Whether it’s culture, romance or its famous cuisine, Paris offers travellers a unique experience. Visit the famous Eiffel Tower or hang out in local bistros – whatever you choose to do, this vibrant, modern city captures the very essence of French culture. But if you’re not quite sure whether Paris is the destination for you, let these wonderful movies help you decide.

Amélie

This cinematic masterpiece by Jean-Pierre Jeunet focusses on the internal musings of its title character – a somewhat timid waitress called Amélie. It’s this character’s introverted nature that seems to narrow the visual focus of this film into her Montmartre neighbourhood. While she goes about helping others to fix their lives, you’re given an extremely localized snapshot of the real Parisian lifestyle – an interesting and alluring way of life that you’ll no doubt want to explore for yourself.

Moulin Rouge!

Glamour, decadence and downright sexiness are brought to life in Moulin Rouge – a film that conjures up all the raw passion of this famous French cabaret. A stylish musical starring Nicole Kidman and Kylie Minogue, this film will make you fall in love with the Paris nightlife and that old-world cabaret charm.

The Da Vinci Code

This mystery adventure film, adapted from the best-selling book by Dan Brown, features some of the most beautiful locations across Paris. From the wondrous artworks of The Louvre to the tranquil 17th century church of Saint-Sulpice, The Da Vinci Code is an action-packed tourist information film that showcases just some of the city’s most striking architecture.

Midnight in Paris

In recent years, Owen Wilson has become synonymous with outlandish comedy in films such as Drillbit Taylor and Wedding Crashers. But this romantic comedy is a far more subtle performance and a wonderful view of Paris at night-time – Owen Wilson playing a writer who moves to Paris with his wife and finds his midnight walks through the city to be the ultimate inspiration for his work.

Breathless

Jean Luc-Godard’s directorial debut is credited as the film that put the French New Wave movement on the map. It remains one of the most defining moments in French cinema history. It was one of the first French films to break away from the confines of the studio by shooting on the bustling boulevards of Paris. The youthful and chic depiction of Paris is one that we are so familiar with today, yet to audience in the 60s it was an entirely new appreciation of the city.

Ratatouille

Perfect for those travelling as a family, Ratatouille captures the very essence of Paris within this light-hearted, animated tale. Following the story of Remy, a loveable mouse who dreams of becoming a chef, Ratatouille manages to evoke the tastes and smells of the most gorgeous French cuisine, leaving you salivating at the thought of all that wonderful food.
Of course, there are plenty more films set in and around Paris, from Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, to Paris Je T’aime (a tribute by some twenty directors to the city they love). So immerse yourself in these romantic, cultured and fascinating worlds – it won’t be long before you find your own way to this beautiful city.

If you are travelling to Paris, be sure to check out BookFHR for great travel deals on parking and hotels near to Gatwick.

Being located right in the center of Tuscany region, Florence offers some of the most famous cuisine in the world. Unlike the Italian food that many people think of, Tuscany cuisine focuses on using only the finest fresh ingredients from local sources to create taste combinations not found anywhere else. Famous to the point of mimicry, restaurants around the globe claim to serve Tuscan cuisine. If you want to learn how to cook in the Tuscany style, cooking classes offered in Florence are your best bet.

Tuscany region offers some of the most famous cuisine in the world. Unlike the Italian food that many people think of, Tuscany cuisine focuses on using only the finest fresh ingredients from local sources to create taste combinations not found anywhere else. Famous to the point of mimicry, restaurants around the globe claim to serve Tuscan cuisine. If you want to learn how to cook in the Tuscany style, cooking classes offered in Florence are your best bet, you can even practice at home if you rent one of the apartments in Florence.

These cooking courses aren’t like studying at a normal college. These are designed to take only the amount of time that you wish them to. Some classes offered require only half a day, teaching you the basics of Tuscany cooking, while others offer more advanced training and can last for a week or two. Usually, these classes focus on certain aspects of Tuscan cooking, teaching you how to select ingredients or how to make the perfect side dish for your main course. What you will learn depends entirely on how long you are willing to stay and be trained. For those who are truly serious, degrees up to the Masters level can be earned in certain aspects of Tuscany cuisine.

