Sandyford - A Beautiful Suburb South of Dublin City

How to get there

Sandyford is both a business and residential district located approximately 10 km from Dublin City Centre. Sandyford is easily accessible from Dublin City by pubic transport and is the last stop on the Luas green line route. By car just follow the signposts at exit 13: this is approximately a 20-minute journey by car.

What to See

Right in the heart of Sandyford village is a beautiful square with a monument dedicated to 'The Working Men of the Village' named Peter and Ned. Fernhill Gardens are certainly worth a visit, take a stroll in these wonderful manicured gardens in beautiful and tranquil surroundings.

Sandyford People

Many Irish celebrities hail from Sandyford or call it their home such as singer / songwriter Paul Brady, Television presenter Ray D'Arcy, former Formula 1 driver David Kennedy and many more.

Sandyford Industrial Estate

Over the years Sandyford has evolved into a major Dublin suburb and is home to one of Dublin's largest Industrial Estates. The Industrial Estate consists of many offices and apartment blocks, hotels and apartments like The Beacon Hotel and the Beacon Hospital. Other businesses include; American Airlines, Vodafone, Cannon and Barclaycard to name a few. Recently a shopping centre has opened as part of the Beacon South Quarter and includes Dunnes Stores which is a popular Irish retailer.

Shopping in Sandyford

If shopping takes your fancy then the Dundrum Shopping Centre is sure to please. Located on the Sandyford Road, the Dundrum Shopping Centre is one of Ireland's largest and leading shopping centre offering a great selection of shops and fashion houses suitable for all tastes, shapes and budgets, and all under the one roof!

Sandyford Food Market

A visit to Sandyford's Food Market is a must, showcasing the very best in local and fresh produce - your taste buds are certainly in for a treat when you visit the Sandyford Food Market. The market operates every Friday from 11 am to 3 pm.

Horse Racing

Go racing at Leopardstown Racecourse - Just a 5-minute drive from Sandyford is one of Europe's premier racetracks: Leopardstown. If you fancy a flutter then come and experience the thrill and excitement of Leopardstown Racecourse. Onsite there are 24 private suites, hospitality rooms throughout, Fillies Café Bar, Silken Glider Restaurant, the Paddock Food Hall, The Leopardstown Pavilion, Club 92, Madigan's and several bars and snack areas to enjoy.

Enjoy Ten Beautiful Sites in Cyprus

Cyprus is an island that is situated in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also recognized as the third biggest island after Sicily and Sardinia that is located in the Mediterranean Sea. This is a wonderful and idyllic country that it is one of the top favorite tourist destinations.

1.) Cyprus Museum

When you are in Nicosia, visit this museum. You will see here the most beautiful of Cypriot artifacts and archeology. You can also take a leisurely snack in its café before you go on exploring what else the museum has in store for you.

2.) Byzantine Museum

This is a wonderful place to visit. Not only will you enjoy what the museum features, but you will also see here a gigantic statue of Archbishop Makarios. Here, you will get your fill of Orthodox icon collections as well as other kinds of artworks.

3.) National Struggle Museum

For a bit of Cypriot history, visit this museum in Nicosia. You will learn about the Cypriot independence movement here as well as about the EOKA guerilla movement. You will also see many objects related to the movements here.

4.) House of the Dragoman Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios

This is a wonderful place to see. It is an 18th-century building that was renovated and restored to its usual glamour. Now, there is an ethnological museum here that visitors and locals alike visit.

5.) Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre

This is a special building in the first place because it is a very beautiful illustration of Cypriot industrial architecture. It was once neglected and nearly in ruins before it was renovated and became a fashionable modern-day art gallery. There is also a restaurant here where you can take a leisurely meal.

6.) Ledra Observatory and Museum

You can find this observatory and museum on the Shakolas Building's 11th floor. Once you get here, you will surely be in awe at the beautiful view it gives of Nicosia City. You can also appreciate the beauty of the medieval old city below this tall building.

7.) The Town of Lanarca

This is a little town were you can have a pleasant walk along the seaside of Larnaca Promenade. There are also lots to see here, the Church of St. Lazarus for one as well as the Larnaca Salt Lake where you can usually see pink flamingoes during the winter season. You can also visit the Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque and the Tomb of Umm Haram, the Mohammed's foster mother.

8.) The City of Limassol

Recognized as Cyprus' second largest city, this is also fast becoming a tourist spot. Here, you will get to see the Limassol Castle, a historic site for this is the castle where Richard the Lionhearted supposedly married his wife, Queen Berengaria of Navarre. You can also visit in Limassol the ancient cities of Curium and Amathus.

9.) The Town of Paphos

This is where the famous Greek goddess named Aphrodite was said to have been borne. You will see here the Paphos Archeological Park that contains the Roman villa ruins of the House of Dionysos and the House of Theseus, and these two are renowned for their mosaic designs. You can also visit the Paphos Fort and learn about its lively history.

10.) The Tombs of the Kings

This is not really the burial site of kings and queens of olden times but the burial site of Cyprus' prominent and wealthy citizens as well as officials. What is sad is that their tombs have been pillaged free of its many treasures, but nevertheless, it is still a wonderful place to visit. The richer the citizen, the grander and more complex his tomb site is.

Real Estate Industry Disappointed with Internet Results

The real estate industry viewed and continues to view the Internet as their portal to a vast population of buyers and sellers in their area and beyond.

Website after website has popped up across the Internet and website designers have created entire businesses around the real estate industry.

Though there are a number of real estate professionals who are pleased with the results of their investment, many real estate professionals are quite disappointed with the results of their often considerable investment.

The reality for many real estate professionals that invested in having a website designed and developed is they simply chose the wrong design firm. Often mesmerized by bells and whistles, real estate professionals lost sight of the true key to success: results!

In real estate location is everything, the same is true for real estate professionals on the Internet. Having the most beautifully designed website on the Internet with every bell and whistle possible is certainly nice, but is it worth the investment?

Real estate brokers and agents must ask themselves how successful they will be in selling the most amazing house they ever saw if they are unable to show it to anyone. If no one sees it - will anyone buy it?

With the overwhelming majority of real estate professionals having a finite budget for website development and marketing it is important to spend that budget wisely.

Though a good portion of a budget should be spent on the design and development of a website, a larger portion should be spent on the marketing and optimization of the website so your newly designed website is seen and can actually be a source of leads for your business.

Investing in the development of a website without investing in the optimization and marketing of the website is akin to building a great restaurant in the middle of the desert. Sure those limited visitors that may come to your restaurant may be impressed, the traffic is simply not strong enough to sustain it.

The most successful real estate professionals on the Internet are investing in both website development and optimization/marketing. Selecting design firms that handle SEO and marketing has proved successful for those real estate professionals that are looking to tap into the great potential of the Internet.

Global Bathroom Fittings Industry - An Overview of Its Growth

Bathroom fittings consist of hardware items that are used to add convenience as well as beauty to different bathroom settings. In the recent yeas, the manufacturers of bathware products and other types of fittings have come up with innovative ideas. At the same time, the old designs have been revived to create a luxurious look for different styles of bathrooms.

The countries like China and India have shown tremendous growth in the bathroom hardware and fitting industry. The bathroom fittings suppliers are not only catering to the domestic markets of these countries, they are exporting these products in large quality to other countries as well. Here is an overview of the bathroom fitting industry at the global level.

Growing Bathroom Fittings Markets

According to the recent surveys, the bathroom fittings manufacturing industry in India is growing at the rate of 22 percent per annum. The industry recorded the worth of INR 18 bn in the year 2008. The growth is expected to continue the same way for the upcoming ways and the highly projected worth of the industry in 2012 is INR 40 bn.

In China, the number of enterprises manufacturing bathroom fittings has increased to 2,000 in the past 10 years. The national production of different bathroom products has witnessed sharp growth during this period. Both the Indian and Chinese enterprises in this industry are exporting a large volume of bathroom hardware to the countries like the USA and the UK.

Rise in Demand

There has been a consistent rise in demand for the modern designs of fittings in various categories. There are some specific reasons that have lead to the increase in demand:

· Rise in the income of the people all over the world in the past 10 years has greatly contributed towards the rise in demand of bathroom hardware. Homeowners now wish to have their bathroom as the plush corner of the house.

· Increase in urbanization too has made innovative bathroom hardware and fittings popular among the homeowners, who possess houses in the cities and developed areas.

· People have become more conscious about home decoration and home improvement. Adding contemporary fittings to their bathrooms is a part of the process.

· Apart from the residential areas, the bathrooms in hospitality industry too are designed carefully to make them look beautiful and attractive. Hotels, restaurants and other such establishments are taking special care in choosing the latest bathroom hardware designs.

Modern Bathroom Fittings

The modern bathroom fittings and accessories are made from materials like chrome, brass and steel. These materials render a stylish look to various items and make them available in huge varieties in terms of colors and finishes. Some of the popular finishes offered by the manufacturers include gold finish, polished chrome, darker browns and bronze. Toilet, wash basins, faucets, bathtubs, cisterns and towel racks and towel bars are among the most popular bathroom hardware items.

