Liverpool is, of course, most famous for being the city that spawned
The Beatles. But there is much more to this fascinating city’s past
than just the Fab Four. Recent years have seen extensive re-development
in the city and Liverpool is once again on the up swing in terms of
popularity. The docks have been rejuvenated, there is a thriving
cultural scene and the city is today renowned all over the UK for its
nightlife. Once again on the up, Liverpool is well worth a visit for
any visitor.

Places of interest:

WORLD MUSEUM LIVERPOOL continues to be a favourite with locals and
visitors alike. From the creepy Bug House and brand-new Aquarium to The
Natural History Centre and Treasure House Theatre, families will find
enough to keep them coming back for years.

WALKER ART GALLERY is known as the National Gallery of the North.
It houses an internationally important collection of art from the 14th
to the 20th century. The collection is especially rich in European Old
Masters, Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite pictures and modern British works.

MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL LIFE Celebrate the unique character of this
vibrant city and its contribution to national life in three fascinating
galleries – City Lives, The River Room, and City Soldiers. Other
galleries include Mersey Culture – from Brookside to the Grand National
- Making a Living and Demanding a Voice.

TATE LIVERPOOL is housed in a beautiful converted warehouse; Tate
Liverpool is one of the largest galleries of modern and contemporary
art outside London. Home to the National Collection of Modern Art in
the North with exhibitions from 1900 to the present day, the Tate holds
regular introductory tours, exhibition talks and lectures as well as
free family events every Sunday.

MERSEYSIDE MARITIME MUSEUM This award-winning attraction tells the
story of Liverpool’s seafaring heritage and the Merchant Navy, from its
role in the transatlantic slave trade to obtaining one of the finest
collections of shipping records in the UK

THE BEATLES STORY is where you can experience the greatest pop
story the world has ever known; in the city where it all began. This
multi-award winning attraction tells the personal tales of Liverpool’s
favourite sons, including a full-size replica of the Cavern Club, Abbey
Road studios, a walk-through the Yellow Submarine and The White Room.
New sections include ‘Paul McCartney: The Solo Years’ and the ‘Living
History’ Audio Tour featuring the voices of the Fab Four’s most
influential figures.

Things to do:

Guided tours are a great way to see the city. Taking you to places and
visiting attractions, which you might otherwise miss. From the Beatles
to Cathedrals, Sports tours and murder mysteries, Liverpool is awash
with outstanding tours each guaranteed to make your visit truly
memorable. If you want to get the family out and about, and get a dose
of history and wildlife at the same time, take a trip along the Leeds
and Liverpool Canal. You can travel along the canal by boat or cycle or
walk the canal path. Croxteth Hall Country Park is an excellent choice
for parents who want to give the kids a run around away from the city
centre. Or visit Chester Zoo and see lions, tigers and giraffes.

CROXTETH HALL& COUNTRY PARK is one of the major heritage
centres of the North West. Visit The Historic Hall, Croxteth Home Farm
(great for kids) and the Victorian Walled Garden. Entrance to the park
is free.

CHESTER ZOO offers a fun and stimulating days out for everyone, no
matter what age or ability. As well as 500 different species of animals
and award-winning gardens, it offers first class facilities that ensure
your days out really are as enjoyable as possible.

CAVERN CITY TOURS can organise day trips and weekend packages to
suit every Beatle fan. You can even take a trip on the real Magical
Mystery Tour. They also present the International Beatle Week Festival
in August.

AINTREE RACECOURSE is the beloved home of the Grand National.
Aintree Racecourse hosts a range of professional and amateur events
throughout the year.

Food & Drink:

Liverpool’s restaurant scene has blossomed over the past decade with
new eateries seemingly popping up overnight. The city’s ethnic
diversity has led to a wide range of dining choices when it comes to
style. Being home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe has meant a
plethora of Chinese restaurants, a significant proportion of which lie
in the city’s Chinatown. However, one of the most impressive actually
looks out over the River Mersey from a marvellous vantage point on
Columbus Quay.

Blundell Street Restaurant (near Kings Dock) offers a modern take
on the classic Sinatra-era cabaret lounges. International cuisine mixes
with the best crooners in town to complete a very lively night out, so
if you remember the glory days of the Rat Pack or simply want your meal
to go with a swing then this is the place to go.

Sapporo Teppanyaki Restaurant is where the preparation of food is
pure entertainment. Expert chefs flaunt their outstanding skills and
creative flair to ensure that every meal is unique.

60 Hope Street has been voted Best Merseyside Restaurant of the
Year four times. This haven for European cuisine offers modern dining
at a very reasonable price, though you are advised to book early.

Colin’s Bridewell restaurant is set in an Old Police Station,
Colin’s upstairs dining room is light and airy whilst downstairs, and
five original cells offer the ideal venue for a private party.

Liverpool Hotels & Accommodation:

Liverpool’s extensive range of hotels, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses,
and self-catering accommodation offer a wide range of style and price.
Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels to medium-priced hotels,
family-run bed & breakfasts and self-catering apartments in the
city centre.

Park Lodge

The Suites Hotel

Aachen Hotel

Campanile Hotel Liverpool

The Feathers Hotel

Regent Maritime Hotel

Thistle Liverpool

Days Serviced Apartments Liverpool

The Dolby Hotel

Liverpool City Centre Premier Travel Inn

Radisson SAS Liverpool

Hope Street Hotel

Hanover Hotel

The Sir Thomas Hotel

ThrostlesNest Hotel

Entertainment

In a city with such a wealth of musical achievement, you would expect a
dazzling, diverse and vibrant nightlife. And that’s exactly what
Liverpool offers. Performing arts in Liverpool have a renowned
reputation and famous city theatres have hosted performances by
writers, directors, actors and actresses who have gone on to become
world-famous names in the world of theatre, film and television.

FACT (a centre for Film, Art and Creative Technology) is located in
the centre of one of the city’s growing nightlife scene. The specially
and strikingly designed building houses cinemas, studios and other
venues giving Liverpool another state-of-the-art performing arts venue
and creative centre.

ALBERT DOCK WATERFRONT complex contains bars, restaurants and club
venues including an award-winning comedy club and other venues popular
with soccer stars, local television personalities and other celebrities.

LIVERPOOLEMPIRE THEATRE is the largest two-tier theatre in the UK
and still leads the way, with one sell-out performance after another.

LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL is the home to the Royal Liverpool
Philharmonic Orchestra and a broad spectrum of rock, jazz, world,
contemporary music and comedy. Watch classic films on its unique
Walturdaw rising cinema screen.

Liverpool is full of tradition. Music, Maritime and Sporting history
dominates this city. Add this to the cultural history on show and the
regeneration that has made it the European City of Culture for 2008
this is a city that cannot be missed.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/liverpool-city-guide-including-liverpool-hotels-32980.html

|29f455421f2895b2e97443d06ad2623e|

Biography
Name: Maria Williams
Website: http://www.sleepuk.com
Biography: Maria writes for Sleep UK
providers of discounted uk hotels

HAITI: THE MAGIC LAND

By Alejandro Guevara Onofre

INTRODUCTION

In 1492 Christopher Columbus wrote about Haiti: “The most beautiful in the world”. Certainly, Haiti is a wonderful country in the Caribbean. I think that has a special beauty, with a geography and traditional culture that is totally different from all the other countries in Latin America.

Now, this essay is a historical information about Haiti, the first black republic in the modern history and one of the poorest nations on Earth. Each chapter provides details on history, economy, biographies, sport, awards, foreign relations, culture and other important aspects of Haiti. The people that don’t know Haiti very much think that Haiti is only one of the world’s poorest countries, but the Island is known for its traditional culture, hospitality, superstitions, history. Furthermore, Haiti is the home to National Park History, one of the ancient wonders of the world, and renowned women such as Edwidge Danticat and Michaëlle Jean were born there.

Since then, the dictatorships have destroyed Haitian society, economy, ecology and sport. Since 1950, two million Haitian people emigrated to the United States and other countries. Haitian-American arrived from Haiti with nothing more than their clothes. If we compare the Haiti of today to Haiti of thirty years ago, we see a change: a new multiparty democracy. Today, a vast part of the Third World and more than a billion people are under dictatorships.

Eventually, I would like to finish my introduction with a message by Albert Mangones: “Haiti is unique in history, going directly from slavery to nationhood”.

CHRONOLOGY:

1492: Columbus discovered Haiti in the 15th Century.

1520-1697: Haiti is a Spanish territory. In the late 1500 and early 1600, African slaves flocked to Island.

1697-1790: Haiti is a French colony. After 16th Century, Haiti became the most important French colony in the Americas. Island´s export to Europe included sugar, coffee and corn. The beauty of Haiti is recognized by the French in the mid-1700 Century, when they called it “Pearl the Caribbean”.

1790-1803: During the French colonization slaves suffers from maltreatment. By the late 1790, pro-independence demonstrations. An Anti-slavery movement under Toussaint L´Ouverture began. L´Ouverture is one of the most important black leaders in the history.During this period of time, Haitian slaves attack villages. Anti-French protests riots brutally suppressed. By the late 1803, under leadership of Jean Jacques Dessalines, Haiti army defeated the French forces at the Battle of Vertieres.

1804-1806:A French colony for more than hundred years, Haiti becomes independent, one of the most important events in the history. Jean Jacques Dessalines became the first president of new republic of Haiti, the first black republic in the modern history. Dessalines is the “Father of Modern Haiti”. Haiti occupies the Western third of Hispaniola, the second-largest Island in the Caribbean.