Most are interested in just the short classes, and knowing where to get these can come in handy. There are a lot of people, who offer cooking courses based out of their homes. There is nothing wrong with this type of course, as long as the person teaching them is an actual chef who is skilled in the Tuscan style of cooking. The most common courses take place in local culinary schools, which can be found dotted around the city of Florence.

From any of the Florence apartments, making your way to the centrally located Culinary Institute of Florence is an easy task. This school offers the one-day style of courses, as well as the one-week variety. Should you want to actually study, you can get a full college degree here. Classes at this location include basic cooking tips, learning to make sauces, and wine tastings. You will learn how to spot a good truffle and how to navigate the local markets to obtain the freshest foods, both vital to the Tuscan cooking style.

If you are interested in learning a certain skill, the Scula de Arte Caulinaria Cordon Bleu offers the classes that you want. Here, you can select courses to teach you about only a certain area of Tuscan cooking. Offerings range from pastry to pasta, including chocolate construction and dessert baking. Truffle usage is an important part of the appetizers or main courses section at this school. The Relais Torres Guelfa is another specialized institute inFlorence. Here, the emphasis is placed on not only using local ingredients, but the classes include learning how to grow them for yourself. Teaching a respect for the planet, courses focus on using only the finest and highest quality ingredients that students are encouraged to grow in their home gardens once their trip is over.

Travellers flock to Kerala, India for all sorts of reasons – its gorgeous beaches, fascinating backwater region and amazing wildlife, to name but a few. As well as making the most of the wonderful landscape, make sure you check out some of the state’s famous temple festivals too.

You see, Kerala is a region (situated inIndia’s south-west) that’s well known for its incredible culture. Here, you’ll notice an interesting blend of real conservatism when it comes to traditional customs, ways of life and religion, while it’s also one of the most advanced Indian destinations in terms of things like literacy. It’s this combination that helps make it such a fantastic place to visit.

Kerala temple festivals – the basics

So, you’ve decided to tour Kerala - why should you include temple festivals on your itinerary? Well, first of all, they are a hugely important part of the local calendar. Secondly, they’re usually intensely colourful, exciting events that give you a unique chance to get a taste of Kerala culture in all its glory.

Every Hindu temple in the state hosts at least one annual festival (also known as utsavam), which should give you an idea of just how important they are. There is a lot of variety in terms of the size and duration of these events, but most of the key elements remain unchanged.

Typically, each festival will involve some form of ritual art – which you can read more about below – as well as drum orchestras, elephant and firework displays. People usually turn out in high number to watch, while the celebrations often last long into the night.

Ritual art forms

A key feature of many temple festivals is ritual art. There are several types that are particularly popular, including Kathakali theatre, which is one of the things you’re most likely to come across at events like this. Expect to see performers wearing striking costumes and acting out scenes from epic tales – it’s not unusual for shows like this to go on all night. While you can see shorter performances designed for tourists in a number of Kerala hotels, temple festivals give you a great chance to see them as locals do.

Another art form you’re likely to encounter during the celebrations is Mohinattyam. This is a form of dance renowned for being particularly graceful, and it’s usually performed solo by a woman.

Popular festivals

Of course, what exactly you see will depend on which utsavam you go to. Known as the most colourful in all of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is a great one to choose. It is usually held in April at the Vadakkunathan temple in Thrissur – and draws in hordes of visitors. If you’re keen to join them, you can expect fireworks throughout the night, as well as ornamental parasol displays, an elephant procession and music performances.

