Attractions in Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s largest city, a major scene for theatre, with a grand variety of performing arts, sports, shopping and festivals for you to explore! Toronto has many historic and contemporary buildings and parks to see. One of Canada's best kept secrets, Toronto is on par with New York City, San Francisco and Chicago when it comes to cultural attractions and urban endeavors.There are over 100 cultures,- This diversity is reflected in its many festivals, friendly neighbourhoods and over 5000 restaurants. Toronto's spectrum is wide and ever-changing - there is always something happening!

CN Tower:

The landmark CN Tower is one of the tallest structures in the world and also an important telecommunications hub. In 1995, the CN Tower was classified as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It currently stands as the second tallest free-standing land structure in the world at 553 meters (1,815 ft), featuring a revolving restaurant, arcades, cafes, an observation deck and even a glass floor. Take the elevator to the top for a breathtaking view of the city and its surrounding areas.

Niagara Falls:

A wonder of the natural world, Niagara Falls consists of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls. On the Canadian side, water from the Niagara River plunges an average of 52 metres (170 feet) into the Maid of the Mist pool. The American Falls, which has a rocky base, descends 21-34 metres (70-110 feet).

The Maid of the Mist boat tour is a much safer way to get up close to the Falls. One of the oldest tourist attractions in North America, the Maid has been taking visitors to the base of the falls since 1846. The Maid of the Mist fleet docks just below Clifton Hill. Or if you'd rather see the falls from a distance they are lit up every evening and are the backdrop to a beautiful fireworks show in the warmer months.

There are many attractions in Niagara such as Haunted houses, arcades, Casino, and lot of fun places for all age groups. Niagara downtown is always buzzing with activity and you are sure to have fun filled day!

Royal Ontario Museum:

Check out the Royal Ontario Museum, the largest in Canada with fascinating archeology and natural history exhibits, and the Art Gallery of Ontario, with a fine collection of European and Canadian works. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) opened in 1914 and has grown to become Canada's largest museum of natural history and world cultures. With some six million objects in its collections, the Museum offers engaging galleries of art, archeology and natural science and presents a dazzling, ever changing slate of programs and special exhibitions.

Other attractions: Don't miss the funky stores and ethnic restaurants on Queen Street West or the elegant boutiques and fine eateries of Yorkville. Also head down to Harbourfront, a complex of unique shops and restaurants right on beautiful Lake Ontario. From Harbourfront you can hop on a ferry to the Toronto Islands for a picnic and outdoor recreation. Toronto waterfront is one of the North America's largest waterfronts which provides a scenic backdrop for many popular and entertaining attractions.

Toronto is an especially great destination for families as most attractions are child-friendly. Plus, it is an incredibly clean, safe and easy city to get around either on foot or by public transportation.

Incredible India - Must see tourist attractions

India is a Land of All Seasons where beauty beckons, culture echoes, diversity delights and tradition talks. It is blessed with mountain ranges, deserts, valleys, beaches and backwaters. Discover and explore this wonderful subcontinent. India is a big country and there are number of destinations worth visiting. So, I have picked up a few ‘Must See’ tourist attractions.
Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal, arguably the most attractive mausoleum in the globe is a symbol of immortal love. Built by the 5th Mughal emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, this monument in white marble is also said to be a noble tribute to the grace of Indian womanhood. The beauty and grandeur that the Taj possesses could hardly be surpassed by any other monument in the world. The Taj is also said to be one of the largest and most expensive mausoleum built by any man on earth. The Taj Mahal is among the Seven Wonders of the World!

Golden Temple: The Golden Temple is regarded as the most sacred pilgrimage site of the Sikh community. Golden temple's exterior is gold-plated and the structure stands in the middle of a square tank. The shrine is not only symbolical of the doctrines of Sikhism but is also a symbol of strength for all Sikhs Golden temple is located in Amritsar in western Punjab. The holy city of Amritsar literally means pool of the nectar. The Golden Temple is a symbol of religious unity.

Himalayas: The Great Himalayan mountain ranges running from India's north to east have fascinated scholars, poets, writers, painters, photographers and adventure sports lovers alike. The Himalayas have been protecting and bestowing many boons to India since ages. They are also regarded as the eastern sentinels of India. The Himalayas stretches to a length of about 2400 km, from Nanga Parbat in the west to Namche Barwa in the east. A number of hill stations in India like Shimla, Nainital and Darjeeling are located in these ranges.

