Most wise travel guides will rank a visit to the home of Barcelona FC as highly as a trip to the Sagrada Familia or the Ramblas. It is inherent in Barcelona’s way of life and is the vehicle for political vexations and local pride. Catalan culture is fiercely individual and Barcelona FC has oft served as the mouthpiece for Catalan politics, particularly during the time of Franco’s regime. Socialists, anarchists and dissidents in general found refuge and solidarity in the clubs membership.

The race for supremacy with Real Madrid is hotter than ever with Barca recently claiming bragging rights with a 3-1 victory over their rivals. This blew the title race wide open and set us up for one of the most intriguing La Liga finales ever waged.

A simple visit to the Spainticketbureau.com gives you the opportunity to buy tickets to see some of the world’s finest sportsmen. Names like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta will be part of football folklore for years after their playing days with many already hailing Messi as the greatest player ever, and it certainly wouldn’t be outrageous to cite the current Barca side as the best team ever. Their brand of ‘total football’ has set the sporting world alight and is one of the best examples of perfect team play in existence.

Teams the calibre of the current Barca side are a once in a generation occurrence and the chance to see them must be seized when the opportunity arises. Spainticketbureau.com can facilitate your journey.

Mongolia, land of vast blue skies and the endless, rolling hills of the grassy steppe, is a land where sheepherders in traditional garb live side by side with young Mongolian tour guides sporting iPods and Louis Vuitton. Giant monuments to Genghis Kahn and his horse lords of old who prompted the building of the Great Wall of China stand watch over the country’s sparse population of peaceful shepherds and nomads.

Travelers willing to take on the rugged, largely untouched landscapes of Mongolia will be rewarded with some of the most one-of-a-kind travel experiences in the world. Below are the top five experiences not to be missed.

1. Stay a night in a nomadic family’s ger

Stay with a Mongolian family in a Ger

In Mongolian, the word ger means ‘home’, and with less than half the population living in city centers, many families rely on movable homes to maintain their nomadic lifestyle.

Mongolians are known for their hospitality in this often harsh land. Anywhere you venture outside the capital you’ll find Mongolian families willing to open up their homes for a hot cup of buttery milk tea, a shot or two of vodka around the fire and a warm place to sleep in one of the family gers.

The white circular tent-like structures are erected by draping thick wool blankets over a self-supporting lattice frame with a roof of intricately painted wooden beams.  A wood burning stove in the center of many gers keeps them toasty warm, even during Mongolia’s sub-zero winter temperatures.

Since most nomadic families make a living from their flocks, you’ll probably have the opportunity to learn about sheep, goat, horse, or camel herding, and if you’re lucky, you can even try your hand at milking a camel or horse.

2. Ride horses around Lake Hovsgul

See Hovsgul from a horse

Lake Hovsgul, a popular summer vacation destination with Mongolian tourists from the capital, is reminiscent of a European alpine lake, with crystal-clear waters and tree-lined shores. It takes about two weeks to circumnavigate the lake, Asia’s second largest fresh water body of water, and without roads, the only way to do it is on horseback.

The horse has held a revered spot in Mongolian culture since the days of Genghis Kahn and his horse lords who conquered much of the continent. The majestic animals, smaller in stature than those found in the West, provide milk, transportation, and occasionally meat to Mongolia’s residents both in the cities and in the countryside.

The traditional Mongolian saddle, made from wood, feels strange and uncomfortable to visiting riders, but at Lake Hovsgul, you can make your trek from the comfort of a Russian leather saddle. The path around the lake meanders through densely forested areas, as dim as dusk even in early afternoon, and along winding cliffs dropping off toward the turquoise waters of the lake. Along the way you may stumble upon a camp of reindeer herders from further north with their animals in tow, and at night, you’ll camp under a starlit sky with virtually no light pollution to mar the view.

3. Join the festivities of Naadam (summer festival) in the countryside

Celebrate Naadam

Each summer Mongolians from throughout the countryside make the journey to the capital city of Ulan Bator to witness the festival of Naadam. While the largest Naadam celebration in the capital is quite a spectacle with plenty of pomp and circumstance, visiting countryside Naadam festivals in the days leading up to the main celebration allows you to get closer to the action.

Read more: Top 5 Things to See and Do in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

During the festival, men face off in Mongolian wrestling matches while young boys race horses across the steppe. Men and women of all ages compete in archery, all to the sounds of local musicians playing two-string horsehair violins and drums. With an almost guaranteed ringside seat at the wrestling matches and viewing spot on the finish line of the horse races, you’ll be in position to feel the whoosh of wind as the racers speed by and catch the fried milk curds the winning wrestler throws out to the spectators for good luck.

