Sunday 7 June 2009

London Cinemas - Capturing Classics to Recent Flicks

From classics to recent released Hollywood films, London cinema theatres which are known for comfort, style and service play all kind of films. If you try to find out cinemas all over Greater London, you will surely encounter numerous multi-screen venues. Cinemas around Leicester Square offer you great options for first-run and independent films.

Odeon Leicester Square

The Odeon Leicester Square is a cinema theatre stands on the eastern side of Leicester Square, London. Built on the site of Alhambra Theatre, Odeon Leicester Square is black polished granite building and is by blue neon. It is one of the most renowned cinemas in Europe and is popular for playing many European and World film premieres. With ticket prices ranging in between 14 pounds and 19 pounds, it is considered to be the most expensive theatre in the world. The Odeon Leicester Square is the largest single screen cinema in UK. With all modern technologies, the cinema has the seating capacity of approximately 1700 people and is arranged in Royal Circle, Rear Circle and Stalls.

Odeon West End

Odeon West End was built in 1930 on the south side of Leicester Square, London and was known as the Leicester Square Theatre. Until 1988, it operated under the name of Leicester Square Theatre. In the year 1968, it was renovated and the stalls and the single circle were remodeled. Today, the Odeon West End theatre features two screens, one with 500 seats and the other with 832 seats. The cinema theatre is often used for smaller film premieres and also for hosting the BFI London Film Festival.

Empire, Leicester Square

The Empire is a large cinema which is located on the northern side of the Leicester Square, London. The Empire Theatre was designed by Thomas Verity and first opened on 17th April 1884 as a theatre as well as ballet scene. It was renovated by MGM and opened in 1962 with three screens. Later two more screens were added to the theatre and are equipped with latest sound and light systems. The theatre is used for film premieres and first runs.

Prince Charles Cinema

Designed by Carl Fisher and Associates Architects, the Prince Charles Cinema was opened in 1962. It is located in Leicester Place in the West End of London. The price of the tickets for the shows in Prince Charles Cinema starts as low as 1.50 pounds. It plays all kinds of films from classic to recent released Hollywood films. It plays 10 movies on a single screen in a week. The single screen has the seating capacity of 472 seats.

National Film Theatre

National Film Theatre now known as BFI Southbank is located on the southern end of Waterloo Bridge, London, UK. The BFI is operated by the British Film Institute and specializes in showing classic, independent and non-English language films. National Film Theatre was opened in 1951 on occasion of the Festival of Britain. In 2007, the National Film Theatre was re-launched in a larger premise. The site of BFI Southbank now includes three pre-existing cinemas, a studio, a mediatheque, a shop and a bar and restaurant.

London IMAX

London IMAX, designed by Avery Associates Architects, stands on the South Bank district of London, UK. Completed in May 1999, the London IMAX cinema is operated by the British Film Institute. London IMAX in the South Bank is renowned for featuring the largest screen in Britain and also has the seating capacity of 500 people. It has also been awarded with a Design Council Millennium Products Award, Civic Trust Award and several other awards after its opening. The cinema is located just north of the Waterloo Station thus making it easily accessible. The other IMAX cinema is at the Science Museum in South Kensington Albertopolis.

London has a fantastic array of cinema theatres. People of all genres can visit the theatres and have a far better experience of watching cinema in London.
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Fantastic Five of Paris

Paris often referred to as "City of lights" is one place to break free. There are many places which will make you happy and your trip a journey of a lifetime. If somebody wants to choose one place in Europe to visit, then Paris would definitely be one of the best places to visit. From the Eiffel Tower to Arc de Triomphe, everything is marvelous. If a list has to be made (which is very tough) about 5 must see places in Paris which one must visit, then the list must include the following:

Eiffel tower

Standing 300m tall, this is one of the modern architectural masterpieces. Designed and built by Gustave Eiffel to commemorate the centenary of French revolution in 1889, it has two restaurants in the lower level while there is a bar, replica of Gustave Eiffel and a souvenir shop on the top platform. If you will go into figures then it weighs 7000 tons but there is more into it than these figures. Eiffel towers look awesome in the night with all the lights on.