Rajasthan: Rajasthan is known for its rich and colourful culture. Travellers can unravel the royal history of the state by visiting the magnificent forts and living in heritage hotels which were once royal palaces. The fort complexes hold a lot many attractions including the royal courtyards, palaces and museums. The architecture of these forts is superb. The forts of Rajasthan moreover carry a lot of legends, have witnessed many historical events and have preserved many of the heritage possessions of which the state boasts about.

Enjoy your vaction to Incredible India!

Attractions in Dubai

Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It has emerged as a global city and a business hub. United Arab Emirates is an oil rich country, and initially the economy was built on oil industry. But today, Emirates has its main revenues coming from tourism and real estate.

Dubai has recently attracted world attention through many innovative large construction projects and sports events. Dubai is one of the top tourist’s destinations in the world. There are a number of sites of interest in Dubai, due to the epic boom of construction on a large scale in Dubai; many tourist attractions are being built to attract tourists.

Desert Safari: There are number of sightseeing places in Dubai. There are beautiful buildings, bridges, beaches, amusement parks, shopping malls etc., but you should not miss the sand dunes, the natural beauty of the desert! There are tourist package companies that arrange a one day trip to the desert. This tour departs in the afternoon across the desert of Dubai with several photo-stops during an exciting dune drive to the first destination a camel farm. The drive continues across the desert. We stop to watch the beautiful sunset before reaching our campsite where you have the opportunity to do a camel ride, sand boarding and try out a henna design on hand or feet. After working up an appetite enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner and shisha (the famous Arabic water pipe). Before returning to Dubai watch the performance of a belly dancer around the campfire by starlight.

Dubai: City of Gold

Gold souq: If you love gold, precious stones, silver or pearls, then you’re in the right place. You can buy all this anywhere in Dubai. There are number of jewellery stores, but for a more interesting experience take a trip to the gold souq. Here little shops vie with each other to provide the best prices and hand-made designs.

Dubai Festival City:

Festival Centre is Dubai’s unrivalled waterfront for style and sophistication, showcasing an exciting selection of prestigious retailers, international food and beverage outlets and a world-class entertainment retreat. Indulge yourself in your favourite shops and enjoy the best retail and entertainment experience the region has to offer and live a more colourful life

Artificial Island: Palm Island:

The Palm Islands are artificial islands in Dubai, on which major commercial and residential infrastructure has been constructed. Each settlement is in the shape of a palm tree, topped with a crescent, and has a large number of residential, leisure and entertainment centers. I did not have the opportunity to see this island since it was under construction when I visited Dubai. But, I have seen many pictures online.

Dubai is a city that never sleeps, it is happening, with lots of sightseeing places and beautiful buildings. Must see tourist destination!

New York - 3 days

New York in 3 days:

I visited New York with my family in September this year. Weather was fabulous. We decided to drive from Toronto to New York which is about 8-9 hrs drive. We stopped a couple of times for breakfast, lunch and to stretch! I have included some pictures that I took at New York. Here are a few suggestions on what you can cover in NewYork in 3 days.

Day 1: Statue of Liberty:
1. Located on the Liberty Island, the statue of Liberty is a world famous historical landmark.
The statue stands at the entrance of New York harbour; a 151-foot statue of a woman holding a book and a torch on-high. Liberty Enlightening the World" was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American Independence.
Statue Cruises offers departures throughout the day from both New York and New Jersey for the convenience of out-of-town visitors and local residents alike. Cruise Tickets: Adults: $12, children: $ 5
Island Cruise: Take the cruise if you are interested in New York’s magnificent sights; enjoy countless photo opportunities while cruising by the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge and more. I liked the Immigration museum on the Ellis Island. I felt sorry for the immigrants who had taken such a horrible journey to reach ‘America’-Land of Hope.