During the lulls between events, contestants and spectators alike snack on hoshuur, a dough pouch filled with meat and onions and deep-fried, and sip on airag, a sour, yogurt-like beverage made from fermented mare’s milk.

4. Camel trek across the Gobi’s Singing Sands

Listen to the whistling sounds of the Singing Sands

The Gobi desert encompasses a huge swathe of land in southern Mongolia and northern China, but the 115 mile stretch of sand dunes are perhaps the most iconic symbol of the region. The Singing Sands (Khongoryn Els) earn their name from the eerie whistling sound caused by the winds of the Gobi blowing over the tiny grains of sand.

Signs of life are rare, aside from a few hardy, windblown shrubs scattered across the base of the dunes. The few residents who make their homes in the area rely on herds of camels for their livelihoods. The camel, native to the Gobi region, can travel over 100 miles without water.  Where your foot sinks right into the sand, making the task of traversing the dunes arduous, a camel’s broad, leathery feet spread out like snowshoes across the surface of the sand.

Unlike the jerky, bumpy experience of riding horseback, riding on a camel gives you the feeling of gliding over the dunes below as you relax into the gentle sway.

5. Learn to eagle hunt in the Altai Mountains

Eagle hunt in Altai Mountains

In the far reaches of western Mongolia in the Altai mountain range, the nomadic Kazakhs depend on golden eagles to hunt wildlife for sustenance. Young boys capture baby eagles from the nest and train them to hunt down rabbits, foxes, marmots, and sometimes wolves. A hunter will often work with the same eagle for nearly ten years before releasing it back into the wild.

While the trip overland from the capital to the Altai Mountains involves several days bumping along some of the worst road conditions imaginable, the rewards are plenty. Each year in October, when the weather cools down enough for the eagle hunters to descend from the high mountains, visitors can set out on horseback with a local eagle hunter to witness the early morning hunt. You’ll feel the weight of the 15-pound bird on your arm and maybe even help bring home a catch.

During the annual Eagle Hunting Festival, also in October, hunters gather for contests and demonstrations, and each day of the festival culminates in a celebration of traditional Kazakh dance and music.

– Lydia Schrandt

With claims of over 500 unique dishes, a world-renowned chef, and inspiration dating back to the Incas, Peru is emerging as the latest in global culinary hotspots. Ranging from the sweet taste of neon-colored Inca Kola, the savory tang of a lemon zested ceviche, and the just plain unusual look of a fully cooked Guinea Pig, enjoying a meal in Peru is an experience to remember. Here are nine mouthwatering dishes to tempt your tastebuds in Peru.

1. Lomo Saltado

Lomo Saltado

Pulling influence from the large Asian community residing in Peru, lomo saltado has become a signature dinnertime staple. Strips of sirloin steak are cooked in a wok, smothered in a soy sauce based layer and topped with onions, roasted vegetables and rice. Large steak fries complete the dish and taste even better doused in the lomo’s extra sauce. Taste one of the more renowned versions at Don Bosco in Lima’s Jesus Maria district. One dish will run you 15 soles, or less than six dollars!

2. Ceviche

Ceviche

Perhaps the most well known of all Peruvian dishes, ceviche takes on a whole new look and flavor in this country. Carefully selected pieces of fresh, raw fish are marinated in a lemon-based sauce, topped with onions, and served with a side of corn and sweet potato. While you can find this dish readily available throughout all of Peru, the coastal towns are naturally the prime spots to enjoy ceviche. Head to the often-overlooked fishing town of Chala on Peru’s Southern coast. For fewer than 20 soles ($8), try any of the town’s beachfront cafes for a plate of ceviche mixto that will introduce you to the true meaning of fresh fish.

3. Aji de Gallina

Aji de Gallina

Craving a meal of rich, buttery texture? Soft boneless chicken breast is smothered in a sauce of melted cheese, cream, grated nuts, and Peru’s traditional chili, aji to create the iconic dish of aji de gallina. Served with a mound of rice, half a boiled egg, and a side of olives, this dish is picture perfect with its yellow cream running across each plate. At celebrity chef Gaston Acurio’s restaurant chain Tanta, this dish will run you 29 soles, or roughly $11.

4. Picarones

Picarones

When your sweet tooth kicks in, head to Park Kennedy, the central attraction in Lima’s Miraflores neighborhood for a plethora of food cart options. Red-colored mobile shops sell all sorts of sweet varieties from freshly popped popcorn and churros, to slices of fruit. The star of the show however is the picarones truck. For just four soles enjoy these slices of squash and sweet potatoes, deep fried donut style and served piping hot with a thick helping of honeyed syrup. Endorsed by Ricardo Palma himself, picarones are the perfect snack for those lazy summer nights.