1804-1820: Unfortunately; Haiti is divided into two zones. Northern Haiti is occupied by Henri Christopher, who is named Emperor, while the north is occupied by Alexander Petion. Petion is probably the greatest Haitian politician who ever lived.

1880: Haiti has one of the richest ecosystems in the Caribbean.

1900: Haiti´s modern political has been tumultuous, marked by dictatorships

1915-1934: Haiti has not had an effective national government Invasion by United States forces. US troops sent to Haiti during civil sub-war.

1918: The Presidential Palace, one of the best national palaces in the world, is originally designed by the Haitian Georges Bassan. Bassan is inspired to White House Washington.

1926: Emily Greene Balch, a human rights activist, went to Haiti.

1928: Cator is the only Haitian ever to win olympic silver medal. After, Haitian athlete Sylvio Cator breaks the men’s long jump record in Paris. Cator was given a hero’s welcome when he returned to his country.

1937: In the Dominican Republic, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo ordered national troops to massacre of 20000 Haitian emigrants.

1940-1950: Haiti is one of the most popular travel destinations in the Caribbean.

1944: Dewitt Peters, an American school-teacher, founded the Centre d’Art in Port -au-Prince Since 1944, Centre d’Art became the centre of the Haitian painting. It is now one of Haiti´s biggest tourist attractions, and every year thousands of people came to see the paintings and other work of Haitian art.

1945: Haiti becomes the 26th member of the United Nations in October.

1956: Haiti establishes diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan).

1956: Daniel Fignolé is President of the Provisional Council and Head of State of Haiti

1957-1971:After working for a time as a traditional doctor, Francois Duvalier became one of Haiti’s most famous doctors. In 1957, Duvalier is elected President of the Republic of Haiti. President Duvalier announced: “My government will guarantee the exercise of liberty to all Haitians”. Francois Duvalier, also known for his nickname “Papa Doc”, emerged as Head of State and quickly gained nearly absolute power. In 1961 “Papa Doc” rewrote the National Constitution. After, he became the first “President for Eternity of Haiti”. In the 1960s and 1970s “Papa Doc” popularizes superstitions ideas to Haiti through a series of important voodoo rites. The Duvalier dictatorship instituted rig press censorship. International agencies accuse government of grave human rights abuses. His regime of terror resulted in the deaths of least 30000 Haitian. The Island is one of the most dangerous countries in the Third World.

1957-1981: Haitian First Lady Simone Ovide became one of the most dominant women in the history of Haiti. Simone, wife of the most famous dictator of Haiti, gained in influence and power through corruption and crime.

1957-1989: For many decades, Haiti does not have diplomatic relations with the USSR, People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Hungary, South Africa and East Germany.

1960: The Tonton Macoutes, the brutal secret police, initiated a “Haitian genocide” in which political prisoners were tortured and executed.

1964: Joseph Eduard Gaetjens, the idol of millions of Haitians, is arrested and killed by the Tonton Macoutes, the sinister Haitian secret police. Like John Barnes (Jamaica) and Everald “Gally” Cummings (Trinidad Tobago), he was a great footballer in the Caribbean. After, Gaetjens become a world symbol of the struggle against dictatorship in the Third World. He had dual Haitian and American nationality and played at 1950 World Cup for the United States. Son of Haitian mother and Belgium father, he played for many clubs in the United States. The year 1950 was a very important year for Gaetjens: the United States beat England 1-0, the birthplace of the modern football.

1964: Francois Duvalier changed the national flag. Black and red are the colors chosen by Duvalier. Black, which is similar to the Angolan flag, represents the descendants of the patriot Francois Toussaint L’Ouverture and is also the traditional color of the Haitian people. While, red symbolizes the country`s independence. But the original flag, used since 1803, was removed in 1986 by order of the new government.

1966: Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, arrives in Port-au-Prince. Under the leadership of Dictator Francois Duvalier, many African countries maintain official diplomatic relations with Haiti.

1967: The Comedians, a film by British director Peter Glenville, inspired in the cruel Haitian dictatorship by the Duvalier family.

1971: After Duvalier’s death, power passed to his son Jean Claude Duvalier, the man who became known throughout the world as “Baby Doc”. Baby Doc is as dictatorial as his father. Haiti is ruled by iron hand. Duvalier, best known for his anticommunist political, is omnipresent. Many opposition leaders were arrested. He is accused of human rights abuses. Thousand of Haitian people fled the country. Corruption is prevalent at all levels of government. The health system is one of the worst in the Americas.

1974: The sporting system is one of the worst in the Third World, but Haiti qualified for the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Haiti beat Trinidad-Tobago in the World Cup qualifiers. Is one of the greatest sporting moment, in the chronology, comparing it to something like Sylvio Cator, who won a silver medal in long jump in the 1928 Olympics Games in Holland.

1975: In El Salvador, Miss Haiti, Gerthie David, is named first runner up at Miss Universe Pageant… transmitting live to millions by CBS. After, Gerthie David is acclaimed in Port-au-Prince as a national heroine. Miss Haiti competed with 71 other women from around the world for the title of Miss Universe, including Miss USA, Summer Barthollomew.

1980: Like Canada, West Germany South Korea and Kenya, Haiti boycott the Moscow Olympic Games in protest for Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

1980-1986: Jean-Claude Duvalier, Haiti’s longtime dictator, married Michelle Bennett, an aristocratic lady. A little more than three months later, Bennett-Duvalier becomes First Lady of Haiti. Like Eva Peron (Argentina) or Jiang Qing (People’s Republic of China), she was a woman with great power. Michelle Bennett promoted her mulatto countrymen to positions of leadership in the dictatorship at his expense of the African-Haitians.

1982: The National History Park (La Citadelle Laferriere, Sans Souci Palace and Ramiers) is designated as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Like Machu Picchu (Peru) and Angkor What (Cambodia), the National History Park is considered among the wonders of the world.

1982: Ronald Agenor wins a gold medal in men’s tennis singles at the Central American and Caribbean Sports Games La Havana. He captures the hearts of the Island.

1983: Pope John Paul arrives in Haiti for a visit. “Things most change here”, said John Paul II.

1986: As Jean-Claude consolidated his power, he consistently refused to consider constitutional reform. The insurrection against the dictator Jean Claude Duvalier began…Antigovernment protesters in the capital. Many deaths, injuries and arrests. Seeming end to long Haitian dictatorship with fall of Duvalier regime.

1987: Haiti has one of the America’s rates of HIV infection

1987: The New Constitution restored many of the liberties abolished by the Duvalier family. The National Constitution recognizes both French and Creole as official languages. A new opposition emerged under Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

1988: Writer Rene Depestre wins the Prix Ranandot. Depestre, a Haitian dissident now living in France, was cited his novel Hadriana dans tous mes reves. By the mid-1980s Rene Depestre had become well known in literacy circles outside Haiti.

1990: Ertha Pascall-Trouillot becomes the first black woman elected of head of state in the world.

1990: First multi-party elections. Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a charismatic black leader, was elected president of Haiti. Aristide is the first democratic president since 1804.He was elected with the most popular support of any Haitian presidential candidate in the history.

1991: Military coup in the country. Raoul Cedras, leader of the coup, emerged as head of the new government. This year marked the end of eight months of democracy. Under new government, all political parties were dissolved.

1991-1995: Like Equatorial Guinea, Cuba and North Korea, Haiti has one of the most serious human rights problems in the Third World.

1993: United Nations imposed economic sanctions on Haiti, one of the most densely populated nations in the Americas.

1994: Peaceful occupation by United States forces to restore democratic electoral system. Raoul Cedras and his family went into exile in Panama City. Aristide was restored to power.

1995: In Port-au-Prince, sub-war violence includes assassination of Meireille Durocher Bertin.

1995: In Beijing, the capital of city of the People’s Republic of China, Haiti participated in the UN`s Fourth World Conference on Women

1996:More than 5,000 Haitians had been killed and miles more fled to abroad, United States, Canada, Bahamas and Dominican Republic, since 1991.

1998: Haitian president Renè Garcia Preval arrives in Taipei (Taiwan) for a four-day state visit. He and President Lee will sign a communiqué to strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation.

1999: Dominican president Leonel Fernandez visit to Haiti as part of a new diplomacy.

2002: In Paris, Dudley Dorival finished 3rd in the 110 hurdles at the World Championships. He becomes the 1st Haitian to win an individual international medal since 1928.Dorival was born in New Jersey, United States, to Haitian parents on 1 September 1975. He in 2000 officially became a citizen of Haiti.

2000: Haiti is one of the thirty poorest countries in the Third World.

2000-2001: The elections were boycotted by the main opposition political parties. Aristide was again elected President. Widespread violent in Haiti allege that Aristide’s election victory is fraudulent. Total political censorship exists in national media.

2004: This year Haiti is celebrating the 200th Anniversary of their National Independence. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti flees to Central African Republic following anti-government demonstrations. Haiti has one of the most violent conflict areas in the Americas. After, UN troops sent to Haiti during civil sub-war.

2006: Rene Preval is sworn in as President of Haiti. Since the peaceful transfer of power in February, Haiti is the newest democracy in the Third World.

