10 James Bond Getaways

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by Gizelle Lau
Whether you’re James Bond, Jack Bauer, or Sydney Bristow – the life of a spy or government agent is bound to take you around the world chasing bad guys.

You can enjoy the same exotic destinations and exciting cities as your favourite secret agents without the dangers of the job. Gizelle Lau from Trip Atlas has rounded up the ten top places to discover and recreate the excitements of being a spy for a few days.

Miami – In Goldfinger (1964), Bond is found relaxing in Miami Beach, Florida – before South Beach was the hottest place to be, mind you – at the classic Fontainebleau hotel. Here, Auric Goldfinger is seen playing (and/or cheating) gin-rummy by the pool with the hotel’s iconic curved building behind.

Orient Express – The famous Orient Express is seen in From Russia With Love (1963) where Bond hops on the train from Venice to Istanbul via Bucharest, Budapest, and Vienna.

Italy – For the best from the Quantum of Solace (2008), head to Siena during the Palio di Siena horse race festival. Long before Daniel Craig was Bond, Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) was filmed as Bond in Costa Smeralda and stays at the Hotel Pitrizza.

London, England – Serving as homebase of M him/herself and MI6, this world-class city also serves as the backdrop for scenes in The World is Not Enough (1999) on a high-speed chase on the River Thames. In Dr. No (1962), the first Bond film opens at the exclusive casino, Les Ambassadeurs. To get dressed like Bond, head to Turnbull & Asser on Jermyn Street, tailors named in Fleming’s novels and helped to supply some of Bond’s wardrobe throughout the films.

Monaco – The Casino Monte Carlo in Monaco is the epitome of all-things James Bond: suave, luxurious, rich, beautiful women, and nice cars. Only in Monaco will you see a plethora of Ferraris, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, Aston Martins and other high-end cars at ever turn. The casino was featured in Never Say Never (1983) as well as GoldenEye (1995).


Las Vegas – For a look at what Vegas used to be, Bond in Diamonds Are Forever (1971) is the perfect example. Here, Bond stays at the Tropicana Hotel, tracks down the bad guy at the Las Vegas Hilton (Whyte House Hotel in the film), tries his luck at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, catches a show and a girl at Circus Circus, and has a chase scene along Fremont Street where you can see the Golden Nugget in the background.

Bahamas – Not only does Sir Sean Connery himself own a property in the Bahamas, but many-a-Bond-film has also been shot here. Atlantis Resort and the One&Only Ocean Club served as the sets for major scenes in Casino Royale (2004), while the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau was used in both Thunderball (1965) and Never Say Never Again (1983). The Bahamas’ famous Junkanoo festival was also featured in Thunderball.

Jamaica – This island has served as home to Ian Fleming for some time and was featured in many of his novels and the first Bond film, Dr. No (1962) where they shot in Kingston Jamaica, Laughing Waters Beach in Ochos Rios, Dunn’s River Falls, the Blue Mountains, and Montego Bay. Live and Let Die (1973) was also filmed here, featuring the Green Grotto caves in Runaway Bay, used as Mr. Kananga’s lair; as well as Swaby’s Swamp Safari attraction where the famous alligator scene was filmed.

Thailand – Like all the best Bond villains, The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) features the devious three-nippled Scaramanga hiding out among the massive limestone rocks of Thailand. Scenes were filmed on the islands of Ko Khao Phing Kan and Ko Tapu near Phuket in the Phang-nga province.

Japan – Kirishima-Yaki National Park is where it all goes down in my personal Bond favourite: You Only Live Twice (1967). Not only is the villain’s lair so badass that it’s hidden in a volcanic crater – but Blofeld’s evil white cat alone could make your hair stand up.
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Things To Do When You’re In New York

New York City’s Day life is as fun and exciting as its nightlife. It is a vast city that offers rich and cultural experience for all. The great thing about New York City’s day time attractions is that most of them can be availed of and enjoyed without spending too much money, if none at all. Credit it to the rich and colorful history of one of the world’s greatest city where most of the memorable historical events happened and the most interesting architectural edifices were built.

In fact, a day tour of New York City is not even enough to cover all of the nicest and most interesting tourist spots and theatrical arenas.

First in the list of things to do in New York is of course visiting the Empire State Building and re-enact the scenes from famous romantic movies such as An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle. Or relax at Central Park – taking in a little fresh air or simply watching busy people rushing by.

If you’re in the mood for a little business after visiting Central Park, head on down to the New York Stock Exchange and witness how the world’s premier stockbrokers do their thing.

If you are looking for some magnificent and interesting art exhibits, you can always go to the New York Public Library. Get awed by one of the greatest public library ever built at the NYPL. After visiting the New York Public Library, Bryan Park is just nearby where you can enjoy free outdoor movies, concerts and other special happenings.