Often one of the biggest attractions of temple festivals are elephants, and if they’re what you’re most looking forward to seeing, try to go to Chinakkathoor Pooram, which is staged at the Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple. More than 30 elephants usually take part in the displays here, so it really is one of the best places to see them. Plus, if you’re in the area for the days leading up to the festival, you can visit the temple in the evenings to see shadow puppet shows.

If the first thing you do before booking all-inclusive holidays is check what the nightlife is like, this guide is for you. Although it might not at first spring to mind when you search for a clubbing getaway, Turkey is a fun destination to go to – it’s affordable, hot, has great beaches and fantastic bars and clubs.

All-inclusive breaks can especially be ideal if you like to party. The complex should hopefully have fun entertainment, meaning everything you need is right on your doorstep. With all your meals and drinks included, there is no need to worry about spending money. Of course, you’ll be free to head out to explore the local party spots whenever you want, after first getting into the swing of things at your hotel’s bar.

Below is a guide to the best places to party in some of Turkey’s top resorts.

Hisaronu

Turkey’s Hisaronu is a great destination for clubbers who like to mix things up a bit. This cosmopolitan resort offers a varied nightlife, so you can start in a quiet bar that serves delicious cocktails, before heading to a bustling nightclub where a DJ will be spinning records long into the early hours.

The main street of Hisaronu will offer everything you need for a night out, so you won’t have to walk too far to find one playing your favourite songs. Here’s a tip: I prefer to sleep in quieter places and travel into busy clubbing areas, so consider booking an all-inclusive holiday in nearby Olu Deniz, which is ten minutes away. The beaches here are simply stunning and it’s a family resort, so great to relax in after partying the night before. That way, if you need a bit of a rest, you can properly recharge your batteries before heading back out to find a party!

Kusadasi

Kusadasi is quite similar to Hisaronu and is one of the largest resorts inTurkey, so there’ll be plenty of people to party alongside. There is also a great mix of nightlife – some of the bars here are seriously stylish, so you’ll need to dress smart, while others have no dress code and are more laidback. These are likely to be the bars you drink in before heading to one of its clubs.

Ladies Beach has a relaxed atmosphere and is a fun place to start a night out in Kusadasi. Despite its name, the establishments here are not just for the fairer sex! Most people then head to the lively and packed Bar Street, which certainly lives up to its reputation. There are so many places to go to here, you can easily spend your holiday trying out a new bar (or bars!) each night.

Bodrum

Some say the city of Bodrum is the nightlife capital of Turkey, and it’s easy to see why. There are plenty of popular nightclubs here boasting international DJs, alongside slinky bars and traditional meyhanes, which are like taverns. These are a fun place to start a night out, as you can tuck into lots of mezze, listen to live music and round off your meal with several raki shots!

Due to its location on the beautiful Aegean Coast, Bodrum is a pleasure to walk around when getting between venues. Iskele Square, the Kumbahce District and Cumhuriyet Street are the most popular places to party, so go on a bit of a bar hop around these areas and ask the staff which nightclub they think is best. It’s always good to get a bit of insider knowledge!

If you’ve been to Turkey, where do you think the best night spots can be found?

New York is a city full of interesting activities. This includes the nightlife in the city. As you leave your group of apartments in New York, you will probably pass by bars, restaurants and theaters just to mention some of the things that you can do at night in New York. This is a city that is busy day and night with business, entertainment and life options.

Bars

In the Big Apple you will be able to find a really wide range of bars to satisfy the most demanding tastes. If you like a disco-themed, ‘Disiac Lounge might be just right for your night out, with its slightly Mediterranean fare. This one is located on 402 W. 54th street. If you are not really a Disco person, maybe you would rather go to listen to some eclectic music at (Le) Poisson Rouge. This bar is at 158 Bleecker Street. If you are looking for college fun then check out 1020, it has a frat-boy atmosphere and sells cheap beers. It is located at 1020 Amsterdam Avenue. 212 Restaurant and Bar offers watermelon martinis and other interesting fare.