Bathroom fittings and accessories have come a long way from being the functional units to the decorative accessories. Today's consumers are required to be satisfied with stylish and contemporary bathroom hardware designs.

Color Speaks - What Does Your House Say?

Color. It is part of our everyday life. We have color all around us and every color elicits an emotional and physical response. We are usually not even conscious of our body or mind going through the physiological process, but it happens. For example, in the world of color physiology, red is associated with blood and energy (or heat) and emotions that stir the blood such as anger or excitement.

There are entire industries devoted to the use of color and how to apply it to elicit desired responses from consumers. Consider this: Do you remember the old style Denny's restaurants? Why were the booth colors orange and pink? Those colors were specifically selected so customers would not linger because orange and pink are stimulating colors that keep us unsettled. Their reasoning worked. Think about other restaurants where you have been that want you to stay a while - their color scheme was most likely soft, neutral, with calming colors of blue, green, greys, and soft purples, and dim lighting. Black and white are considered at the opposite ends of the color spectrum - with some schools of thought stating that they are not even colors. Black weighs down a space and white lifts it up - so together they help create an emotional anchor and should be used with accessories or art - a little splash here and there - to balance a room.

The art of "reading colors" has been a part of beauty and fashion for years - with certain colors making us look and feel younger and energetic and wrong colors literally making our complexion look sallow and eyes dull. When we wear certain colors, we actually feel happier and more uplifted, and the opposite is true when we wear other colors. When we paint our houses, we are dressing them up for show as well. How can we tell what colors work best? This article should help give you guidance whether you are selling it or living in it.

Here is a list of topics covered in this article:

Colors in our lives and our houses

Physiology of Color

Accent Walls - friend or foe?

Best Colors solutions for Selling

Embrace versus Replace

Contrast Colors to the Rescue

Where to get Help

Color Trends for 2008

Color is an integral part of our homes.
Just like we dress ourselves, we dress our house with colors used in accessories, artwork, and on walls. You may recall the avocado greens and gold colors found in houses in the 1950's. Or how about tie-dye, and houses with olive green, orange, or dark brown shag carpets common in the 1960's -70's. The 1980's seemed to be all about pastels and southwest color schemes. The 1990's saw some shifting towards the use of color, but there was also an "all-white" movement afoot in homes. We did not see the full impact of using color in homes until the new millennium. It was almost as if with the turn of the century, homeowners left their fear box of white and enter the euphoric world of colored walls. Some of these people have really embraced the interior color world, while others remained more conservative - placing color on accent walls for punch and impact, while keeping the main walls neutral.
We know the psychological impact of color can be found in nature.
Think about how you feel when you look at the water or sky, or sit under a tree. Blue and Green are relaxing. Cooler tones tend to be more relaxing, and Warmer tones tend to be more stimulating. So are some shades of purple such as lavender and periwinkle. If you want to relax in your bedroom, it's probably a good idea not to paint it Red. On the other hand, if you have a room where you want constant activity, feel free to paint it Orange, Red, or Yellow - but just be sure you really like those colors because when they go on a wall they can really dominate!
Accent Walls - Friend or Foe?
If you are not quite ready to commit to an entire room re-do, consider an accent wall. Accent walls in red and burgundy are very common in dining rooms and kitchens. We are less likely to see this color in a bedroom or bathroom, but accent walls with a deeper tone of a soothing color behind a bed where a headboard is placed or a large piece of art makes a nice frame for the focal point of the bedroom. Experts share that we should never paint an outer wall as an accent wall.
What colors are best for the interior of a house?
Painting each room in a house a different color chops up the flow and actually is a detraction emotionally and visually. It's better to use one color or tones of the same color family to flow through each room as a common thread, and then punch up color in various rooms with accent walls, or accessories and art. Dark colors close a room in and make it feel smaller - literally eliminating visual square footage because of the emotional response. It is never a good idea to paint a ceiling a dark color unless it is vaulted or higher than the standard 8-9 feet. Children's rooms may have creative murals, fun colors and themes. Just keep in colors impact children more than adults - so keep the bright, stimulating colors off the walls unless you want Johnny and Susie up al night. If you want to have some fun, use accessories, props, and artwork to add the color but keep the background in a calming color or warm neutral.
Good Warm Neutrals should be used as a background for the rooms in the house.
White is called "the color of fear" with paint - meaning it is the sign of someone that does not know what to do - so does nothing. It seems clean and fresh, but really it's boring. Houses exist with all white walls but they are usually ones with black and white decorating schemes, which is not practical for the everyday homeowner. White is great when used as an accent for moulding, trims, and cabinetry. On walls, even if you are not brave of heart to paint a wall orange, go for a nice tan color - or a soft gold or taupe. The walls come alive!
What if you are selling a house and you have bright colors on your walls?
Colors speak to buyers. They say "Buy Me" or "When you buy me, before you move in you will have a lot of work to do." If a buyer likes the color painted on a wall, great but to take that chance and eliminate an entire pool of buyers over a too-bright or odd color on the wall, does not make sense. In a market where there are a lot of houses for sale, making sure that a house is move-in ready is essential. Some sellers will argue that a buyer will usually paint the walls anyway, but painting a neutral wall is easy. Having to prime (possibly with multiple coats of paint) and then paint is a lot more work.
The best solution for selling is to paint out all the walls with a warm neutral.
(Note: Sherwin Williams has a great line of colors and ASP Stagers can get a 40-60% discount on materials for clients.) We recommend sellers paint walls a warm tan, soft gold, or taupe color. Keep in mind that the undertone of the paint needs to blend nicely with cabinetry, carpet and flooring. Picking a color with a grey cast and painting it in a house with yellow or red oak cabinets will result in a mis-match and will not enhance the house. If you are not able to decide which color should be painted, seek the advice of a professional ASP Home Stager. Most ASP Stagers have color wheels and fan decks from professional paint supply stores and can easily help select a color that will be a good background to the features of the house.
"Embrace, not Replace."
When a client states they will not invest in the painting, what do you do? First, we need to know how motivated this client is to get the results they want. There is a reason they don't want to paint and it is usually about one of two factors: Cost or Attachment. Painting a whole house can cost a fair amount, but the return on investment more than makes up for it in the sale. There are discounts they can receive when they work with a Stager, and the fresh paint job can actually be marketed as a feature when selling the house. An attachment issue says the seller is not sure they want to move and because they like the color, if they don't sell they don't want to have to repaint the walls. They clearly lack the commitment to make necessary changes. The goal is to always work with the Seller to help educate them about why they need to make changes and give them solutions that make sense for them to achieve their sale.
What if the client just refuses to paint the bright walls?
How can you tone it down so that it is not such a shocker for a buyer? The solution is to counter-balance the color by adding accessories that are in the contrasting color. This takes experience to know exactly what to do, but it works! Again, an ASP Stager will know what colors to introduce in the room, and where to place them to help neutralize the impact of a too-bright or outdated color. As an example, a house that has too much blue - flooring or counters - would have gold, soft yellow, and perhaps even orange introduced with accessories, art and furnishings in order to play down the blue, and help a buyer focus on the house and not the blue paint or counters or carpet. The detracting color is still there, but with Staging the house is presented in a way that is appealing and helps a buyer to know how they might be able to deal with the color too.

Moving to a Trans-industrial Paradigm

Depression.. or collapse of industrial system?

Why is there an underlying assumption that a market collapse and financial meltdown needs to be a bad thing? Doom and gloom is all the talk , as if the only positive thing is when the markets are going up. Many believe that increasing markets are 'healthy' and declining markets need 'fixing'. Isn't the idea of pure market capitalism that the markets determine the prices freely, i.e. what market participants are willing to (and can afford) to pay, not what sellers would like prices to be? Is it a question of what is vs. what should be? Every seller would like a higher price, but their dreams about higher prices are only justified by people willing to pay the price.

Short sellers have known for a long time the profits that can be made in declining markets. Catastrophe is opportunity; it is the birth of modern day fortunes such as Rockefellers and Morgans. These noble houses were not crafty geniuses who invented the cure for cancer, they were shrewd, well-informed executives who were at the right place at the right time, and they had the cash to strike.

In fact, it is much easier to profit from calamity than success, because of the predictability and calculability of crises . Success is more difficult to predict, and you do not have a measure of how successful a company can be. If a company goes IPO at $20 per share, and you expect them to increase, the price could go to $50 or $500 like Google. However, if you expect bankruptcy, you have a ground floor at zero. In addition, the statistics are in your favor, 95% of all businesses in USA fail . Knowing that, it makes sense statistically to bet on failure rather than success.

Stocks have the tendency to swing upwards less on hype than downwards on fear. Example, if there is a rumor that the FDA will approve a new drug for a drug company, it may increase by 5%. However, if the existing business vanishes due to a lawsuit because their latest drug has a terrible side effect, it could drop into oblivion and possibly bankrupt the company.

"You want to profit at the expense of others?"

