Romantic Dining in Austin Texas

 by: William Hauselberg

Whether it’s a first date or you’re planning a night out with a significant other of over a decade, it’s highly recommended that you find a romantic restaurant when it's alone time. When most people think of Austin, Texas, they don’t often think of romance. However, finding an Austin, TX romantic restaurant is a lot easier than you might think. If you put the time in to search for all Austin, TX romantic dining options, you will find quite a selection. These selections range from Italian to Mexican to French, as well as plenty of other options in-between.

Romance Abounds in Austin

When it’s time to choose an Austin ,TX romantic restaurant, you don’t need to work very hard at figuring out a solution. In some cities, you have to travel to the outskirts of the city limits, or even the suburbs, in order to find the most romantic restaurants. All Austin, TX romantic dining options are concentrated in the same area, which is near the heart of the city. These restaurants can be found on West Live Oak Street, Burton Springs Road, Guadalupe Street, North Lamar Boulevard, Rio Grande Street, and Neches Street. Even better is the fact that most of these restaurants have very high ratings, with the lowest rating being an average.

Now you’re aware of the locations and the high quality of the romantic restaurants in Austin. But what one person considers a romantic restaurant might differ from how another person sees it. It would be impossible to predict what any single reader determines is a romantic restaurant; therefore, let’s stick with the most obvious requirements.

What Makes a Restaurant Romantic?

A romantic restaurant should be dimly lit. This helps set the tone for the night right off the bat. Dim lighting can also help hide any imperfections someone might have. This, in turn, will make that person feel more at ease. Another important factor is tablecloths. If you see a restaurant in Austin advertising a romantic setting and their tables don’t have tablecloths, cross it off your list – regardless of how good the food is supposed to be. Good food is a plus, but romantic dining is more about ambiance. An absolute necessity when looking for Austin TX romantic dining is choosing a restaurant that is relatively quiet. The last place you want to be is at a restaurant where the bar noise travels into the dining room and the tables are packed close together. The last requirement is a fine wine list. The dim lighting might help set the mood, but a fine wine can help maintain it.

Now you know all the basics to finding a romantic restaurant in Austin. Enjoy your evening.

Four Fights Between Big Corporations and Latin American Interests

 by: Gary Sargent

Latin America is an incredible place - no question. Anyone who takes a Latin American vacation is likely to have some impressive stories to tell when they get back home. Latin America however has more to it than just being a tourist attraction - for decades foreign companies have seen the commercial potential of the continent.

Naturally this can lead to a conflict of interests, and there's often a juicy story to tell about an international corporation's bad behavior or manipulative ways. Here are four examples of conflicts between major corporations and Latino interests.

1) Aluminium Corporation Vs. Peru

Peru is an incredibly mineral-rich country. It is the world's 3rd biggest exporter of raw copper and a huge proportion of the country's income stems from mining.

The Chinese mining giant Aluminium Corporation (otherwise known as Chinalco) recently discovered US$50 billion of copper sitting beneath the Toromocho mountain of Peru. The only problem is that they can't lay a finger on it until they move an entire town.

The residents of Toromocho have so far been offered houses in a completely new town, but the majority are holding out for a better deal.

2) Chevron Vs Ecuador
Petrochemical world leader Chevron has its share of skeletons in the closet, with some of the worst environmental and human rights abuses in history.

From 1964 to 1992, Texaco (now a subsidiary of Chevron) wreaked havoc in Ecuador by leaving more than 600 unlined oil pits in the northern Amazon rainforest and dumping 18 billion gallons of toxic waste water into rivers used for bathing. The toxic crude oil and formation water seeped into the subsoil, contaminating surrounding freshwater and farmland.

As a result, local communities suffered severe health effects, and large areas of rainforest were destroyed to make way for the creation of oil refineries and pipelines.

Any attempts by the Ecuadorian government to gain compensation from Texaco failed as it transferred all its assets in the nineties and was sold to Chevron in 2001.

3) United Fruit Company Vs Guatemala

The United Fruit Company is possibly the defining example of manipulative corporate interests in Latin America. The company grew to be a powerful entity towards the end of the 19th and into the 20th century. Its influence became so great with regional governments that many countries in Latin America in which United Fruit had plantations came to be referred to as "Banana Republics".

The company eventually became too ambitious for its own good when it used its influence to prompt an invasion of Guatemala by United States armed forces. Land reforms by a democratically elected president threatened the company's land holdings, so using the premise of a growing Communist influence, United Fruit persuaded the US government to oust the administration and install a more sympathetic leadership.

4) Coca Cola Vs Colombia

We've probably all heard something unpleasant that the Coca Cola company has done overseas. One such example was the assassination of eight workers union leaders between 1989 and 2002 for protesting against the company's labor practices.

Many other Coca-Cola workers who have joined (or merely considered joining) the Colombian union SINALTRAINAL suffered a similar fate, with stories of kidnappings, torture, and detainment by paramilitaries who intimidated workers to prevent them from unionizing.

