites since the 1960s. San Juan is the capital and the largest city. Population: 3,940,000.

Puerto Rico is the easternmost and smallest of the Greater Antilles. Located between the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Basin to the south, the island is a crucial access point to hemispheric waters and coasts, representing a valuable acquisition for European powers and the United States. Columbus landed in Puerto Rico on his second voyage in 1493. The island and its indigenous people, the Taínos, were colonized by Spain, which in 1508 appointed Juan Ponce de León its first colonial governor. In 1897, after almost four centuries of colonial administration, Spain approved an Autonomic Charter for the island that entailed local self-government, elected legislators, and voting rights in the Spanish parliament. But its implementation was soon thwarted by war between Spain and the United States. The Treaty of Paris (1898) that ended the Spanish-American War placed Puerto Rico under U.S. colonial authority.


Martinique - Guadalope




Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of 1,128 km² (436 sq mi). It is an overseas department of France. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia. As with the other overseas departments, Martinique is also one of the twenty-six regions of France (being an overseas region) and an integral part of the Republic. As part of France, Martinique is part of the European Union, and its currency is the euro. Its official language is French, although many of its inhabitants also speak Antillean Creole (Créole Martiniquais). Martinique is pictured on all euro banknotes, on the reverse at the bottom of each note, right of the Greek ΕΥΡΩ (EURO) next to the denomination.
An island and overseas department of France in the Windward Islands of the West Indies. Inhabited first by Arawaks and later by Caribs, the island was visited by Columbus in 1502. It was colonized by French settlers after 1635. Fort-de-France is the capital. Population: 436,000.

Readmore »»

Widely known as the Pearl of the Orient, Penang is one of Asia's most famous islands. Its natural beauty and exotic heritage have been attracting curious visitors for centuries. Travel guides have referred to it as " . . . a place of mysterious temples and palm-shrouded beaches".
Penang today is very much an amalgam of the old and the new – a bustling port, a heritage city and an industrial base.

Perhaps it has more to offer per square mile than any other place in the world.

For sheer variety of locales, cultures and foods, Penang is hard to beat. In it's capital Georgetown, modern skyscrapers rise from one of Southeast Asia's largest collections of intact prewar buildings. Manufactures of sophisticated electronic goods compete for space with wet markets and old temples.

Where else can you find a century-old church, a Chinese temple, an Indian temple, and a Muslim mosque all within a five-minute walk from one another? Likewise, tall urban structures stand beside the red-tiled roofs of Chinatown and "Little India" is just across the road, while the Malay kampungs lie on the outskirts.

The seamless melding of the many peoples of Penang is best reflected in the delicious hawker foods (available around the clock) and the adherence to traditions and customs. Festivals abound throughout the year.

Penang is one of Southeast Asia's most popular island resorts and with good reason. This Malaysian island paradise has been a trading hotspot for centuries, but these days it is tourists who come to soak up the sun and the history while they explore a varied tropical island. Penang is an oasis of Buddhist temples, warm seas, sandy beaches and excellent cuisine. The capital of Georgetown is the hub of island life, but it is to the hotels and resorts of Batu Ferringhi, Penang most famous resort town, that most holidaymakers head.

www.thgholidays.co.uk/far-east_malaysia_penang.phtml

Readmore »»

Renewed interest in Eastern décor has contributed to the popularity of Moroccan furniture, and today's choices are more varied than ever. Moroccan décor evokes images of rich palaces, harems and the sumptuous tents of travelers in the ancient caravans of the Near East.

Renewed interest in Eastern décor has contributed to the popularity of Moroccan furniture, and today's choices are more varied than ever. Moroccan décor evokes images of rich palaces, harems and the sumptuous tents of travelers in the ancient caravans of the Near East. Think Arabian Nights and the Bazaars of Marrakech and you'll understand why so many people are using Moroccan furniture to bring a sense of luxury and richness to their homes.

What Makes Moroccan Furniture Unique

There are several key elements to Moroccan décor that are central to the romantic, elaborate richness of the style. One of the most important features of is the use of color. Rich, jewel-tone colors can be found in everything from the intricately woven rugs to the detailed embroidery of throws, cushions and ottomans.

Moroccan furniture is always imbued with color in some fashion. The carved wooden tables are detailed with painted tracery in at least two or three complimentary colors and you can often find one to match the particular color of your room for a stunning accent piece. Ottomans, now popular world wide but originally Moroccan furniture, are large, low, over-stuffed cushions for seating that are usually made of leather. Truly Moroccan ottomans will be embroidered in contrasting threads with elaborate designs that may incorporate leaves, twining vines, animals and stylized patterns from ancient texts or buildings.