5. Pisco Sour

Pisco Sour

No meal would be complete without an accompanying cocktail, and when in Peru, you raise your glass with the Pisco sour. Long the source of a heated debate between Peru and Chile over the actual origin of the drink, the Pisco sour ignites a fierce sense of patriotic pride between both parties. Created with a base of Pisco, an alcohol derived from grapes and mixed with limejuice, bitters, and syrup, this cocktail makes one tangy sip. In typical nightlife fashion, this cocktail ranges in price depending on your location, but an average drink is 14 soles, or just five dollars. The secret ingredient? Egg whites are added to create that iconic, fluffy Pisco sour look.

6. Guinea Pig

Cuy

Travel is all about adventure, and the dining in Peru is no exception. When taking a risk on an all-Spanish menu, you may want to prepare yourself for the Andean delicacy, cuy. Served whole, you can expect an entire plate of roasted Guinea Pig, teeth included for 15 soles, or five dollars. Just make sure not to catch a glimpse of the live versions. Most restaurants usually tend their own farms of Guinea Pigs, often times keeping them in the very same kitchen your food has been prepared in. Still need some encouragement? Don’t miss the Peruvian version of The Last Supper on display in the Cathedral of Cusco. This version depicts Jesus and his disciples feasting on these very rodents.

7. Causa

Causa

One of Peru’s more artistic creations, causa can take on various shapes depending on its ingredients, and the mastery of its chef. Created by two sandwich layers of potato and filled with a variety of mixtures, this dish is the ideal blend of Peru’s renowned flavors. With filler options ranging from ceviche and lomo saltado to avocado and cheese, it’s easy to see why this dish has become a household staple. Throw together all your week’s leftovers and create your own original version at home. For the ultimate causa experience however, head to Lima’s Mi Causa, a restaurant that serves up a menu’s worth of varieties, all priced around 15 soles or five dollars.

8. Inca Kola

Inca Kola

Don’t let the neon yellow color fool you. Inca Kola has replaced Coca Cola’s popularity in Peru, so much so that the soft drink mega-company was forced to invest in this local beverage favorite. Drawing on the Peruvian’s love for anything linked to their illustrious history, and adding in a super sweet flavor (think less Coca Cola, and more Surge), Inca Kola has become a countrywide craze, and a source of national pride. For just 1.50 soles, you can pick up a bottle at the street carts lining almost every road in Peru.

9. Anticuchos

Anticuchos

Walking down the street of almost any city in Peru will grant you the warm, meaty smell of sizzling anticuchos. These slices of beef hearts are marinated and grilled to perfection, before being served shish kebab style. A plate of four skewers with a healthy serving of potatoes or corn will run you about 10 soles, or $4. The best part? These juicy mouthfuls are the perfect snack for a day on the run.

– Leora Novick

Quebec is one such fascinating city which is a great locale which boasts of a thousand kinds of attraction and which give you the greatest travel pleasures. So while you are here just get into this land of the greatest visual delights and bask in the glory of being in a land of surprises.

Go to the Quebec Aquarium and enjoy the sights that this lovely place has to offer. Situated very near the Bridge of Quebec or the Pont de Quebec this is undoubtedly the best place to visit in this part of the world and the most magnificent tourist experience.

Then there is the most interesting wildlife to be seen like the sight of the harp seals, walruses, polar bears. Go on the exciting tour of the underwater tunnel here and see the Sea World at San Diego.

Then you have the Quebec’s citadel to visit. Also called the Citadels de Quebec this is a fascinating place to be in for all history lovers. See the beautiful grounds covered with the majestic fortress cannons and the heavy artillery guns, and get enthralled by the beautiful sights here such as the Sicile building where there are many artifacts on display. Also see the loveliest medals and guns.

There is a change of guard event that is held by the soldiers here and these belong to the Royal 22nd Regiment and the whole thing is very akin to the change of guards at the Buckingham Palace in London.

Visit the Museum of Civilization and see the lovely attractions that are culturally viable here. Also called the Musee de la civilization this is another beautiful tourist sight and is a must see. Here you would learn a lot about the French settlements and the formation of this lovely and fascinating city of Quebec. In the museum you can see a lot of artifacts and also totems, besides a fire brigade carriage replica. The collections of guitar of Michel Rivard, and a Senegal African drum are the major displays in the museum.