Restaurants

Dining in New York can be a treat to say the least there are many types of restaurants available from you to choose from for your dining pleasure. ‘Cesca provides moderate-size dining area and cuisine is provided under the skillful hands of Chef Kevin Garcia. He offers a southern Italian menu that is diverse and satisfying. This includes handmade pastas, scallops, and grilled meats just to mention a few things. This restaurant is located at 164 W. 75th Street. If you like Asian Food, especially Thai food, you should try out *erb. It is at 681 Manhattan Avenue. At 200 Fifth Restaurant & Bar, you can eat American and Italian cuisine. On the weekends, this place offers a saloon like atmosphere.

Theater

New York is known for its plays and other theatrical productions. Many of the plays are ongoing like the A Streetcar Named Desire, The Awesome 80s Prom, or Blue Man Group. Extremely famous Broadway musicals such as the Book of Mormon can also be enjoyed. There is also a wide rage of options when it comes to off-Broadway plays such as Degeneration X all-available for you and your family to enjoy. The Fantasticks is a highly recommended musical showing off-Broadway.

Other Night Activities

Along with the night activities above, there are movies, events, concerts and more to do. You will never be bored in New York no matter what time of the day or night it is. There is always something going on in this city.

Just make sure you reserve one to the New York apartments to live in before exploring the city to your heart’s content. You want somewhere to hang your hat and catch your breath in between enjoying the nightlife of this great city. Check out all the options for nightlife in New York City today, you will not regret it! We assure you that New York has what it takes to entertain you.

The first things that come into mind when thinking about Hawaii are fantastic beaches, the gentle murmur of palm trees, hula dancers, bright garlands of flowers, tropical rainforests, cascading waterfalls, active and dormant volcanoes, Honolulu city life, and the magic of the indigenous people. The largest island in the archipelago and it namesake, trumps almost any other island on the planet with its magnificent and extraordinary lava landscape. Whenever you go in these dreamlike Pacific Islands, you’ll discover the ‘aloha spirit’ and enjoy the islanders’ infectious friendliness.

Choosing the right accommodation options for you and also your family depends on what you are planning to do in Hawaii. The Island of Oahu is the most populous island and home to the state capital and the largest city Honolulu. It is also great for people who wish to experience the islands and still keep the conveniences of a large city. Rainforests and hiking trails are located just minutes from Waikiki Beach, which itself is one of the world’s best tourist destinations. In the winter, large waves on Oahu’s north shore turn the normally sleep area into the surfing capital of the world. For those who want to experience Hawaii at a slower pace the Neighbor Islands will be the best choice. Many of the natural wonders of the islands are located on the Neighbor Islands, including Waimea Canyon on Kauai, Haleakala on Maui, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.

The best time to travel to the islands is in late spring, when you will encounter pleasantly warm temperatures, flowers in bloom and fewer tourists, since it is also before US school holidays begin (min-June to early September). Prices rise in summer and over Christmas and the New Year.

Finding accommodation is easy in Hawaii. You can choose from historic hotels, luxury resorts, spacious timeshares, charming vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, hostels as well as rental condos. Many hotels and timeshares are generally cheaper than you might think. Affordable accommodation is available on all the islands.

If you fancy luxury bathrooms, full kitchens, living rooms and swimming pools you can stay in one of the best timeshare resorts in Hawaii, like the Hilton Grand Waikikian. If you prefer more private environment you can choose from a number of timeshare resorts in Hawaii. If you’re going to buy a timeshare directly from a resort it can be more expensive, because building space is limited and property is in higher demand than in most other states. Thus, it might be better to consider buying a timeshare resale, which can cost 60 percent less than what a resort might charge.

Because for the last two months the weather in England has been not very generous with the sunshine and warm temperatures, I’ve been spending most of my weekends indoors. But instead of turning into a couch potato, I have been visiting museum after museum and a variety of exhibitions. Last weekend I went to see the new exhibition at Natural History Museum called Animal Inside Out by Gunther von Hagnes. This controversial German anatomist invented the technique for preserving biological tissue specimens called plastination. In effect the human or animal bodies are so well preserved that the entire body organs can be seen just the way they were at the time of a person or animal’s death.

