Boutique Stays at Tennessee for a Memorable Weekend

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The beckoning of adventure in the scenic outdoors, year-round music gigs and festivals, and a history of music makes Tennessee a popular weekend getaway. Be it Memphis, the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, or the lively town of Chattanooga, here is a list of five boutique stays at Tennessee that can add a special charm to your weekend trip to Tennessee this fall.

chattanooga, tennessee, mississippi river

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The Peabody Memphis

The Peabody Memphis, Tennessee hotels

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Established in 1869, The Peabody Memphis has come a long way to offer its guests most modern amenities and services at affordable price. Tastefully designed rooms come with executive desk with workstation, large flat screen TV with cable channels, high-speed internet, telephone, closet, iron with ironing board, and more. The strategic location of The Peabody Memphis allows quick access to the city’s main attractions. You can spend your free time working out at the Peabody Athletic Club or pampering yourself with beauty treatments at the on site spa.  The hotel’s special entertainment feature includes the historic Peabody Ducks March every day at 11 am and 5 pm.

Vista Inn & Suites Memphis

If you are looking for a pet-friendly budget hotel at a convenient place in downtown Memphis, Vista Inn & Suites Memphis can be the right choice.  This boutique hotel’s neatly organized rooms come with work desk, fridge, microwave, free wireless internet, cable television, and more. Enjoy continental breakfast served in your room as you wake up every morning. Choice of food is aplenty at Vista Inn & Suites Memphis as all the popular restaurants and fine dining options at downtown Memphis are quickly accessible from this hotel.

Chattanooga Choo Choo

Chattanooga choo choo, tennessee hotels

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With contemporary rooms and suites, a meticulously appointed Victorian rail carriage to sleep and dine, three on site restaurants, a Victorian lounge bar, heated indoor pool, an outdoor pool with waterfall and shaded decks, Chattanooga Choo Choo is more than just a hotel. It is a vacation complex where you can expect most relaxing living experience in the classic settings of Victorian era.

The Victorian sleeper car rooms will take you back to the fifties with their retro style interior. With latest technology and electronic appliances, the room amenities are designed to help both business travelers and vacationers in Chattanooga, TN.

The Read House Hotel Historic Inn and Suites

The uniqueness of The Read House Hotel Historic Inn and Suites in Chattanooga lies in its perfect blending of modern facilities with vintage settings. Traditionally designed, non-smoking rooms come with luxurious bed, antique furnishings, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, complimentary Wi-Fi internet, and coffeemaker. If you are traveling with family, opt for the suites with spacious bedroom and separate living areas.

Porter’s Steakhouse, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, awaits you with a range of American delicacies. Work out anytime at the hotel’s fitness center or unwind at the indoor pool with hot tub.

The Chattanoogan

The Chattanoogan, chattanooga, tennessee hotels

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Overlooking the beautiful Lookout Mountain, The Chattanoogan offers an array of upscale, non-smoking accommodations in downtown Chattanooga. Experience the warm hospitality of Tennessee at this award-winning hotel offering a range of leisure and business amenities to the travelers. Complimentary wireless internet, fully equipped business center with computer and printer, live music shows on weekend, a game room with pool and a full service spa are to name a few of many luxurious amenities at The Chattanoogan.

Amazing Places to Stay at Disney World

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If you dream of an African safari but you don’t have the time for a long vacation in faraway Africa, you can visit Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista. If you love water more than wildlife, Disney World Resorts can arrange a fun-filled tropical vacation for you instead. Be it a weekend getaway or a family vacation, here are five places to stay at Disney World to make your vacation a memorable one.

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House, Disney world resorts

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The African wildlife theme, designed to resemble traditional African village huts, is what sets Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House apart from other resorts at Disney World. All the villas and studio rooms have a wonderful view of the meticulously re-created landscape of the African savanna. A variety of herbivorous animals, including giraffe and zebras, roam freely to make you feel like you’re really in Africa.