ECONOMY

Like Bangladesh, Uganda or Tanzania, Haiti is one of the poorest countries on Earth. In 1997, the Haiti’s economic growth rate (real GDP) per capita was U$ 1,300. GDP per capita for Namibia, Botswana and Equatorial Guinea are higher than for Haiti. In the country 4 million people living on less than U$2 a day. More than 6 million of the Haiti’s population still does not have access to potable water and electricity. For years of dictatorships had left the country’s economy in ruins. The country dependent on international aid. Several hundred thousand farm workers migrate each year to Dominican Republic.

In 1997, total exports for the year were U$110 million, while total imports were US$ 486 million. Since 1804, the US market has been the most important export destination for Haiti. Nearly 80 percent of Haiti’s total exports are destined for the United States. Haiti’s exports include sisal, mangoes, coffee, cotton, bauxite, and sugar. The Island’s imports from the United States include cement, oil, food, machinery and transport equipment. France has been the second largest exports destination for Haitian products.

In the past, the tourism industry occupied an eminent place in the Haitian economy, but several political problems have blocked tourism. Haiti was the first country in the Caribbean to promote tourism in an accelerated form. Haiti is a small country with vast mountains, tropical beaches and beautiful historic buildings.

CULTURE

Like Katherine Dunham, Lillian Hellman, W.B. Seabrook, Erik Leonard Ekman, Alejo Carpentier, Selden Rodman, Noel Coward and Angeline Jolie, many people say that Haiti is the most beautiful country in the Caribbean. Known as the “Magic Land”, Haiti is famous for its culture. Certainly, Haiti its culture, its superstitions and its music. The superstitions or voodoo plays a profound role in the lives of many Haitians. The voodoo was introduced into Haiti in the late 16th Century. Haiti is also famous for its painting, and finally for its ruins…for example the Sans Souci Palace, the most famous ruins in the Caribbean. Exactly, this enigmatic palace is considered a Cultural Heritage for Humanity by UNESCO. Originally constructed by black slaves, now Sans Souci is one of Haiti’s main tourist attractions.

Since the late 1940s, Haitian painting, best known as “naïve art” or “intuitive art”, is famous all around the World. The most important figure was Hector Hyppolite. His work made its biggest splash in the United States in the 20th Century. Other artists known internationally include Rigaud Benoit, Castera Bazile, Joseph Jean-Giles and Jean-Baptista Bottlex.Haiti is famous for its traditional sculpture. The best Haitian sculptor is Albert Mangoes.

FAMOUS HAITIAN

Nelust Wyclef Jean (singer/Haitian-American): Original member of 1990s hip hop group The Fugees. Wyclef Jean is probably the most popular Haitian singer of all time. Jean was born in Croix des Bouquets (Haiti) on October 17, 1972. When he was just ten years old, he moved to the United States. Under leadership of Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill, The Fugees had several hits in the 1990s, including The Score (The Score album sold 6 million copies). Since 1997, Wyclef Jean, as soloist, became well-known on the international music scene. Like songwriter and producer, Jean collaborated with superstars as Santana, Withney Houston, Mick Jagger,Bono,Tevin Cambpell, Bounty Killer, Eric Benet, Sarah Connor, Claudette Ortiz, Tarkan, Michael Jackson, Youssou N´Dor, Shakira, Olga Tañon, Carlos Ponce and Julio Voltio. During the last seven years, he has sold more than 10 millions albums worldwide. In 2002, his single Masquerade was a great success.

Since then, Wyclef Jean is a man that always works with love for Haiti, one of the World’s poorest countries. Recently, he makes perhaps his best work: “Yele Haiti”, a foundation which works for the human development in the Island. Like Miriam Makeba in South Africa or Bianca Jagger in Nicaragua, Jean loves his roots. In an interview for Magazine, Wyclef Jean discussed about Haitian roots: “I am 100% Haitian. I am proud to be Haitian. I still have my Haitian passport. I represent Haiti in everything that I do. Every head in the industry knows that I am Haitian…they know what I’m about. I was Haitian forst. Haitian till die!”, said Jean.

Discography: Wyclef Jean Present the Carnival Featuring the refugee All-Stars (1997) / The Ecleftic:2 Sides II a Book/ Masquerade (2002) / The Preacher’s (2003)/ Sak Pasé Presents: Creole 101( 2004) /Hips Don’t Lie (with Shakira, 2006).

SPECIAL AWARDS

Gerthie David “The Black Goddess”

In 1975, many Haitian people were shocked to open their newspapers and see photographs of Gerthie David Miss Haiti in El Salvador. On the night of July 19th 1975, in San Salvador, Gerthie David, Miss Haiti, was the second black woman to first runner-up in the history of Miss Universe Pageant. After winning the Miss Haiti title, Gerthie went to San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador, to enter the Miss Universe Contest. The competence was exhausting, very hard, for example Miss Bolivia, Jackeline Gammarra, great favorite, was eliminated. This day, Miss Haiti looks like a black goddess. Her exotic beauty and charming personality are amazing! At 1,72m in height, she was the best in the evening gown competition, but her speech about the Haitian superstitions swayed thousands of applauses in the 25th Edition of the Contest. Certainly, Miss Haiti captive to the judges Sarah Vaughan (American black singer), Maribel Arrieta (Miss El Salvador 1955 and First runner-up at Miss Universe 1955), Jean Claude Killy (French sportsmen) and Leon Uris(American writer ).

When Bob Barker, the host this pageant, announces the final placements, Gerthie was cheered by the entire auditorium. Suddenly, her pulse rate beats at thousand per minute… “First runner-up is Miss Haiti!”, said Barker. She was one of the most exotic delegates in all history of Miss Universe. In the 1970s, Gerthie David was a model from Port-au Prince and she became a symbol to the Haitian youth. Next months, in London, Joelle Apollon, Miss Haiti-World, came in sixth place at Miss World 1975.After sixteen years, Marjorie Vincent, formerly Miss Illinois 1991,won the title of Miss America Pageant. The first Miss America to originate from the Caribbean. In other words, Marjorie Vincent has Haitian roots. Furthermore, she was the second black woman to win the pageant.

SPORTS

Like in Brazil or Italy, the football is the most popular sport in Haiti. Certainly, the national pastime is the football. A different of the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico, the Haitian people don’t like the baseball. In the 20th Century, football became the most popular sport in the Island, thanks to such heroes as Sylvio Cator, Joseph Gaetjens and Emmanuel Sanon. In 1974 Haiti qualified for the World Cup in Germany.

Emmanuel Sanon was one of the Haiti’s most popular players and played at the 1974 World Cup. Sanon made a great contribution to Haitian football because he played in more World Cup qualifiers any other Haitian. He is still very popular with local fans. Other phenomenal talent was Joseph Eduard Gaetjens. He represented both Haiti and the United States. He made FIFA World Cup History: When scored United States opening goal in the 1950 World Cup against England. Joseph came to the United States in the 1940s to play in the American Soccer League. His beautiful play in the Brookhattan Club made in a national star. In 1953, he played for Haiti for the first time.

It’s practically impossible to talk about Haitian athletes without mentioning Sylvio Cator. He is a legend in this sport. Cator won the silver medal in the long jump at 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. Cator returned home to a hero’s welcome. From 1928 to 1930, he was record man in the long jump. Cator was a marvelous jumper and footballer. He also played an important role in popularizing football in the Island (it was the captain of Haitian National Team).

Since then, he is an example for young people in Haiti. He died in November 1938, but today the people of Haiti still think of him with respect. Many years after Cator’s death, the National Stadium in Por-au-Prince was renamed in his honor. Cator was the first of the great Caribbean sportsmen that would come to dominate world track and field.

FAMOUS ATHLETES

Bruny Surin (Canada-Haiti/track field)/ Edrick Floreal (Canada-Haiti/track field)/ Samuel Dalembert ( USA-Haiti/basketball) / Ronald Agenor (USA-Haiti/tennis)/ Sylvio Cator (track and field)/ Yves Jeudy (Box)/ Dieudonne Lamothe (marathon)/ Ludovic Augustin (shooting)/ Ludovic Volborge (shooting)/ Joseph Eduard Gaetjens (Haiti-USA/football)/ Dudley Dorival (track field)/ Fitz Plantin Andre (football)/ Emmanuel Sanon (football)/ Josmer Altidore (Haitian-American/football).

Dudley Dorival (track and field): Dudley Dorival was born on 1 September 1975 in Elizabeth (New Jersey, USA). Dorival is the son of Haitian parents and got Haitian nationality just in time for the XXVII Summer Olympics Games. Since the 2000 Olympics, Dudley Dorival has competed in international competitions under the banner of Haiti. In Sydney (Australia) Dorival finished 7th in the 110m hurdles. He became the first Haitian to Olympic finalist since Yves Jeudy (boxer) in 1976. He won the silver medal at the 1994 World Junior Championship, the bronze at the 2001 World Chanpionship and the gold medal at the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games El Salvador. Dorival is one of the best sportsman in the history of Haiti.