If you haven’t had enough of museums and exhibits, there are still some other major museums in the city. Some of these include The Whitney Museum of American Art and The Museum of American Folk Art (entrance to this museum is free).

Out for a bargain hunt? Then go to famous Sixth Avenue Antiques Market or the famous flea market at Columbus Avenue and 76th street.

For the nature lovers, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden has sweet smelling roses with special exhibits at their conservatory. And while you are in Brooklyn, you might want to take a walk and proceed to the famous Brooklyn Bridge, one of the oldest suspension bridges in the U.S. – a truly magnificent piece of architectural work.
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Diverse Options In New York

By: G. Chadwick
The state of New York is diverse in many ways including its landscapes, cultures and cities. In the north there is the Adirondack Mountains with a number of excellent outdoor activities to choose from. In the western half of the state there are unique and charming cities such as Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Rochester. The south part of the city features the excellent museums and nightclubs of New York City along with an almost limitless supply of entertainment, accommodations and attractions to choose from. Including world renowned sights such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. For boating and fishing visitors should go to Long Island for their vacation.

When it comes to the state of New York everyone thinks of New York City. It has an wide diversity of architecture, galleries, museums, neighborhoods, restaurants and cultural events along with a great theatre district. New York City has everything you need all in one place. Broadway features a number of shows to choose from for those who enjoy the theatre. Central Park is an excellent place to go to experience the outdoors in the middle of New York City. In order to experience everything there is in New York City it would take a lifetime. However, some of the main sites you should visit for your first time to get a good introduction including the Empire State Building, the Lincoln Center, the Guggenheim Museum, the United Nations Buildings, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

For a vacation outside of the bustling city consider going to the state capital in Albany. This city is also located on the Hudson River. When visiting you can either walk around the town on foot or choose to take a tour by trolley. Albany has the New York State Museum which features all the information you needed to know about the history of the state of New York. A number of local events can be found at the Altamont Fairground. You can also visit the Erie Canal which extends between Albany and Lake Erie.

Two top hotels to stay at in New York City include the Le Parker Meridien which offers all around good accommodations. This includes an excellent blend of style, service and amenities. This hotels offers visitors a little bit of everything including luxury, high tech services, family friendly amenity options, comfort and a excellent location within the city. The second option is the Hotel Metro which is located in midtown and has an excellent value for what you get in terms of accommodations.

In Albany an excellent place to stay is the Morgan State House. This is a small inn that offers elegance and luxury. The rooms are spacious and it is up there with five star hotels. The details come from the nineteenth century and there are many antiques in each room. It also comes with an interior garden courtyard for guests relaxation.
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Go International and Stay in the States

By: Dale Montz
No passport, no 18 to 24 hours in the air, less jetlag to contend with and still all the International flair of going abroad. Where is this place that sounds to good to be true, you guessed it New York.

The city that never sleeps, it is always busy, some times of the day it is just busier than others. This is not a weekend getaway place, because you would miss so much, unless of course you are part of jet set and are jetting in just for the opening of a play and that is your only function. But if you are making a vacation of it, plan on at least a week and even then you will have to really fine tune your time so you will be able to see everything you want to see.

Of course it goes with saying there is the Statue of Liberty, then the Manhattan Skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, Central Park and this list could go on and on. You decide what is important for you to see, make your list, make your reservation and head out everyday to see what makes this city an International theme park of its own.

Music, museums, entertainment, plays, theatre; New York has it all and all day and all night. You can follow the glitz of the rich and famous or the bohemian depending the district you visit. Get a map and follow the districts and neighborhoods, use public transportation and the subway and the real feel for New York. 

Rent a car and go "up state" see all the natural beauty that is up there, stay in a bed and breakfast and get the feel for laid back living that the New Yorkers crave to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Up state is a world apart from the city, and it is a great place to visit, there are mountains, rivers, and gorgeous scenery. Then back to the city to finish your vacation on the high energy and visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ground Zero and all the history there.

To help you organized and make your reservations contact a Personal Travel Website where you get an actual person to assist you and to have contact with. http://activities.hotelbookingpro.com/
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A Tourist Guide To New York

By: Dan Oldfield
New York City

New York is one of the most famous and popular cities in the world today. It is also referred to as the ‘Big Apple’. The city stands tall with its many impressive skyscrapers and statues. It has a unique fast paced atmosphere that shouldn’t be missed.

Travelling to New York

If you are travelling from outside the USA then flying is definitely the best option in terms of getting there. The city has three main airports named John F Kennedy Airport, La Guardia Airport, and Newark Airport. JFK is the main international airport. As the city is so big and popular it has excellent road networks and rail services, making all travelling options easy.

