Archive for June, 2010

Utah Offers Year Round Fun And Adventure

When it comes to great wintertime getaways, the first places that come to mind generally are the huge-name resorts of Colorado, New England and even the Carolinas. But when it comes to beauty and plenty of activities, a Park City ski resort shouldn’t be overlooked. This Utah town was made famous by the 2002 Winter Olympics. It’s known as a jewel of a tourist area with lots to do any time of the year.

Located fairly close to Salt Lake, Park City is a winter wonderland with a number of different resorts catering to those who want to take in the sights while enjoying the slopes. The community is famous for its skiing, skating, snowboarding and more. With beautiful mountains, lots of snow and plenty to see and do, those visiting Park City shouldn’t have a chance to get bored.

The city itself was founded in the 1800s as a silver-mining town. It is home to the nation’s second largest silver strike and has more than 1,200 miles of tunnels running under the city. But while silver gave it its birth, snow and mountains are what have made it truly famous.

Park City is located in Utah’s Summit County and boasts an elevation of more than 7,000 feet in most places. Inasmuch, its three major resorts keep hopping with skiers throughout the season. In fact, more than a million “skier days” were clocked in the early 2000s.

Vacationing here can include not only the slopes, but a number of other high-adventure opportunities. The area is home to tons of wildlife, lots of areas to explore and some natural wonders that are breathtaking to behold. Plus, there are lots of historic sites and more to visit to round out a trip here.

For those who want a break from the outdoors, the city also has a number of cultural attractions and generally has lots of special events ongoing. With arts galleries, concerts, museums and more, there’s lots to see and do in this Rocky Mountain destination beyond the slopes. Dining here as well is also a treat. With lots of restaurants ranging from the upscale to the laid back, going hungry in Park City is nearly impossible.

Summertime is also great for visiting one of Park City’s many resorts. Lodgings range from the rustic to the upscale with rooms with a view promised at almost every destination. While the Rockies are spectacular in the winter, summer offers its own distinct draws. It is during the summer visitors can be almost assured of taking in lots of wildlife spotting along with seeing the outdoors alive with wildflowers and vibrant colors. There’s nothing quite like visiting a Rocky Mountain city in the summer and enjoying the warmth and then heading up into the mountains to toss a snowball or two.

Made famous for its Olympic participation, this resort town offers lots to see and do year round. Perfect for skiers, skaters, hikers and more, the great outdoors is the real draw here. Those wanting to visit a Park City ski resort won’t be disappointed with the destination.

More elbow room on I-15 in southern Davis
SALT LAKE CITY — Is Interstate 15 traffic driving you crazy? read more

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9th District a Prize Pick for Budapest Property Investors [part Ll]

In my last article on Budapest property, I focused on the regeneration of the Danube riverside in the city’s 9th district as a potential hotspot for Budapest property investors. But, as I alluded to in that article, it’s not just the new builds and office developments lining the quayside that are of interest in this inner city area. Indeed, the whole of the 9th district is ‘work in progress’ and as such offers superb value for money to investors looking for an affordable way in to the Budapest property market.

The area of the 9th district east of the Grand Boulevard running from Ferenc körút to the Lágymányosi Bridge, and running parallel with Ülloi út, one of the city’s main arterial roads and the expressway to Hungary’s main international airport, was for much of the 20th century, dominated by industry. As this sector slowly moved out of the city and the urban economy shifted towards the service sector, the result was that during the late 1980s and much of the 1990s this area of the 9th was characterised by empty plots and small-disused factories lining deserted back streets.

But, international and domestic property developers have been quick to realise the enormous potential of this district, not least as it is a stone’s throw from the CBD, and available at a marked discount to other more fashionable areas of the city. Stir in the fact that two of Budapest’s main universities are situated in the area – the world Famous Semmelweis Medical School, and the equally renowned Corvinus School of Economics – in addition to a forward thinking district council and mayor, and all the factors necessary for regeneration have come into rapid alignment in the 9th district.

So what does this mean for the Budapest property market? Simply that would be investors in Budapest property now have more choice, and affordable choice, in a hitherto neglected area of central Budapest. Indeed throughout the 9th district, investment capital has piled in at a rapid rate. The most obvious beneficiary of this trend has been the area around Kálvin Square – currently a huge building site as the interchange for the new fourth metro line, scheduled for completion in 2010, is constructed – and the pedestrianised Ráday utca.

