Travel Guide

Wingate by Wyndham Atlanta Galleria Center

Wingate by Wyndham Atlanta Galleria Center is located across from the Cobb Galleria Center (with complimentary shuttle) and approximately 35 miles from Atlanta*s Hartsfield International Airport. Hotel amenities include the indoor heated pool, whirlpool, exercise room, and complimentary continental breakfast. The hotel also offers dry cleaning, free weekday newspapers, and free use of a PC with high-speed Internet access.
All rooms feature dataports, voicemail, free local calls, free high-speed Internet access, work desks, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards, coffeemakers, in-room movies and video games, and cable TV. Toiletries are available at the front desk.

Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica Beach symbolizes Southern California Beach lifestyle. Located near the cultural heart of Los Angeles, Santa Monica offers virtually any attraction a visitor could want when visiting southern California. If there is only time to choose one beach in the Los Angeles area during your visit, it should definitely be Santa Monica Beach.

The Santa Monica Pier, located at the end of Colorado Street, is the focal point of the beach area. The wide, sandy beach extends for about a mile north and south of the pier. Pacific Park, an amusement park located on the pier, is anchored by a 9-story solar powered Ferris wheel. Thrill seekers might also enjoy the 5-story roller coaster. Hey, what’s not to like about a beachfront amusement park reminiscent of those that lined the coast in the old days. Romantics and little ones will enjoy the Santa Monica Carousel (as seen in the Hollywood classic The Sting.) Underneath the pier is the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, a beach level aquarium with exhibits the whole family will enjoy.

By Southern California standards, this is a top-notch beach. The large sandy area between the water and the bicycle path is great for sunbathing, people watching, tossing a ball or simply lying in the soft, warm sand. An offshore breakwater was installed to keep the surf gentle, great for kids but not so good for surfers looking for the best waves. The fun includes swimming, body boarding and just splashing in the water. The kids will enjoy the play area located near the pier. For a little extra exercise while enjoying the sights, running through the beach is a paved bicycle and walking path that extends for miles to the south. No doubt, most people have seen this path: it stars in countless movies and in TV shows such as Three’s Company. Visitors will see a variety of non-motorized transportation on this trail. Bicycle and Rollerblade rental shops are plentiful.

The entire downtown area is great for shopping including the Third Street Promenade, an open-air pedestrian street. The Promenade epitomizes Southern California lifestyle with an eclectic mix of people, shops, restaurants and galleries. Be sure to bring a camera and a pen, as several Hollywood notables have been known to frequent the area.

At the southern end of Santa Monica Beach is the renowned “Muscle Beach”. Remember those “Beach Movies” of bygone days? They featured reels of copper toned hard bodies flexing rippled muscles on the beach. Well, they built those bodies right here at Muscle Beach. Visitors will find an outdoor workout venue with gymnastic and balance equipment and an exhibition area for “flexing”. Muscle Beach has been around since 1930, but was newly restored in 2000.

Santa Monica is privileged to experience ideal weather and climate year round. With the humidity rarely over 55% and a gentle breeze from the nearby Pacific Ocean, the city offers its visitors an ideal climate. Fall and spring usher in many festival and events. Sun, fun, excitement, tranquility, muscles and more! Santa Monica is a vacationer’s paradise.

.On August 20th, Hungary celebrates Saint Stephen’s Day

The young Istvan was a pagan at birth, but converted to Christianity in his youth.
In 997 Istvan became Duke of Hungary. Shortly afterwards he put down a pagan revolt in Veszprém, and was crowned first king of Hungary in 1001. Pope Sylvester II sent a crown from Rome to accord the Hungarian the title of Apostolic Majesty — The Carter Foundation recently returned the crown from safe-keeping.
Stephen was canonized in 1083 for his dedication in spreading Christianity and surpressing paganism throughout Hungary.
Houses of Parliament, Budapest — © TravelNotes.
A visit to Hungary must include Budapest.
Situated on the River Danube, the city of Budapest is split into two natural halves.
The community of Buda is on the west bank of the Danube and contains many relics of almost 150 years of Turkish occupation. The former royal residence is in the Castle District, with the famous spas below it.
The Castle District is best visited in late afternoon when the Houses of Parliament, across the Danube in Pest, will look better in your photographs or videos.
A drink in the Hilton is pricy, but it is a good place to ******* the heat and the crowds. We prefer to order a bottle of Tokai and sit at an outside table; on the ramparts, overlooking Pest.
Pest:
Apart from the Houses of Parliament, another must see in Pest is Heroes’ Square. Here the Arpad generations, and other monarchs are cast in a large arc depicting the history of Hungary.
Vaci Utca is the notorious pedestrian area, a few streets back from the Danube. It is not uncommon for women to approach men and take them to unscrupulous bars were large bills are produced for a few drinks.
It amazes me how some tourists, or businesmen, can fall for such tricks. The girls say that they are students visiting Budapest, but it’s all a part of the racket.
There have been a spate of bombings, bank robberies, and daylight shotings in the capital, but on the whole Budapest is as safe as any other city. Don’t walk the streets with all your money in your back-pocket and check the price lists before you order. If there are no price lists, walk away. It will spare your blushes with the heavies later.