First, short selling a company stock is not profiting at the expense of the company. In fact, if management proves a short seller wrong, a short seller can lose a lot in a short squeeze. Short squeezes account for large upswings in declining shares that otherwise might not exist. If a company is successful and the balance sheets are clean, there is no mechanism for a short seller to profit. Secondly, there are many other opportunities to make money in a collapse than short selling.

Commodities

The commodity boom has been obvious after the fact, but some, like Jim Rogers, were predicting it from the beginning. It is far from over if you can understand the basic fact that in a depression there is scarcity, and with scarcity comes increased demand and increased price. The commodity bubble is not a traditional bubble and commodities are not inflated, they are reverting to real prices based on demand. As global warming affects crops and real demand for hard commodities increases, there will be huge trading opportunities in the commodities markets .

Distressed equity

Companies hurt by a failing industrial system will turn to anyone with cash to keep the business afloat, and those investors can make hefty demands. There will be a fire sale of businesses and hard assets because they will be essentially worthless, as companies will face hard times to turn those assets into revenue . However, the assets are not worthless, so there will be a value play in purchasing distressed assets in many forms: equity, real estate, debt. Anyone who is financially desperate selling their family heirlooms on eBay understands there is someone getting value for 5 cents on the dollar.

Automated Trading Systems

As a contrast to investing, investors can place money in fully automated trading systems for any market. Elite E Services specializes in FX, but systems' trading is very popular for futures, stocks, and almost any electronic market. The advantage of trading these systems is that it does not depend on market direction if the system is profitable. Of course, not all systems are good systems, so one must be very careful when evaluating them. However, a good system should perform consistently, and have an account protection to save the account from catastrophic drawdowns. Systems like this do exist, and there are rankings of such systems available on many websites. Short term systems have less risk of getting caught in choppy markets or losing the ability to predict trends over the medium or long term.

In a complex market environment, only an intelligent trading system can make dynamic decisions in seconds. As the markets become more volatile and complex, as indicated by a trend in the VIX,

A return to value

What has intrinsic value ? Artwork, no matter how creative, has no intrinsic value. Designer jeans, no matter how fashionable, have value the same as Levi 501 in terms of their use-value. In an inflated economy when money is pouring out of consumers wallets, they may pay any price for something with no value at all, such as a $1,000 pizza ; but that does not make a pizza worth more than the ingredients and labor.

A re-pricing of assets has begun, and a revaluation of money itself. A safe bet is to invest in anything that has intrinsic value. A power generator, no matter how ugly, can create energy and life. A vase from the Ming dynasty, no matter how beautiful, will not help freezing homeowners in the Northeast.

How bad is the collapse?

Walking around America, you may not notice much different, you may not notice a depression. Kids playing in parks, teens gathered around movie theaters, restaurants filled on a Friday night. Robert Waltenspiel has a different view. He recently won a rent-free year in a nice new house in an expensive subdivision not far from the HQ of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. The journal article continues:

"Daily life in these developments seems a bit post-cataclysmic. Children play on elaborate but empty playgrounds. They walk their dogs past rows of shiny houses that have never been lived in. Voices echo up and down the block. Unfinished houses and vacant lots strewn with construction debris clutter the horizon. The hot tub at the community center doesn't work. The communal fountains are dry. Mr. Waltenspiel's kids have no one in the subdivision to play with, so he has to take them to a nearby park for social interaction. His 4-year-old "will walk up to strange girls in the park and say, 'Hey, will you be my friend?' " he says. "A, it's adorable. B, it's sad." The people who bought into these subdivisions encounter all sorts of other unexpected problems, including burglars looking to steal toilets, appliances and copper wiring. And blight. Krista Anderson, an administrative assistant, lives in a subdivision outside Phoenix where the developer suddenly halted construction last fall, leaving behind not just unfinished houses but also scaffolding, piles of cement and construction material that "is turning yellow and looks bad."Many residents aren't sure exactly who is in charge of mowing the weeds, maintaining the street lights, cleaning up when someone uses open space as a dump."

James Howard Kunstler said years ago that suburbia would be the slums of the future . His predictions were based on peak oil theory and it is doubtful that he expected this to happen so quickly.

The media would have us believe that we are nearing a bottom, the joke being that it's a new bottom every week. But they aren't painting even a small part of the true picture, and it's not totally their fault. Government and other statistics that used to be reliable indications of the economy are now being 'revised'. Similar to the corporate shuffle of junk to 'level 3' assets, now hard economic facts are being fiddled with. An economist John Williams has been tracking them for 25 years at his website.

Consumer spending is 70% of GDP and retail is hurting big:

"Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide. Eddie Bauer to close more stores after closing 27 stores in the first quarter. Cache, a women's retailer is closing 20 to 23 stores this year. Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide. Talbots, J. Jill closing stores. Talbots will close all 78 of its kids and men's stores plus another 22 underperforming stores. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots women's and J. Jill. Gap Inc. closing 85 stores. Foot Locker to close 140 stores. Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores. The 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month. Levitz - the furniture retailer, announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910. Zales, Piercing Pagoda plans to close 82 stores by July 31 followed by closing another 23 underperforming stores. Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores. CompUSA (CLOSED). Macy's - 9 stores closed. Movie Gallery - video rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall as part of bankruptcy. Pacific Sunwear - 153 Demo stores closing. Pep Boys - 33 stores of auto parts supplier closing. Sprint Nextel - 125 retail locations to close with 4,000 employees following 5,000 layoffs last year. Ethan Allen Interiors: plans to close 12 of 300 stores to cut costs. Wilsons the Leather Experts - closing 158 stores. Bombay Company: to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores. KB Toys closing 356 stores around the United States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization."

It is not 1930

People fear depression like it is a plague; however, there are many differences between now and 1930. First, there is the internet, not only a resource for information and entertainment; it can be a source of income and solution for transportation issues. Second, technology in energy, housing, and food production exists today that is currently cheap and accessible, if a group or individual decides to unplug from the system it is possible, whereas in 1930 all you could do is plant a seed and hope it grows. Many people who don't plan properly, of course, will end up in the same situation as those in 1930, however back then opportunities of today simply didn't exist, if you were out of luck there was little you could do. Finally, we have a robust, efficient global marketplace that encompasses real trade and finance. Entire countries could cease to exist while individual trading posts could carry on commerce independent of their physical location. Of course, those who are prepared mentally and in business will reap the rewards; others will face a very harsh fate. Corporate refugees from the cities will be psychologically incapable of dealing with real crises while 'survivalists' who are already living in a more dynamic environment will face these problems with little regard .

One could live debt free almost anywhere you can afford as long as there is power (which could be purchased with Solar panels) and internet and lead almost any life one chooses. It may be a bit lonely in suburbia due to a diminishing vacancy, but the place of life is a personal choice, how to structure it is clear: live in the 19th century with the amenities of the 21st.

Post Industrial Shift

What is happening to the economy is not a 'depression' and it is not the 'end of the world.' It is a major generational, historic shift from an industrial economy to a post-industrial economy. The industrial economy is not sustainable, and it is collapsing. Post-industrial life will flourish more and more as the industrial world collapses. Industry is not a factory it is a way of thinking and a culture. Farming has become industrial in this century, with the use of petroleum-based fertilizers and gas powered machinery and monoculture crop raising. Therefore, if you are an industrial business it is the end of the world for you, time to sing your swansong. This is not a new concept; however we are now seeing the beginning of the shift in the financial markets. Smart money is flowing into commodities because it has value, not for any other reason.

A debt-based monetary system, with the USD as the reserve, is financially, mathematically, unsustainable . Financiers and central bankers at the top are 'borrowing from Peter to pay Paul' which can keep the system running for another few months but essentially makes the debt problem worse. Every year, more debt needs to be issued just to service interest payments on previous debt. Therefore, each year more and more money needs to be issued into the system exponentially, which is a bubble that must eventually burst. It is not a question of if, but when.

The meat

Elite E Services is not a group of philosophers or new age gurus, EES develops automated trading systems for the FX market and advises clients on investments. As such, we are interested in the pure economics of the situation. As with many historical shifts, a changing economy means a different way of life and a different thinking. Society has been spoiled over the last 50 years with cheap oil and a relatively stable USD which backed the world economy; that is no more. Anyone should seriously examine things for what they are, not what they should be, or what they hope things to be. Hope will not pay your mortgage or feed your family, nor will the government (who is facing an exponentially increasing debt burden).

Invest in things that have intrinsic value such as Agriculture and Commodities. EES promotes the investment into automated trading systems, because they can be tweaked and used on other markets (a EUR/USD system may work on Gold or even Oil). The development and trading of black box trading systems has intrinsic value.

The FX market will always exist unless there is a one-world government or a nuclear holocaust, both very unlikely scenarios. Other markets however can become extremely illiquid or regulated. As long as we have internet and power, we can trade FX. So aside from investing in energy generation equipment, so called 'vice' investments (alcohol, tobacco, and gambling) which typically do well during tough economic times, EES recommends investing in trading systems that can be traded for short term profits no matter what the state of the economy.