Then visit the Ursulines Museum which is another interesting place to be in. Known as the Musee des Ursulines de Quebec, this is situated in the vicinity of the Museum of Civilization and is another must see in the city of Quebec. Here one comes to know about the Catholic Church, its history and also see the lovely embroidery lace works which are so typical of this place.

The Morrin Centre is another interesting place where one gets to see the best history of this place and can also know about this first ever prison in the city of Quebec.

Then as you go around you would also see Egyptian mummies, weapon collections and a stuffed black bear. There is a very beautiful library room and there are tours around old prison cells. Overall a very fulfilling experience and a must see if you are touring around Quebec.

Also see the National Museum of fine Arts where you get the best display of fine arts. Known as the Musee national des beaux arts du Quebec, this is a great place to be in and it is very relaxing to be surrounded by such talent. Situated in the Battlefields Park this has three buildings and it is the Charles Baillairge Building which has many collections on Inuit Art.

With more places to see, Quebec is certainly a nice place to be in and is a must see in the tour of fascinating cities in the world.

1. Visit Central Park

Central Park is nice at all times of the year!

Taking up 843 acres in the center of Manhattan, Central Park is a natural oasis that provides daily respite for visitor and locals alike. Bounded by Harlem, Midtown, and the Upper East and West sides, Central Park is filled with lakes, ponds, jogging paths, fountains, woodlands, monuments, concert stages, and massive green spaces under the sun.

Enjoy an afternoon in sunny Sheep’s Meadow or plying the lake in a rowboat. You’ll discover some of the best people-watching at Bethesda Fountain and on the Mall, where jugglers, skaters, and musicians entertain visitors year-round. Stroll the winding paths around the reservoir, over the Bow Bridge, or along the grassy hillsides. Visit the John Lennon memorial gardens at Strawberry Fields; across the street is Lennon’s former home in the Dakota apartment building.

Families will find much fun here, too. Climb to the top of Belvedere Castle for a view over the wooded Ramble, a popular photo opportunity, or take a spin on the Carousel. The Central Park Zoo is always a favorite, especially for a glimpse of sea lions frolicking about during feeding time. If you’re here in winter, you can ice skate at Wolman Rink. In summer, SummerStage cooks with weekly performances from top local and national acts, while Shakespeare in the Park draws crowds for its star-studded performances.

What’s great about Central Park is that no matter how busy it is, there’s always plenty of space to get away from it all.

2. Eat, Eat, Eat!

New York City is the food capital of the world, and this city of immigrants serves up an eclectic plate of flavors in every place from hole-in-the-wall pizzerias to elegant dining rooms with world-renowned chefs. You can pick out your lobster from the tanks in front of Chinatown restaurants or splash out on sushi in minimalist surroundings in Midtown. Even street food is tasty: pizza by the slice, hot dogs, pretzels, bagels with a smear of cream cheese, and a plethora of ethnic eats.

Head to Greenwich Village for steak frites and people watching at a French bistro, or indulge your appetite (and wallet) with fine culinary creations in one of Jean-Georges restaurants. Pizza is always a favorite, whether eating at Lombardi’s or John’s in Manhattan, or making the trek to Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn. Brunch is a New York specialty, be it pastries and iced tea in the smart sidewalk cafés of the Upper East Side or spicy huevos rancheros and syrupy Cuban coffee from an authentic East Village cantina. You’ll be happy to know you won’t go hungry.

3. See a Broadway Show

There’s something about seeing a blockbuster performance on Broadway. It’s walking through the bright lights of Times Square or a pre-show dinner at a bistro in the Theater District. It’s sitting in some of the most opulent settings imaginable, where lavish sets and creative costumes, romantic heroines and dashing heroes transport you into a fantasy world of Disney extravaganzas, splashy musicals, and tingling dramas.

Don’t miss a Broadway show when you’re in NYC!

New shows open in the autumn but you can see plenty of long-running performances, such as The Lion King at the Minskoff Theater, Mamma Mia! at the Winter Garden Theater, and Phantom of the Opera at the historic Majestic Theatre. Other long-running shows include Billy Elliot, Chicago, and Mary Poppins. It’s a must-do New York City experience. Most shows have matinee and evening performances.

4. Go on a Sightseeing Tour

One of the best ways to learn about New York City and get oriented in the process is to take a sightseeing tour. The Big Apple offers many different tours, from general to specialty, and on many different forms of transportation, from boat to helicopter. See iconic highlights like Central Park, the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and the World Trade Center site via bus and boat on the New York in One Day Sightseeing Tour. Take to the skies for a Big Apple Helicopter Tour of New York for a view of Ellis Island, the Chrysler Building, and Central Park from above. A New York City Hop-on Hop-off Tour enables you to create your own sightseeing itinerary, complete with a lively tour guide in tow.