Day 2: Downtown NewYork

2. Empire State Building: The Empire State Building is located on 34th Street and Fifth Avenue and is visible from many places in New York City. The Empire State Building is 1,453 feet, 8 9/16 inches from the base to the top of the lightning rod. There are 1,860 steps from street level to the 102nd floor. Thousands of people visit the Empire State Building daily. On a clear day, you can see for almost 80 miles from the top of the Empire State Building. Lightning strikes the Empire State Building about 100 times a year. Admission tickets to the Empire State Building is $19 for adults and $ 17 for Youth (age 12-17)
3. Brooklyn Bridge: The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. It spans the East river between Brooklyn and Manhattan. The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge started in 1869 and took 14 years to complete. The Brooklyn Bridge ranks as one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century and remains one of New York's most popular and well known landmarks. We walked on the footpath and enjoyed a great view of the bridge's towers as well as downtown Manhattan's skyline.


4. Times Square: Times Square, the most bustling square of New York is known for its many Broadway theatres, cinemas and super signs. In 1904, the New York Times built the Times Tower on 43rd street just off Broadway to replace the premises in Downtown. It is one of those places that make New York a city that never sleeps. The best time to visit Times Square is at night! It is hard to take pictures, because there are thousands of people walking on the streets, unless you don’t mind having strangers in your pictures. But I managed to take a few photos of the illuminated buildings!

5. Wall Street: Historically known as the center of New York’s financial district, Wall Street is often associated with wealth and ambition in America. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Wall Street was “the place” to be if you were a large financial institution or other big business. So many buildings sprung up on this tip of Manhattan that the Wall Street district began to boast its own distinct skyline.

6. The Charging Bull Statue: One of the Financial District’s most famous symbols is the ‘Charging Bull’ statue. The bull represents a bull market, a constantly rising market. The bull attracts many visitors everyday, and people line up to take pictures beside the bull. This statue is a token of optimism. By the time, we reached the bull statue; we were way too tired and hungry. We did not take any pictures of the bull.
Day 3:

7. Yankees Stadium: Yankee Stadium is a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It serves as the home ballpark for the New York Yankees. The interior, a modern ballpark with greater space and increased amenities, features a playing field. The stadium features 13,751 club seats and 68 luxury suites.

8. Metropolitan Museum of Art: With more than two million works of art spanning thousands of years, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most expansive and prolific art museums in the world and it should be on everyone’s New York to-do list.

These were the attractions that we were able to cover in 3 days. We had a great time! There are many more attractions in and around New York. I would love to visit again! If there is something I missed out, it was ‘shopping’. Had I decided to shop, I would not have seen any attraction!

Cruise to Bahamas

Looking for a perfect vacation? How about going on a 'Cruise' to the Bahamas? Bahamas is on the East Coast of United States. If you want to escape the harsh Canadian winter, I suggest you visit the Bahamas. This exotic place has beautiful beaches and warm sunshine. You can swim with the dolphins and the tropical fish in the turquoise waters.

This 96-mile long island just 55 miles off Florida's east coast has it all. It offers a perfect tropical setting and all the conveniences of a modern city, with everything from pine forests to sandy white beaches with crystal clear waters to old fishing villages by the sea.

Lucaya is this nation's second most populated city. It has shopping, casinos, entertainment, sports, nature parks and, of course, beaches. Located in the heart of the island, Lucaya features a lively marketplace, a world-class marina and several fine resorts to meet all of your vacationing needs.

You can choose from a variety of vacation packages: One day cruise, two nights cruise, 3-5 days cruise or 7 day cruise. One day cruises will provide you with the opportunity to enjoy everything a longer cruise offers in one fun-filled day for a fraction of the cost. You will enjoy a new All-You-Can-Eat buffet brunch served until Noon on your cruise to Grand Bahamas.

If you would like to spend a whole week at the Bahamas, there are lot of attractions, recreational activities, live entertainment and a Las Vegas style casino onboard. You can choose from a number of aqua adventures like Dolphin Close Encounter, Snorkel with Dolphins, Sea Safari, Sea World Explorer, etc., Cruise also provides you an opportunity to explore the attractions on Freeport.

Watch out for specials and deals before make the booking. The price can range anywhere between $ 150 - $ 650 per night depending on whether you choose Interior, Ocean view, Balcony or a Suite.

Enjoy your cruise to Bahamas!