Montreal - Europe Without the Jetlag - City of Festivals, Shopping, Nightlife, Restaurants, Plus

Montreal - city of cafes, restaurants, shops of all kinds and from all over the world. Montreal - city of festivals from Jazz Festival to Comedy Festival to several film festivals.

It wasn't always like that. My parents arrived in 1955. Not a single cafe, not a single tea house, not a single pub or wine bar. Not only wasn't there a single terrace where one could sit, have a coffee and enjoy looking around, it was illegal for a restaurant to have an outdoor space. There wasn't even a pizza place - not that my parents themselves knew about pizza at that time.

What was available? Taverns that were for men only. Woolworth's lunch counters. Steak restaurants and smoked meat places. Instant coffee. Strange places called A and W.

One year later - 1956. The Hungarian revolution. Then the Communist crackdown and the flight of thousands and thousands of Hungarians.

That was the very small beginning of change for Montreal - because a few of the refugees ended up in Montreal. One opened the first cafe, Cafe Prague - a place where one could hang out over a coffee, even play chess. Other Hungarians opened small restaurants with inexpensive European cooking - the Mazurka (still around, and still as good as ever) on Prince Arthur Street, PamPam's on Stanley, and several others. Small changes, but very important.

The 1960s. The hippie era, the revitalization of the downtown areas (the shift away from the suburbs), the war in Vietnam leading to an influx of draft dodgers and Vietnam war veterans. Also, there was Expo 67, a world exposition - which left Montreal with La Ronde, still a very popular amusement park which keeps getting new thrills, new rides year after year.

Back to the 1960s. Prince Arthur (home already to the Mazurka - cheap and delicious supper place) became home to more and more restaurants - Greek, Vietnamese - and also the center of all kinds of alternative boutiques (comfortable Birkenstock sandals, used clothing, Indian imports).

Soon there was an area called The Plateau - more and more restaurants, boutiques, nightspots, clubs.

An important law was finally changed - one could have an outdoor terrace. Montrealers and visitors loved the chance to sit outside, people watch, eat, enjoy.

The 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and on to the present.

The changes kept coming, all in the same direction. All toward Montreal, Europe without the jetlag - and more. Because more and more Europeans were coming, loving Montreal's cosmopolitan atmosphere, its multi-cultural diversity, and its friendly bilingualism.

Also, Montreal stayed pretty well unchanged in one important way. It was one of the safest cities in North America in the 1950s - and that is unchanged. It is still one of the safest cities, where one can walk almost everywhere at any time of night or day.

What is there now? There are museums, festivals, conferences - and so many ongoing things. Montreal has become a city of villages - with a village being a small area with lots of restaurants, shops, nightlife. The Plateau. The Quartier Latin - or in English, the Latin Quarter. Mile End. The Saint Denis area. The Golden Mile - which is the old downtown area. Old Montreal. The Monkland Village.

And also the Gay Village. In terms of valuing diversity, Montreal was proud to host the first gay Olympics in 2006 - and participants (who wore tags identifying them) were warmly welcomed by Montrealers.

As for Montreal, city of villages, even the suburbs are developing villages. So, for example, the suburb, Pierrefonds, has the Pierrefonds Village.

Montreal also has loads of malls for those who like malls, but more and more Montrealers are heading for their favorite villages - though the malls are extremely welcome, especially during the hottest and coldest times.

Montreal also has an excellent public transportation system (including a metro) and miles of indoor connections, especially downtown.

There's a lot else, of course -

such as, in the summer, weekly fireworks displays from countries around the world that attract hundreds of thousands of people;

4 large universities, 2 English and 2 French;

a mountain in the middle of the city, Mont Royal, that has stayed undeveloped and that offers miles of walking, biking and in winter, cross-country skiing;

the Lachine Canal, a revitalized area which again offers miles of walking and roller-blading all the way from Old Montreal outward to Lachine, LaSalle and Dorval, with restaurants in some parts along the way;

Park Lafontaine right between the Plateau and the Latin Quarter, with its small lake where one can go rowing, its petting zoo, and its performances in the summer months (ballet, music).

The list goes on and on. Concerts, theatre, ballet, opera, touring Broadway shows.

Montreal is also a big arts capital. It's a major center of special effects for movies - and has a film industry of its own. Montreal has the highest concentration of artists in Canada - graphic artists, fashion designers, musicians from jazz to alternative to pop, as well as visual artists.

Other people come for business opportunities, to develop businesses locally, and to see about import or export possibilities.

And of course not far from Montreal is the Quebec countryside, the Eastern Townships (l'Estrie) to the east, the Laurentians to the north, and the Monteregie to the south.

People come to Montreal for all kinds of reasons. Friends from across the US border drive up for a weekend to stock up on their favorite herbal tea, as well as to take in a bit of the nightlife. Other people - mainly one-time Montrealers - fly in from as far as LA or even Europe for their favorite smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz' - which was open when my parents came to Montreal, and is still thriving now. Then there's hockey season. Almost all like the reasonable prices.

For the past few years, we have been doing local vacation home rentals - you can see our site at holiday-vacation-rentals-plus.com - and have found the answers to "What brings you here?" as varied as the people.

What most makes Montreal attractive? Different people will give different answers. I'm someone who grew up there and chose not to leave through the height of the separatist movement, though I am more English-speaking than French-speaking, and though many English-speaking people left. But ask me, what makes Montreal so attractive to me? I find it hard to pinpoint what makes Montreal special to me.

It's a largely friendly city. That's important to me. I love the friendliness of the neighborhoods. Montreal is also one of the safest cities. Also important.

So much is happening here, from mainstream (big pop concerts) to alternative (small cafes with spoken word readings), from outdoor (the long green stretches along the Lachine canal) to indoor (malls, museums, and so much else). That is one of the most important things for me. Something for everyone.

Czech Republic's Ten Beautiful Places to Visit

The Czech Republic is a country located in Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia. This country is further divided into three regions; namely, Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. The Czech Republic has lots to offer its visitors, and here are the ten beautiful places that are a must-see in this country.

1.) The Prague Castle

This is recognized by the Guinness World of Records as the largest and oldest castle in the whole wide world. This is a very impressive castle that seems to be guarding the city below. You can also see here the St. Vitus Cathedral as well as other smaller palaces.

2.) Charles Bridge

This is only one of the many bridges in Vltava. It was constructed during the 14th century and is considered as oe of the most stunning bridges in Prague. During the day, it is nice to stroll along the Charles Bridge and get to enjoy the many stores and restaurants and bars that are located here.

3.) The Old Town

If you want to see what an ancient town looks like, then visit The Old Town. This is also considered as Prague's historical center as it houses a lot of historical buildings as well as monuments, the most popular of which is the Astronomical Clock or the Orloj. There are also a lot of historical churches that you can visit here.

3.) Josefov

This historical Jewish ghetto is a must-visit place. Here, you will get to see old synagogues that are well maintained, and you will also see here the Jewish Cemetery, thought of as the oldest cemetery in Europe. There is also a burial site that you can visit which is said to be Prague Golem's.

4.) New Town of Prague

Its main tourist spot is the Wenceslas Square where you will get to enjoy shops and restaurants as well as little stalls. You can also visit the National Museum. Along the Boulevard, you will also see parks as well as arcades and modern discos as well as new buildings.

5.) The Lesser Town

What this offers is picturesque views of streets and old churches. The most popular church is the St. Nicholas Church. You can also see the famous Lennon Wall here.

6.) City Center of Brno

If you want to see more historical buildings, then go on to the City Center of Brno. Here, you will surely enjoy the sights of its old churches as well as theaters. You are also going to see here numerous sculptures as well as fountains as you walk along its streets.

7.) Spilberk Castle

This castle/fortress is located in Brno and used to be a famous notorious prison where a lot of people were tormented and tortured during the Austro-Hungarian Empire era. Now, it houses a museum as well as a restaurant to dine in. There is also a park that offers wonderful sights which you can visit.

8.) Vankovka Gallery

If you are fond of shopping, then go on to the Vankovka Gallery. This used to be an industrial center but was later converted to a big shopping center. You can still see some historical industrial buildings here and, at the same time, shop till you drop.

9.) Cesky Krumlov State Castle and Chateau

This is one of the famous tourist destinations in Krumlov. Here, you will see the castle complex and even explore it for free. If you want to see its interiors, then there is the paid guided tour for you to choose.

10.) Namesti Svobody

This is also called the Freedom Square. This is the place where most cultural events are held. So if you want to see a cultural event, then head on to Namesti Svobody.

Beautiful Valencia

All eyes are on Valencia, Spain, vibrantly transformed by native architect Santiago Calatrava's City of Arts and Sciences. It's an extraordinary complex of futuristic buildings surrounded by shimmering water and sweeping green spaces.

Architect Frank Gehry put Spain's northern port city of Bilbao on the map when his curvaceous Guggenheim Bilbao Museum opened 10 years ago. Valencia's newfound panache extends to its port, elegantly rejuvenated to coincide with the America's Cup competition, which the city hosted in June. Befitting the jet-set yachting event, the seafront has chic restaurants, glittery hotels and broad promenades of palm trees and lavish flower beds.