For specialty tours, bring your appetite for a New York Dinner Cruise, where you can eat, dance, and watch a skyline sunset. Other specialty tours include World Trade Center Walking Tour, a Sex and the City Hotspots Tour, a Harlem Soul Food and Jazz Evening Tour, and a New York City Original Rock ‘n’ Roll Walking Tour.

5. Explore the Museum of Modern Art

See the famous Starry Night at MoMA

The coolest looking museum in New York City, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is a pretty impressive space. The museum’s 2004 renovation, designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, presents a stunning venue to view art, with a smart balance of space and light, high ceilings, gardens, and open rooms. Inside this extraordinary space is where you’ll see Monet’s Water Lilies, van Gogh’s Starry Night, and standout cutting edge works by Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Salvador Dali, and Frida Kahlo.

Outside, you can relax in Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, the site of occasional special events. The gift shop is worth spending some time in, too, as you can find many unique prints, books, jewelry, and gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Special exhibitions and events are held throughout the year.

- William Travis

Through shrewd investments a century or more ago, or by just being ahead of the crowds, some fabled beach resorts occupy such a prime stretch of real estate that it boggles the mind. South Seas Island Resort is one of those cases. On its own peninsula at the end of Captiva Island near Fort Meyers, Florida, this once-remote area has grown into a whole village that has 2.5 miles of white-sand beaches and enough activities to keep families going for a week.

I had trouble even figuring out how many “rooms” this place had and finally gave up on the math. There are a few conventional hotel-type rooms, but most of the lodging here is in something larger: condos, villas, or whole homes rented out by the owners. It all goes into one giant rental pool available to the reservations agents matching guests to the right set-up.

Family swimming pool: waterslides included

In my case we were in a three-bedroom condo where three generations of us were going to spend a cook-free Thanksgiving. We could cook when we wanted of course: there was a full and well-supplied kitchen in the condo. It had full appliances and good counter space. There were also three bedrooms, a fold-out sofa, and a nice screened-in balcony that looked out at the water.

Kids getting their iSpy bracelet after spotting some wildlife

We weren’t really there all that much though. With five real restaurants, a huge pool complex, tennis courts, and a great beach, you get all the expected diversions of a beach resort. That’s just part of it here though. The recreation staff tries to go far beyond the norm, with a family interactive center, a nature center, and the cool iSPY self-guided program for kids. Children get a map that has magnifying glasses where the iSPY spots are located. If the children find what can be spotted in that area, they get a colored bracelet from the stand. Each spot has a different color related to jumping fish, an osprey nest, brown pelicans, bobbing manatees, and more. The three girls in our group loved it and I never would have known I could see manatees swimming around the docks in the marina otherwise.

The well-manicured par-3 golf course keeps other guests busy, plus there are watersports, kayak tours, or fishing trips—all for an additional charge. Bike rentals are available as well and for most people it’s worth it: otherwise you need to rely on the not-so-frequent shuttle bus to get you from one side of the resort to the other. Since the pool complex is literally miles from some of the condo buildings, getting everyone on a bike makes a lot of sense.

Restaurants here run the range from simple quick-bite places to the formal Harbourside Bar and Grill with a good wine list and fresh seafood. We sampled most of them during our visit, spending Thanksgiving eating barbecue at Holy Smoke and hitting the Scoops pizza and ice cream diner multiple times.

A wall of candy in Scoops 50s-themed pizza joint

With a wall of candy for sale by weight, Scoops makes kids’ jaws drop, but parents get a kick out of all the retro candy for sale from their childhood.

The biggest negative about South Seas Island Resort is the hefty fee tacked on top of your already large lodging bill. Even for resort-fee-obsessed Florida, this one can come as a shocker for a large group or family: “For your convenience a resort fee of $15.00 per adult per day will be added to your room rate” Yes, you read that right: $15 per person per day! With five adults in our group, that added $75 a day for things like beach towels, internet, and parking—things included in the rates in many other destinations.

Most of the activities on the long list of daily activities require a fee, which ranges from modest ($10 coconut painting) to hefty ($300 family sailing clinic). Some others are complimentary, such as a morning turtle talk, family lawn games, and toddler sandcastle sessions.

This resort is a big draw for good reasons though and many families return here year after year—booking the same condo or buying a timeshare even. There are few places in the U.S. that can boast miles of private beaches and the water stays warm longer here than on the Atlantic side of Florida. The dining variety and the pools make this a big hit with the kids.