Gunther von Hagens became famous after the Body Worlds exhibition, which presents the preserved human bodies and body parts. The exhibition has caused some controversy and debate focused on various issues. Religious groups, including representatives of the Catholic Church and some Jewish rabbis have objected to the display of human remains, stating that it is inconsistent with reverence towards the human body. The exhibition travels across the globe and includes the couple having sex and a comparison of lungs of a smoker and non-smoker.

Lately, Gunther von Hagnes have introduced the same process but to the animal world and created the Animal Inside Out exhibition, which includes nearly hundred plastinated animals and capillary specimens displaying the intricate insides and inner workings of some of the world’s most spectacular creatures, including sharks and an elephant.

I found the exhibition very interesting and would love to see the Body Worlds in the future as well. For some it might be too much. But I think the inner body parts have always been a bit neglected on the biology classes for the sheer reason that you cannot go any further than cutting the frogs ; ) so I think Mr Gunther von Hagens did great job in filling the gap in our lives in that respect. I especially liked the fact that the exhibition was visited by the whole families including small children, who are just at the beginning of their learning curve.

Let me know your thoughts on the exhibition. Here are some of the pieces.

The first thing that pops into the head of people when they hear “Florida” is “Disney World”. Orlando is ranked as the fourth most popular United States destination for overseas visitors. The weather in this beautiful state is normally as beautiful as the sands and seas of its glorious beaches. Their winters are mild, helping the state to earn its reputation as the “Sunshine State”. If climate is paramount to you on a holiday, this is the place to set our sights.

Orlando holidays offer visitors such a wide range of attractions that finding enough time to visit all of them can be difficult. It is almost guaranteed that you will leave Florida yearning for another chance to visit some of the brilliant areas this State has to offer.

Therefore, you will need to consider planning very carefully when thinking of taking a holiday here. It is important to remember that there is more to Orlando than the theme parks, although these are a major attraction. The region is also a top-notch destination for people who love golf and has eight major malls for shopping, providing visitors with everything they could ever want: from delicious cuisines to designer clothes.

For those interested in taking a holiday in this beautiful region it is worth knowing that the holiday packages in Orlando are available in five broad categories – all with their own benefits that will make your visit worthwhile. The first place that families think about staying is the Walt Disney World Resort – offering those with small children the chance to enjoy this American paradise in style – with a variety of hotels that you can choose from, offering a wide variety of choice.

The second area is the Kissimmee, which is beautiful and has great value. It is also easy to walk around. The area also has a lot of restaurants and bars which are perfect for couples or older families enjoying their holidays. 2012 could therefore be the perfect time for travellers to embrace multi centre holidays. These are readily available across regions such as Florida and are a great way to get a range of experiences – allowing you to combine many different destinations in a single holiday. They can also be found in slightly smaller versions, known as twin centre holidays.

You can also opt for the universal Orlando resort that is known for its state-of-the-art theme parks and on-site entertainment. The lake Buena Vista is a very attractive green landscape, located next to the Walt Disney World Resort where there are full suites and hotels for you to enjoy.

Another important tip to consider is the booking of your holiday. If you are going to Orlando for your holiday then you should ensure that you book your accommodation in advance. If you find that the hotels will not have enough places for your party then there are exclusive and private villas/houses that you can hire out instead.

The good thing about this is that it encourages privacy. You should also make sure you set a budget that is realistic and viable for you. Depending on how much you are willing to spend, there are hotels to suit everyone and cheap Florida holidays are readily available. If you are on a tight budget you can still find somewhere great to stay, making Florida, Orlando in particular, a great holiday destination.