Yet long before the media began trumpeting the America's Cup, Valencia's Turia Gardens attracted international attention. The project goes back to 1957, when floodwaters devastated the Ciutat Vella, the historic district, and threw the province into chaos. In an effort to avoid another such deluge, the government diverted the Turia River. Rather than turn the dry riverbed into a highway, a proposal rejected by Valencia's residents, the city made it into a public "green zone."

Architect Ricardo Bofill led the gardens' planning during the 1980s. Bofill imagined a greensward meandering through Valencia toward the sea. The former dry riverbed - a 105-square-mile expanse - comprises sports facilities, bike paths, exercise stations and lush gardens. Visitors can stroll eastward around the heart of old Valencia's serpentine streets and plazas, rich with Baroque, Romanesque, Gothic and Islamic architecture.

Here, running parallel to the riverbed, is the 19th century Alameda, a leafy, Moorish-inspired walkway. In contrast, a series of evocative bridges define the newly landscaped Turia spaces, unfolding as you amble toward the site of the City of Arts and Sciences.

Approaching Exposition Bridge, you'll observe its startlingly contemporary white-bowed form, playing off the tactile stone wall of the riverbed, resonant of centuries past. The iconic span, designed by Calatrava in 1995, is affectionately referred to as "the comb" by locals.

The old wall continues to embrace the walkway with a view to Flower Bridge. A popular pedestrian crossing constructed in 2002, its masses of colorful blooms are replanted seasonally.

Bofill's modernist aesthetic characterizes the Turia area, linking the 16th century Bridge of the Sea, where a spacious, circular pool below evokes the river, to the Bridge of the Guardian Angel.

Bofill laid out the parcel in a symmetrical, rectilinear arrangement, softening the straight lines with a lush green oasis that incorporates groves of orange trees with an orderly progression of fountains set into the ground and enlivened by red-tinted walls.

The fountains serve as a gateway to Valencia's Palace of Music, where concrete colonnades articulate the palace's formal courtyards. Characterized by olive trees, emerald lawns and elaborately patterned carpet bedding, the popular spot is animated by a vast reflecting pool with dancing water jets synchronized with music from the concert hall.

The mirror image of Bofill's design is restated in the path beyond, its soothing geometry leading directly to the recently completed urban complex of the City of Arts and Sciences.

The gleaming white buildings of glass, steel and concrete have risen in a formerly depressed industrial area near the sea.

Exhibitions and performances take place in the arts center, science museum, oceanographic park (designed by Felix Candela) and combined planetarium, IMAX theater and Laserium. The vast, undulating grounds are densely planted with swathes of fragrant herbs and trees, which will braid together as they reach maturity.

This mecca of art and technology has some magical effects. One concept involves pencil cypresses breaking the surface of the pale blue water encircling L'Hemisferic, the planetarium building inspired by the human eye.

The domed entry pavilion, L'Umbracle, stands atop the parking garage. Designed as a public space, the innovative open-air structure captures the imagination with its clarity of light, illuminating allees of palm trees, ornamental vines and aromatic specimens.

Adding to the impact, Calatrava created emphatic sculptural forms sheathed in mosaics to house elevators and mask air-conditioning units.

The scope of the Turia is growing. Recent additions include the 86-acre Cabecera Park at the western boundary, which formally connects the diverted river to its former site. The parkland's reconfigured terrain gives rise to naturalistic hills and a lake, threaded with winding paths culminating in a series of overlooks.

Plantings emulate a Mediterranean pinewood and natural wetland habitat, enhanced by enclaves of exotic trees. And work goes forward on the Bioparc, a natural zoo reserve adjoining Cabecera.

A few hours south of Barcelona, perched on the Mediterranean coast, Valencia is drawing garden lovers to neighborhoods vivified by 21st century landscapes.

Beautiful Blenheim

Blenheim is the central hub of New Zealand's Marlborough region and is the perfect destination for a campervan escape. It is positioned in the north-east of the South Island and is regarded as a centre of New Zealand's wine industry.

Blenheim boasts New Zealand's sunniest climates, experiencing hot and relatively dry summers, and fresh, crisp winters. Depending on what you are planning to do while in the area, summer is the best time to travel as it will allow you to take advantage of Blenheim's close proximity to the nearby coastline.

The town's position on the Wairau Plain means that it has a relatively flat landscape. There are some surrounding hills, however these do not protect from the winds that tend to blow from the Cook Strait.

The tourist attractions on offer in Blenheim are second to none. There is seemingly something to suit all ages, tastes and budgets. From an adrenaline-pumping adventure, to a relaxed day out, there is sure to be something suitable in Blenheim.

The wineries are the major draw card of the area, and attract visitors from across the world. There are over 20 fabulous wineries in the Marlborough region, with many of these positioned around the town of Blenheim.

Highfield Winery is one of the area's most visited wineries, and once you make a trip here it will be easy to see why. This award-winning winery is situated on the Brookby Ridge and specialises in fine Highfield wines. The scenery you will experience here is similar to the kind of landscapes you would typically see in the European countryside. There is also a restaurant and a guesthouse here for those wanting to spend some extra time wandering the vineyards and sampling some of the country's finest produce.

Villa Maria Estate is another of New Zealand's leading wineries and is recognised internationally for its high quality wines. This state-of-the-art vineyard is centrally located within the Marlborough wine region and is owned by friendly locals who are deeply passionate about wine.

For those interested in Blenheim's history and culture, a visit to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre won't go astray. This tourist attraction houses aviation displays that will greatly impress history buffs and intrigue newcomers. Exhibits depict some of the most historical and famous planes ever flown in New Zealand, delighting younger children, and making this an essential attraction for families to visit.

Leisure activities are also something the city of Blenheim does well. The Marlborough Sounds are a great destination for swimming with dolphins, while the nearby town of Kaikoura is perfect for whale watching or swimming with the seals. The rugged coastline also acts a fantastic playground for activities like scenic boat cruising, fishing, water skiing and kayaking.

When it comes to places to stay in Blenheim, you really can't go past the Blenheim Top 10 Holiday Park. Enjoy the friendly service and the fantastic outdoor and entertainment facilities, including children's playground, BBQ facilities, swimming pool and indoor spa. If you want a good site for your campervan make sure to book in advance.

Blenheim is a fantastic destination for those wishing to escape the crowds of the major cities, but still enjoy the perks of a big town. Its prime location near the rugged coastline of Kaikoura and the highlights of the Marlborough Wine region makes it an excellent place to base your holiday in this area.

Melbourne: Parliament House and Around

Returning to the Old Treasury Building and heading up Spring Street brings you to Eastern Hill, the area selected by Charles La Trobe, Victoria's first governor, for state use in the 1840s. Oozing authority at its summit is the colossal Parliament House (free 50min tours Mon-Fri 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm, 3pm & 3.45pm on days when parliament is not sitting), built in stages between 1856 and 1930 on a grassy knoll known as Lovers' Lane. Following the federation of Australia's six colonies in 1901, the first Federal Parliament of Australia took over the building, forcing the Victorian Government to find alternative accommodation in the Royal Exhibition Building, where it remained until 1927.

The Federal Parliament then shifted to Canberra, allowing the Victorian Government to reclaim its original home. Through the main doors a vestibule leads into the elaborate Queen's Hall, used mainly for formal state functions, while doors to the right and left connect with the chambers of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly. Don't miss Question Time (2pm; arrive early to claim a seat), when you can sit in the Public Gallery and - depending on the subject of the debate - listen either to the members' heated exchanges or count the number who have fallen asleep.

Opposite Parliament House, the immaculately preserved Windsor Hotel began life as the Grand Hotel in 1883, before being taken over three years later by future Victorian premier James Munro, who established his moral credentials by immediately declaring the establishment teetotal. Check out the palatial interior, its rooms resonating with the hum of well-bred conversation, or indulge in a posh afternoon tea (daily 3.30-5.30pm) of tarts and lamingtons in the hotel's restaurant, 111 Spring Street. Just north on the same side of the street, the Princess Theatre is a sparky piece of nineteenth-century chic which opened in 1886 and was transformed a year later into one of Melbourne's most extravagant buildings, when tarted up in recognition of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee Year. Designed by William Pitt and later refurbished by Henry White in 1901 and David Marriner in 1987, the Princess is arguably Australia's most lavish theatre, notable for its flamboyant exterior topped off by a gilded trumpeting angel on the uppermost tower and the latest hi-tech stage equipment. Legend has it that the 38-year-old Italian-born Englishman Frederick Baker ("Federici") had a heart attack and fell to his death while playing Mephistopheles in the opera Faust, and his ghost haunts the theatre to this day. The Theatre Bar is named in his honour. To the northeast looms St Patrick's Cathedral, designed by William Wardell, the architect responsible for some of Melbourne's finest nineteenth century churches (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-7.30pm, Sun 8am-8pm).

