Beitel travel advice

The beautiful city of Los Angeles, also known as L.A., is acknowledged as the ‘City of Angels’ as it is surrounded by a vast expanse of natural beauty. It has the second largest population in the country and the city’s claim to fame is that it is the centre of the world’s entertainment industry – Hollywood happens to be one of the districts of Los Angeles. Foreigners comprise more than half of Los Angeles’ population making L.A. a diverse city. Spanish is widely spoken in Los Angeles, showcasing how different cultures mingle in the city.

The best way of travelling around L.A. is to rent a car, as Los Angeles does not have a very efficient public transportation system. A private car will help you actually experience the city as L.A. covers a sprawling area, esspecially if youre hotels in Los Angeles is abit off the beaten track, and it’s a lot easier to get around town in a car than to use the bus. The metro (subway) is also extremely useful to move around.

There are more than a few places worth seeing in L.A. – none more so than Hollywood Boulevard. The renowned ‘Walk of Fame’ with its stars, ‘Grauman’s Chinese Theatre’ with its footprints and handprints, the ‘Hollywood Plaza’, the ‘Wax Museum’ and ‘Ripley’s Believe it or Not’ are the top tourist attractions in Hollywood. Other places worth a visit are the Mulholland Drive, Olvera Street, Union Station, Downtown, the Getty Centre, Griffith Park and a couple of other museums, galleries and parks.

L.A. is packed with events throughout the year – in sports, you can watch the LA Dodgers, LA Lakers, LA Galaxy (David Beckham’s also a part of the club) and LA Kings all in action at the Dodger Stadium and Staples Center. The L.A. Helicopter Tour gives you a beautiful view of L.A. and its surroundings.

Shopping is governed by unique traditions and the shopping malls are highly dominant. As are the streets, with Larchmont Boulevard being the most popular. Melrose Avenue has a lot of celebrities popping in and out every now and then. L.A. stores are abundant when it comes to food, ranging from traditional American dishes to organic cafes. There are several supermarkets and swanky restaurants which cater to the tourists, thronging the city. Restaurant Week is in January-February every year, wherein visitors and locals both indulge in specially priced three-course meals. Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf used in drinks are in vogue throughout L.A.

Los Angeles merits a nice long vacation, especially with Hollywood and Downtown being the star attractions.

London’s climate is perhaps misrepresented as being unsettled and damp. It actually rains, on an average, only once every three days and the city enjoys dry, mild conditions. The moderate conditions have an additional advantage in winter as the cold is rather bearable, especially in the daytime when the sun comes out. There is no season when you cannot enjoy the beauty of London.

Moving about in London is a charm – the city is endowed with perhaps the most comprehensive of all public transport systems the world over. It is reliable and safe, and there’s a government organisation which is responsible – the Transport for London, or TfL. The main travel options include the underground (or tube, if you will), rail services and even boats which run along the River Thames. Surprisingly compact, London also provides avenues for walkers, and walking at a brisk rate may even outpace some other methods of transport! Cycles and cabs provide more alternatives.

The capital of England and the largest city in the entire United Kingdom, London is a rather historic city of great importance – a true ‘world city’. Even today, it is a global capital in more ways than one. Densely populated as are all metropolitan cities in today’s day and age, London still retains vestiges of greenery throughout the span of the city, which includes thirty two boroughs and the City of London.

The city, as such, is blessed with riches in the form of galleries, museums, theatres, London hotels and parks. There are a number of organised tours which you can sign up for to get an in-depth, guided overview of London. Watching a football game from the English Premier League live in a stadium should be on top of your list in London (even if you are not a football fanatic), as the passion and intensity of the crowd is breath-taking. Winter and summer skating both thrive in the city. Also ensure that you buy a map to guide you to all the right tourist spots.

London plays host to a variety of shops and anything you look to buy can be easily found. The main shopping areas include the West End (encompassing Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street), Fortnum and the ‘Queen’s Grocery Store’, Mason. Restaurants here dish out cuisine from all over the world, most of the delicacies tasting as good as if they were made in the countries of origin. London also houses a number of bars, pubs and nightclubs, for those looking to party and have fun.

Nevada’s largest city and popularly believed to be the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’, Las Vegas is a widely sought tourist destination. One of the factors which contribute to its popularity is the presence of huge casino Las Vegas hotels, creating a fantasy world to ravage the senses and evoke mystery and romance. Although it was only a small settlement back in 1905, Las Vegas experienced a turnaround in its fortunes after the Hoover Dam was built in 1928 and gambling became legalised three years later. Over the next decade and a half, the casinos blossomed, followed by the setting up of huge hotels, signalling the start of a building boom which continued unabated over the next fifty years. Now, Las Vegas is teeming with visitors and locals alike.

Travelling around Las Vegas can be uncomfortable in the summer due to the oppressive heat. The city’s public transport system includes the Monorail (which is not recommended as it generally takes an hour to get from one point of the Strip to another) and buses, some of which travel 24 hours a day, day in and day out. Hiring a taxi or renting a car is a popular option, and generally inexpensive.

