Philippine Butterfly

Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

One of the best ways to gain perspective and peace of mind, is to take a holiday outside of ones own city. Or better yet, ones own country. The culture of the Philippines is drastically different from that of any city in the United States. Work stress and over working is a common ailment in the U.S. People find value in that, in the notion that “I don’t need a day off” kind of way of life, is a healthy way to live.

Many jobs promote this ideal work ethic, and one of those is any type of legal work. It’s true that the l law firm salt lake city attorneys have the convenience of living near the open woods and plenty of hiking trails, as do those working in any law firm in denver and throughout the country. Hiking trails are found throughout the United States, and sometimes just a trip across state lines eases the pressures of every day life. But sometimes, a trip to other side of the world is necessary, and one of the best places on the planet to go hiking is in the Philippines.

The best time for travel in the Philippines, when you plan to spend a significant amount of time outdoors, is during the months of January and February. The weather at this time is mild to moderate. During much of the year the tropical temperatures are extremely high, as well as is the humidity. If a hike through a pine tree forest is what one is looking for, then the mountain ranges of the Ifugao and Mountain Provinces a wonderful destination. Both are located in Luzon and are popular spots among local backpackers and world travelers alike. The hikes will take one through the ruins of old housing structures and churches, and through stalagmite caves and sacred burial sites.

Another popular destination is Mount Apo . Some of the best trails in the country are located here. It is not far from the largest city in the world, that of Davao. Just under a three hour drive, the mountain offers many hikes varying in length and level of difficultly. There is an easy rated day hike that will lead one to the summit, as well as longer hikes that will take a tour through river crossings, natural springs, and a valley of butterflies and orchids. For those taking these longer trips, it is advised to take part in a group guided tour. Not only is it safer, but the guides are knowledgeable and skillful and will provide one with the best possible experiences. And if you find yourself in any type of legal situation during any of these trips, it’s your connection to the law firms that will guide you through the process.

The Best Western Plus Seaport Inn Downtown in New York City is a tourists dream. This splendid Best Western Manhattan Hotel is in a prime location for anyone who wants to soak up the sites in New York, most of which are less than a 20 minute walk away.  If you’ve ever been to New York and dealt with the local traffic then you understand how important it is to be able to walk to your destination. Guests can walk to Battery Park, which offers ferries to the Statue of Liberty, in 15 minutes and the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall Subway Station and Ground Zero are only a brief 10 minute walk from the hotel. Watch America’s favorite pastime at the nearby Yankee Stadium or catch a bite in China Town and Little Italy. If you plan to visit New York’s Financial District then you especially can’t choose a better hotel; the Federal Reserve, Woolworth Building, and Goldman Sachs are all a short walk or drive away.

Even if you caught the Red Eye out of Chicago’s O’Hare airport to New York then rest assured that you can still check in at the hotel’s 24-hour front desk. Guests at the Best Western Plus can expect to work at their leisure with each room’s work desk or play with the 32-inch flat screen television equipped with cable and video games. If happen to see a Food Network show on that television of yours then maybe you can try to stop by there nearby Chelsea market headquarters, which is only a short distance away.

Speaking of food, guests at the Best Western are treated to freshly baked cookies in the afternoon and a complimentary continental breakfast everyday where you can make your own waffles. That’s right you can make your own waffles – need I say more?

Image via David Merrit

Winter is not the best time to visit the Windy City, but it is a great time to start planning a spring trip to Chicago. Thumbing through guidebooks, pricing plane tickets and finding out how much a Go Chicago Card costs are a good way to stay entertained during snowy weather.

Chicago is full of interesting things to do. There are amazing views from some of the tallest buildings in the country as well as great views of the city itself from the river and lake. Sports fans will want to get tickets for a Cubs game while art lovers should reserve time for the Art Institute of Chicago . Families can visit the Navy Pier, the Science Museum, or the Shedd Aquarium.

The city is also known for its fabulous shopping and dining. World class chefs have opened flagship restaurants here and it is the only place to get true Chicago-style pizza. Or they can just enjoy a day at the beach or in the park in the city’s wonderful Spring weather.

By booking ahead, tourists can get discounts for meals, hotels, and even airfares. They can also look at schedules for theater, music, and concerts in order to reserve tickets. This way they can get the most out of their trip both in anticipation and once they arrive in Chi-town.

Visitors to Maui expect to see breath-taking views and be surrounded by stunning scenery. It’s part of the Hawaiian experience that pulls so many out of cold climates to the tropical destination. Instead of heading directly to the beaches and resort entertainment, consider instead the joys that can come with maui bike rentals .

The island has a number of popular bike routes that allow cyclists to soak in the beautiful scenery while getting a bit of exercise. There are actually lots of individual bike trails through parks, along beaches, and into the mountains. A few manage to stand out as wonderful excursions for families, couples, and groups.

The route through the Olowalu Cultural Reserve gives riders a close up view of the Kalo Plateau and the Pu’u Kilea , which features nearly 70 petroglyphs dating back some three hundred years or more.

Skyline Trail Ridge is a popular ride for those wanting to climb the summit of Haleakala. The route passes by Kula Lavender Farm on it’s way to the incredible views offered at the summit.

Biking to and through the Makawao Forest Reserve is another great way to combine exercise with scenic beauty. The Reserve houses the Waikamoi reservoirs and there are numerous picnic and viewpoints throughout the Forest.

For those who want to see more of Maui and are up to a more rigorous biking experience, there is a pro-level route called the West Maui Loop. It literally circles the western peninsulaof the island, following the coastline and passing through many small towns and villages.