The Louvre

Being the largest art museum in the world, Louvre is another must see in Paris. The Louvre's collection is overwhelming in size which includes many paintings, coins, antiques and sculptures. The famous painting of Mona Lisa by Picasso is also kept here. It has a long list of items which is from ages and also of different origin and civilization. The museum pass cards work here and the tickets are half priced after 3 PM and on Sunday's.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, is arguably the most stunning gothic athedral in the world. Its construction was started in 1163 and it took almost 200 years to complete. It has witnessed many events related to big wigs like Napoleon, Pope John Paul II and others. This place had witnessed some of the greatest moment in the history of the city. Come to this place and see how the beauty and the ambience impress you.

Arc de Triomphe

It was commissioned by Napoleon after he won the battle against Austerlitz in 1806, but it was finally built in 1836. Major victories are written on the top of the arc and the small ones are written on the inside walls. You can go to the top through staircase or by taking an elevator the view of Paris from here is beautiful. This is one of the places in Paris which is always on the top of the list to visit.

Sacre Coeur

Last but not the least in my list is Sacre Coeur/Montmartre. This church is not painted as it appears to be but the whiteness is through the liquid secreted by the white stone. This place will have a grand effect on you because of its size and location. This is a beautiful place to go and remember the good days once you are back to your home.

Go and see how the beauty of these places mesmerizes you. Paris is and will always be a tourist hub and center of attraction for its monuments and museums.
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Hawaii Vacation With the Top Maui Show Activities and Best Dining Places

Once upon a Maui time, evening entertainment meant luaus and dinner cruises. Not anymore. Today, Maui offers highly artistic shows and theatre presentations. However, the top Maui shows below will not only bring you to a high artistic level; they also bring you to a deep appreciation of Maui’s colorful past by combining modern art with Maui history, legend, myths, and culture.

One of the most reknown Maui show is Kupanaha, a dinner show that combines spellbinding illusions and magic, hula, Polynesian dance, and chant in order to weave Hawaiian myth and history. The show is a family performance of the famed Baran family in collaboration with the award-winning Kanoeau Dance Academy. The Baran family includes the award-winning illusionist Jody Baran, his wife Kathleen, and their daughters. Kupanaha is 2 ½ hours long, and is held weekly from Tuesday through Saturday at Kaapanali Beach Hotel’s Kanahele Room Theatre.

Part of the show is a three-course dinner. There are no illusions when it comes to food here— the scrumptious appetizer, entrée, and dessert are all for real. Menu includes Grilled Jumbo Garlic Shrimp, pork egg rolls, tofu, and pineapple cheesecake. There’s a different menu for kids, which include hamburgers, cheese fries, and vanilla ice cream. There’s also an open Lava Bar which churn out magical concoctions such as their Flashing Mojito.
In West Maui is the island’s biggest show, the Ulalena. Ulalena provides ultimate theatrical experience with its state-of-the-art venue, 8-channel surround sound, original music and amazing choreography, talented casts, and traditional Hawaiian chant and dance. Rich costumes, acrobatics, stage design, and lightning are all wonderfully blended to bring Hawaiian legend and history to modern audience. This musical extravaganza explores relationships between people, nature, mythology, and history. If you want to see the show, you have to make reservations in advance. The show is 75 minutes long, and is held at the Maui Myth and Magic Theatre located at 878 Front Street, Lahaina.

Surrounded by an ocean abounding with marine life, it is not the least surprising that Maui also has a plethora of oceanfront restaurants bringing “foods of the sea” right to the dinner table. Expect these Maui sea food restaurants to offer the best Pacific fishes, shrimps, lobsters, crabs — cooked in a variety of ways.. But if you want to taste the best way fishes and other seafood are prepared, head to the top Maui seafood restaurants below.

Kimo’s is a two-story, ocean side restaurant located at 845 Front Street in the coastal town of Lahaina. The oldest restaurant on Front Street, Kimo’s is found amidst shops and other restaurants.

Kimo’s has a dining room and a lanai, which gives a view of the ocean, and the islands of Lanai and Molokai. Open since 1977, the restaurant’s main dining room upstairs show a strong New England architecture reminiscent of Lahaina’s missionary days. Kimo’s serve mouthwatering dishes that include prime rib, prime steaks, and hula pie. You can select from their list of fresh fishes, and have it cooked the way you want it to be. Kimo’s offer three types of fish preparation: you can have teriyaki-glazed broiled fish, parmesan cheese-coated fish, or baked fish with ginger and orange zest.” Kimo’s is always full so you should make reservations in advance to avoid waiting in line.