See Uptake’s South Seas Island Resort page or go to the resort website for reams of info on accommodation options, activities, and rates. With all the possibilities in this huge complex, it can sometimes be more productive to call them at 866-565-5089.

Review and photos by Tim Leffel, author of Travel Writing 2.0 and editor of Practical Travel Gear.

Palace Casino Resort rises from the rubble

Originally opened in January 1997 as the riverboat Palace Casino, Hurricane Katrina roared through Biloxi, Mississippi on the afternoon of August 28, 2005 and threw caution to the wind, taking the four-diamond  Palace Casino Resort with it. On my recent visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I had the pleasure of staying at the newly renovated Palace Casino Resort. Owner Robert Low and his wife Lawana said, “our success has never been based on the bricks and mortar, but rather the hard work of our dedicated associates.”

Expanded gaming floor

The Palace Casino Resort has added hundred of new slots – 1,100 slots to be specific – as well as a new table games pit to the new gaming floor. If you are a gambler, be sure to look into the player perks program. Not a gambler; you’ll find the best hotel rates online.

Palace Casino Resort King, room #701, with water view.

King deluxe suite

My king deluxe suite, room #701, included a water view of Biloxi’s Back Bay and complimentary internet access.  During Mardi Gras weekend, my room rented for $199 plus tax. I liked that my room was on a corner, away from the elevator. My room safe wasn’t working the first night, but after a call to house keeping, a maintenance man and security guard were on the scene and had the incorrectly installed battery working soon.

Dining options for every budget

On site dining at Palace Casino Resort includes fine dining, the Palace Buffet, three casual dining options and the Contact Lounge & Sports Bar. Opened on April 18, 2011, the Palace Buffet seats 300 and offers live action cooking stations, while Stacked grill features burgers,  sandwiches and specialty shakes. For the meat lovers in the group, Mignon’s Steaks & Seafood serves dinner Wednesday – Sunday. This California girl was impressed with the restaurant’s selection of wines.

Pure Spa

Try the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Massage & Body Treatment, 80 minutes for $150.

Palace Casino Resort Lobby features two business computers and printer

Insider Tip: For those of us who don’t enjoy smoke-filled casinos, the Palace Casino Resort is the only smoke free casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Palace Casino Resort on Twitter and like them on Facebook.  For additional information follow Mississippi Gulf Coast on Twitter.

Golf Package Deals

Sunday – Thursday: Starting at $145 per person
Friday – Saturday: Starting at $168 per person

Includes one night hotel accommodations at Palace Casino Resort and one round of golf at The Preserve Golf Club. $10.00 food credit per person per package day $10.00 slot credit per person per stay Prices are based on double occupancy / two golfers per room. All prices are tax inclusive.

• Dining room
• Safe
• Meeting rooms
• Jacuzzi
• Boats
• Non-smoking rooms
• Casino on site
• Atm/cash machine
• Wheel chair access
• In-room high-speed internet
• Express check-out
• Casino
• Parking – free
• Interior corridors
• Air conditioning

• Outdoor pool
• Modem
• Lounge/bar
• Security
• Coffee shop
• Accessible facilities
• Coffee/tea maker
• Dry cleaning
• Golf
• Cable or satellite tv
• Iron
• Pool
• Restaurant
• Room service

If You Go:

Palace Casino Resort (228) 432-8888 or (800) 725-2239

154 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California.

I was a guest of Palace Casino Resort

The locals here speak a variety of languages ranging from Malayalam to Tamil and from Telugu to French. French is the official language in the Union Territory, Tamil in the Government. Pondicherry has a lot of Tamil influence as it is near the state of Tamil Nadur. Koel, Squirrel, cannonball’s tree flower and Bael fruit tree occupy special position as the state bird, animal, flower and tree respectively.

A person who visits Pondicherry is bound to come back happy and elated as the whole city is like a fairyland, planned and organized. The Pondicherry Beach is a place where one can go rest and relax in peace. The sound of the waves coming through and the sun setting in the far horizon is a moment that one would like to capture forever. Pondicherry is supposed to be having one of the best beaches in India. The clear waters here and the sands that look like gold are the best attractions here. The beaches aren’t crowded like the other beaches which are overcrowded with too many tourists, vendors and other paraphernalia. One finds the Serenity Beach here and also the Paradise Beach. The Serenity Beach is as good as its name. It is extremely neat and tidy and is full of tranquility. The other beach is the Paradise Beach which is also equally clean and tidy and has water that is absolutely crystal clear. One can have lot of water sports here and a lucky tourist could also see the dolphin here. Here one can see a beautiful creek flowing on one side of the city. The other beach is the Promenade Beach where one can see a lot of monuments which are full of heritage value. There are lots of monuments on the shores of the beach here. WE also have the Auroville Beach which is situated around 12 kms from the main city. This beach is also frequented by people for its serenity.