The Budapest Sun is the English-language weekly that is sold in most kiosks and distributed free through the major hotels. Get a copy and find out more about where to go and what’s going on. They do have a website, but it is not updated and they didn’t take up my offer to work on it for them.
How much of Hungary you can see on your visit depends on your time restrictions. Lake Balaton is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe, and is crowded with bargain-hunting Germans during the summer months.
There are plenty of Zimmer Frei signs, so it’s a case of driving around. You’ll also see cars at the side of the road with Zimmer Frei placards on their roofs. All prices are quoted in German Marks; the de facto second currency of Hungary.
Without a car, you are restricted to visiting the major towns. The rail network is good and cheap, even in first class.
Hortobágy, the oldest stone bridge in Hungary — © Travel Notes.
The Danube Bend is a good excursion from Budapest:
Szentendre is the compact artists’ town of narrow winding cobble-stoned streets and little pastel coloured houses turned into galleries.
Visegrád is where the Romans built fortifications and the Hungarian Kings established a hunting ground in the 250 sq.km. Pilis Forest.
Esztergom was also a royal seat and Hungary’s first capital. St. Stephen was born and coronated here, and the famous Basilica is the seat of the Cardinal of the Hungarian Roman Catholic Church. Across the river is Slovakia

Kauai, Hawaii

Northernmost and oldest geologically, Kaua’i is the fourth largest of the major Hawaiian Islands. Nearly circular in shape, Kaua’i’s land area encompasses 533 square miles: 25 miles long by 33 miles wide at its farthest points.
Kaua’i is known for its abundance of uncrowded sandy beaches. Visitors soon learn that mauka means on the mountain side of the road, and makai means on the ocean side. With Lihu’e as the point of origin, it is easy to explore the island by traveling to sites along its eastern and northern coasts, then visiting attractions around Lihu’e itself, and finally traveling out toward the southern and western coasts.
Kaua’i is the most geologically mature of the main Hawaiian Islands with extensive development of broad, lush erosional valleys and coastal features such as sandy beaches. Spectacular Waimea Canyon, at over 2500 feet deep, is Hawaii’s largest erosional valley. Nearly 50% of Kaua’i’s 111 miles of coastline is lined with beautiful beaches, derived mainly from wave erosion of reef producing coral and algae.
There are mountains, cascading waterfalls, verdant fern grottoes, mist-shrouded caves, and a lighthouse designated a National Historic Landmark. All around the island are scenic overlooks.
Traveling north from Lihu’e, the visitor encounters green pastureland, lush valleys, and untamed tropical wilderness. An area rich in history and legend, this was where one of the first communities of Polynesians settled more than 1,000 years ago. As the road turns west, tracing the island’s north shore, there are historic plantation towns and the resort of Princeville. The road then winds upward into the wilds around Ke’e Beach and Na Pali Coast State Park.
The main road south from Lihu’e leads to an area of warmer and drier air in the approach to the region called Po’ipu. The sun shines steadily on the populated, friendly beaches. Condominiums and hotels line the coastline, and an impressive variety of water sports is available.
Heading west along Kaua’i’s south shore, town after town of former plantations pass by. At Waimea, a road skirts the rim of magnificent Waimea Canyon beyond which is the crisp, cool climate of Koke’e, 3,000 ft above sea level. Sequoia forests and swamplands are home to unique, indigenous birds and plants.
Kaua’i’s weather is nearly perfect year-round with daytime temperatures ranging from the mid 70’s to the mid 80’s, slightly warmer in the summer. The northeast trade winds provide refreshing breezes. Rain showers usually fall in the evening and early morning hours, predominantly over the mountain ranges. The temperature of the ocean ranges from 68 to 80 degrees.
A Kaua’i rule is that no building is to exceed the height of a coconut tree (between three and four stories.) There is a subdued nightlife on this least commercially developed of the islands, and no opulent shopping malls. Instead, there is the beauty of the unspoiled rainforest, the endless array of spectacular beaches, the grandeur of Waimea Canyon, the drama of the Na Pali Coast and the spectacle of Hanalei’s 4,000-foot-high Namolokama mountain range.
Kaua’i is home to numerous golf courses; including three of the top ten rated golf courses in Hawaii. The exquisite coral reefs are teeming with multitudes of colorful fish. Snorkeling is popular in the clear, warm waters of Kaua’i’s lagoons. Wildlife preserves protect endangered sealife.
Kaua’i has been a favorite movie location for years. “Blue Hawaii,” “Donovan’s Reef,” “King Kong” all were shot on Kaua’i. So too were “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Honeymoon in Vegas,” Jurassic Park (I and II), and “George of the Jungle.” The musical “South Pacific,” was filmed where the Hanalei Bay Resort now stands. A favorite activity is a 4-5 hour van tour of the cinema sites, accompanied by commentary and film clips.
The Garden Island of Kaua’i offers a warm welcome to all visitors. It provides a showcase of incomparable natural beauty, unlimited recreational possibilities set within the framework of the traditions and cultural heritage of the ancient Hawaiians. For a family vacation there is no finer venue than the Garden Island of Kaua’i This idyllic island paradise embodies the true spirit of aloha.