FAMOUS WOMEN

Michaëlla Jean (Governor-General of Canada)/ Yvonne Neptune (former Prime Minister)/Claudette Werleigh (Prime Minister 1995-1996)/Lina Blanchet (singer)/ Edwidge Danticat (writer)/ Michelle Bennett Duvalier(First Lady of Haiti 1981-1986)/ Luce Turnier (painter)/ Ertha Pascal-Trouillot (Head of State 1990-1991)/ Marie Casimir (journalist) / Sonia Sekula (Painter) / Marie Chauvet (writer)/ Suzanne Comhaire-Sylvain (writer)/ Carmen Brouard (singer)/Dayana Bennett (journalist and actress) / Elie Price (singer)/ Blanche Bosselman (singer)/ Lina Mathon (singer)/ Georgette Moliere (singer)/ Simone Ovide Duvalier (First Lady of Haiti 1957-1981)/ Marleine Bastien (human rights leader)/ Garcelle Beauvais (actress and model)/ Deborah Saint-Phard (track and field)/ Antoinette Gauthier (track and field), Louise Pierre (track and field)/ Rose Gauthier (track and field)

Edwidge Danticat (writer): One of the Caribbean’s most famous writers in the 21st Century. She has written several novels and collections of shore stories, including Kri? Kra!, nominated for a National Book Award. Danticat attracted international attention in 1997 when she wrote perhaps her most famous novel Farming of the Bones, a story about genocide Haitians under the repressive dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo.

Garcelle Beauvais (actress): She is the first Haitian actress to star on television. Although she has lived in the United States for many years, the actress and former fashion model Garcelle Beauvais was born in Saint Marc, a city in Haiti, in 1966. She is perhaps best known for her role as Francesca Monroe on TV’s the Jamie Foxx Show. Like Gerthie David, Joelle Apollon, Evelyn Miot, and Marjorie Vincent, she has the classic beauty of the Haitian black woman

REFERENCES:

-Bennet Patterson, Carolyn.”Haiti: Beyond mountains, more mountains”, National Geographic, Washington DC, January 1976

-Bishop,Randa. “Imponentes monumentos haitianos”, Americas, Washington DC, enero-febrero 1987

-Cobb,Charles. “Haiti against all odds”, National Geographic, November 1987

-Encyclopaedia Britannica Book of the Year 1981, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Chicago, 1980

-Encyclopaedia Britannica Almanac 2003, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Chicago, 2002

-Guevara Onofre, Alejandro. Enciclopedia Mundototal 1999, Editorial San Marcos, Lima, 1998

-Hunter, Brian. The Statesman’s Year-Book 1991-92, The Macmillan Press, 1991

-Moritz, Charles. Current Biography Yearbook 1972, H.W Wilson Company, NY

-Sconfield, John. “Haiti-West Africa in the West Indies”, National Geographic, Washington DC, February 1961

-The International Who’s Who 1996-97, Europe Publications, London, 1996

-The World Almanac 2001, World Almanac Books, New Jersey, 2001

-Tibballs, Geoff. The Olympics´ strangest moments, Robson Books, London, 2004

-Vargas Llosa, Mario. “Haití: la muerte”, El Comercio, Lima, 25.4.1994

-Visión. “Imperio del Poder Vitalicio”, Santiago de Chile, 17 de marzo de 1967

-Wallechinsky, David. The complete Book of the Olympics, Aurum Press, London, 2004

-Wallechinsky, David-Wallace, Irving. The People’s Almanac2, Batam Book Inc

-WWW.Yotube.com “1975 El Salvador Miss Universe” (video)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/haitithe-magic-land-115094.html

About the Author

Alejandro Guevara Onofre:Writing is my great passion and I can´t imagine life without writing.I am versatile writer.I have studied Political Science and Journalism.Furthermore, I have been studying Lierature, Olympic History and United States History. I have written and edited many books.I am an author of more than 400 essays…for example “Haiti: The Magic Land”.

In Britain, the repertory movement was a theatrical movement that originated in the early years of the twentieth century, was continued and developed between the two world wars, and became, after 1950, the prevailing form of theatrical organisation outside London. The earliest repertory companies were created and introduced as a protest against London’s domination of the theatres in the regions, along with a desire to counter-balance the commercial successes of the ‘West End’. My argument in this essay is that the time has come for a renewal of that protest in the face of a modern domination of British theatre by ‘The West End’.

By the second half of Queen Victoria’s reign, most people earned more money and worked shorter hours than ever before. This meant that for the first time, ordinary workers had enough leisure time to enjoy pastimes. By the mid-1800s, most of the large towns had several theatres, providing a range of ‘song-and-dance’ shows that entertained the whole family. By the 1860s, theatre became so successful that not only were they decorated to make them more comfortable with proper cushioned seats and carpet, but also matinées were introduced and the representational style of theatre was replaced with a new realism, pioneered on the continent by writers such as Ibsen. This meant box-sets were placed on the stage to create a proper room or rooms and the set would then be decorated with all the household items appropriate to that type of room; the set would appear exactly like a real-life room. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, theatres had stayed open many hours, often until midnight, showing tragedies, farces, pantomimes and other forms of entertainment that appealed to a mass audience. Theatres were not always the most salubrious places to visit. However, by the end of the century theatres were more attractive, stayed open for much shorter periods of time and the theatre programmes again consisted of just a single play. Banks and Marson (1998, p.45) claim that:

The court of Queen Victoria and so-called Victorian morality and attitudes affected the theatre. The Queen invited actors and companies to give ‘command performances’ at Windsor Castle;

thus the theatre became open and acceptable to all social classes, not just the lower classes of the earlier part of the century.

After the end of the Victorian period, things began to change significantly. Annie Horniman was “one of the most important forces in the shaping of twentieth century theatre in England” (Flannery, 1970, p.34), funding many worthwhile and critically acclaimed theatrical ventures and launching the careers of many famous figures in the world of drama. Annie was one of the key promoters of realism in the theatre in the UK, after observing with interest some of Ibsen’s plays. She also became aware of the number of repertory theatres in Germany and was keen to introduce into England the cultural value they brought. In her time Annie Horniman bought and renovated or financed several theatres that went on to achieve international recognition, as well as developing the modern repertory movement and enriching Britain’s dramatical culture, for which she was awarded an honorary MA. Most significantly, Horniman collaborated with W B Yeats on the establishment of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin as the first British repertory theatre in 1903. In 1907, she then bought the Gaiety Theatre in Manchester and redeveloped it as a regional repertory theatre. Harold Brighouse was another supporter of Manchester’s Gaiety and a prolific playwright of over seventy plays. Brighouse’s dominant style of writing was realism, and with Annie Horniman, was one of the first Britons to introduce and project this new style of theatre into British society. Brighouse, author of ‘Hobson’s Choice’, and other writers working in a similarly realistic style at the Gaiety became known as the Manchester School, which influenced the work of many other regional repertory theatres.

Barry Jackson shared with Annie Horniman her belief in the repertory movement. He was responsible for opening the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, which offered a valuable springboard for young actors wishing to work in ‘professional theatre’; through his work in Birmingham, he was also financing and supporting four other theatre companies. In 1904, a small group of theatrical players travelled around an area giving performances of old plays such as, ‘Youth’. It was this group, the Pilgrim Players, that later developed, under Barry Jackson’s guidance and influence, into the Birmingham Repertory Company; soon small repertory companies were beginning to establish themselves all over the country.

Although uncommon in British repertory theatres, some companies employed a form of repertoire system. In theatre, a repertoire system can operate with a theatre putting on many plays, including musicals, ballets and operas, at any one time. It is different from a weekly (or three-weekly) repertory system in that each play will have a different cast from within the same company, and possibly a different technical team too, making each production quite separate and unique. There are many benefits to this system, such as better quality and an increased variety of productions. However, the repertoire system has drawbacks too, including increased production costs due to each show needing separate sets, props, costumes, actors and publicity, with frequent changes to be organised.

When the British repertory system was in its early period of great success, it used to be that even smaller towns supported a theatre. The resident company would present a different play each week, normally a revival from a range of classics, but occasionally, if given the chance, a new play – the rights for which would have been recently released after a West End or Broadway run. However, these companies were not known for producing and developing new, untried work. Generally, companies would include a ‘leading lady’ and a ‘leading man’, two younger actors who would generally play the romantic roles. There would also be a ‘character’ actor and actress who would usually play the older roles and possibly a ‘soubrette’ who would play the cheeky, mischievous roles, thus creating a resident cast of seven actors. Occasionally a ‘guest star’ would be brought into the company for a short run to boost audience attendance and help pick up ticket sales.

The process of weekly rep was very stressful and pushed both the actors and the technical team to their limits. Typically the plays put on were three act plays and so along with performing one play, perhaps seven times a week, they would also have to learn lines, run and block a second play in their time between performances. However, from the audience’s point of view, seeing so many more, different performances, nearby and cheaper than the West End, was a fantastic and exciting opportunity. Local communities would strongly support the actors and would treat them like celebrities. According to the article on ‘repertory’ in Wikipedia, “sometimes entire families would make a visit to their local rep as part of their weekly routine like going to church”. For many of the younger audience members, this became a base for their future recognition, acknowledgement and enjoyment of live theatre, and indeed, a base for their social and cultural sense of self. However, today the practise of a new play every week and a week’s rehearsal does not happen and the practise of rep is more likely to be seen in large cities in well known establishments such as Birmingham Rep where plays run for between three and six weeks. Now actors rehearse for at least three weeks and as a result, a better show is produced and performed. However, a variation of weekly rep can still be found in some places in the UK. For example, producer Charles Vance still produces a successful weekly rep in Sidmouth based on a rotation of twelve plays.

Local repertory companies were keen to ensure a regular, good quality production for their communities. However, due to the World War between 1914 and 1918, the development of repertory slowed so much, it almost ground to a halt. The repertory theatres that remained open and successful such as Birmingham and Liverpool, encouraged other theatres to open, and continued giving their own performances, even twice a night. However, despite other smaller repertory theatres opening, by 1950, the popularity of the old style repertory theatres was disappearing, being replaced by regional theatres. Following an act of parliament in 1948, which established the arts council, many new regional repertory theatres were built; these were better financed, provided better facilities and put on longer runs of plays and invested in new writing, although still in repertory.

