7 Must-sees on a Hanoi Excursion

With a lot of old world charm bathed in oriental mystery, Hanoi is a great place to go back-packing with friends or on honeymoon. Below are some of the must-sees in the beautiful capital of Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh is one of the most revered rulers in Vietnamese history. Regarded as one of the country’s greatest leaders his people laid him to rest in a tomb fit only for not only a King. A somber building with a gray concrete façade, the building is said to be modeled after Lenin’s mausoleum in Moscow. Hundreds of tourists fall in line to pass through Uncle Ho’s preserved body every day.

Water Puppet Theatre

Water puppetry is the Vietnamese answer to Asia’s puppet tradition. Long associated with Hanoi, the water puppet theater is a must see during any trip to the capital. The best and most popular spot to watch water puppetry remains to be at the Thang Long Puppet Theater.

Hanoi Elegance Ruby

Hanoi itself, despite being a busting metropolitan, gives the impression of being dainty, even provincial. That is why the best way to experience the place to stay at the best boutique hotels Hanoi. Hanoi Elegance Ruby is a lovely little boutique hotel in the middle of the city. Most noteworthy about the hotel is its excellent service and affordable accommodations.

The Perfume Pagoda

Believed to have been built in the early 15^th century, The Perfume Pagoda is a striking and absolutely breathtaking series of Buddhist temples that have been built into the mountain range. The temples are connected by a maze of alleyways carved directly out rocks and have flowing streams all around. Although located a good 60km outside of Hanoi with the whole trip taking a whole day, the trip is worth it.

The Old Quarter Hanoi

The Old Quarter of Hanoi is exactly what comes to mind when curious foreigners think about the city. The area is packed with colonial architecture in every corner as well as a swarm of vendors, motor bikes and bicycles. The area is also a great place to buy local Vietnamese food.

Ba Vi National Park

Located around 2 hours (48km) from downtown Hanoi, the Ba Vi National Park is home to Hanoi’s famous three-peaked mountains. The mountains are a sight to behold as they reach so steeply upwards the skies that the peaks are often covered in a thick foliage of clouds. On the top of the highest peak is an 11^th century temple that offers breathtaking views.

Hanoi Charming 2 Hotel

Another boutique hotel that is worth staying in is Hanoi Charming Hotel 2. It has free airport pickup and a great location. Like most boutique hotels in Hanoi, the service is great (owing largely to just how nice Vietnamese are).

Things to Know About the Hahnenkammrennen

The Hahnenkammrennen held annually at Kitzbühel, Austria is one of the most anticipated Ski Races. It is where the best of the best in the sport best each other and try to best the mountains if they can. Below is all you need to know about the prestigious event.

What is the Hahnenkamm?

The Hahnenkamm is actually a mountain in Austria. It is located south of Kitzbühel, in the Kitzbühel Alps. It is also the name of the part of the ski resort in Kitzbühel that hosts the annual World Cup Alpine Ski Races, the Hahnenkammrennen. Its classic downhill course is legendary for many reasons. The Streif is known as the most technically demanding course in the World Cup circuit. Many of the turns on the course have little to no visibility, adding to the challenge and danger.

 

When is the Hahnenkamm Race Held?

Originally, the races were held in March when they first started. There were a couple of times, in 1949 and 1951, where the races were held in February. Since 1953, the races have always been held mid to late January. This coming season will be the 76^th and will be held on January 19-26, 2016.

Where is the Hahnenkamm Race Held?

The Hahnenkamm Race is always held in the small medieval ski resort town of Kitzbühel, Austria.

 

Hahnenkamm Race Slopes

The slopes at Hahnenkamm have a total length of 3,312 meters. With jumps of up to 80 meters and steep slopes with 85% gradient the average speed at which ski champions go through the slopes is at 103 km/h. However, speeds have been known to reach as much as 140 km/hr. There is an 860m height difference between the starting point and the finish.

Kitzbüheler Ski Club (K.S.C.) Trivia

The Kitzbüheler Ski Club (K.S.C.) has been organizing the Hahnenkamm Races since the early 1930’s. The club itself has been in existence since 1902 and is one of the most prestigious, oldest, most traditional and most successful ski club in all of Europe, if not the world. The Ski Club’s top athletes have bagged a total of 53 medals from several Olympic Games and World Championships.