Accommodation Choices

As you can imagine, New York has all kinds of accommodation that caters for a range of budgets. Many of the worlds most extravagant hotels can be found in New York. The most well known are The Crowne Plaza and The Four Seasons. For cheaper options try The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island as they all have quality hotels for less but are slightly further way from the centre.

History

During the seventeenth century, the Dutch settled in the area and traded fur. The region was later colonized by the British who names it New York. In the following couple of centuries, millions of immigrants moved to New York and began bringing masses of money to the burgeoning city.

Sights and Attractions

There is no shortage of sightseeing opportunities in New York. The City is packed with impressive buildings, museums and statues. The Empire State Building is possibly the most impressive feature of the city as well as The Statue of Liberty, and Central Park. The museums are also a must see part of the city. Be sure to visit the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Modern Art Museum, Guggenheim Museum, and American Museum of Natural History. Broadway is an impressive street with lights and the world’s most renowned shows happening on a daily basis.

Shopping

Thousands of people travel to New York purely to go shopping. It is one of the top shopping places in the world. There are shops for everyone, whatever your budget. You can find designer labels as well as plenty of bargains.

Eating and drinking

The same goes for dining as it does for shopping. New York has heaps of great restaurants and dining establishments. They are scattered all over the city so you never have to walk far. A full range of international cuisine can easily be found. Nightlife in the city is amazing as there are bars and clubs to suit everyone.
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New York Hotels Near Broadway

By: IPRWire Staff Writer
Of course, the “Big Apple” has an allure that most U.S. cities simply do not have, yet most people cannot tell you what it is that is so magical and mysterious about NYC. One of the most enticing things about going to Manhattan is the idea of walking up and down Broadway and, of course, seeing a show or two. While some people go to Manhattan to see the museums and to go shopping, many travelers want to go in order to see what really happens on the “Great White Way.”

New York hotels are somewhat more expensive than hotels in the rest of the U.S., but most travelers going to the city are prepared to pay more for their accommodations. Most travelers, even those going to NYC for the first time, realize that finding a place to stay in the city can be a daunting task. On the other hand, finding affordable accommodations is possible, even in Manhattan. If there is an area of the city where you prefer to find your accommodations, it is still possible to find something on the more affordable end of the price range that is within that location.

There are plenty of large New York hotels that are situated near major attractions such as Broadway and Lincoln Center. These larger hotels are often listed at prices that match their high-end addresses in Manhattan. On the other hand, there are a few smaller establishments within this area of the city that offer rooms at much more affordable prices than the larger corporate names. The key to finding accommodations in these smaller establishments is to plan your trip early by choosing your dates and then searching online to choose your accommodations.

When it comes to finding accommodations in NYC, the option of sorting New York hotels according to their locations is an important one for a lot of travelers. If you would like to be near the theater district, you will notice that the big corporate hotels are very expensive. If you are trying to meet a specific travel budget, you will want to look for smaller, boutique hotels with fewer guestrooms and, in most cases, without an elevator. If these features sound okay to you, choosing one of the small, privately run establishments will help you to meet your set travel budget while letting you enjoy all that the city has to offer.

HotelBookingPro Travel at  http://hotels.hotelbookingpro.com/web/countries/united_states/ offers comprehensive searches for New York hotels. The website allows searches by price to find cheap hostels or more luxurious suites. A drop-down menu for lodgings near major landmarks narrows the search even further. Airfare and rental car accommodations are also offered on the site.
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Night Life in New York City

By: Anil Yadav
L.A. is consider as the capital of celebrity of the world, but anyone in New York will never be at a loss for some fun or any cultural activities. In my article for the readers I have mentioned few of the best places of night hang outs in New York where they can kick back, unwind and leave the day behind. Night life in New York includes various types of hang out places like Bars, Cocktail Lounges, Billiards, Dance Clubs, Hotel Bars, Comedy Clubs, music Clubs, Sports Bars, Piano Bars, Jazz & Blues Clubs depending upon various price range to refresh and boost up your energy level.

In New York you can always hear any type of music, from plenty of jazz, pogoing punk to thumping hip-hop on any night of the week the live music scene very well reflects New York’s diversity. If you are looking out for some quite a few dance clubs with cheesy numbers or hard-hitting drum tunes from the late 1970s and 1980s, you can even get that in New York.

New York has one of the world’s greatest theater centers, showing over the top lavish music. When comes to film, the city has various options of several large theaters, art house cinemas, numerous revival and to many to count Hollywood blockbusters multiplexes. NYC also has presence of wonderful comedy clubs, as well as excellent poetry slam scene and healthy spoken world.

From Joe’s Pub to Cutting-edge Knitting Factory to S.O.B.’s, New York has numerous venues of live music, which cater more eclectic fare and world music. There are many jazz clubs with wide range of quality. Cover charges will run you from to $25 or so at any of these smaller places. Touring bands are attracted from all over the world at many larger music venues, and the price of the ticket may range from $25 to $100.