Enjoy thrilling water slides in this tropical oasis or chill out at Uwanja Camp’s water playground while watching wildlife at a distance. Scenic jogging trails, evening campfires, and an open-air movie by the pool are some of the exclusive recreational amenities at Disney Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

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Overlooking the Stormalong Bay, an artificial lagoon full of beachside recreational features, the Disney’s Beach Club Resort offers a captivating panorama along with classic New England-style accommodations. Elegantly designed rooms and suites come with free Wi-Fi, king-size bed, coffee maker, microwave, safe, iron and ironing board, and portable crib. You can upgrade to rooms with club-level service for more personalized services and a range of complimentary amenities, such as access to the club-level lounge and fitness center.

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Disney's yacht club resort, Disney world resorts

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Offering a range of watercraft and sports amenities by the Stormalong Bay, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is a haven for adventure lovers. The guest rooms come with modern interior and amenities including king or queen bed, upscale furnishings, coffee maker, iron with ironing board, in-room safe, and baby crib. The on-site restaurant, Yachtsman Steakhouse, serves mouth-watering steaks and seafood dishes. While you go for some beachside adventures, your kids can enjoy games and crafts at the supervised children’s activity center.

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Lake Buena Vista

Immerse yourself in luxury and leisure at DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Lake Buena Vista. The resort’s one and two bedroom suites come with ample amenities, ensuring ultimate comfort of its guests. The hotel allows quick access to Disney World Resorts’ dazzling shopping arcades and fine dining restaurants. Enjoy all the benefits of this Disney World resort, including discount on entry to the PGA golf course and free shuttle services to all the Disney World theme parks and water parks. The hotel also houses a state-of-the-art fitness center, meeting room, outdoor pools, and tennis courts for both your business and recreational needs.

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort, Disney World Resort

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If you’re thinking of a long, relaxing family vacation at Walt Disney World, Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort is a wise choice. The resort houses an array of rental suites with elegant European décor, modern furnishing, a private balcony, and a kitchen equipped with all necessary appliances including cookware, a microwave, and a fridge. The condo-style rooms offer a beautiful lakefront view. Hotel amenities include a concierge, spa, restaurant, BBQ area, and more.

Change: The only constant in life

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“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

George Bernard Shaw

It was a beautiful rain drenched morning in Paro. I woke up early and went outside. There were pine trees all around and cones hanging from the branches. While most turned brown I discovered some green ones too…. 🙂  and captured the change in one frame.

pine cones, pine, pine nuts

pine nuts, pine cones, pine

Published in response to Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Change.

5 Tips to Plan Your Trip to Singapore

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Blog Post Type: Planning a Trip to a City

Singapore, one of Southeast Asia’s most prosperous cities, boasts vibrant cosmopolitan culture and dynamic city life. The buzzing nightclubs, plush shopping malls, glamorous casinos, and luxury cruises are some of the reasons Singapore has grown to be a leading tourist destination in this part of the world. There is so much to see and do in Singapore; therefore, it’s always better to plan your Singapore trip well in time.

Singapore skyline, singapore

Singapore Skyline – Image by Erwin Soo via Flickr

Decide the type of your tour

First, you need to decide what type of tour you would prefer. If you are running short of time on a business trip, plan a short tour that will cover the main attractions of the city. On the contrary, when you have enough time, you can plan for a leisurely walking tour in and around Singapore. Walking tours help you experience the place and not just see it. If you are traveling with family, make sure you choose your accommodation and sightseeing spots carefully so that there is something for everyone (or every age group) in the family.

Include Walking Tours

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There are lots of paid and free walking tours conducted in the city. Singapore walking tours are the best way to explore the city’s numerous museums and historic colonial districts that exude the essence of the island nation’s British past and Chinese present. Go off the beaten tracks with walking tours to various scenic spots, parks, and gardens in Singapore.

Things to Do and See

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Image via Wikipedia

Singapore as a booming metro city has a lot to offer to the most discerning traveler. From museum hopping to shopping, from fun-filled river cruising to enjoying the panoramic cityscape from the famous Gardens by the Bay, anything can be included in your itinerary depending on your budget, time, and preferences. Some places/things that you should not miss on your first trip to Singapore are Little India, Chinatown, the Merlion, Clarke Quay, Gardens by the Bay, and Singapore Flyer among others.