Any visit to beautiful San Diego will likely include a trip to the beach, either to enjoy the view or the water. It may involve trips to the city’s many parks and theme parks as well as lingering over gourmet meals in this foodie mecca. What most visitors need to make time for is the city’s many cultural and historical attractions. While it’s impossible to visit every one, exploring one or two will give you a deeper appreciate for San Diego before you check out of San Diego boutique hotels .

San Diego loves its history. In addition to the Natural History Museum and the San Diego History Center, the city has an Air and Space Museum, an Automotive Museum and a number of historic missions. For a unique museum experience, check out the San Diego Sheriff’s Museum or the California Surf Museum.

Art lovers will enjoy the Timken Museum of Art and the Museum of Making Music as well as the Spanish Village Art Center. Other interesting attractions include the Museum of Man and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

For a place that’s so enormous and impossible to contain in any imagination, the Grand Canyon makes up for the mystery of its geography with an equally compelling mystery of human story. It’s one of the great things about the place, and one that will continue for generations, attracting visitors by the score to Grand Canyon hotels and the other businesses in the area. The legends about very difficult hikes, the most dangerous miles of rafting in the Colorado River, and the idea of adventure that generations of peoples have known here, all make for some curious visitors. But there is really nothing like a great romantic ghost story to make the place come into its most enticing light.

In the year 1928, a newlywed couple named Glen and Bessie Hyde set out to raft the Canyon on their honeymoon. She would have been the first woman in documented history to do so. However, their raft was later found, with all their belongings, and no trace of the people. It is widely believed that they must have encountered problems on Mile 232, the most difficult part of the journey, where low water levels and five particularly nasty rocks makes it almost impossible, especially in those days. It is also speculated that perhaps there was foul play. Most appealing, however, there are some who think they decided to leave behind their old identities, move out west, and start another life. It’s a mystery.

Ever wanted to spend a week screening films highlighting the possibilities of global peace? If so, check into one of the best Orlando hotels and head over to the 8th Annual Global Peace Film Festival. The Festival is being held Sept 21st through the 26th in Orlando and Winter Park. In addition to screening films from all over the world, the event will feature discussion panels, musical performances, and a street fair.

The Global Peace Film Festival showcases subject matter ranging from anti-war themes to sustainability, the environment, and the human condition. One of the main missions of the festival is to call attention to the personal message of peace as exemplified in the daily lives of people and their communities. Featured films this year include Climate Refugees , The Invocation, and Budrus.

Opening Night there will be an Outdoor Screening at Rollins College of Throw Down Your Heat. On the 24th there will be a Filmmaker Reception at Ten Thousand Villages where the public can meet filmmakers and special guests. Prior to the actual Festival, there will be a street fair and Pet Parade peace on Sunday the 19th on Morse Blvd.

The twentieth century could be called the century of the car. By mid-century, a sprawling highway system connected points throughout the United States and families took off on vacation armed only with a variety of colorful road maps to explore the scenic countryside or to navigate from major city to major city. While today’s travelers rely more and more on GPS or a digital map that they can customize, there is something lost when the directions simply get you from point A to point B. Physical road maps offer a bigger picture, showing whats in between and alongside your final destination.

The first modern road maps were promotional items given away by gas companies and highlighting the location of their stations in a given area. Later, city and state governments realized they could promote their cultural, geographical, and scenic attractions and began producing maps to distribute at tourist information centers. Eventually an entire industry of map printers grew to meet the avalanche of demand. Even when companies began charging for maps and later road atlases, there remained a steady demand for printed road maps. However, those earlier maps still remain. Collectors are drawn to antique stores, garage sales, and swap mets to find the missing vintage california map to complete their collection or join the Road Map Collectors Association to share stories with like-minded hobbyists.

When a student is planning to study abroad there is usually a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm that comes along with the idea and preparation. And if that student is in high school and is going to become a foreign exchange student, then their parents are most likely going to take care of all the arrangements and needs for them. This allows that student to simply enjoy and experience this great life event. However, if that student is an adult and is studying at the college level, then there is a lot more responsibility placed on their preparation for the trip.

Of course there are other reasons why a college aged person might be planning extended trips to foreign countries and these usually include some great adventure and physical excursions . Regardless of the reason you might be planning to spend time in a foreign country, it is extremely important that you look into visitor health insurance . If you happen to be traveling for sports related reasons and are part of a team, then this is likely to be discussed, and sometimes even arranged, by your coach or team leader. But if you are planning an independent trip with friends to hike your way through Europe, it is extremely important that make sure you have insurance coverage before you leave.

Beginning September 30, 2010 and running through Oct 3, 2010, Las Vegas will be filled to the brim with more than 30,000 bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts from all across the country for the 10th annual Las Vegas BikeFest : a national motorcycle and biker rally.

This action-packed, 4-day motorcycle rally will deliver plenty of attractions and activities as it draws in the world’s most skilled motorcycle builders for the best ‘build-off’ competition not to miss! Book a Las Vegas hotel room now, so you won’t miss out on any of the festivities including a Custom Bike Show, daily concerts and a chance to explore Vendor Village where there will be more than 250 booths filled with motorcycle accessories, apparel, parts and motorcycles!

The Las Vegas BikeFest will celebrate the culture and lifestyle surrounding motorcycling. The rally will offer exciting contests and competitions, which has become an annual tradition and the biggest crowd-pleaser. This year will include a new high-energy poolside party and a cake-cutting ceremony during Thursday’s welcome party and Las Vegas’ Mayor will be the special guest. Friday is the official Las Vegas BikeFest Anniversary Party and the entrance is free. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a commemorative gift, get to enjoy live music, watch a bikini tricycle race, a wet ‘tank top’ contest and affordable food and beer.