Once a scruffy city centre street, snarled up with traffic, Ráday utca is now lined with new bars, shops and street cafes and restaurants, and practically all of its 19th century buildings have been restored to their former glory. Less obvious to the casual Budapest property observer is the regeneration and gentrification further into the 9th. Indeed, the area around Tüzoltó utca has been transformed from a blighted postindustrial landscape into one of the most bustling ‘new’ neighbourhoods in the city. New and restored residential property dominates, with pedestrianised walkways, newly constructed parks and squares, and it is an area of the city increasingly popular with young professionals and students.

For investors in Budapest property, I believe the 9th district represents some of the best value real estate in the city, whether as a place to live, or, owing to the increasing demand for housing in this area, an ideal place for the buy-to-let market. In addition, thanks to the universities, both of which have a very high number of foreign students, there is also a buoyant short term let market in the district. Furthermore, as a quick walk round the area will show any potential Budapest property investor, the development is far from over, with new builds and regeneration projects currently underway throughout the district.

Richard Holmes

Cyclists continue push across U.S.
Editor’s note: This is part of a series about a cross-country ride called Sea To Shining Sea, which began May 22 in San Francisco and will conclude in Virginia Beach on July 2.

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Aamir To Turnaround ‘Peepli Live’ Fortunes?
June 25, 2010 : As Rajkumar Hirani had himself admitted around the release of ’3 Idiots’, when the master strategist Aamir Khan is at work for the marketing and promotion of a film, a director can afford to take a back seat after the film is canned and censored.

Read more on New Kerala

Top 3 Western United States Ski Resorts

If you are planing a ski vacation this winter, the United States has hundreds of ski resorts that you can choose from. Many of them offering amenities and guest services that allow them to compete with some of the best five star hotels. With so many available choosing the one that’s right for you can be difficult. Here are the top 3 ski resorts in the United States.

• Jackson Hole Definitely number one on the list, Jackson Hole in Wyoming is made up of two areas, Tetons Village and the Town of Jackson. This area is ideal for anyone that loves natural beauty and snow. Although it is known as some of the toughest skiing in the country, there are also fantastic intermediate and beginner trails available.

Rendezvous Mountain gives you some of the highest in bound terrain available, rated as black and double black diamond trails. Apres Vuos Mountain is considered an intermediate trail that’s great for cruising and enjoying the majestic mountain views. Once your day of skiing is finished relax at the Tetons Mountain Lodge and Spa. This ski resort is located slope side to the Jackson Hole Resort. Warm up next to the fireplace in your room, or make your way to the recently added Solitude Spa. There you can enjoy one of 10 treatment rooms that are available or take a relaxing swim in the heated pool. Top off the evening with a dip in the 24 person rooftop hot tub.

• Park City Mountain Resort This ski resort is number two on the list. Not only is it home to some of the best skiing in the world, but it’s also home to the United States Olympic Ski Team. The slopes are great with everything from beginners to “Oh my goodness are you crazy” trails. A bonus this ski resort offers is accessibility.

You can ski directly to Main Street and have a selection of 100 shops and restaurants that you can visit. When you’re finished you can ride back to the slopes on the Town Lift. Lodging is plentiful with several convenient locations to choose from. The Resort Plaza is located at he base of Park City Mountain Resort and offers one to four bedroom condo style units, underground parking, and full kitchen units.

• Squaw Valley This ski resort is number three on the list. Located in the North Lake Tahoe Region of California some of the most awe inspiring slopes can be found here. You will enjoy watching some of the best skiers in the world brave the 100 foot cliffs and some of the ride down lines look almost impossible. If your skills are not quite that of an expert Squaw Valley also offers beginner and intermediate trails as well. Cruising to High Camp Summit gives you a gentle ride with great views of the beautiful mountains.

There are several lodging choices near this beautiful ski resort. The Resort at Squaw Creek has the ability to rival any five star hotel. It is connected to the ski resort through it’s own lift system. Suites are equipped with slate entryways and gas fireplaces. The view from your room will allow you to see historic ponderosa forests and beautiful meadowlands. If a bed-and-breakfast inn is more of what you’re looking for then Lake Tahoe’s North Shore may be more what you’re looking for.