Finding Hotel Accommodation

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If you want to splurge, accommodation options are aplenty in this city. At upscale hotels, a wide range of amenities comes at a high price. On the other hand, mid-range hotels in Singapore are places where you will find all the necessary amenities to make your stay comfortable. Value Hotel Thomson would be a good choice for mid-range accommodation in a quiet neighborhood with easy accessibility to downtown Singapore. The Chinatown area is home to some elegant boutique hotels. Choosing a B&B accommodation or a backpacker’s hostel can get you landed in a private AC room with free Wi-Fi and TV at an economical price.

Seasons and Festivals

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When is the best time to visit Singapore? Well, Singapore is a happening place; the city witnesses festivals and cultural events throughout the year. If you want to delve deeper into Singapore’s cultural life, plan your trip around Singapore festivals and events to add more fun to your vacation. The city embraces hot and humid tropical weather, and it rains – especially in the afternoons. But November to March would be the best time to plan your Singapore trip as the temperature drops due to northeast monsoon.

Monochromatic: Monsoon Mix

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Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.

~ Pedro Calderon de la Barca

The theme is ‘monochromatic’ and the season is monsoon, so I had no other option than green to go monochromatic. 🙂  Captured the freshness of green foliage one afternoon, right after the rain. Refreshing…isn’t it?

green foliage, green, leaves, rain drops

Published in response to Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Monochromatic.

Connected: Light is life

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It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.

~ Aristotle Onassis

Light is life, darkness is death. Let the light be all over. As long as I see light I feel alive… I feel connected to the universe.

candles, candle, light, flame

Published in response to Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Connected.
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Top Luxury Hotels in Pittsburgh

Omni william penn hotel, luxury hotels pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, with its rugged industrial past and cosmopolitan culture, is one of the most advanced cities in the United States. Not just a commercial hub in the state of Pennsylvania, the city is home to several museums, amazing architecture, and some of the leading academic institutions in the country. Outdoor adventure and cultural festivals are other reasons tourists flock here all year. Check out these top 5 hotels in the city.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport

Located close to the airport Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport offers plush, sound proof rooms to make sure you experience a quiet stay. The Business Plan rooms, designed for corporate travelers, have an ergonomic chair, large work desk, computer, and complimentary high-speed Internet access. The hotel’s guest rooms are pet friendly. Among the property’s amenities and features are yoga sessions, heated indoor pool, and free local transportation.

Omni William Penn Hotel

Omni William Penn Hotel, a historic property dating to 1916, has classic décor, a luxurious interior, and expensive wood furnishings in the guest rooms, giving the property a sense of Pittsburgh’s rich European heritage. The world-class service makes this award-winning non-smoking hotel a favorite hideout for celebrities, statesmen, and corporate leaders. The Speakeasy lounge serves cocktails like those popular in the 1920s. Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts is fours blocks from the hotel.

Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA

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Red Roof PLUS+ Pittsburgh South – Airport

If you are looking for an economical pet friendly hotel, Red Roof Plus Pittsburgh South – Airport is the place for you. This hotel does not charge anything extra for your canine friends. Among the guest room amenities and features at Red Roof PLUS+ Pittsburgh South – Airport are a flat-panel television with cable service and premium channels, desk, and safe. Wi-Fi, local calls, and cribs and infant beds are complimentary.

Shadyside Inn All Suites Hotel

Shadyside Inn All Suites Hotel, an aparthotel in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood, is within one mile of Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside. Among the hotel’s amenities and features is a business center, conference space, meeting rooms, complimentary area shuttle, free self-parking, garden, and picnic area. Guest room amenities include a livingroom, dining area, and kitchen with full-size refrigerator/freezer, microwave, cooktop, coffeemaker, cookware, utensils, and dishes. There is free wired high-speed Internet access and a LCD television with digital service and premium channels.

Shadyside Inn All Suites Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA

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Sunnyledge Boutique Hotel and Tea Room

Small array of exclusively designed rooms, tranquil atmosphere, graceful interior design and the warmth of personalized service tailored to every guest’s personal taste and preferences — you will find all the specialties of an authentic boutique hotel in Sunnyledge Boutique Hotel and Tea Room. The classic interior décor, complimentary continental breakfast, and lavishly appointed library for leisurely reading will remind you of an aristocratic European lifestyle. Workout in the hotel’s fitness center in the morning, and savor the finest wines in the hotel’s Martini Bar in the evening.