Regional repertory theatre in Britain was at its most important and influential between the 1950s and the 1980s. During this period the number of repertory theatres increased and the movement offered a good solid base to teach actors their trade, often acting as a preparation for professional theatre. This enabled many actors, such as Imelda Staunton, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen, who all began their careers in repertory theatres, as did Laurence Olivier, Peggy Ashcroft, Edith Evans and Ralph Richardson at Birmingham Rep between the wars, to go on to achieve universal recognition for their acting abilities.

The financing of the early repertory theatres was found privately, either through wealthy patrons such as Annie Horniman and Barry Jackson, or by local support. This meant that the companies were dependent either on the public’s continual support or on a patron having enough money to keep them running for a long period of time. This left many companies in an unstable position; the money could disappear at any time and the group would dissolve. However, the importance of keeping morale high during the Second World War was recognised by government funding for the first time, through what would become the Arts Council. This resulted in an increase of financial assistance for repertory companies after 1945.There was also a noticeable growth in local funding for resident companies or ‘regional theatres’ through the 1948 Act authorising expenditure on the arts, from the local rates, by local councils.

The years between the 1950s and the 1970s were some of the richest for dramatical culture in Britain with a wide variety of productions. Not only were the classics performed, as we see in today’s professional theatres, but also many of the plays produced, both in and out of the West End, were contemporary, with playwrights such as Willy Russell, John Osborne and Harold Pinter bringing a new meaningful depth to British theatre. Regional repertory theatres enabled a wide variety of new writers to develop an interesting range of drama, often with a local or a social and political theme.

A feature of the work of Peter Cheeseman… at the Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, has been… historical documentaries of local interest, using idiomatic speech and researched by his own group of actors. (Goorney, undated)

In contrast, the same theatre was the early training ground for the famous comedy writer, Alan Ayckbourn. On the stage today, there are fewer plays being written to be performed specifically in professional theatres, again reducing what could be a very rich theatrical culture.

The vast development of the regional theatres throughout the 1960s and 1970s was followed by a huge decline in the 1980s. Cutbacks in funding meant that seasons had to be cut back and some of the studio theatres were closed completely. The closing and disappearance of repertory theatres is due to the year-on-year reduction in funding, whether it be funding from the local communities, the regional arts boards, or from central government, the financial support is simply being denied to them. The increasing difficulty for theatres in finding sponsorship and benefactors to fund their work is resulting in lowering wages, reducing cast and company sizes and restricting budgets, all of which have a clear effect on the final performances; a reduced quality production is the outcome. This has become a concern for many politicians. In February 2003, Robin Harper, MSP for the Green Party, challenged the Scottish Executive over the funding of Scottish theatre, saying, “Core funding for the Scottish Arts Council has been at a standstill, causing many theatre companies to suffer financial hardship, and their capacity to stage productions to be severely restricted.” Repertory theatre depends upon money and support from local and national government; failure to provide sufficient support will mean that repertory will not survive and Britain will loose a key educational and entertainment resource. In a Lords’ debate on 14 July, 1998, Lord Jenkins of Putney quoted Sir Cameron Mackintosh, a leading commercial theatre producer in Britain, saying:

The reason that British theatre is the envy of the world – both artistically and

financially – is that public money was invested in revitalising regional theatre from the 1950s onwards… most UK theatres outside the West End were built, saved or funded by public money. (Lords Hansard, 1998)

Bill Alexander (1998) wrote to The Independent newspaper about the benefits of good funding from his experience at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, saying that good finance:

…will see us almost double the number of performances and productions… launch Birmingham’s only venue for new writing… produce more work for children and family audiences, double our investment in education and community activities… and bring a rich programme of large-scale work to our main stage.

Today, the situation with theatres has much reverted to how it was pre-repertory, with the ‘regional’ theatres predominantly producing amateur productions, occasional touring productions and one-night entertainment shows such as music evenings and dance shows. In contrast the West End is dominated by Shakespeare and musicals – many of which are the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber – with only very few theatres presenting plays, and those that do are long-running and change infrequently. Television has become the dominant medium at the expense of live drama. Without repertory theatres there are very limited opportunities for actors to develop their talents and train and learn their craft, thus resulting in the whole of the British arts system wilting and being reduced to a very primitive and unpolished existence. As Lord Rix said in the House of Lords, on 14 July 1988, “Regional theatre is the birthplace of most new work and the training ground for our industry.”

Film and television have been an increasingly dominant medium for drama and acting over the last fifty years with many actors who had been professionally trained in theatre, turning to work ‘on the big screen’, a career change that pays more and brings greater public admiration and acknowledgement. However, film and television do offer a lot, especially for those who cannot afford to go to the theatre regularly; a wide range of classics and dramas are constantly being reproduced on film and aired on television, making it possible for the majority of the population to have some experience of cultured drama.

It is inevitable that the experience of watching television at home, alone or in a small group, watching a film in a cinema in the company of a larger audience and being part of an audience at a live production in a theatre are not the same. The improvement in cinemas, both physically and in terms of technology, has lead to huge revival in cinema going in Britain in recent years. Watching, for example, a comedy or a horror film with a large audience around increases the individual’s pleasure and involvement in the film, because it is easier to laugh out loud when others are laughing around you too, and when one person jumps or screams, others feel the tension too. However, the performance on film is fixed and cannot react to the mood of the audience.

The unique quality of live drama is not only that the performance of the actors changes and develops from performance to performance, but also the involvement of the audience with the production adds an extra dimension to the experience for both actor and audience. The most obvious form of this is in the ever-popular Christmas pantomime. However, in more subtle ways, the same is true for all live productions in the theatre. This interaction is the key force that enables you to understand what is the purpose and underlying meaning behind the play. We need theatres in Britain that present a rich variety of drama from both contemporary and classic sources and from a range of different cultures. As Goorney (undated) suggests:

A popular theatre cannot be built solely on the basis of contemporary plays concerned with the political or social ills of our society. The plays inherited from the great theatres of the past, the Greeks, the Elizabethans, the Commedia dell’arte and the Spanish theatre of Lope de Vega, are the heritage of all people and must not remain, as at present, the privilege of the few.

I believe there are many good reasons why we need more repertory theatres today, perhaps most importantly because they encourage, prepare and train young actors and dramatists for professional theatre so thoroughly, presenting a more experienced and better trained actor to the public. This has worked for hundreds of actors over the years, many of whom have gone on to become Britain’s finest dramatic performers. There is no point training the best stage actors if there is no demand or opportunity for them to exercise their dramatic performing skills. The whole community is impoverished if we are not able to be challenged, entertained and educated by the experience of seeing meaningful scripts brought to reality by skilled and exciting actors. As Goorney (undated) says, “…Art generally, including theatre, exists to enrich our spirit, to inform and extend our horizons…” In the past, regional repertory theatre has been at the heart of that experience and I believe it is time for it to be so again.

Bibliography

Alexander, Bill. 1998. Rep must look to the future, not live in the past, The Independent, July 3, 1998

Arts and Humanities Data Service 2005 Birmingham Repertory Theatre Archive Database http://ahds.ac.uk/performingarts/collections/birmingham-repertory.htm

Baker, F (Ed). 1998. The Annie Horniman Papers, Manchester: John Rylands University Library

http://archives.li.man.ac.uk/ead/search/eadSearchHandler?operation=full&recid=gb-0133-aeh

Banks, R A and Marson, P. 1998. Drama and Theatre Arts, London: Hodder and Stoughton

The Birmingham Repertory Theatre 2007 Birmingham Rep

http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/core_asp/gen_faq.asp#24

Chambers, Colin (Ed). 2002. The Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre, London: Continuum

Goorney, H. (Undated). Political Theatre in Britain 1928-1986

http://www.wcml.org.uk/culture/hgepilogue.htm

Hayman, Ronald. 1973. The Set-up, London: Eyre Methuen

Flannery, James W. 1970. Miss Annie F. Horniman and the Abbey Theatre, Dublin: Dolmen Press

Lords Hansard 1998. Provincial Repertory Theatres http://www.publications.parliamnet.uk/pa/ld199798/ldhansrd/vo980714-16.htm

National Museum for the Performing Arts 2007. Drama Tour: 1900-1945 http://www.peopleplayuk.org.uk/guided_tours/drama_tour/1900_1945/repertory.php

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch 2007. The Queen’s Theatre (1975-present day)

http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/aboutus/billetlane.htm

Scottish Green Party 2003. Green MSP Challenges Executive Over Theatre Funding

http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/site/id/3736/title/Green_MSP_Challenges_Executive_Over_Theatre_Funding.html

Wikipedia 2007. Repertory

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repertory

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About the Author

WHY BRAZIL?

• For its wonderful beaches which are maybe the most beautiful in the world. Not only for its nature but also for the amusing life that encourages them. In Copacabana beach, Río de Janeiro, any sport type may be seen at any hour of the day or the afternoon.

• To attend the most impressive human show in the world that is the Brazil carnival. In the smallest town in the country all the activities are interrupted during a week for the carnival and and nothing must seem to be more imporant than this celebrate.

• To cross the Amazon River from Belem to Manaus on board of a lineal boat and this way to see how the Amazon runs on the sides

• To dive inside the Brazilian music. The guitar and the percussion are present and played everywhere in all the beaches and squares of the country.

