Category Archives: USA

What to expect at the Burning Man Festival

What started as a bonfire ritual during the summer solstice on a beach in San Francisco has turned into annual event. The Burning Man Festival this year will take place from August 27 to September 4, 2017 Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

Thousands gather for a week of radical self-expression with art installations, performances, self expression and creativity within a temporary community. Among those who have attended are artists, CEOs and celebrities. To date there have been 70,000 “burners” that have attended in one year.

The festival has a theme every year and for 2017 it’s Radical Ritual. Past themes have included Fertility, Time, Hell, Outer Space, The Body, The Floating World, Beyond Belief, Vault of Heaven, Psyche, Hope and Fear, The Green Man, The American Dream, Evolution, Metropolis, Fertility 2.0, Caravansary, Carnival of Mirrors, and da Vinci’s Workshop.

The Saturday night before Labor Day is when the man burns, a much awaited part of the event.

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Photo credit: Cory Doctorow (Flickr)

Some tips:

  • There is no vending at the festival. Only coffee and ice are for sale.
  • There’s also no selling of any kind of items, instead guests can trade or give to one another in keeping in the spirit of community.
  • Bring enough supplies for your length of stay. You need to make sure to bring your own food, water, sleeping gear, etc.
  • Remember to hydrate because it is the desert.
  • Print out a map and plan ahead for meet up locations better yet rent an vacation rental the night before and gather everyone together ahead of time before heading to the event.

Lastly, enjoy this one of a kind unique experience!

Don’t Miss the Lollapalooza Experience

What started as a touring music festival in 1991  has since become an annual and much awaited event held in Grant Park, Chicago. On August 3-6 the Lollapalooza festival will comprise of 8 stages and 170+ bands from all over the world.

This year’s line up features a long line of established and burgeoning talent. Expect to sing and dance to music from Blink 182, Lorde, Chance the Rapper, Whiz Kalifa, Liam Gallagher and many many more.

Tips when attending Lollapalooza

  • Grant Park’s two main entrances are on Congress & Michigan and Columbus & Monroe. Public transportation is readily available in Chicago.
  • August usually has mild summer weather but be prepared for a sunny or gusty experience. Bring sunscreen!
  • Since events like these are jam packed make sure to have a meeting place and check in time if you should get separated from your companions.
  • Bring bottled water and make sure to hydrate yourself. Though it’s not summer’s peak the packed crowd can equal to just the same amount of heat.
  • Lastly, enjoy the experience and try not to enjoy it through your phone.

The strong support of the fans and sponsors has kept the festival strong and we can expect that this festival will continue to churn out more talent.

What to do in the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided valley carved by the Colorado River in Arizona USA. This 277-mile long, nearly 18-mile wide and over a mile-deep canyon is inhabited by native Americans. According to studies, the Grand Canyon was developed 40 million years ago.

Activities to enjoy in the Grand Canyon

Casual sightseeing – the canyon does not only offer sand and rocks. There’s Havasupai Falls with red rock walls and deep blue water. The South Rim which is 7000 feet above sea level has incredible panoramic views of the canyon. The road leading up to the Toroweap Overlook might be treacherous but it’s all worth it once you reach the top which is 3,000 feet over the river.

Hiking – A day, an overnight or a week-long expedition in Grand Canyon is an experience one will never ever forget. The difficulty level of the trips range from moderate hikes to the extremely demanding trips. The South Rim and the North Rim both offer the trail hikers spectacular views of the Grand Canyon.

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River Trips – There are different river trip opportunities that last for as long as 25 days in the Grand Canyon. Motorized or non-motorized whitewater rafting which takes a minimum of 7 days can also be enjoyed.

Bicycling – Most of the trails in the park prohibit bicycling but there are still a lot of options for a great ride to see the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Biking in the Grand Canyon is an amazing wilderness experience.

Mule Rides – Grand Canyon mule rides have been famous with visitors since the 1980’s. This 4-mile 3-hour trek on narrow trails gives visitors more adventures and breathtaking views from the back of a mule.

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Camping – Camping in the Grand Canyon is a highly-desired activity for most of the visitors. Camping enables tourists see more awe-inspiring views of the canyon. The North Rim offers the most memorable camping experience.

Helicopter ride – One of the most exciting ways to see the Grand Canyon by air is through a helicopter ride. Helicopters fly approximately 1000 feet lower than airplanes touring in the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon Skywalk Tour – This is a horseshoe-shaped cantilever bridge with a glass walkway. The Skywalk extends 70 feet long and has a width of 65 feet. Its foundation can withstand an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 within 50 miles.

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Indulge in Romantic Places Around the World

There are some cities that just scream romance, hearts and flowers. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to take it all in and revel in love.

Love should be a year round event but everyday life can have us yearning for more time together, special moments, and fond memories. If there’s one day where we can all take the time to show that special someone just how much we love them it’s Valentines Day.

From the usual dreamy spots to the truly magnificent, we present places to visit and indulge on romance.

New York City, New York

Central Park represents the majestic in a city of hustle and bustle. Smack dab in the middle of urban life is a place where one can go on a romantic paddle around the lake, have a picnic in Sheep Meadow, or Ice skate at Wollman Rink.

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The Conservatory Garden, a six-acre garden offers a deluge of flowers where you can stroll along and appreciate.

Make sure to also visit the famous LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana on the corner of 6th Avenue and 55th Street in Manhattan.

Where to stay in New York City.

Verona, Italy

Can there be any place as romantic as that of Verona, Italy home to Juliet’s Balcony at Casa di Giulietta (Home of Juliet)? The tragic and devastating Shakespearean love story is one that strikes the heart of anyone who hears it.

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Witness a beautiful sunset on the skyline of Verona from Castel San Pietro.

During the Valentine weekend, 11-14 February the city of Verona dresses in red. The whole city goes all out to celebrate the day of hearts and love with a series of initiatives hosted by restaurants, bars, theaters and museums.

Romantic getaways in Verona.

Bali, Indonesia         

There are many places to choose in Asia to experience romance but Bali is among the top few and is often a wedding destination because of its gorgeous collection of beaches.

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The Balinese massage is one to be had and pampering that a couple can take joy together.

Have a cultural experience by visiting centuries-old temples such as the Tanah Lot, Goa Gajah, Uluwatu Temple, Besakih Temple and more.

Ocean view rooms in Bali.

What to Expect from Super Bowl LI

All eyes will be glued to the TV screen as this year’s Super Bowl LI airs in February. The National Football League’s most awaited annual championship game will be played at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on February 5, 2017.

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What teams will play in Super Bowl LI?

The winners of the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football conference (NFC) championship games on January 22 will be the teams who will play in Super Bowl LI. The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers will battle each other in the AFC championship game at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Green Bay Packers, on the other hand, will be pitted against the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Who will perform at the halftime show?

Grammy award-winning singer Lady Gaga headlines Super Bowl LI’s Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl Halftime Show. The electrifying performer will surely bring the house down the way she did when she splendidly sang the national anthem in last year’s Super Bowl.

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What are the prizes for the Super Bowl winners?

Cash bonuses are given to both winning and losing teams, with the champions getting a much bigger payout. Each player of the winning team will also get a gold-and-diamond Super Bowl ring. Finally, the winning team will receive the most coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy.

So who do you think will win Super Bowl LI?