Grand Designs Live is the UK’s leading contemporary home show and it is not open and will run until 12^th of May. Based on the Channel 4 TV series, and presented by design guru Kevin McCloud, the event is packed with variety of ideas for a home, garden as well as kitchen. The 500 exhibitors cover seven different sections, covering interiors, gardens, home improvement, self-build, renovations, technology and shopping, so there’s really something for everyone. I found the most interesting Grand Food (ha!), Grand kitchens & Bathrooms, Grand Gardens, Grand Interiors and Grand Build.

I went to the vent yesterday, on the first day of the exhibition on 5^th of May. It is very easy to get to the Excel Venue. The best way is to take a DLR train from Bank station. Unlike the tube, the DLR runs outside and allows you to explore the eastern part of London including Canary Wharf and enormous O2 arena.

At the venue, I was a bit disappointed with the size of the venue. I thought it is going to be much bigger and will take me at least 6 hours to explore the whole place. On the contrary, I managed to see all the departments in less than three hours, including attending the talk with Kevin McCloud. I really enjoyed Kevin’s speech and reminiscences of his first Grand Designs episodes. He  is very enthusiastic and absolutely in love with architecture and that love can be

However, I really enjoyed it and managed to see some cool stuff for the interiors as well as gardens. I also fully explored the Grand Food, where I’ve purchased one or two things, including some German sausages and delicious baklavas….of course.

Not sure if I will be coming back next year though, because I think there are a few better exhibitions to visit in London, including 100% Designs exhibition in September.

Here are some of my favorite pieces from different departments.

GRAND INTERIORS

Some amazing lamps…

A huge variety of wooden pieces, including lovely coffee tables.

And white wooden Christmas Trees! They are lovely!

GRAND GARDENS

I absolutely love plants covering buildings!

GRAND FOOD

Nom Nom…

If you have children, you should take special care in researching Madrid apartments. You will want to ensure that the location that you elect to reside in has plenty of activities and attractions that are highly appealing to children. Madrid is not only the Capital of Spain, but it is also considered to be the largest city within Spain. With a population of well over three million people and a geographical span of over two hundred thirty three miles, you are sure to find many exciting places, activities and experiences that are appropriate for children of all ages. Throughout this travel guide, you will discover a couple of the most popular activities and attractions in Madrid for kids.

As you explore all that Madrid, Spain has to offer, you will quickly discover that one of the most popular attractions for children is a theme park called “Micropolix”. This theme park is created in such a way that it reflect a traditional city – only, it is designed specifically for children! Kids that visit this amazing attraction will discover themselves in a location that reflects the cities where the adults in their lives live, work and play – only it is designed for them! This theme park includes a uniquely designed town hall, banks and other types of structures that are commonly seen in cities. The youngsters may take a driving course to obtain their license, pilot their own airplane and even become a famous television star! Children will absolutely love experiencing an adult world that is designed specifically for people their size!

When searching for apartments in Madrid, you will quickly discover that the weather has the potential to become quite warm in the summer months. In most instances, temperatures soar well over86°F. However, in the months of July and August, the temperatures have been known to reach up to104°F. You and your children will be desperate to discover activities and attractions that will permit you to cool off and enjoy the wonderful weather all at once. You will be pleased to know that there are numerous water parks available throughout Madrid. The most popular water park among the locals is called “Aquopolis Dehesa Waterpark”. Here, you and your family will discover large, refreshing pools, slides that contain several exciting twists, turns and drops as well as a wave pool and a specially designed wading pool especially for kids.

As you can see, there are many exciting adventures that are waiting for children in Madrid, Spain. If you are considering relocating to this magnificent city with children, you will not regret the decision once you arrive. In a world that is designed for adults, it is often challenging to discover a European city that appreciates the youngsters that live and visit in its area. Madrid knows and understands the importance of providing activities, attractions, events and other experiences that children of all ages will enjoy. Whether you are visiting a park, a theme park, a water park or simply attending a magic show, you will quickly find that Madrid offers numerous family-friendly activities for people of all ages.