• To see Brasilia, the futurist city made in airplane form a city that represents the braviest architectural companies of this century.

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA

With a surface of 8.511.965 Km., Brazil is the fifth state of the world for its extension. Besides Chile and Ecuador, it is adjacent to another state of Suramérica. It has four geographical types of area. The long sandy coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the amazon basin that welcomes the biggest jungle in the planet; the central plateau so call Planalto Brasileiro; and the depression of the Paraguayan basin to the southeast. Brasilia is the fascinating capital, a tourist city in form of airplane within the amazon jungle.

Time Zone: -5.0 (summer); -3.0 (winter)

Duration of the days: maxim 13.5 (December); minimum 10 (June)

WHEN TO GO

Better Period: January, February, March, September, October

Good period: April, May, June, August.

Worst period. Julio

WEATHER

The whole Brazil has a tropical climate, therefore hot, humid and rainy during the whole year. Inside the Amazon jungle the percent of humidity never descend from 100% and Belem almost in the line of the Ecuador, its in the entire world the city where rainy s more.

Useful Information

Slight clothes of cotton, but also hot T-shirt if he/she goes in winter station overalls in the south. A jacket slight raincoat can be he very useful although against violent winds and cloudbursts it serves very little. Clothes of long magas against lso amazon inseptos.

CULTURE / MUSEUM

In lso museums of Sao Pablo, cultural capital of Brazil, sexisten European insospechables art collections that give of envying to muchso museums of the old continent. Also in River of Janeiro there is cultural ocaciones for not losing.

Museum of Art

Address: Brought to an agreement Paulista 1578, San Paolo of the Brasile

Schedule: 11-17.30; giovedì 11-20; monday closed. Closed during Carnival

Entrance is paid

Interesting collection of Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiques. Squares, sculptures, ye Italian, French impressions, Englishwomen, Spanish, Flemishes, Dutchwomen. After the works cousins they are exposed Bernini’s canvases, Botticelli, Raffaello, Cézanne, Chagall, Gauguin, Picasso and Modigliani.

Museum of the Folklore and Aeronautical Museum

Address: Park do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo

Orari: 14-17; chiuso lunedì

Inside the splendid park of Ibirapuera, where architects of world fame have worked, he/she can find lodging, this small, but interesting museum I divide in two parts: one dedicated to the Brazilian indigenous culture and the other one to the aeronautics being pioneer of this phenomenon the Brazilian, Santos Dumont.

Modern museum of Art

Address: Brought to an agreement Dom Enrique 85, Rio de Janeiro

Entrance is paid

Schedule: 12-17.30

Entrance is paid

The museum gathers works of the XX century, with works of Albers, Brancusi, Buthe, Him Corbusier, Mathies, Picasso, Polloch and Warhol. Interesting it is the picture section and design, overalls that dedicated to the art Brazilian contemporary.

Brazilian African-American museum

Address: Praça Terreiro of Jesus, Salvador de Bahia

Schedule: 9-17; closed monday

Entrance is paid

Beautiful museum dedicated entirely to the African origins of Brazilian nation. It proposes a trip after the hierarchy of those “orichas”, the born divinities after the encounter of the Christian religion and the animist.

The Brazilian Cuisine

Brazil earth of encounters and cultural crossings also since it concerns the kitchen. The products traditionally used by the first Indian cuisine to those used by the European settlers and later with the traditions African gastronomitas. The result is not more than an original and nutritious kitchen that makes great use of vegetables, of meats, overalls to the south, and of fish, overalls to north, where the plates are often particularly spicy for the abundant use of the spicy pepper. In each city it can be those “churrascarias”, restaurant that serves all type of flavorful meat, Brazilian national pride, cooked to the coal and served by waiters that maintain long roasted threaded as swords. In the north the meat dries off in the sun and he/she receives the name of “meat of sun”. The plate national Brazilian in all ways is the “feijoada”. it is unique plate to base black beans, dry and fresh meat served with “beacon” kind of a taken out flour of the manioc. It is highly a popular plate proteico and private room comes for Saturdays. In the bay region it should be proven the absolutely “siri casquinha”, a lightly spicy cream, served as antipasto, has like base delicious pulp of a small called crab “siri”. But the most traditional and good plate in the kitchen bahiana is the “peixe moqueca”. kind of a soup of white fish, dry shrimps, vegetables, coconut milk and dendé oil, a typical palm of the area. It is served as accompaniment to a fish plate to the parilla. The Brazilian dinner begins and it often finishes with a glass “caipirinha”, cocktail to base gave cachaca (distilled of cane of sugar), lemon and sugar.

FUN / SHOPPING

The worked precious stones are one of the glories of the country. On the other hand is dificult to return from Brazil without having bought at least a new suit for the beach, a pareo, and any disk of bossa nova.

Jeweler’s

Brazil produces at about the 65% of the stones sold in the world. This commercial event is due to the convenient prices and the complete variety of stones coming from the Brazilian mining, there also are beautiful silver objects as jewels ingrained with the religious traditions of the country. It is better to acquire these stones in reliable jeweler’s that give you receipts of guarantee and authenticity.The acquisition of these stones can be related to visits to carving laboratories, which offer them gratuitously by menas of the great international house as that one of Stern.

Music

In the land of the zamba and that of bossa nova you cannot give up to take home some original memory. Tom Jobim and Vinicius of Moraes’ classic disks, to begin with, but also a little bit ancients songs of Caetano Veloso, the Brazilian music’s great poet, Chico Buarque’s or the youngs Marisa Montes and Vinicius Cantuaria. It is also Interesting the traditional musical instruments, mainly percussion.

Apparel

The Brazilian boisterous bikini can be get in business and bancarelas of any center spa. As well as a coloring pareos that can be used as beach canvas or as improvised dress. It must be remember that the Brazilian sizes are as a rule smaller than the Italians. Therefore it will be great to try them getting them.

Foods

An acquisition to be made may be at the last moment in the airport,can be that of any Brazilian product. Perhaps the coffee, also because it will found stronger and bitter that Italian because of the diverse form of being toasted and later the phlegm, a distilled from the sugar cane which afterwards can be used as base to the caipirinha.

Europelowcost

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Cesare Ambrosi
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Thiruvananthapuram, the city of the snake god , is the capital of Kerala State and is situated at south India. The city is a blend of modern and traditional architecture. Named after the fabled Serpent God ‘Anantha’ on whom Sri Anantha Padmanabhan (Lord Vishnu) reclines, the city is built on seven hills. Caressed by the Arabian Sea at the west, Thiruvananthapuram is a popular transit destination for Indians and foreigners alike who like to visit south India.

Places to see in Thiruvananthapuram:

• Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple

The imposing seven storied tower makes it the most impressive landmark in the city. The temple is an excellent example of the dravidian style of architecture. There are innumerable pillars, intricate carvings, and mural paintings.

• Kovalam

Kovalam is 12kms to the south of Thiruvananthapuram and is one of the finest beaches in India. It has been developed into an integrated seaside resort. The beach complex has many hotels, cottages, yoga centres etc.

• Sree Chithra Art Gallary

Has a rich collection of paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and Roerich It also has copies of paintings of the Ajanta, Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore Schools besides some works from China, Japa, Tibet and bali.

• Ponmudi

A pleasant resort at an elevation of 912m above sea level. It is 61 kms from Thiruvananthapuram and connected by road. There are many tree and rubber estates around the hills.

• Kowdiar Palace

The home of the late maharaja Sree Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama varma and his family is off limits to visitors but you can have a glimpse from the main gate. If a friendly guard is on duty, he will let you walk a bit inside the grounds where you can get a view of the grand old building at the end of its long drive.

• The Kanakakunnu Palace

This palace in the heart of Trivandrum city is one of the most beautiful buildings. The palace and its sprawling grounds are today the venue for many cultural meets. The Museum The museum building is an architectural splendour. The napier museum, the natural history museum, the reptile house and the Shri Chitra Art Gallery are in the same complex amidst a well laid out garden and park..

• Kuthira Malika

Puthen Malika is also known as Kuthira Malika. This palace was built during the time of H.H Maharaja Swathi Thirunal the king of Travncore who was also a great poet and musician. This palace has wood carvings in the traditional Travancore style. The museum presently displays various painting collections of the royal family.

• Varkala

A pilgrim centre for the devotees of Sree Narayana Guru, one of the patron saints of Kerala, whose motto was “One God, One Religion, One Caste”. It is only 51kms from Trivandrum by road and also boasts of one of the best beaches in the State.

Fairs and Festivals in Thiruvananthapuram:

The Great Elephant Race

Though strictly not a local festival, the conclusion of it is in Thiruvananthapuram. It is a four daylong extravaganza arranged by the tourism department of Kerala. 101 caparisoned elephants march from Thrissur on the 17th of every January reaching Thiruvananthapuram on the fourth day with stop overs at Kochi and Alappuzha. Boat races and folk art performances are arranged during this period where tourists can have glimpses of Kerala culture. The festival is concluded on the fourth day at Kovalam Beach with cultural programs and seaside barbecue.

Nishagandhi Dance Festival

The Tourism Development Corporation organises the dance festival. Leading artists of Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Odissi, Modern ballet and other folk form will perform at the open-air theatre of Nishagandhi in the Kanakakunnu Palace compound. Admission is free and the festival usually is accompanied with music.