The club life in the New York is very formless; Parties are changed rapidly, so check out the Time Out New York or The Village Voice before making any plans. Drum’n’ bass, 1980’s Nostalgia, and Elctronica are now making there place on clubs. Though Dancehall reggae, funk, Latin freestyle and hip-hop get their due. There is no point to visit those places earlier as it starts rocking just before midnight. Try to visit during week, as the prices are cheaper, service is better and the crowd is smaller.

Even if you are not crazy about theater, going and seeing a play or a musical concert in New York is virtually authentic, various theater venues are referred to as Off-Broadway or Broadway offering a descend order of ticket price, elegance, comfort and production polish. Broadways offers large numbers of musicals dramas, comedies with big name actors, mostly Broadways are located allover Manhattan and between 40th and 52nd streets. Listing of Broadway appears in free, check out The Village Voice or Time Out 

New York for official Broadway Theater guide. Ticket prices ranges from $50–100, $25–50,or around $15. The prices of the shows can be reduced up to 25 to 50 percent off, if you stand in booth line on the performance day.

Classical music is taken seriously by the New Yorkers. Many concerts sells long queues form for anything famous, quarter of a million people may come in Central Park to watch free performance by the New York Philharmonic on summer evenings. Apart from Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall is the most important venue; here from all the schools of music greatest names have.

Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Center is 120 year old, and is New York’s premier venue for opera. The theater has superb sound system, which draws a large number of crowds who come to hear tenors, baritones and sopranos from all over the world. The nosebleed seats are very cheep. Performances are also hosted in the New York State Theater in Lincoln Center, they perform with modern interpretation, and their performance of The Nutcracker is very popular.

Lincoln Center and Brooklyn Academy of Music is consider as the most dignified venues for operas, dances and classical. Lincoln Center serves as a showcase when it comes to dance. Even though other venues regularly host events, the Brooklyn Academy of Music at 30 Lafayette St, between St Felix Street and Ashland Place in Brooklyn is America’s oldest performing academy of arts. Back in Manhattan, at the City Center six dance troupes are in residence, along with America’s two choreographic giants, the Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company.

After a hectic day in New York City you can step-in for chilling and relaxing out at any bar, dine and clubbing. For more information about what’s on any particular week, check out Time Out New York or The Village Voice, available from newsstands citywide.
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Hotel Booking Thru Global Distribution System (GDS)

Online hotel reservations are becoming a very popular method for booking hotel rooms. Travelers can book rooms from home by using online security to protect their privacy and financial information and by using several online travel agents to compare prices and facilities at different hotels.
Prior to the Internet, travelers could write, telephone the hotel directly, or use a travel agent to make a reservation. Nowadays, online travel agents have pictures of hotels and rooms, information on prices and deals, and even information on local resorts. Many also allow reviews of the traveler to be recorded with the online travel agent.
Online hotel reservations are also helpful for making last minute travel arrangements. Hotels may drop the price of a room if some rooms are still available. There are several websites that specialize in searches for deals on rooms.
Large hotel chains typically have direct connections to the airline national distribution systems (GDS) (Sabre, Galileo, Amadeus, and Worldspan). These in turn provide hotel information directly to the hundreds of thousands of travel agents that align themselves with one of these systems. Individual hotels and small hotel chains often cannot afford the expense of these direct connections and turn to other companies to provide the connections.
Several large online travel sites are, in effect, travel agencies. These sites send the hotels' information and rates downstream to literally thousands of online travel sites, most of which act as travel agents. They can then receive commission payments from the hotels for any business booked on their websites.
Lastly, people can book directly on an individual hotel's website. An increasing number of hotels are building their own websites to allow them to market their hotels directly to consumers. Non-franchise chain hotels require a "booking engine" application to be attached to their website to permit people to book rooms in real time. One advantage of booking with the hotel directly is the use of the hotel's full cancellation policy as well as not needing a deposit in most situations.
To improve the likelihood of filling rooms, hotels tend to use several of the above systems. The content on many hotel reservation systems is becoming increasingly similar as more hotels sign up to all the sites. Companies thus have to either rely on specially negotiated rates with the hotels and hotel chains or trust in the influence of search engine rankings to draw in customers.
The ultimate service provided by these companies to the hotels and the online consumer is that they provide a single database from which all reservation sources draw immediate room availability and rates. It is very important that hotels integrate with all the supply channels so that their guests are able to make accurate online bookings.
There are many ways of making the online reservation,most of the online reservation systems use the centralized GDS system for making the reservation with the hotel directly.Examples of the GDS are Sabre, WorldSpan, Travelport,Amadeus and Galileo.
The online hotel reservation through Global Distribution System (GDS) is just the tentative reservation, means that you do not need to pay at the time of reservation, instead pay at the time of check in or check out.

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