The Global Traveler

If you have not been to the Czech Republic yet, then, believe me, you are definitely missing out. But it is never late to visit it, especially its wonderful capital Prague.

When speaking about Prague, the first thing you think about is music. Throughout its history, dating back to the 17th & 18th centuries, Prague was considered to be Europe’s conservatory. Prague is the birthplace of the famous composers Antoní Dvořák, Leoš Janáček and Bedřich Smetana, composers who are known all over the world. Prague also hosted Mozart, after he left Vienna. Mozart’s Symphony No 38 is dedicated to Prague, his second home.

Prague’s Aria Hotel is possibly the only hotel in the world which has a musical director: Dr Ivana Stehlikova, who always on hand to tell you about Prague’s music concerts, festivals etc.

She explains: ‘Music is a very important part of Prague’s past. Many composers had to leave the country because the regime made their lives so difficult. But you can’t kill the musicality of the nation. Every child was able to go to music lessons after normal school and this was not so expensive. The tradition was so strong and the conservatories were something that the Communists decided to keep.’

Of course, it was difficult to keep music customs and traditions during that period, but Prague was one of the few places where, during war times, the sounds of music were still heard.

Today, when you are walking in the city center, you can’t help noticing the city’s passion for good music. The city’s walls are plastered with posters for classical, jazz, rock concerts, recitals, operas and salsa evenings. Today, visiting Prague, you will have the opportunity to enjoy theCzech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra every single night.

Nothing else in the world can be compared with Prague’s passion for Jazz. You can hear jazz everywhere in the city: cafes, restaurants, bars and even from the windows of inhabitants of Prague. If you are a jazz aficionado, then we strongly advise you to visit Agharta Jazz Centrum or U Malého Glena. The Reduta Jazz Club is the most favorite jazz club among the inhabitants and tourists, as it always hosts grand stars from everywhere in the world.

The city is also famous for its festivals, which are held every season. Prague Spring is the biggest festival, which runs from May 12th (the anniversary of Bedřich Smetana’s death) to the 13th of June. In the fall, Prague Autumn is held, and in October the International Jazz Festival opens, which annually takes place at Reduta Jazz Club. There are also interesting music festivals all summer long that are really worth seeing.

Thus, if you are fond of music, especially jazz, then it’s a must for you to visit Prague. I recommend that you definitely go and frequent its musical clubs and take part in its magnificent festivals, and why not, feel like you, as well, are a part of this wondrous musical city.

Photos: © ximenatapia, The Lone Beader’s photos

Are you sick and tired of the daily rat race?  Could you use a vacation far away from traffic jams, skyscrapers, and the noise pollution of a city life. Somewhere you can forget about work reports, your awful boss, and daily chores? Need to get a taste of the quiet life for, at least for a few days? Then start planning your escape to a piece of heaven on Earth: Magnetic Island in Queensland.

The name of this island dates back to 1770 when Captain Cook announced that the island had a magnetic force, which caused interference with his compass. Later Captain Cook was proven wrong, but the name “Magnetic” remains, as all the tourists still want to believe in Captain Cook’s discovery.

The clean and tropical environment of this land with pine trees, eucalypti and vine forests together with 23 bays and beaches are enough to make you giddy with excitement.  This vacation is affordable whether you are on a budget, or are planning to live in the lap of luxury. The hostels and holiday apartments are built with enough distance from each other that you will feel your only neighbors are the tropical woods, filled with birds’ singing and koalas living in the wild, and the serene sea.

Looking out of your hotel window you feel as if you are connected with the enchanting tropical nature and the azure blanket of the sea. Staying a the beach-front hotels, you will come to the realization that nothing else in this world can compare to the sight of the Coral Sea’s sunrise and sunset, the array of colors are unmatchable. The hills are studded with granite shingles of unbelievable formations, shimmering as they catch the sunlight. You will wish you never had to leave.

Magnetic Island is also famous for its fishing privileges. Hardly a single serious fisherman can be found who doesn’t dream of having a chance to fish around Magnetic Island one day. Here you can find almost any kind of fish you like: Blue and Black Marlin, Sailfish, Mackerel, Wahoo, Giant Trevally, Dogtooth Tuna, Coral Trout, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Red Emperor and Sea Perch.