Auroville is a small township near Pondicherry. Located in the district of Vilippuram in the Tamil Nadu State this was the infant of Mirra Alfassa who found this in the year 1968. She is today called the “mother” here in Puducherrry. Roger Anger an architect designed it and it was built to be known as a town for the entire world. People of all caste, creed, harmony and nationalities were allowed here. The whole idea of building this town was to promote unity. Auroville means the City Of Dawn.

Then we have the Sri Aurobindo Ashram that was founded by Sri Aurobindon in the year 1926. Sri Aurobindo then put Mira Alfassa in charge of the Ashram. Situated in the downtown region of Pondicherry, this is a place which is renowned for its serene and calm atmosphere. One who comes here goes back rejuvenate as the simple silence observed by the people here relaxes the mind and calms the brains. The greenery and the calmness here sets the wheels of progress in the mind rolling and one can get energized for the rest of his life. It has many charitable benefits and serves the public with medical facilities also. Here is where one can find the School for Perfect Eyesight by the very controversial Bates method. This institution guarantees restoring vision without glasses. There are cottage industries activities here and the yoga done here promises to change life completely. There are no rules to join here. Anyone can join the ashram and partake in its activities. Aurobindo Ashram only aims to achieve peace through service and love by spreading service in the world.

In this way Pondicherry with its pristine beauty and its virgin look is every bit a fascinating city. The ride up to this city is very memorable when one sees the policemen here dressed in their unique uniforms. Pondicherry today has retained its past glory and still manages to fascinate all the tourists. Frequented mostly by most of the foreigners the simple principle of live and let live here is the key to enjoy this place to the fullest.

I suspect that even Chuck Norris would quiver a little at the sight of Niagara Falls. I’m sure many turn up thinking they’re about to see one of the highest waterfalls in the world, but that’s a mistake. The Falls at Niagara aren’t particularly lofty, but they sure are powerful. It’s the force and volume of water passing over the brutalised escarpment that are spellbinding, not where the water is dropping from.

The falls at Niagara have the power of four Great Lakes behind them. The water is bottle-necked in the Niagara River after passing through the system in Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie and Michigan. It will eventually make its way to the Atlantic Ocean via Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River.

And this bottleneck, coupled with the need to drop elevation over the escarpment, has created what is justifiably one of the world’s greatest natural tourist attractions. Standing by the side of the falls, you can feel the ferocity as well as hear it. You’re constantly spat at from the angry, watery snake pit beneath the Horseshoe (or Canadian) Falls, where the river smashes and explodes after being thrown over the edge.

You can forget everything else at Niagara – it’s worth coming just to watch this constant bombardment, which is a reminder of how nature can easily pummel man’s best efforts into oblivion.

The Horseshoe Falls

Niagara’s Fury: The Creation of the Falls

Niagara Falls isn’t a peaceful spot (which perhaps befits the falls themselves). It has been turned into something of a resort town over the years. There are all manner of things to do – some great, some tacky. Fitting somewhere between the two is Niagara’s Fury: The Creation of the Falls. This ‘4D experience’ is divided into two parts. First up, you’re given a cheap plastic raincoat and shepherded into a room to watch a film about how Niagara Falls came to be on a big screen. It’s clearly aimed at the kiddy audience, with far more emphasis on graphics and talking animals than on the science.

Following that, you’re ushered into a separate room, where a screen stretches 360 degrees around the wall. The images flashing up on those screens – glacier, melting ice, lightning strikes and tumbling water – mirror the broad history. But the experience is multi-sensory – temperatures drop, snow blowers create a wintery storm, the floor jolts around in time to the lightning flashes and liberal amounts of water are repeatedly thrown over the mugs in the middle.

It’s good fun, if not exactly great value or what going to Niagara Falls is really about. If you’ve only got a limited time there, it’s probably best skipped.

Journey Behind The Falls

The same applies to the Journey Behind The Falls. Tickets for the two attractions can be bought as a combo, but the timed ticketing system is a shambles. I was given a 12.20 ticket when I needed to be back at the bus for 12.45. I got to the queue at 12.10, and it was so long that I didn’t get to the elevator that takes you down to the fall-side lookout until 12.30. Essentially, I had about three minutes down there before having to queue to get the elevator up again. Selling timed tickets is staggeringly pointless if they’re not limited or enforced.