Wine, dine and ride for a good cause
Sipping wine and hitting the trails on foot, on horseback or atop a mountain bike don’t necessarily go together. Or do they?

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When in Mexico, Spend a Day at Xcaret – Cancun’s Amazing Natural History Park

If you love nature and want to know more about Mexican history, visit XCaret, an hour south of Cancun.

Having lived in the nearby city of Playa del Carmen and worked as the illustrator for this company years ago, I spent a large amount of time there, and it is stunning.

What exactly is this place? It’s a combination of zoo, aviary, butterfly garden, amusement park (without rides) and outdoor natural history museum and more. Situated within the Mexican jungle, you board a bus at the main Cancun-Tulum corridor road, and it takes you down a lush jungle road to the park. It is a large complex, so expect to spend the whole day there, and use vast quantities of sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned while there.

Walking into XCaret’s main building, holding the gift shop and dioramas of major Mayan ruin sites, you will see a snack area. Sometimes there are events that happen in this building, which is the gateway to the park. Make sure to go to the gift shop, there are many lovely nature-related items for sale. You may even find something with my artwork on it, as many of my designs were used for novelty items. There are posters (which I did not do) that were there before me, and are still being sold, that are incredibly original and beautiful work. This isn’t your average tacky gift shop, it’s impressive.

When you walk into the park itself, you are walking into a maze of exhibits and attractions, woven by paths throughout a huge section of the Mexican jungle. There is an underground river cave, where you can go snorkeling. If you get to the park early, you’ll be able to do this without being in too big a crowd. It’s surreal to be carried by the water through a real underground cave, that winds around the park. Very relaxing. This is a great way to cool off, as the hot sun can get to you, even in the jungle.

There is a horseback riding stable. The horses are gorgeous Spanish-descent creatures, with long manes and elegant stature. But, when I was there, they were slow and just did what the horse in front of them did. If you want to gallop independently on the beach, forget it. They follow eachother in a line day in and day out, so they are trained to be trail horses only. It’s fine if you are afraid of riding and want to try it, there’s a high probability that none of them will buck you off. The ones I saw were mellow, not hyper.

Both the zoo and aviary have lovely animals that are indigenous to the Yucatan peninsula, such as jaguars, flamingos, parrots of many sizes and colors, a harpy eagle, spider monkeys, and more. All animals at the park are well taken care of. Many live in very elaborate, natural environments. The jaguars are kept on an island, separated from the tourists by a deep gorge. You can see them wiithout fear of them escaping, as they live their lives free from bars. It is a beautiful, large setup.

The lagoon is a scenic area that feeds into the Caribbean Sea, where you can go snorkeling or swim with dolphins. There are hammocks to rest in, for those who don’t care to swim. This area is so colorful, with the deep turquoise water of the sea, the flowers, and palm trees all around. It is truly the full tropical experience. Stop and take a rest there.

At the amphitheatre, there are various shows worth seeing. These actors, dancers and musicians put their whole hearts and souls into their performances. For example, when I was there, they had a showcase of the different regional dances of Mexico, along with each area’s characteristic costumes. It was spectacular. They have evening performances on different themes, expertly lit for the full night effect. It is all educational and great family fun.

When at the park, don’t forget to stop by the numerous restaurants and snack areas. In Mexico, the wait staff will go out of their way in grand style to take excellent care of you, so tip them well. These jobs are in high demand, so they are taken very seriously. If you want top quality service, try the restaurant near the ocean, for scenery and great food.

Since my time at XCaret years ago, it has surely grown even more since then. Whatever has been added is surely innovative and educational. This establishment is pure class, they know how to take care of their customers and treat them right. Make sure to see all the sights and exhibits. You will walk away with a better understanding and appreciation for the Yucatan peninsula, its history and nature.

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Adrien Brody grapples god complex in Splice
Sarah Polley and Adrian Brody star in Splice. Photograph by: Handout, Dark Castle/Warner Bros.

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Silverdocs Documentary Festival attracts national audience
Filmmakers Alex Gibney, Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing along with producer Chad Troutwine came out to the screening of their movie “Freakonomics,” at the American Film Institute on Monday.

Read more on Rockville Gazette