 

Hahnenkamm Race Events

Over the course of the weekend, the Hahnenkamm races will be divided into different disciplines. The Super-G event will be on Friday on the Streifalm. The world infamous Downhill will be held on Saturday at the Streif and the Slalom will be held on Sunday at the Ganslernhang.

Tips for Finding Accommodations

Athletes and fans of the sport will be flooding Kitzbuhel during the weekend so it is best to plan your visit ahead of time. Some locals will suggest staying out of Kitzbühel altogether. A cheaper area to stay in is north of Kitzbühel in Ellamau. When it comes to boutique hotels Kitzbühel and surrounding areas will have plenty so you will have a lot to choose from. Boutique hotels, Kitzbühel o\r otherwise, will have accommodating staff who are ready to help you navigate the buses and other public transportation in and out of Kitzbühel so you don’t have to worry about that.

Top 7 Design Museums in New York City

New York City has a history of showcasing the finest in every niche. It applies to art and fashion as well. There are plenty of design museums or galleries in the city. Each one has its uniqueness and appeal. But some are obviously better than others. It’s like how some hip hotels in New York are better than others. For your convenience so you can plan your itinerary well, here are seven design museums in New York City that are an absolute treat.

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art at 1000 5th Ave between E 80th & E 84th St is one of the greatest museums you would ever visit. If you love priceless art decked up with finesse, some creepy Egyptian tombs, impressionist costumes and a fine crowd that cherishes great designs, then this place is ideal for you.
  
• Museum of Modern Art at 11 W 53rd St between 5th & 6th Ave easily finds the second spot. By many accounts, and that of experts, this is the best museum of modern art collection not just in the United States but in the world. If you like twentieth and twenty-first century artworks then this is the best place to be. Do check out the Design Store at Museum of Modern Art. The museum enjoys footfalls in excess of three million in a year.
  
• The Drawing Center at 35 Wooster St between Broome & Grand St is an interesting exhibition. It is not one of the more popular hotspots and very few people frequent it but it is a class apart. The drawing shows hosting artists from across the country and the gallery space are reasons enough to rank this on the list.
  
• The Great Hall at The Metropolitan Museum of Art deserves a separate mention because of its architecture and there’s a legend or myth, so to speak that a secret room exists in the hall that has some velvet paintings.
  
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum at 1071 5th Ave has some amazing art on display. Whether it is the “Grey Area” representing Berlin during the post war years or “Chaos and Classicism: Art in France, Italy, and Germany", it is a fascinating display of artistry and design.
  
• Studio Museum in Harlem at 144 W 125th St stands out for its murals, the Harlem postcards and the dedicated sections for art created by African Americans.
  
• The Frick Collection at 1 E 70th St is hip and modern, cool and chic, everything that the present generation of art lovers and designers love.
  

Outstanding Business Hotels in Stockholm

The Business environment in Stockholm has been booming over the past several years that is why it is also known as the Business Capital of Scandinavia. The growth in various kinds of businesses has also resulted to an increase in demand and expectations for Business Hotels in Stockholm that can be categorized as a world class Stockholm Business Hotel that can accommodate the very demanding needs of Executives going on business trips or a company conducting conferences and corporate events. Here are some of the most outstanding Boutique & Business Hotels in Stockholm that will surely satisfy your business travel needs.

Hotel Skeppsholmen is an excellent Boutique Hotel in Stockholm that is conveniently located downtown near the art district, shopping areas, galleries, museums and other tourist attractions so it would be easy for international business travelers to experience the city after a grueling day of business meetings. Skeppsholmen has a vibrant contemporary restaurant and bar, 7 function rooms, and multilingual business support staff so you need not go further for business social gatherings be it for group business lunches or corporate cocktail parties.

The Radisson Blu Strand in the Financial District is another impressive Business Hotel in Stockholm not only because of its opportune central location, but also because of their seven stylish meeting rooms and first-rate business center services that feature up to date amenities like free Wi-Fi, videoconferencing, and LCD projectors. The Radisson Blu Strand is also an innovative Boutique Hotel in Stockholm that was a pioneer in serving “Brain Food” during conferences and business meetings so that convention attendees and business delegates would receive optimal nutrition and be in top shape despite the taxing business travel challenges.

Another brilliant recommendation for a Business Hotel in Stockholm would be the Hotel J by the stunning Newport in Nacka Strand. The dazzling nautical themed Stockholm Boutique Hotel is close to convention centers and it is has 20 meeting rooms and large event spaces on site that can accommodate 2,000 people making it a great conference hotel to choose for your business trip to Stockholm.