Lahaina Fish Co at 831 Front Street offers nothing less but great food and spectacular ocean views. The restaurant is literally set right on the ocean, and opens for lunch and dinner. If you want excellent food with a small budget, Lahaina Fish Co serves affordable seafood-pasta dishes. Lahaina Fish Co’s menu also includes different kinds of burgers, tacos and chips, shrimp baskets, pupus, calamari, salads, and steaks “from the land and the sea.” There are other gustatory delights like seafood puttanesca, Alaskan king crab legs, and local fares that include stir-fried dishes and teriyaki. The restaurant’s specialty, of course, is fresh seafood. There are four types of fish available for dinner, in three types of preparation. The restaurant is open from 11 am to 12 midnight.
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Booking Your Holiday

There are many ways to go about planning and booking your holiday. You can go into a travel agent and get a package deal, which included flights, car rental, hotel accommodation, and maybe even some of the activities that you would like to do when you get there.

Booking Online

A slightly more adventurous way and time consuming approach is to go online and find out what is available. Book your own flights, find your own hotel, arrange your own car rental, and do what you choose. This method of holiday planning requires a lot more effort from you. You have to be prepared to come with your own destination, then research on the various flight offers that are available and make sure you a get a good deal, you also have to look up hotels in the area and find a good hotel at a good price that is in the area and with the amenities you want.

Then car rental will also have to be arranged separately. Also you should not forget the need to book travel insurance and find out if there are any medical procedures that are required if you are going to a more exotic or tropical location. The good news is that many website now specialise in helping you to do all of this for yourself and will be a good source of information on every step of the process. These days you will probably be able to book all of the necessary elements of your holiday from the same website.

You will also have the chance of saving a considerable amount of money since you will be able to seek out special deals and offers and take advantage of discounts that are available. You will also have the freedom to completely personalise every aspect of your trip. If you’d like to fly into one airport and out of another, or stay part of the time at one hotel and part of the time at another, or any other personalisation will be completely possible since you are arranging every aspect of the trip to your own requirements.

Be Aware

There are a few things you should remember if you are planning your own holiday. First of all, you should make sure that the plans you have come up with actually are saving you money when compared to package deals, then you should also make sure you are dealing with trustworthy websites and that you have got proper travel and health insurance.

The other option is always just to go to the airport, hop on an available flight and see where you end up!
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Which Disney Holiday Is Right For You?

You’ve decided that you’re going to go on a Disney holiday. But where should you go? Which Disney experience is best for you and your family? There are several options to choose from so its not surprising if you’re feeling confused about which Disney holiday is right for you. Before getting down to the details on timing, pricing and length of stay, here is an overview of your Disney options:

Disney Cruises
There are two cruise ships – Disney Magic and Disney Wonder – with Castaway Cay, a private island in the Bahamas, designed as an exclusive port of call for Disney ships. There are weekly cruises that depart from Port Carnaveral, Florida to the Bahamas, and the Eastern or Western Carribbean. There are other special cruises that go up the west coast of the United States and through the Panama Canal.

Disney Vacation Club
If the idea of returning to Disney locations over many years to come then you might want to consider joining the Disney Vacation Club. More than 90,000 families have already joined this real estate investment plan which allows them to use their annual allotment of Vacation Points for accommodation at Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World in Florida, Disneyland in Paris, France or on a Disney Cruises. There are other member benefits including a discount on park tickets.

Disneyland Resort Paris
This resort is located 19 miles east of Paris, France. As well as the regular rides and attractions that you can expect at any Disney park location (Main Street, Fantasyland, Discoveryland, Adventureland and Frontierland), Disneyland Resort Paris also has a special theme park called the ‘Walt Disney Studios’. It features 10 main attractions including the Rock-n-Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, Animagique, Armaggedon Special Effects and a Studio Tram Tour to take you behind the scenes.

Disneyland Park Resort, California
The first Disney theme park established in 1955 is the only one designed by Walt Disney. There are two main theme parks at Anaheim, California – Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park. Disneyland Park is the main park with all the locations you would expect to find plus a whole heap of rides and attractions you may not have heard of. The Adventure Park has four themed lands – Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Golden State, Paradise Pier and ‘a bug’s land’. There is also the Downtown Disney District, a shopping, entertainment and dining precinct, located between the two theme parks. There are 3 Disney Hotels to choose from if you want a complete Disney experience.

Hong Kong Disneyland
At the Disneyland Park in Hong Kong spread over 310 acres are a range of rides and attractions from other Disney locations which have been adapted with the local culture in mind. The themed lands you will find include Main Street, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. There are 2 Disney hotels located next to the Park on Lantau Island, 20 minutes by ferry from the International Airport.