The sights and sounds of the city invariably elicit an exclamation of delight from all visitors – you have numerous tourist spots starting with the magnificent display of the Fountains of the Bellagio, and then moving on to the Flamingo Garden, Shark Reef, Freemont Street, Las Vegas Chinatown Plaza and of course, the famous casinos – including the Golden Nugget. Apart from being renowned for gambling, Las Vegas also happens to be the wedding capital of the world – wedding chapels are available aplenty and most of them are capable of performing weddings without prior appointments. Adventure Sports encompassing rock climbing, hiking, skiing and mountain biking also find many avenues in Las Vegas.

Although the fact isn’t well known, Las Vegas provides great opportunities for shopping buffs – from the numerous offerings of the Outlet Center and the Premium Outlets, to the small town-shaped outdoor mall which is popularly known as the Town Square. Apart from splurging in the malls, there are a variety of fine dining options on offer – from buffets at the Rio, Paris, Bellagio and the Wynn Buffet to cafes and gourmet restaurants which have a delicious menu containing steaks, grills, sushi and Chinese dishes.

Moving on to drinks – free drinks are offered to all players in the casinos. Las Vegas is credited with having an awesome nightlife, and most clubs are open till four in the morning – exclusive clubs even have a string of celebrities among their clientele.

No two ways about it – you have to pay Las Vegas a visit the moment you get the chance.

The Irish are proud of their capital city, and why shouldn’t they be – it is thriving, vibrant and inundated with tourists every summer. It is quite large (and disproportionately so) when compared to the size of the country. The River Liffey divides the city into two neat halves – one forming the “north side”, and the other half being referred to as the “south side”. You would do well to get a map once you land in Dublin because the postcodes can be a little confusing – you are likely to be pointed in the right direction at St. Andrews Church, and also book accommodations and tours over there.

With the fast improving Public Transportation system, travelling in the city or the various Dublin hotels is no longer a problem. Trains and buses depart regularly while walking on foot in the city centre is not too taxing either. Driving in Dublin is generally not recommended (by taxi or car), because of the traffic – which is also one of the reasons why buses don’t always follow the timetable charts posted at the bus stops. Another handy way to get around is to buy a bicycle – the student population is large and the city streets are bicycle-friendly.

While summer is the peak season, it is advisable to get there early to avoid the maddening crowds. There are various organised tours of the city – chief among them being the Viking Splash Tours, wherein you roam about the city in an amphibious craft based on World War II. Places to visit include the National Museum, National Library and National Gallery. There are a few other museums, castles, cathedrals and zoos which are worth a visit. Dublin’s various well-to-do suburbs are also well worth your time.

While general shopping is not really Dublin’s forte, visitors who are not from the EU can avail a waver on the VAT (value added taxe) on most of their purchases. Endowed with fine restaurants, Dublin’s speciality in the food department are the Khyber Tandoor, Shalimar and Surma. Dublin’s popular coffee shop, Bewleys, is a good place to hang out, and its list of esteemed guests includes U2, Bob Geldof and James Joyce.

Dublin also happens to play host to a number of pubs – but the drinks can be a little expensive. Temple Bar is one of the leading entertainment districts of Dublin. There are also a number of micro-breweries in and around the city.

Dublin makes for a grand holiday trip and a romantic choice because of its sheer beauty.

Often mistaken for a capital of another country, Dubai is more of an independent city-state and is one of among the seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates. Not so popular in the distant past, Dubai has become extremely popular of late. A desert city, Dubai boasts top class facilities and infrastructure to go along with the high standard of provisions made for tourists. Another feather in its cap is its convenient location – the trip to Dubai is a mere five hours from Europe and around three hours from major Asian countries, including the sub-continent.

Once you are in Dubai, it’s really important to know how to get around the city – taxis can be found at the taxi ranks, which are generally located near the malls. However, taxis in the city do not represent the best option for travelling and you could easily use the public transport in the form of buses, which are inexpensive and clean. The metro is under construction and is due to come into operation by late 2009. A romantic interlude in the form of boats to cross the creek is also available.

No trip to Dubai would be complete without going to the only ‘seven star hotel’ in the world – the Burj al-Arab. You require a reservation for entry into this palatial hotel! Other hotels in Dubai are just as luxurious. One landmark you simply cannot miss is the world’s tallest structure – Burj Dubai. It is still under construction and is expected to be well over 800m when it achieves completion. The Palm Islands, the world’s largest three manmade islands, should also catch your fancy. Other places to visit in Dubai include the water park Wild Wadi, the Skiing Centre, the Dubai Creek and the Dubai Zoo.

The desert city is literally a paradise for shopaholics. With amazing offers to go along with flexible timings, shopping in Dubai is a rewarding experience. Dubai’s sandy beaches and the coastline provide ample room for water-sports while the desert lays the platform for a Desert Safari.

In matters of the stomach, Dubai’s Shwarma is extremely popular as is the Falafel. Drinking in public spaces is illegal in Dubai, so you should bear that in mind.

In short, Dubai is the destination you seek if you are looking for the finest deals in shopping, for the most delicious dishes to eat, to catch up on some sports, to rock the nights away partying, to acquire a tan, or just gaze at some of the tallest and largest structures in the world. So, better make your reservations!