Ornate woodworking is a signature of Moroccan furniture. You will not find a plain, unadorned coffee or end table made by Moroccan craftsmen, who pride themselves on their dexterity at hand carving elaborate fretwork and delicate details in exotic hardwoods such as lemon wood or thuya burl. Each table is a work of art, often with six sides in a hexagon shape and side carvings that may include curved spindles, latticework and graceful arches. These will be decorated with painted details in jewel colors like reds, deep blues, brilliant golds and greens.

Moroccan décor such as mirrors, lanterns and frames are all made with the same attention to detail as larger pieces. Rich swirls and geometric shapes in broad bands hold handset and polished stones, cut glass and mosaic tile around mirrors or frames. These make a bold decorative statement in any room. The lanterns are punched with elaborate patterns in metal with inlays of colored glass to soften and refract the light of candles and fire the room with a glow like the interior of a great jewel box.

Adding a Moroccan Touch to Any Room

A bedroom is the perfect setting for Moroccan furniture and accent pieces. You can convert this room into a personal retreat that will make you feel as though you have been whisked a world away to the lands of romance and adventure. Embroidered bed linens and throw pillows, beautifully carved and painted side tables used as nightstands and mirrors and picture frames trimmed in wrought silver, pewter or iron set with semi-precious stones or mosaic glass will pull together and complete your romantic retreat.

If you want to turn your back patio into an oasis, there is also Moroccan furniture that can withstand the elements. Wrought iron tables with inlaid tops of glass or marble mosaic and matching wrought iron chairs are a beautiful option. Try stringing Moroccan candle lanterns in the trees or lining them up along the railing of your deck to shine silhouettes of star and geometric patterns across the lawn.

If you aren't sure you want to do an entire room in such a richly foreign style, start with a few gorgeous accent pieces. A beautifully pieced and embroidered leather ottoman can add color and romance to a more contemporary room, and the buttery softness will invite visitors to sink onto it. A plain entry hall can become a focal point if you choose one or two pieces such as an oversized silverwork mirror set with mother-of-pearl and a delicate candle lamp.

Whether you want to add just a touch of romance or turn your home into an Eastern bazaar, Moroccan furniture is always sumptuous, detailed and lovely.

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/moroccan-furniture-adds-exotic-flair-to-any-room-95647.html

Readmore »»

Spending a few days away from home can be very exciting; more so, when you book a room in a luxury hotel in an exotic place. You will enjoy the comfort and cleanliness and the meals too are sure to be especially appetizing and wholesome. It gives you an opportunity to enjoy all of the trappings of luxury for a few short days and it also gives you an excellent opportunity to forget all about the daily cares as you are served upon.

More Than The Room

Enjoying a stay at a hotel is more than just the spacious and comfortable room because there are more things that will help you enjoy and relax. In fact, once you get a taste of this form of living you will start to want even better quality and will look for hotels with even better levels of luxury. This in turn can make you hunt high and low looking for the best deal.

The summer time is an ideal time to book you into a hotel; especially one that is modern, not very old and which provides all the amenities to make your stay a more comfortable and relaxing one. The better among such places have excellent restaurants where you can enjoy good culinary fare and you should also look for hotels that provide these features at the best rates. A hotel that has just started operations might even offer lower rates in order to attract more customers and to develop its business and earn a better reputation.

When it comes to selecting the right hotel for you there are a few tips that you should follow that will help you get the best deal. For one, you should check out reviews at places such as TripAdvisor; for another, you need to find out whether the rooms have recently been renovated or not. You could even think about taking your own sheets and pillow cases.

Now-a-days, it is common practice to make hotel reservations online; the hospitality business is huge in the US and in the rest of the world and so, almost all hotels have their own websites where you can view the features as well as make your bookings online.

It is also advisable to run hot water for about two minutes before drinking water from the taps. You need to also ensure that the hotel has a good restaurant and if not, it should provide good continental breakfasts at the very least. While checking into a room tries and gets a room that also has a balcony as this will add to your stay. Before selecting a hotel makes sure that you have viewed photographs of the hotel and its rooms as well as carpeting to ensure that it is of the best quality.

http://www.hotel-news-articels.info/hotel-reservation/hotel-reservation-hotel.html

Readmore »»