Tokyo Disney Resort
This resort was the first Disney resort to be opened outside the US. In Tokyo there are two theme parks side by side - Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Park – together with 5 Disney Hotels. There are seven themed lands at the Park – Fantasyland, Critter Country, Toon Town, Tommorrowland, Adventureland, Westernland, World Bazaar. The DisneySea Park also has seven separate lands – Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Port Discovery, Mermaid Lagoon, Mysterious Island, American Waterfront, Mediterranean Harbor. The park complex also has a dedicated shopping, dining and entertainment area, Ikspiari, which also features a children’s play-and-care
center.

Walt Disney World
Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Walt Disney World was the second of the Disney theme parks but it is the largest, stretching over 47 square miles. With four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park), two water parks (Typhoon Park and Blizzard
Beach), six golf courses, a sports complex, an auto race track, Disney Downtown area, more than twenty resort hotels, and numerous shopping, dining, and entertainment offerings you will find more than enough to keep you entertained for many days.

Whichever experience you choose, where Disney is involved it’s sure to be a fun and exciting time. Make sure you read up on your choice so that you can get the most out of your Disney holiday.
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Holiday Spending Tips - Ten Ways To Keep From Having A Holiday Spending Hangover

Ah the holidays… a time for parties, over eating, and over spending. Americans routinely overspend during the holidays, often resulting in increasing credit card debt to go along with that increasing waistline from too much pumpkin pie.

The holidays are stressful enough. Don’t add to that stress by overspending your holiday budget. Here are ten tips to help you save time, money and stress this shopping season:

1. Make a list. Decide how much you can afford to spend this year and write it down. Decide who you want to buy for, and how much you want to spend on each person. Take this list with you when you go shopping to ensure that you don’t buy on impulse or exceed your spending limit. Also, don’t forget to include wrapping paper, decorations and shipping costs. These can add up fast!

2. Pay cash for your holiday gifts. It’s much harder to spend cash than credit, so this tip alone could save you hundreds of dollars this holiday season. Also, avoid credit card offers or store charge card offers that offer you a discount if you sign up. These cards usually have high interest rates, and could end up costing much more in the long run than the discount you receive when you sign up for the card.

3. Do your shopping online this year. Buying online could result in discounts not available in stores. Just remember to include the shipping cost when buying online. Even if you don’t actually buy online, the time you can save by doing comparison shopping before you go to the malls could be invaluable.

4. Have a Secret Santa gift exchange, where you put names in a hat and each person draws one name to purchase for. If you have a large family, this could mean tremendous savings! You should set a dollar limit so each person knows how much to spend. That way no one overspends and relatives with smaller budgets won’t feel bad about not spending a fortune on a gift.

5. Another alternative for those with large families is to do a group gift. Have several relatives go in on one big gift instead of each person buying a separate gift. You will probably all save money and you can buy the recipient one big, cool gift that they really want.

6. Start early! Shopping early allows you to comparison shop and to catch pre-holiday sales, which could mean huge savings. This also curbs impulse shopping, which can be very expensive. Another benefit to shopping early is lower shipping costs if you need to mail a gift. Waiting til the last minute can be expensive because you’re more likely to pay full price for the gift, and you may have to pay extra to ship it if you want to guarantee it arrives in time.

7. Make your holiday gifts. If you have creative talents, such as cooking, crafts, etc., making your own gifts can be very special. If you’re not very creative, consider giving your time. Offers to baby-sit or to do something special for someone can be very personal and appreciated gifts. How many parents do you know who wouldn’t love to have free babysitting?

8. Purchase wrapping paper, holiday cards and other decorations right after the holidays. Seasonal items are usually offered at deep discounts after the holiday, and they never go out of style. Stock up on clearance-priced items for next year, this year!

9. If you’ll be traveling this holiday season, book your travel plans early. Airline flights, train tickets and bus tickets usually go up significantly during the holidays, so booking your travel plans early can save you money and stress.

10. Start a Christmas fund in January for next year’s shopping. Many credit unions and banks offer special accounts just for this purpose. A CD is another great way to save for next year’s holiday expenses. It never hurts to sock away a little money every month between now and the next holiday season. You’ll earn a little interest and you’ll have cash to spend on your holiday gifts and other expenses when the holidays roll around.
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