Anyway, you’ve got a couple of holes to look through where you can see the water thundering down before your eyes, and another viewing platform where you can brave a forceful barrage of spray to sidle up right next to the falls. If you’ve got the time and the money, it’s possibly worth doing, but if it’s a case of picking one thing to leave out, this is probably the option to skip.

Maid of the Mist

On the flip side, if you’re choosing one thing to leave out on a visit to Niagara, it should on no account be the Maid of the Mist boat cruise. It may only last twenty minutes, and the boats may try and fit far too many people on for prime viewing comfort , but the experience is incredible. Again, everyone is given a cheap blue plastic raincoat – it looks disturbingly like a marker for those about to be sent to their death by an evil harbourmaster.

Maid of the Mist at the American Falls

You soon stop worrying about not being able to get room at the edge of the deck as the boat takes off towards the American Falls. These are, in a way, more picturesque. The water rages over the top, then cascades its way through the fallen rocks at the bottom. The boat gets up pretty close, and you get a proper perspective on the ferocity of the water thrown over the edge. But only 10% of the water goes over the American Falls, and it’s when the boat starts inching its way into the chasm created by the Horseshoe Falls that the excitement really builds. Position doesn’t matter, as people soon realise that trying to take photos is an exercise in futility. The angry squall of the fracturing water plumes ensures a good shower for all. Cameras go away to the safety of pockets and the thrill of being sucked into an apocalyptic maelstrom becomes the joy. It’s one of those classic experiences where living in  the moment is far more important than trying to capture it.

Maid of the Mist cruise from above

The journey back to Toronto

It takes ninety minutes to two hours to drive back to Toronto, but there are a couple of worthwhile stops on the way. The town of Niagara on the Lake is everything that the town of Niagara Falls is not. The latter is a mini-Vegas, all giant hotels, casino resorts and rather tacky tourist attractions. Niagara on the Lake is a cute little 19th century time-warp, where no shop can sell too many antiques or too much fudge.

It’s also noticeable that there are a fair few vineyards on the outskirts of Niagara On The Lake. Believe it or not, Canada does have a wine industry and it has to be remembered that Niagara is roughly level with southern Oregon or the South of France. White varietals do best, but ice wine is the regional specialty. This is ultra-sweet and is made when the water inside the grape is frozen – the grapes have to be picked and pressed in the middle of night during the coldest hours of winter.

On the way back to Toronto, we stop at the Niagara College Teaching Winery, where students learn about viticulture and help with the wine-making process. We get three glasses to try, including an ice wine. I can’t say I’m overly impressed with any of them, but I can see who the ice wine would work for. There’s potential there.

Wine tasting at the Niagara College Teaching Winery

Of course, wine is just the ticket to make everyone sleepy for the drive back. It’s a fairly long day, but it’s unquestionably worth it. In fact, it’s worth it just for the falls and the Maid of the Mist Cruise. Anything else is just a bonus.

- David Whitley

Across the world, the festival is celebrated in the countries of Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Guyana, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago and Malaysia besides, Suriname and Singapore. Diwali is actually “Deepavali” which in Sanskrit means the row of lamps.

During this festival small lamps are made of clay, painted and then lit with oil. The festival actually celebrates the victory of good over evil. People are replete with celebrations and are filled with joy and enthusiasm as they welcome the goodness to prevail in the society. Everyone is happy and there is lot of exchange of greetings and sweets.

Hindus believed that this is the time the Indian god Lord Rama came back to the city of Ayodhya with his consort Sita and brother Lakshman after their 14 year banishment. The subjects in celebration light lamps along the road to show their joy and also burst crackers. So the time of Diwali sees everyone having a lot of fireworks and enjoying the glitz and glamour that is traditionally attached to this festival.

Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali which all the communities in business respect and revere as it augments the beginning of the financial year. The Naraka Chaturdashi is the second day of the festival of Diwali and it signifies the victory of the Indian god Lord Krishna over the demon Naraka. Then there is the third day which signifies worship to the Indian Goddess of Wealth Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that if one prays to Goddess Lakshmi then the full year would be prosperous. Then Diwali is on the fourth day when it is believed that the king Bali went to Patala and started his kingdom there. The fifth day of Diwali is the Yama Dvitiya or Bhai Dooj and it is on this day that the sisters invite all their brothers to come home.

Diwali signifies brightness so whatever darkness we have seen in the year is believed to have been wiped out by the lights that we light during this festival of brightness. It is believed that these lights will take us closer to God and the sound of fire crackers will announce to the world that we are strong and we have landed. It also signifies that we have to be aware of our inner conscience.

Diwali is a time for forgiveness and happiness. Enjoy it.