Illinois Travel Guides

The Chicago skyline marks the gateway to culture and to an incredible adventure for visitors of all ages. Approach Chicago from any direction, and marvel at the incomparable view. Explore nearly thirty miles of Lake Michigan shoreline in this water enthusiast’s paradise. Savor the aromas and flavors of the wide variety of dining choices. Visit museums, art galleries, and parks. Enjoy a ballet, a symphony, an opera, a leisurely day of shopping the Magnificent Mile, and a stroll along the waterfront.



The skyline dominates the view along Lakeshore Boulevard and Michigan Avenue. In the foreground, is one of the finest aquariums in the world, the John G. Shedd Aquarium. To the right of the skyline, reaching out into Lake Michigan, is the impressive 3000 foot-long Navy Pier. The large globe-like structure on the hill is the Adler Planetarium.


Millennium Park, an ambitious and sometimes controversial addition to Chicago’s downtown lakefront has opened. The centerpiece of the 24-and-a-half-acre park is the Pritzker Pavilion, a 120-foot-high outdoor music stage framed with a signature Gehry sculpture. The pavilion will be the new home of the Grant Park Music Festival, a 70-year-old summer series of classical concerts. A pedestrian bridge, also designed by Mr. Gehry and spanning Columbus Drive, provides access to the pavilion and links Millennium Park to the rest of Chicago’s lakefront park system.



A fountain, by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, features the faces of 1,000 Chicagoans projected onto two 50-foot glass towers, while artist Anish Kapoor’s 110-ton, steel sculpture reflects both the faces of those who approach it and the city’s famous skyline. The Kapoor sculpture and the Plensa fountain are sure to be the topics of animated conversation for years to come.
Other park features include a free November-to-March ice rink, a three-block-long promenade for outdoor festivals, a replica of the 1917 neo-Classical peristyle that once stood on the site, a perennial garden with more than 240 plant varieties, and the 300-seat Park Grill restaurant.


Chicago‘s architectural achievements include the Sears Tower and the Tribune Tower, whose base includes stones from famous buildings throughout the world. The Art Institute of Chicago houses a world-class collection, from Impressionist masters to more contemporary works in photography and ethnic art. From there, many of the city’s major cultural and tourist attractions are within walking distance, including the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Hancock Tower.



Chicago is home to world-champion Chicago Bulls and the well-loved Chicago Cubs. Chicago sports fans are known around the globe for their undying devotion in the bitter winter to the Bears, and through the warm summers to the Cubs, as they cheer from the bleachers at Wrigley and Comiskey (now US Cellular) parks.



Chicago offers an endless variety of places to explore and things to do. There are museums of every kind; avant-garde art galleries; dance, theater, and music venues, and ethnic and cultural delights in food, music, and shopping.



What would Chicago be without the blues? The original House of Blues is located on Dearborn Street and hosts the current masters of this music.

The heart of downtown, formed by the “Loop” of elevated train tracks, has additional energy these days, invigorated by the renovation of the grand old theaters, the opening of Millennium Park, and the enhanced nightlife options that are breathing new life into this fabulous city. What a perfect time to visit Chicago, Illinois!