Do you know of any other examples of bad corporate behavior in Latin America? Or perhaps you consider this to be a bit pessimistic - what are some examples of good work done by corporations in Latin America?

Buying Condos In Playa Del Carmen

 by: Stanko Smith

Playa del Carmen has become a famous lace. It is a favorite amongst the tourist and the number of people who are visiting this place is increasing. It is a charming city with all the elements that a person needs to enjoy themselves. There is sparkling blue waters, pristine white beaches and calm and tranquil atmosphere with lots of activities going on for those who want to take part in it.There is a lot of property available in Playa Del Carmen. New properties are being constructed in this city. There are many condos being built here. These condos are generally built in gated communities and have full security features. You don’t have to worry that your property would remain closed for many months. They would be quite safe.

When you plan to buy Condos in Playa Del Carmen, you should select according to the size of condo you want. It is most preferable to buy two bedrooms condos. They generally have living area, dining area, kitchen and terrace in them. Most of the condos are located near the beach and have swimming pool in their community. The condos are modern with open area concept and have bright light in them.

You can give these condos as Rentals in Playa Del Carmen when you are not using them. As this city is such a popular place there are people who would take your property on rent. There are a lot of activities going on in Playa Del Carmen and you can even let it out for Weddings in Playa Del Carmen. The people who want to get married in this city love to take a condo for rent. There is no doubt that Playa Del Carmen is a popular place and the value of property would increase in this place. So don’t hesitate in buying property there.

Best Luxury Five Star Hotels in Gurgaon

 by: Sunil Kumar

Gurgaon-The millennium city, is fast emerging as the business hub of the India. With so many MNCs and business houses setting their offices here, it is becoming one of the top travel destinations in India. Pursuant to the plethora of people coming here, the city boasts a large collection of top notch hotels with world class facilities and hospitality. Gurgaon hotels offer the utmost standard of luxury and range from five star hotels to budget hotels.

In almost all these hotels, you will find the best of facilities such as spa facilities, swimming pools, state-of-art gyms, pubs, business centres and various restaurants serving both international and Indian cuisine. The rooms are spacious with elegant interior décor. You can stay in these five star hotels without compromising on your pockets. The trick being planning cost-effective stay, with package deals, membership and advanced bookings. Although Gurgaon does have every type of hotels for every type of traveller, the following are among the best luxury hotels Gurgaon has to offer:

Galaxy Hotel: Galaxy Hotel is conveniently located at a 40-minute drive from the international and domestic airports in New Delhi. Galaxy offers luxurious suites and spa rooms with extensive dining options. It also boasts of in-house brewery offering three kinds of beers to its patrons.

The Leela Kempinski: The Leela Residences Kempinski in Gurgaon offers the finest accommodation for business travellers. You can avail facilities of business club, spacious spa, health centre, convention and event space, and a legion of entertainment and dining options.

Crowne Plaza: Crowne Plaza offers lavish and cosy rooms and an array of facilities like swimming pool, gymnasium, restaurants, and quality conference facilities.

Bristol Hotel: Bristol offers a wide range of dining and accommodation options. One of the oldest hotels in Gurgaon, it has all the modern facilities associated with a five star hotel.

Trident: One of the new hotels in Gurgaon, here you can relax in the spa or by the swimming pool. It is located on the National and is a short walk from malls, the Kingdom of Dreams and the IFFCO metro station.

Westin Sohna-Gurgaon Resort & Spa: Westin Sohna-Gurgaon Resort & Spa is one of the best spa hotels in Gurgaon and Delhi. Situated in the elegant ambiance of thirty-five acres of lush gardens, here you can relax after from the rigors of travel. Enjoy the facilities of the workout Gym, tennis, freeform pool, horse ride and the best of dining experience.

Cheap Europe Tour - A perfect way to travel in Europe with your budget

by: Toni Steave

Europe tour

The world as whole is divided into seven continents where every continent is dissimilar to the other. The European continent being situated on the high altitudes has low temperature almost all throughout the year, and is therefore quiet rich in natural beauty. The Europe Tour is full of amusement and pleasure. The cultural density and diversity of Europe offers unlimited opportunities for exploration and discovery. Europe is now the most exciting travel destination and is thronged by the travellers almost all the year round. There are many places of tourist’s attractions in Europe which would leave you enthralled. Some of the most captivating European countries are Switzerland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands and many more. Europe is home to some of the most exciting spots like France where one can get to see the Statue of Liberty, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Switzerland, which is the most popular honeymoon destinations, is also in Europe.

New Year packages near Mumbai

Mumbai, the economic capital of India is an important Indian city. People from all over the world visit this Tinsel Town; the city is known to have amazing night life and is full of fun and excitement. There are several thrilling places for the party freaks in Mumbai. The clubs and pubs in and around Mumbai are the perfect place for a bash. New Year packages near Mumbai are just wonderful The Kstar Woods Resort, The Transit Hotel, The Chomu Palace are some of the places where one can have lots of fun and a terrific New Year party with your near and dear ones.