A more modest church stood on the site until 1850, when the Reverend J.A. Goold, Bishop of Melbourne, decided it was too small for the city's burgeoning population and had it demolished. Its replacement was still under construction when, in 1858, the ambitious Goold declared that a still grander cathedral was required, to be constructed on the proceeds of Victoria's booming pastoral industries. Work proceeded slowly, however, and was frequently suspended as labour vanished to the goldfields. Finally consecrated in 1897, the cathedral boasts one of the city's finest collections of stained-glass windows, and the beautifully proportioned interior is graced by an enormous marble crucifix.

Rayong: Beautiful Place to Celebrate Your New Year Vacation

Are you planning to celebrate New Year event, then you need to give a place to this beautiful country Thailand? In this country, there is a province called Rayong, which is an ultimate and beautiful place for those vacationers. The south side of this province, the Gulf of Thailand and Chon Buri and Chantaburi are another two provinces to this Rayong.

Most of the people in this area will tell you different kinds of stories and history. However, the main story is about the King Taksin, who lost battle at Ayutthaya, and he stayed at this place to strengthen his army. You can find a beautiful holy place constructed by local people to pay respect towards to the king Taksin. When it comes to other statistics, this province is almost having more than half million people and more than three thousand square kilometer area. You can find the different kinds of geographic locations like on the north side you can find hilly area remaining part as coastal plain in this province. This kind of nature is limited to this area; you cannot find anywhere in this country. You find world's most beautiful and natural beaches and island in this province of Gulf of Thailand. Some of the most famous islands are Ko Kodi, Koh samet and KO mun and some other are excellent destinations for vacationers.

When it comes to the tourist attractions in Rayong tourism and fishing are important ones. In this province, you can find a different kind of historical temples and monuments. When you are enjoying the holidays in this province, you can find many activities performed by the tourists. Moreover, you can enjoy your holidays with excellent games like golfing and horse riding, scuba diving, fishing, riding bike. From the past few years, it has been observed that most of the people are visiting this province for medial needs. For that kind of people, this province offers excellent medical centers, Thai massage, and spa and many more services. For those nature lovers, this province will provide excellent nature's beauty, and it is real one. When it comes to food items, you can find different kinds of seafood in almost every restaurant. You can find different kinds of products, which is made locally. In the month of May and June, you can enjoy the different kinds of fruits in Rayong province. Even you can find world' greatest orchids and flowers in that season only.

In this province, you can find house industry, which is getting popular in recent years. Moreover, this Rayong province is also popular for crystal products. You can find an excellent crystal factory, which having professional skilled Thai workers. Moreover, there are so many beautiful places, which are created by nature, which are so great. For those people who are interested in visiting some historical places, they can visit temples and holy places in memory of king Taksin and many more to visit. You can visit some excellent parks and government museum will add more grace to your vacation.

Finally, you can find different kinds of islands and beaches, which are beautiful in this province of Rayong. The water here is blue and calm, which allows you to play some water sports like scuba diving and snorkeling and many more. In most of the times, the people here will celebrate any kind of festival on a regular basis along with other people. Apart from this, the atmosphere here is so calm and pleasant; this is the main reason for increasing medical tourism. The Thai seafood is famous here, and you cannot find these delicious items anywhere in the world. There are so many national parks in this country having awesome waterfalls. However, most of the tourists are interested to stay in the destination Koh samet, which is popular in this Rayong province. Most of the scuba diving enthusiasts are visiting this country in November to February months because it is the dry season for tourism. After that, we need to talk about the accommodation in this province, which is good, and it fulfills your home needs. Most of the hotels here will provide world class accommodation and excellent customer services for visitors. You can enjoy the beach view in every hotel because they are built near beaches. So, if you want to enjoy the natural beauty, best foods and excellent night life, then you need to visit this Rayong province.

Live Like a King at Colona Castle Manor House

The charming suburb of Lakeside in Cape Town is situated in between the suburbs of Westlake and Muizenberg, with the jagged Steenberg Mountains as a prominent backdrop and the Zandvlei (sandy lake) in the foreground.

The Zandvlei Lake lies below the suburb of Lakeside and presents a range of exciting activities including canoeing, yachting, windsurfing and other water-sports. There are superb beaches within close proximity and these are easily accessible as the suburb has its own train station. The journey towards Simon's Town by train follows a picturesque route along the coast. The beach at Muizenberg is a surfing hotspot and Boulders Beach, just past Simon's Town, is home to one of Africa's few land-based penguin colonies and also provides some fantastic swimming opportunities.

Lakeside is en route to some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Cape Peninsula. From St. James to Simon's Town you can relish a fun-filled day of exploring everything these little seaside villages have to offer, and if your timing is right, you can enjoy whale watching at the end of winter through to the end of spring.

The Rondevlei Nature Reserve in Grassy Park is a wetland conservation area surrounded by coastal dunes, just minutes away. There are brilliant birding watching opportunities and an assortment of tranquil walks to enjoy. You can even spot hippos and small wild animals that live in the reserve.

Only moments from Lakeside is the M3, a main freeway which leads to the City Bowl, offering a quick and convenient route into Cape Town. Here one can explore museums, the fascinating stores and restaurants of Long Street, the V&A Waterfront, fashionable Kloof Street and take a guided walk or an open-top bus trip through the city.

Lakeside boasts splendid panoramic views of the Constantia Winelands, Devils Peak, and False Bay.

The suburb is just a few minutes away from Constantia wine route, providing an opportunity to experience some of the Cape's world-class, award-winning wines. This gorgeous valley is the origin of South Africa's flourishing and world-renowned wine making industry.

There are also several first-class golf courses in the area which will delight any golf lover. For those visitors seeking slightly more active pursuits, activities such as hiking, mountain biking and water sports are always available.

If you'd like to experience Cape Town's after-hours culture, participate in the nightlife's bubbly and cool atmosphere. If you don't fancy travelling into the city, there are a number of clubs, pubs, and restaurants in and around the Lakeside area.

There are a number of places to stay in the Lakeside area, but one that is recommended is Colona Castle. This guest house graces the mountainside above a serene Lake District on the warmer False Bay coastline. Built in a grand Mediterranean style, this is a five star retreat from which you can explore fascinating Cape Town and its environs. The guesthouse offers character, exclusivity and infinite charm.

In this refined haven, guests are assured of outstanding hospitality and exceptional personal service. Five luxurious and exquisitely decorated full suites, two superior bedrooms and a family suite cater for every comfort and convenience.

How The Thriving Tourism Industry Makes Buying Sarasota Homes A Viable Option

The real estate climate in the city of Sarasota is enhanced by many factors. Among these are the city's thriving arts and culture scene, and theater lovers will rejoice to the fact the city's vibrant drama and theater industry has plenty to offer, such as the Asolo Theatre, Banyan Theatre Company, and Florida Studio Theatre.

In addition, the city, as well as the nearby counties, offer wonderful museums, symphonies, operas, and ballets, and the city's wonderful collection of elegant and upscale townhomes, apartments, condominiums and waterfront estates are in close proximity to all of these sights.

Why The City Is A Vibrant Tourist Magnet

The wide array of tourist, as well as investment and housing attractions in Sarasota gains a lot of attention from residents and tourists alike. One of these attractions is the famed Sarasota Circus, which committs itself to increasing the artistic contributions of circus, as well as heightening the level and perception of the American Circus as compared to other fine arts.

The Sarasota Jungle Gardens also allows visitors an opportunity to enjoy taking a stroll along trails that wander through an ever-changing landscape of cool, under-story jungle growth and and open pond shorelines. These attractions are among many of the pleasant sights in this rapidly growing city.

The City Is Also A Wonderful Investment Haven

Th city of Sarasota is also viewed as truly viable investment destination. The city's growth ensures that its real estate and commercial property values values will continue to rise, as the constantly thriving tourism industry makes vacation rentals a healthy option for those who own a condo in this area as a second or third home.

Whether one is looking to either purchase, sell, or lease a condo or apartment and town home here, many established local real estate firms and individual brokers are available to assist you with your housing needs.

Where Most Home Buyers Are Coming From

According to local real estate observers, most of the home buyers from out of town come from Naples and the East Coast of the state, because they perceive the city Sarasota as less pricey than other markets, and offers better amenities overall.

The city has a shortage of available housing bringing the city's market into line with other waterfront communities. The city's real estate prices show that the city is becoming a market for high-end luxury real estate; and this could be rightly said, as this metropolis is rich in beauty and culture.

The Perks Of living Here

For those who have made the option of buying real estate here, it helps to remember that residing in one of the city's neighborhoods offers home owners easy access to the city's shopping, entertainment and working districts, along with being in close proximity to other exciting facilities. The city has a wonderful array of stores, galleries, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, nightclubs and pubs are in most areas, including world-class shops, where famous personalities can be seen shopping, browsing and dining.

Best Things to Do in Sydney Starting With the Harbour Bridge and Opera House

Best things to do in Sydney starting with the Harbour Bridge and Opera House

Sydney born Kat serves up this taster of the best things to do in Sydney, taking you onto the harbour, into the bush and the mountains, to a couple of Sydney's best beaches, filling you up on top seafood and feeds you a bit of local culture as well - and all in just four days.