Vetta and Arattu

This festival is celebrated twice in a year, once in Oct.-Nov and other in March-April. Vetta represents Lord Vishnu hunting down the demon of evil in the forest. The next day afternoon the Arattu procession begins. Images of Lord Padmanabha, Lord Krishna and Lord Narasimha are carried to the Arabian Sea at Sangumugham beach escorted by the members of the Royal Family. At sunset the images are ritually bathed in the sea. Returning the images in a procession back to the Padmanabhaswamy temple concludes the event. Several cultural programs including all-night Kathakali are performed during the festival.

How to get there:

By Air

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (6 kms. from the city) has air links with convenient connections to Maldives, Sri Lanka and many countries to the West of Arabian Sea and other important ports. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways operate domestic flights to different parts of the country.

By Rail

Thiruvananthapuram is an important railway terminus on the southwestern coast with train services from all parts of the country, including the southernmost tip of the subcontinent, Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin).

By Road

Motorable roads link Thiruvananthapuram to several important tourist and business centers in India. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation operates bus services of various classes.

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Vinay Choubey
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For a holiday you will always treasure, be sure to visit France. With so much to offer within one country, France hosts the most tourists than any other country in the world. From romantic, cultural Paris to the heights of the snowcapped French Alps to the southern sizzling beaches. France hotels can add to the splendor of your trip with an amazing selection that can be found with ease on the internet.

Paris: fashion capital of Europe

Surrounded by style and romance you just cant help fall in love with Paris. Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, street café’s and fashion boulevards, a boat trip on the River Seine there is so much to see and experience.

Transport: how to get there and around:

The main airport which greets most visitors to Paris is Charles de Gaulle. Paris can also be reached with ease by train from surrounding countries and many destinations within France. If traveling from the UK the ferry is also an option.

Getting around Paris is best on foot, it’s a great place for walking and sightseeing. If your not feeling so energetic there is a metro system.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Paris.

Weather

Paris is fortunate to be situated in a basin so has little rain compared with the rest of the country. Generally the weather in the capital is temperate.

Attractions & Events

Parisians love to celebrate, here are just a few events you should look out for.

* The glamorous Paris Fashion Week showcases the latest designer spring collections in March.

*Bastille Day is a special day for the whole country. The French National Day is celebrated in Paris with style on the 14th July with parades, parties and fireworks.

*The International Photo Fair is also worth a visit and takes place in November.

Nice: treasure of the Côte d’Azur

Nice has a special ambiance and charm that attracts a great number of visitors to walk through its old cobblestone streets. Nice offers history, culture as well as the modern delights of shopping and night life. Add to this the long stretch of beach and you have a great holiday combination.

The temperature in Nice makes the pebble beach a great spot to relax. The waters are warm, clear and inviting and are just a pebbles throw away from neighboring St Tropez and Cannes.

Transport: how to get there and around:

Traveling around France is easy using the impressive, fast rail system. You can get to Nice by train and bus or if traveling from further a field, the International Airport is just 6 km’s from town. Ferries are also an option, they run to Corsica.

Getting around Nice is easy on foot, it is pleasant to walk around and explore the sights.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Nice hotels

Weather

Summertime in Nice can be scorching up to 40 C. Typical climate however can be described as Mild, averaging 15 C. Winter is also mild with lowest temperatures being around 5 C.

Attractions & Events

*Nice holds an annual carnival during the latter half of February. The lavish street parades end with a fabulous fireworks show.

*During June, the city hold religious processions and prayers for patron saints St John and St Peter.

*July is for music lovers as the worlds finest Jazz players meet in the city for the Nice Jazz Festival.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/visiting-france-paris-and-nice-213642.html

About the Author

Alistair White has been in the travel industry for over 20 years and is the founder and CEO of Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers Cheap France hotels.

My mother has been a motivation, inspiration and even a frustration as she prodded me to explore the world and build my talents. This coming year brings so many changes and yet one thing remains the same: my love and admiration for her. I decided what better way to show it than to interview her – to learn about her as a stranger might and than to share that knowledge with others. Susan Adler George, my mother, uses art with both children and adults to assuage fears, lessen anxiety and promote self-confidence and self-fulfillment.

Jessi: “Why Art – I mean when did you start making art?”

Susan: “I grew up in Arnold – just outside of Annapolis, when Ritchie Highway wasn’t even a highway. We didn’t have all the technology of today. My imagination was inexhaustible. I began drawing and making cards for neighbors at nine years old. I remember being chosen to do a display case at ten for school – it won an award. Art & I were very close. I lived in the country, surrounded by hills of mud. I began sculpting when I was eight. I would sit for hours and mold things and then bake them in the sun. My mother gave up on dressing me in ‘girly things’ because I was always covered in mud; my only friends were my pets and art. I could escape through art. Any challenge I felt I couldn’t meet; well, I could meet through Art. I have now been teaching drawing, painting, sculpting, mask making and crafts for over twenty-years and don’t plan to ever stop -even when I age and am confined to a wheel chair!”

Jessi: “Did you ever use art with your children?”

Susan: “Of course– all the time. I raised two magnificent daughters – now both grown. One loved dance and music. The other girl who struggled with developmental challenges showed a strong interest in drawing. I often used masks and puppetry along with other educational methods to help nurture her. Behind a mask or puppet, you can be anyone. I’ve witnessed that children who have been identified with low IQ’s improve significantly when involved in art activities. Both daughters are thriving members of the community now. One lives in Baltimore City, and the other in San Diego, CA.”

Jessi: “I talked with a few of your students. One adult said, ‘I am less anxious, feel more creative and I am laughing more!’ Can you tell me about this?”

Susan: “Well laughing is crucial to everyone’s health and happiness. Art can be serious, informative and intense. But it can also be just good-old plain fun. It is a great stress-buster.”

Susan Adler George paints, sculpts and is a published writer. Her works have been exhibited at galleries and museums regionally and is in private collections throughout the states as well as in Ireland. Her canvases are usually dominated with bold color and influenced by an infatuation with quirky spatial possibilities.

To learn more about her workshops, visit: http://www.susanadlergeorge.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motivational-articles/interview-with-local-artist-my-mother-216490.html

About the Author

Jessi LaCosta is a communications and branding coach in California. To learn about her services, visit:

http://www.bluerio.net

Nearly everyone in the western world either owns an artificial Christmas tree or ventures out to purchase a real fir tree every Christmas period. Parents and children alike all love to decorate the tree with ornaments. Originally the traditional Christmas tree ornaments consisted of dried cranberries, popcorn, lollies and candles but today the typical Christmas tree has somewhat evolved and the ornaments that adorn our trees are somewhat different.

These days it is possible to purchase an enormous variety of decorations, with the subject being anything from a favorite hobby, television show, cartoon character or other unique topic. Many people spend lots of money on their Christmas tree ornaments and often collect extra ornaments to give to their children when they leave home. I know from my own experience that my three children all love the special Christmas Angel that we place on the top of our tree, and each and every one of them comments on how they would love to have this special ornament when they finally leave home. I expect that it would be impossible to find 3 of these Christmas Angel so they will be disappointed to hear that the one we have will be staying put.

Christmas Tree Ornaments Highlight Special Moments In Our Lives

Many Christmas tree ornaments, just like my own Christmas Angel, have special significance to heir owners, for example our favorite Christmas tree ornament is quite old and was originally made by my grandmother, however, these days it is possible to buy some quite sophisticated Christmas tree ornaments some of which can light up, play tunes and even move about.

Popular Christmas Tree Ornament Company Creates Thematic Series Upon Which To Build Collections

There are many manufacturers of these beautiful products, some of which specialize in creating collectible Christmas tree ornaments. Each year they release another piece to add to the series. For many collectors this has proven to be a very lucrative pastime, particularly if you are able to predict which series of Christmas tree ornaments will be in demand in the future. An example of the increase in value of one series of Christmas tree ornaments was the very popular rocking horse series that began in the early 1980’s. The first rocking horse, issued in 1983 which cost less than ten dollars, is now being sold on ebay and other online auctions for up to US$500 each. The rest of the series does not attract those kinds of bids but are still sold well above their issue price.

Yard Sales Often Contain Treasures If You Know The Value Of Collectible Christmas Tree Ornaments

For many garage/yard sale and resale customers, their goal is to seek out antique and collector Christmas tree ornaments at estate and home sales across the country. Finding a “diamond in the rough” such as a Christmas tree ornament that “no one wants” for sale at the price of a few dimes can become a goldmine if you know its value on the resale market. For many collectors, it is just this type of motivation that moves them into buying and selling Christmas tree ornaments on the web.

So keep your eyes open the next time you go to a garage sale – you might just be lucky and find some unique and collectible Christmas tree ornaments for a few dollars and laugh all the way to the bank.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/holidays-articles/christmas-tree-ornaments-creative-personal-gifts-257980.html

About the Author

If you would like more information on Christmas tree ornaments and other creative ideas to make your festive season memorable then go to Christmas Ideas Online.

(ARA) — It’s a room with a toilet and a sink. Maybe a window, if you’re lucky. The average size is a tiny four feet by five feet. And if it can’t get any worse, it’s probably the most frequently used room in your house — especially for guests and visitors.

Yes, it’s the powder room . . . also known as the half-bath or guest bath. While for years this has been a miniscule room, often forgotten when decorating, today’s builders are actually allocating more space to the powder room. In addition, powder rooms in many newer homes offer such upscale features as high-end cabinetry, pedestal sinks, ornate accessories and sophisticated lighting.