Malaysia holiday packages

Malaysia is one of the major tourist attractions of the world, people from all over the world visit Malaysia almost all throughout the year. The Malaysia holiday Packages are just incredible and they will surely leave you enthralled. The country is full of life and is the home to unparallel beauty and ethnicity. Malaysia is one of the most preferred destinations among the honeymooners as the arresting beauty and dazzling beaches just romanticize the surroundings. The travellers to Malaysia do not fail to enjoy the adventure sports as here they can participate in some most daring activities like rafting, paragliding, diving etc. Malaysia is also an excellent outlet for the shopping freaks as the shopping arcades of Malaysia are considered to be one of the best.

Popular Tourist Attraction Of Goa Packages

 by: Toni Steave

Goa Package

If you are keen to spend some special moments on the long extended beaches, there is no better option than Goa. Feel the attractiveness of the unharmed beaches, convincing palm trees, sun-drenched climate and shades of blue in the Arabian Sea. Goa Package is a beautiful package with the visit to the old city having its civilization, culture, and antique buildings. There are plenty of tourist attractions in Goa. 

There are tranquil beaches, temples, churches and villages and of course not to forget the nightlife and carnival festival of Goa. Panaji is the capital city of Goa and has numerous tourist attractions of Goa. It is to be found on the side of River Mandovi. Panaji has a lot of well-known Churches and buildings constructed in Gothic style

Europe Tour Packages From India

Europe is the most sought after destination in the entire world. Europe, being the smallest continent but is most admired as a holiday destination and many people throng this place all the year round. Europe Tour Packages from India is endowed with loads of affluence and attractiveness on roughly every walk of life. Some of the favorite spots to be visited are Vienna ,a heavenly destination for the music lovers and is famous because of the world class musicians like Mozart and Johan Strauss. Copenhagen is tiny yet a stunning city. It’s the capital of Denmark, with lot of contemporary day buildings and historical monuments along with that. Places for sightseeing in Copenhagen are the Little Mermaid, Tivoli Garden, National Museum, and Amalienborg Palace.

Honeymoon Packages In India

There are numerous honeymoon packages available in India like Goa, cities of Rajasthan but the most preferred Honeymoon Packages in India is of Kerala. Some of the destinations that are a must visit place in Kerala are Kumarakom . It is an nice-looking traveler destination in Kerala situated on the sides of the Vembanad Lake in Kottayam district. Kumarakom is enveloped by backwaters and is one of the most prefered tourist destinations for tranquil backwater cruises in Kerala. Kumarakom is a dwelling for one of the most significant bird sanctuaries in Kerala and quite a few species of wandering birds can be dotted here. It is home to rare species of migratory birds that include Siberian stork, fly catchers, darter, heron, king fishers and teal among others.

Winter Vacations on the Outer Banks North Carolina

by: William Hauselberg

What is there to do after the holidays are over? How about taking a winter Outer Banks vacation? Everyone knows how great the Outer Banks are during the summer but only a few realize how much fun a winter Outer Banks vacation can be.

The Outer Banks are a completely different experience in the winter. For one thing, there are no crowds. Instead, there are long stretches of sand with hardly a person to be seen, perfect for long walks. There are also lots of shells for the collector with hardly anyone collecting them. Instead of the sounds of other people, one hears the sounds of waves breaking, seagulls crying and wind whistling through the long grass. Another benefit of a winter vacation is that Outer Banks vacation lodging is generally less expensive than it is in the summer.

What is there to do besides walking on a nearly-empty beach then? There are plenty of attractions at the Outer Banks besides seaside walks. A few are visiting the lighthouses, going to the North Carolina Aquarium and surf fishing.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is perhaps the most famous lighthouse in America. This black and white striped lighthouse has been portrayed on postcards, calendars, books and television shows. Winter is a great time to visit the tallest lighthouse (208 feet) in the country because there are no crowds here either. It is closed for climbing in the winter but the museum and grounds are open all year long.

North Carolina Aquarium

Located on Roanoke Island, this aquarium is the largest in the state. It has a 285,000-gallon tank filled with hundreds of fish, sea turtles and sharks. There are also exhibit tanks filled with marine life such as eels, rays, sharks and different fish species. River Otters, turtles and alligators can be seen in the Wetlands Atrium.

Surf Fishing

Just because the water is too cold for people does not mean the fish are not biting. Surf fishing is a popular sport in the Outer Banks all year. There are several surf fishing schools, outfitters and guides located in the area who take surf fishing seriously and will be happy to get you started.

More good reasons for visiting the Outer Banks in winter include the many choices in Outer Banks Vacation lodging, seeing the Wright Brothers Memorial, visiting the eclectic shops and trying some of the seafood restaurants. With a little imagination, you can have a great winter vacation in North Carolina!