Best things to do in Sydney Day One:

Sydney is a pretty attractive city all over, especially on the kind of perfectly bright, sunny day it's famous for, but there's just no way you can resist the charm of the harbour for much longer than it will take you to unpack your luggage. Walking around it is one of the bet things to do in Sydney, and has to be the first port of call, if you didn't actually arrive at Sydney Harbour's port.

On the train map you're looking for Circular Quay, the ferry terminal. Alight here and to your right you'll see the glorious sails of the lady Opera House, and to your left the industrial arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the beautiful old stone storehouses and docks of The Rocks. It's up to you which way you walk first but past the Sydney Opera House is the green gardens, grass and Moreton Bay fig trees of The Domain, and you'll probably want to explore all four harbourside attractions, and possibly see Lady Macquarie's Chair and the Art Gallery of New South Wales before embarking on a harbour cruise - the only real way to see the harbour.

You could pay quite a lot of money for one, but you don't need to - for the best boat ride around hop on the Manly ferry - one of the best things to do in Sydney.

Manly will be your first Sydney beach stop - and if you want to take a dip you have a choice of the calm inner harbour by the ferry pier, or the ocean side which you walk across a pedestrian shopping precinct to get to.

Best things to do in Sydney Day Two:

Bondi is probably Sydney's most famous beach and visiting it has to be one of the best things to do in Sydney. But it's probably not Sydney's best or even prettiest beach. Do a bit of a comparison by beginning your second Sydney day on Coogee Beach, and walking along the cliffs past Tamarama to Bondi. It's about a two hour walk but there are plenty of shops selling ice creams on the way and the views are spectacular, making it yet another of the best things to do in Sydney.

If it's a Sunday you can peruse the Bondi Markets at the end of your walk, or if it's a Saturday you could visit more upmarket Paddington Markets, which are only a short bus ride away by one of Sydney's most boutique-lined shopping streets.

From Paddington it's about a 40 minute walk into Sydney's CBD past Hyde Park, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the art deco stylings of the Queen Victoria Building if you're still in the mood to shop.

Best things to do in Sydney Day Three:

Start your third day in Sydney in Darling Harbour which has the casino, lots of bars and restaurants, but more importantly is near the Sydney Fish Markets - one of the best things to do in Sydney. If you get there early enough you can see the boats bringing in their catch as you sit out on the picnic chairs and tables with your freshly cooked spread or else take up residence in the local Doyles restaurant, definitely one of the best things to do in Sydney.

Depending on your sensitivities you should plan a trip to the Sydney Aquarium before or after your meal.

You can catch a ferry from just outside the Aquarium over to Balmain and then to Luna Park and from there you could walk back over the Harbour Bridge to the Rocks and maybe do a bit of duty free shopping if you fancy it, or if it's the weekend have a wander though the Rocks Markets.

Best things to do in Sydney Day Four:

The furry, finned and feathered locals are part of Australia's appeal and by far the best place to see them - assuming you don't have time for a full blown trip into the outback - is best thing to do in Sydney: Taronga Zoo. Built into the harbour the zoos residents famously had million dollar views - though with inflation their views are probably now worth a lot more. Get the ferry over from Circular Quay and ride the cable car up to the top of the zoo then walk down the hill. You can walk amongst kangaroos and wallabies, have your photo taken with a koala, see the unusual looking platypus and watch the bird show and the seal show before visiting the rest of Noah's menagerie scattered around the park. After your final ferry trip back to Circular Quay wander along to the Opera Bar underneath the Sydney Opera House's sails and have a cool bevy and listen to some jazz and say goodbye to the harbour city in proper Sydney style.

Real Estate Industry in Delhi

Land is the basis of all businesses, whether its hospitals, factories, educational institutions, shopping malls, markets, food outlets, all are built on land. Every type of business needs a piece of land to establish them. Like the rise in the price of food products, leads to an increase in the prices of restaurants or daily budget of houses, same ways, a shoot up in the property rates affects all the business and their leading markets.

Real estate industry is the sector responsible for the evaluation of the prices for all the personal and commercial properties. The price standards for selling and purchasing the properties in a particular area are defined by a group of people called real estate regulators working under the of real estate laws. The industry of real estate is in itself a great industry divided into various sectors like: appraisals, brokerages, property management, real estate marketing, net lease, real estate investing, relocation services and corporate real estate.

The real estate market is divided into cities and then further on the basis of area and location. Among all the metropolitan cities, Delhi grabs the position of being the hottest real estate spot for most of the people related to the property business. Delhi being the capital of the country attracts a larger number of people for job and other career related opportunities. This leads to a further rise in the demand and the need for the property or land for the residential, business and other purposes. Therefore, the demand and the growth of real- estate industry in Delhi are ever-growing.

Delhi is the centre of attraction for all the commerce people due to availability of diverse audience and prospective customers in the city. Delhi is famous for markets like south Delhi, GK, Chandni Chowk, which magnetize a large number of shopaholic people to shed huge bucks from their pockets. Areas around these markets or these shops itself are tagged worth a million. Delhi is the hub of education, so areas nearby north or south Delhi universities form a major share of the residential projects for rent and shopping market places.

The latest developments of property in Delhi like expansion of metro, instillation of various luxuries in the housing societies like parks, welfare groups, swimming pools, and building of shopping malls at every nook and corner of the city has enabled the citizens to lead a very easy and a comfortable life. People want their houses to look different, more beautiful with the engraved designs and structures. An inclination towards the stylish and exclusive houses and property design have been observed and all these hi- tech advancements in the local areas or in the city as a whole, results to an increase in the demand of these properties leading to a jump in their prices.

The major share in the booming up of Delhi property market goes to the trend of opening up of more and more shopping malls in the city. Delhi people have become addicted to shopping in gigantic malls, and as it is said, accomplishment of one project leads to the beginning of another, so has become the habit of the real- estate industry. The success and popularity of one mall gives birth to another and so on.

A lot of health and sports complex have also grown rapidly in the past few years due to the increasing consciousness in people about their health and lifestyle. People prefer going to gyms or playing sports for regular exercises or body warm ups. Opening up of new health care projects of different groups, also claims a major share in the development of the real-estate industry.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the growth of real- estate industry in cities like Delhi is everlasting due to its indefinite developments and needs of the general public and citizens.

Belfast Guest Houses

Belfast Guest Houses are comfortable and offer many of the 'home comforts' that you may be missing when you are away on holiday or business. Belfast is in Northern Ireland and is the capital of the largest conurbation in the country. After Dublin, it is the second largest city in all of Ireland.

Belfast is a sea port and has ferry and high speed boat services to Scotland and England. It is a great place for a get-a-way weekend, somewhat like a country town but with all the excitement of a thriving city. Belfast is a great place to unwind and forget your cares and worries! Try an 'Ulster Fry', it's the traditional Belfast breakfast, named after the county.

The local scenery in Belfast has old style buildings mixed in with the more modern buildings. Belfast has an abundance of top class restaurants. Belfast's railway-way station is at Great Victoria Street, adjacent to the Europa bus centre.

Belfast has an excellent bus service with links to all the major attractions in the city. There are plenty of Black Cabs to take you directly to your destination, but at slightly higher cost!

Belfast is a beautiful and lively place with a lot going on and makes a super holiday destination. Staying at a bed and breakfast or inn can be an economical and comfortable way of booking accommodation. Alternatively, you could stay at a hotel in the city although these are, of course, generally more expensive than guest houses.

Attractions such as the Ulster Folk Museum and Belfast Cathedral, award-winning restaurants, great shopping centres, impressive theatres, galleries and live music make it an intriguing city to visit.

There are super night clubs and places to eat that will spoil you for choice without burning a hole in your pocket.

Plenty of interesting places to visit here such as The Titanic's Dock and Pumphouse and the Ulster Folk Transport Museum. This museum offers an insight into the history and industrial heritage of Belfast.

Other attractions include Belfast Zoo and W5 Interactive Science Centre which can provide great days out for all the family. Staying at a bed and breakfast enables you to plan your itinerary very easily.

Restaurant Franchising - Is it Right For You?

Studies of the most successful businesses have shown that the majority of these are franchises. Franchising is a strategy involving licensing of trademarks and this concept can apply to all kinds of products and services, such as the retail, restaurant and health and beauty sector. What is the secret of their success? Simply that the business has already been market tested, promoted and developed. Therefore, the foundations are already laid, the groundwork has been done and you have a business ready-to-go, with instant name recognition and built-in marketing. However, it is still essential to do some research on the business you are interested in, to ensure that you are familiar with the product or service being franchised and that you have seen how it is being implemented.

In the franchising sector, perhaps the most popular and successful are restaurant franchises. More than half of all restaurants in the United States are part of a franchise "family" and they account for around three-quarters of the revenue for the industry. Walk down any high street or visit any mall and you will always find at least one, often several, restaurant franchises. Restaurant franchises have shown themselves to be recession proof and there are many different opportunities to choose from. These include pizza, burger, fried chicken and other fast foods, healthy eating franchises, sandwich bars, coffee houses and many more. The successful strategy adopted by all of these companies and ensuring big profits is that of focusing on their customers' wants and needs. They have learnt how to satisfy them and how to keep them coming back for more.