Whether your powder room is big or small, this is a space where you can let your expression show. Because its size is typically smaller than other rooms in your home, it allows you the opportunity to be a bit more creative and daring. Plus, you can make a significant decorating impact with little time and expense, and change the look often to keep it fresh.

A Little Room That Makes a Big Impact

The name “powder room” actually descends from Victorian times. Bathrooms were often called powder rooms because it was the place where ladies retired to powder their noses. These spaces were tastefully decorated and full of charm.

Today, the powder room is equally as significant to a home’s décor, if not more so. In fact, its design has become so important that the National Kitchen & Bath Association has added a powder room category to its annual design competition which provides a barometer for what’s hot in the design industry.

But, sprucing up the powder room with a stylish flair isn’t a challenge left only to interior designers. Thanks to the popularity of numerous do-it-yourself decorating television shows, more Americans than ever before are trying their hand at stylish decorating themselves. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Creative Specialties International, a division of Moen Incorporated; and Rooms of America, a consumer research organization, found that more than 75 percent of respondents said that decorating themes are “important” in the powder room.

What does that mean to manufacturers of bath-related products? According to Mark Savan, vice president and general manager of Creative Specialties International, “Consumer style preferences are our number one consideration when designing new bath accessory collections. We take these survey results seriously and even conduct our own focus groups to further substantiate consumer preferences.”

Relying on this extensive research, Creative Specialties International recently introduced four new bath accessory collections designed to reflect the styles used in today’s bath. Sold under the Inspirations brand, the Stockton, Danbury, Sage and Avery collections each fall into one of three design categories — traditional, contemporary/casual or country. The Stockton, Sage and Avery collections are available in chrome and brushed nickel; while the Danbury collection is available in chrome and popular oil rubbed bronze. Each product creates a stunning look for a guest bathroom.

“In talking with consumers, we’ve found that many are really looking to make a statement in their powder room — and can be a bit more experimental with their decorating,” adds Savan. “That’s why our new collections feature a more stylish, contemporary design — to meet the demand for more on-trend styles. In addition to the style of the accessories, our new collections also feature exceptional finishes, such as brushed nickel. The result is a product which blends well in many of today’s fashionable powder rooms.”

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

As homeowners experiment with different decorating trends, it’s important to remember that a powder room is a great area to try more dramatic decorating ideas and come out of your shell a bit. Just because your family room is decorated in a contemporary theme doesn’t mean your bathroom has to reflect that same style. Perhaps you’re an attorney by day but enjoy gardening on the side. Why not paint the walls in a sage green and use accent pieces such as colorful flower pots filled with live or silk flowers. Or hang a beautiful wreath made of dried flowers as a focal point, and surround it with framed water-color paintings of vibrant gardens.

If you’re thinking of something a little more dramatic, the following are a few other decorating ideas to give your powder room some extra pizzazz:

Viva Italia!

Add a bit of Tuscan style to your powder room — and you’ll be ahead of the curve — using a trend that many interior designers predict will be one of the most popular decorating themes next year. Personified by items that are rustic, warm and inviting, a Tuscan room typically features items that look like they have been there forever, used by countless generations.

To achieve this look in your guest bath, use warm, golden colors such as yellows, oranges and browns. Faux finishing techniques are ideal when painting in a Tuscan theme, as they duplicate the sun-washed walls and crumbled porticos seen in Italy. Since Tuscan homes often have tile roofs, accessorize the walls in your powder room with mosaic tiles, or add a detailed tile backsplash behind the sink.

Providing the perfect finishing touch to the bath, add Italian-made ceramics to the powder room by placing plates or decorative vases on a decorative glass shelf. Or, add a feeling of casual comfort with pewter or copper picture frames and candlestick holders. If you’re looking to add a signature piece with old world appeal, install a towel ring from the Danbury collection in oil rubbed bronze — it adds classic style to a traditional accessory.

Finally, we all know that Italians love to eat and entertain — so why not place a bowl of fresh lemons or homemade biscotti next to the hand towels. It’s a small touch that your guests will be sure to remember.

Retreat to the Spa

We all love to be pampered, especially when we’re far from home. Why not give your guests the “spa treatment” when they are visiting your powder room? Start with cool colors, such as light blues, greens and purples on the walls. White accents are the perfect addition to provide a calming effect.

One of the best amenities in visiting a spa is the luxurious, fluffy towels. Feature these beautiful items, perhaps with your monogrammed initials, on a simple, yet stylish towel bar. An ideal choice would be an 18-inch towel bar from the Sage collection from Creative Specialties International. Offering smooth, rounded edges with clean lines and understated accents, the Sage towel bar coordinates well in a variety of bath decors.

Complete the spa look with small items that make a big impact — such as aromatherapy candles in coordinating colors. Or, place a small CD player in a corner of the powder room and play mood relaxing or nature-inspired music. Finally, place a basket of lotions, scented hand soaps and a small hand massager in the corner of the counter top.

A Touch of Sophistication

Who says a powder room can’t have a sophisticated style? An elegant décor is a perfect way to spruce up a half-bath — especially if it is located off a formal living or dining room. Start with rich, deep colors on your walls, such as red, burgundy or navy. Another popular choice is chocolate brown, which many designers are calling “the new black.”

Next, put an extra emphasis on lighting, as it can have a major impact on the overall feel of the room. And just because it’s a powder room doesn’t mean you have to be limited to a boring overhead ceiling fixture. Instead, be a bit daring and use spot or track lighting, wall sconces or even small table lamps set on the countertop or the back of the commode. Or, why not hang a small chandelier as the primary light source — perhaps in a coordinating style of another fixture in your home? Whatever lighting you choose, increasing the number and variety will add drama to its appearance.

To add a sophisticated touch to the sink area, many homeowners are turning to the past for inspiration by installing pedestal sinks. Another dramatic option used by top designers includes mounting the sink bowl on top of the counter as if it were a large bowl on a table. Furthermore, granite, marble and Corian countertops aren’t just for the kitchen anymore — they make the perfect addition to a powder room, thanks to their intricate designs and rich color options.

Finally, don’t forget about the accessories and small details. Mirrors don’t have to be limited to simple squares on the wall — add a bit of drama by framing them with beautiful molding or draping them in rich fabrics. Carry on the elegant theme by installing a Stockton double towel bar filled with thick, luxurious hand towels. And bring a touch of warmth to the room with a beautiful rug. But instead of traditional bathroom rugs, try a small oriental rug, which can bring all of the colors of the room together with one piece.

Final Words of Wisdom

When it comes to sprucing up your powder room, it doesn’t matter whether you decorate in a country, contemporary or traditional style. Just remember to have fun and try new things. Your powder room can be an extension of your personality, expressing your special interests. Create a statement and if things don’t pan out, try again.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/add-some-pizzazz-to-your-powder-room-361889.html

About the Author

http:wwwthedesignbuild.com

Birmingham is one of the UK’s core cities and is often referred to as the UK’s second city due to its size. The population is currently over 1 million and its no surprise that there is plenty to see and do in this exciting area.

Eating out in Birmingham

Birmingham has an incredible range of cuisine available due to its ethnically diverse landscape and is particularly famous for its wide variety of quality Indian restaurants. For years the Balti Triangle which is south of the city centre, has been synonymous with curry houses. However there is a fine range of other cuisine ranging from Chinese and Italian restaurants to the more traditional fish and chips.

Places to visit

Birmingham has a lot to offer those who want to explore a little and there are many attractions both in Birmingham itself and in the West Midlands Region.

One of Britain’s main tourist attractions. Alton Towers has beautiful landscaped gardens and is a massive adventure park which is popular all year round. Established in 1975, the Black Country Museum is a wonderful collection of history and heritage from the Black Country region.
Donington Park provides some fast paced action at its Grand Prix racing circuit. Both car and motorcycle racing is available. Cadbury World opened on 14th August 1990 and surprisingly (given the nations addiction to chocolate) is the UK’s only purpose built visitor centre dedicated entirely to chocolate.

If your looking for events and music then as well as the many small venues across the city the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and National Indoor Arena (NIA) provide all the excitement you should ever need. Now 25 years old the NEC is the largest exhibition centre in Europe. It was opened in 1976 by HM The Queen and the first exhibition was the Spring Fair. The NEC Arena is used for concerts and conferences and can house 12,600 people.

For those looking for some history then Warwick Castle provides an impressive and majestic building with towers and ramparts and a history going back over a 1000 years.

The National Sea Life Centre situated at Brindley Place provides an underwater wonderland with collections of sealife from around the globe. In addition the West Midlands Safari Park is a wonderful experience explorer some of the fascinating wildlife we have at the park.

Nightlife

There is a huge selection of great pubs and clubs throughout the city centre. It’s youthful population has ensured the nigtclub scene has thrived. The legendary Q Club, set in the old Methodist Central Hall hosts regular events such as Cream and Raveology!  If your into the more luxurious things in life, why not try Mechu, home to the ultimate private VIP luxury. The huge student population however still demand no-frills fun venues so clubs like Snobs and Sunflower Lounge are the places to visit if this is your bag. The Glee Club and Jongleurs are always a hoot where top comics raise a smile everywhere from the theatres to the pub circuit.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/things-to-do-in-birmingham-473677.html

About the Author

We Love Local is a smarter way to find local business. To find out about all the best venues and places to visit in Birmingham then visit We Love Local ‘s Birmingham Guide.