While speaking of Magnetic Island one can hardly avoid mentioning the tasty and interesting tropical food, which you can enjoy in the numerous stunning island restaurants. If you happen to be in one of them, however, do not miss the given opportunity to enjoy the delightful fish and chips. It’s an island favorite, the secret ingredients of which are only known by the locals.

Remember, if your daily life starts to lose luster, if you get the urge for a cool, tropical breeze, and the colors around you are not as lively as they could be, then Magnetic Island is eagerly waiting for you.

Photo: © Ben Vaillancourt

It’s a common sight in airports, sleepy-faced travelers waiting on a flight, which has been most likely delayed. Travelers have become accustomed to waiting these monotonous hours because flight delays have previously been a commonplace feature in airline service. Things, however, might be looking up, according to the latest statistics. So you might want to opt for the quick-read magazine instead of the long novel when choosing your in-flight reading material.
MSNBC reports:

The Transportation Department said Tuesday that the nation’s airlines were on time more often in June compared to a year ago.

According to Dallas Business Journal, AMR Corp.’s, nation’s biggest carrier, the parent company of American Airlines Inc., had the worst on-time rate, at 58.8 percent. United Airlines, was next at 59.3.

The best on-time arrival rate goes to Hawaiian Airlines, a unit of Hawaiian Holdings Inc., at 92.2 percent. Among the major hub carriers, US Airways Group Inc. was best and sixth overall, at 76.3 percent.

For the most part, delayed flights are as a result of bad weather. According to Transportation Department, 47.2 percent of late flights were delayed by weather, up from both the 44.1 percent rate in May and 45 percent in June 2007.

MSNBC reports that the airlines are improving their performance with handling baggage as well. There were 5.15 reports of mishandled luggage for every 1,000 passengers in June, which was an improvement over the year-earlier figure of 7.94 complaints per 1,000 customers.

We can conclude from these statistics, that American Airlines are on their way to liberate us from small but very undesirable technical problems during our travels. But you can also participate in the process of improvement by addressing your service complaints to the Airlines. Your comments and compaints can be registered with DOT’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division.

You can call, write or use our web form.You may call the ACPD 24 hours a day at 202-366-2220 (TTY 202-366-0511) to record your complaint. Calls are returned Monday through Friday, generally between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern time.

Who knows, maybe air travel won’t be such a chore anymore? One can dream, until then it’s up to us to contribute with customer surveys in order to make the process at least tolerable.

Tired of the noise and eternal chaos of city you are living in? Wish to escape your daily routine, endless traffic jams and fast food restaurants? Maybe yes, but you probably don’t know where to start? Well, let me tell you about Plano apartments and the advantages of this small suburb. It may ease your task of deciding where to live and help you uncover a great town.

You can choose a better life for you and your family just by changing your location! If you already have this in mind, and you are searching for a family-friendly place to live, you have come to the right place.

Plano is a northern suburb of Dallas, Texas - a calm, small town, where you and especially your children can enjoy pure air, a green environment and peaceful evenings - things you can’t hardly ever find in most big cities. Well, it is my pleasure to inform you that in 2005, Plano was designated the best place to live in Western United States by CNN Money magazine. Later, in 2006, it was selected as the 11th best place to live in the entire United States.

Whether you’re apartment-seeking in Plano or it’s a stop on your travel route and you need to reserve a hotel room, you can always find what you need on Best of Plano. The Real Estate section includes all the best that Plano has to offer. It features sub-categories such as Best Financial Firms, Best Real Estate Companies, Best Home Builders and Best Apartments in Plano. You can also turn to the same website for Plano area’s best activities, for lists of bed and breakfasts, restaurants, hotels, child development centers and places to shop.

Plano certainly will be a paradise for your children. You can find a huge variety of kid friendly entertainment in the Kid Zone section of the website. I ensure you that your kids will appreciate the efforts you made for them.

But if too much silence tends to bore you and every now and then you need some real nightlife, don’t worry - it will take you about twenty minutes to reach to the nearest town, Fort Worth, which is famous for its rowdy cowboy ways. Also, good news for people who are fond of art, since June to November 2008, Kimbell Art Museum in Plano plays host to 92 of the most celebrated works of the great Impressionist painters.

OK, enough of me gushing, if you would like to find out further information on Plano restaurants, hotels and other facilities and curiosities, visit the website!!