So, is restaurant franchising for you? There are pros and cons, according to your own particular circumstances. A restaurant franchise offers an instant business. The name, décor and marketing is all done for you and support comes via head office, very useful if you are new to the restaurant business and are in need of guidance. There is no need to worry about start-up costs for advertising as your restaurant franchise will already benefit from name recognition. However, in return for these advantages, you will have to invest a considerable amount of money. You will also have to pay royalties to head office. This covers advertising/publicity and any support provided to you. You should also appreciate that, in order to provide the same level of quality service and continuity at each restaurant franchise location, you will have no say in the menu or decor of your business. There will be rules to be followed, such as uniforms, seating plans and signage, so if you are a creative person with a themed concept in mind, then maybe restaurant franchising isn't for you. However, if you are looking for a low-risk, profitable and ready established business, than a restaurant franchise could be just up your street!

Presenting - Mary Lee from Spiaggia Restaurant - A Hospitality Entrepreneur with a Heart for the Art

One restaurant I have wanted to check out for a long time is Spiaggia Trattoria ("spiaggia" is Italian for "beach) at the eastern end of the Queen Street strip. Local Beach expert Glenn Cochrane had mentioned that the owner, Mary Lee, was an interesting person and recommended that I interview her. To catch her before the busy evening hours at her establishment I met her at 5:30 and we sat down in a quiet corner at the back of the restaurant.

Mary Lee indicated that she and her husband John moved into the Beach in 1989. Before the couple moved to this neighbourhood h they used to live in an apartment at the Sutton Place Hotel. When she noticed my surprise Mary Lee explained that the 19th to the 31st floor of this famous hotel in Toronto were set aside for rent-controlled residential apartments. Even today some of the apartments are still occupied by the original tenants. I had never known that there were private apartments in the Sutton Place Hotel. You never stop learning about your own city...

Prior to becoming restaurant entrepreneurs, Mary Lee was an interior designer while her husband worked as an architect at the Bank of Montreal. Spiaggia was not their first foray into the hospitality ownership; the couple had owned restaurants in Oakville and on St. Clair Avenue in Toronto. In 1990 they bought the building that the current restaurant is located in; it housed five apartments and the small Spiaggia..

Mary Lee and her husband immediately set about renovating the property and when the demolition work started, they found newspapers in the wall dating back to 1902. Throughout the entire renovation process they continued to operate the existing restaurant, and the patrons enjoyed watching the stucco work being performed on the building, right through the front windows.

Today the second floor holds a beautiful apartment - Mary Lee took me briefly upstairs and I saw a spacious apartment with an unusual layout with lots of angles and a gorgeous light-coloured decorating scheme, obviously the results of her interior design talents. She took me out on the rear balcony and mentioned that she can see all the way to Toronto's City Hall from this location.

The couple spent three years overhauling the building and dealt with the glitches along the way. One local regulation required that they keep the old plumbing intact while they were installing the new pipes. As a result, the building today has two sets of plumbing throughout, of course only the new plumbing is being used.

Mary Lee's real estate investment and renovation skills as well as her protective sentiments about the neighbourhood became evident when a video rental store across the street was being converted into an adult video store. Concerned about the impact on the neighbourhood, the couple bought the property and turned it into an art gallery. The adult video store relocated further west on Queen Street outside of the Beach neighbourhood.

When her husband passed away in 1998, Mary Lee closed down the art gallery since she did not have enough time to manage both businesses. A graphic design business now occupies the space. Mary Lee mentions that during the difficult time around her husband's death her loyal restaurant customers took care of her. Their support and the higher workload she was carrying by herself now helped her get through a difficult transition period.

We started talking about Spiaggia and the unique features of this fine dining restaurant. Spiaggia is open seven days a week in the evenings from 5 to 11 pm. It has two sitting areas and the area on the north side of the building can be booked for private meetings. Often this room holds special events for up to 20 people.

The cuisine at Spiaggia includes seven different types of pasta dishes, fresh fish, seafood and veal dishes. Spiaggia is part of Eat Smart! - Ontario's Healthy Restaurant Program, an exclusive program that awards Ontario restaurants that meet high standards in food safety, nutrition and non-smoking seating. Mary Lee added that guests are able to get customized meals that are prepared right in front of them in the open kitchen. Guests always enjoy healthy, fresh food at Spiaggia.

As we were sitting there Mary Lee told me a couple of humorous stories: in late December she got an out-of-town reservation with a credit card from a prospective restaurant patron in the US. They called a week ahead to reserve a seat for Spiaggia's New Years Eve dinner event. Mary Lee was wondering what had happened when these customers did not show up. A few days later she got a phone call from a woman in West Virginia who said she was not able to locate Spiaggia' on Queen Street, but was finally able to find it on Michigan Avenue - in Chicago!

Apparently she had found information about Spiaggia on the Internet and planned to have a nice New Year's Eve dinner in Chicago, but ended up making the reservation with Spiaggia Trattoria in Toronto!

Even more humorous and unusual is the story behind Mary Lee's espresso machine. In the 1970s she travelled to Florida with her husband in their Corvette. On the way back home John spotted an unusual object in a shop window in Fort Lauderdale. He made an immediate U-turn and went into the store to inquire about this interesting-looking item.

It turned out that the object was an espresso machine made in Italy, but the 1970's was an era before fancy coffee concoctions. When Mary Lee's husband inquired as to what the object was, the man simply responded in a southern drawl "it makes coffee". John had to have the espresso machine and ended up buying it for $21,000, which 30 years ago was more money than what he had paid for the Corvette.

He simply had to buy this espresso machine, and because there wasn't enough space in the car for both Mary Lee and the espresso maker, he dropped her off at the airport and drove home with the espresso machine strapped into the passenger seat sticking out of the roof. Mary Lee laughed and said "I am the only broad who has ever been dumped for an espresso machine". Today the machine is still used to make coffee.

Mary Lee told me about her attachment to the Beach neighbourhood. She said she loves the area and enjoys taking walks on Queen Street or on the Boardwalk. It is a neighbourhood with a very high quality of life, one of those Toronto neighbourhoods that even have a busy street life on Sundays. She chuckled when she mentioned a popular local saying: "you can't live in this neighbourhood unless you have a dog or a stroller." The Beach is indeed very popular with dog owners and young families.

Unfortunately international events have had an impact on the Beach. The restaurant owners in the Beach and Toronto in general have really been affected by the slow-down of American tourism in Toronto. In 2003 Toronto was hit by the SARS crisis and more recently travel between Canada and the US has become more difficult due to passport requirements and terrorism prevention measures. Mary Lee has noticed a significant decrease in American customers over the last few years. In addition, the popularity of the Beach as an entertainment area has raised rents for many merchants which makes doing business in this neighbourhood more difficult. Mary Lee indicated that she is fortunate since she owns Spiaggia's building.

MaryLee explained that she has about 14 full-time and part-time staff members working at Spiaggia. Her chef Jacobo Guerra is originally from Ecuador and has been in Canada since 1979. He started in the hospitality industry 16 years ago after completing a chef's course at George Brown College. In addition to his culinary education Jacobo also has a talent for arts and took a fine art program at the Ontario College of Arts. Jacobo's assistant Victor hails from India and came to Canada in 2001. He has been working at Spiaggia for almost three years now and says he has learned everything he knows from the expert, Jacobo.

Art is a common theme at Spiaggia: Brittany Ross works part-time as a waitress at the restaurant and she owns her own photography and web design business. (She designed the Spiagga website.) During my visit I also had a chance to sit down and chat with John Dowding, a renowned local photographer and photography teacher, who regularly participates in the Beach Studio Tour. John has an interesting event coming up in early February: a photo tour to Havana, he and I were going to arrange a one-on-one interview so I would have a chance to learn more about one of the many artists in the Beach.

John indicated that Mary Lee is an active sponsor of the Beach Studio Tour and is always available to help if the artists need something. He commented that over the years he has enjoyed a great friendship with Mary Lee and loves to come here for a good dinner.

After my interview with Mary Lee and my conversation with John Dowding I had a chance to sit down and sample some of Spiaggia's cuisine myself. Spiaggia's menu is extensive with many mouthwatering choices, and a prix-fix menu including a starter, a main course and a dessert, is available at the reasonable price of $25.95 .

I decided to go for the prix fix menu and had a Caesar salad to start followed by an extremely tasty "Vitello alla Balsamic" - a delicious arrangement of grilled veal, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, with a leeks balsamic Dijon sauce and garlic butter capellini on the side. I am not usually much of a meat eater, but the tender veal accompanied by an interesting array of vegetable flavours was scrumptious. My dinner partner had the Gorgonzola Carbonara and commented that it was fabulous as well. After a delicous tiramisu, my favourite Italian dessert, Mary Lee treated us to a sampling of the famous chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce. All I can say I was glad I had finally made the trek down to discover Trattoria Spiaggia.