It was over four decades ago that the Beatles were at the top of their game. But, for some reason, their music transcends generations. And with the advent of The Beatles’ Rock Band, a whole new generation will likely be introduced to their music. Check out these real-world locations that were frequented by or connected to the Beatles:
Cavern Club, Liverpool - a replica of the club where the Fab Four played over 300 gigs, built from the bricks of the original building.
Abbey Road Crossing, London - the location of the crosswalk where the Abbey Road album cover was photographed.
The Royal Albert Hall, London - The Beatles played this venue numerous times, once even sharing the stage with the Rolling Stones.
Hamburg, Germany - The early Beatles honed their craft in this city.
Amsterdam Hilton, the Netherlands - The location of John Lennon’s and Yoko Ono’s first Be-In for Peace.
Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, Montreal - The location of John and Yoko’s next Bed-In, and where the song, “Give Peace a Chance,” was recorded.
Strawberry Fields, Central Park, New York - A memorial to John Lennon.
Candlestick Park, San Francisco - August 29th, 1969 was the Beatles’ next-to-last concert at Candlestick Park.
Rishikesh, India - After a week long meditation course with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Wales, the boys followed him to his ashram in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Savile Row/Apple Studios, London - Location of the Beatles’ final rooftop performance.
Learn more about John and Yoko’s Montreal Bed-In for Peace in this video:
Traveling and bathrooms are inextricably linked, and yet the need to use the bathroom while in a foreign land can be a daunting experience because of cultural or language differences (heck, I even got confused once at an Irish pub). So, to start:
- It’s good to know how to say “toilet” in the language of the country you’re traveling to. You’ll also notice that many countries use the term “W.C.” or “water closet” to mark the bathroom, as this was the original term for the room with the toilet.
- Europe is filled with freestanding public urinals, called”pissoirs.” Unfortunately (and obviously) these are for men only.
- In Beijing, pay-as-you-go toilets are also self-cleaning so you don’t have to worry about germs and odors. However, you sometimes have to worry about exact change.
- In India, you may find a public toilet manned by an attendant. Make sure to have lots of change, because they may charge extra for toilet paper.
- In Japan, you may encounter hi-tech toilets with many special features, such as a heated, adjustable seat, water jets, massage options, a blow dryer, flushing sounds and more.
Looking at a monument is like an historical study in itself: many of these structures and sculptures have survived for many years. Here is a list of ten monuments you should check out, if you get the chance:
Check out WatchMojo’s profile of the Washington Monument:
Here is a list of countries around the world that are most friendly to expats. The list is based on the ease with which relocators can make friends, join local groups and learn the local language. Check it out:
In light of recent events in both Thailand and Mumbai, here is a list of the most dangerous places in the world:
I have enough trouble trying to figure out what to tip in my own country - I can’t even begin to describe the issues I have when traveling and this problem arises. Fortunately, here is a guide to tipping around the world:
Restaurants: 15% to 20%, with 20% being the norm at high-end restaurants.
Taxis: 15%, or round up to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: $1 per bag, but at luxury hotels such as Four Seasons properties, $2 to $5 per bag is the norm.
Hotel Concierge: $3 to $5 for a simple service, such as arranging airport transportation. For a more complicated request, such as a hard-to-score reservation, tip $20 and up.
Restaurants: Service charges are included in most meals, but add another 5% to 10%. If no service charge is included, add 15% to the bill.
Taxis: 10%.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $2 per bag (or about 1.50 euros)
Hotel Concierge: $2 is enough for easy requests, but this amount should increase to $30 or more for special requests, such as getting an after-hours tour of the Louvre.
Asia: Japan, China and Hong Kong
Restaurants: In Japan, it’s considered an insult to tip for anything. In China, 3% is the norm, and in Hong Kong, 10% to 15%, if it’s not already included in the bill.
Taxis: In China, no tip is necessary. In Hong Kong, round up to the next dollar.
Hotel Porters: $2 to $3 per bag at high-end hotels.
Hotel Concierge: $3 to $5 for basic requests such as dinner reservations. Incrementally increase the amount based on the complexity of your request.
Restaurants: If it’s factored in, leave a few dollars extra. If not, leave 10%.
Taxis: It is not necessary to tip.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $1 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: $2 for easy tasks and up to $20 for more intricate requests, such as arranging Mumbai’s top jeweler, Neelam Kothari, to bring her latest collection to your hotel room for a private viewing.
Africa (Major cities such as Cape Town or Nairobi)
Restaurants: In most cases, gratuity is already factored in. If not, 10% is the norm.
Taxis: 10% in major cities.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $1 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: $2 for simple tasks. Increase the amount based on the complexity of the request, but usually there’s no need to exceed $20.
Restaurants: For fine dining, 10% to 15% is acceptable. Otherwise, a service charge is almost always included.
Taxis: Round up the fare to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $2 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: $2 for each basic task, such as arranging transportation, and up to $50 for harder requests, such as scoring tickets to a sold-out opera at Sydney Opera House.
Restaurants: There is no tipping in Argentina. Otherwise, if it’s not already included, leave 10%.
Taxis: Round up the fare to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $1 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: Nothing is required for basic requests such as dinner reservations, but you can leave $10 or more for trickier tasks, such as getting a private tour of one of the several wineries just outside of Santiago.
Restaurants: 10% to 15% is expected.
Taxis: Round up to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $1 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: For simple tasks, $2 per request is enough. For more complicated ones, increase incrementally based on the task–up to $20.
With All Hallow’s Eve fast approaching, you may be in the mood to creep yourself out. If that is the case, here is a list of the creepiest places in the world. Boo!
1. Mummy Museum, Guanajuato, Mexico
2. St. Michan’s Church, Dublin, Ireland
3. Catacombs of Paris, France
4. Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague, Czech Republic
5. San Bernardino Ossuary, Milan, Italy
6. Bhangarh, India
7. Dia de los Muertos Celebration, Oaxaca, Mexico
8. Sedlec Ossuary, near Kunta Hora, Czech Republic
9. Feng-Du “Ghost City,” China
10. Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France
11. Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s Castle), Romania
12. Fremantle Prison, Australia
13. Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh, Scotland
14. Rose Great Hall House, Montego Bay, Jamaica
15. La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
16. Manchac Swamp, Louisiana, United States
17. Haunted Well of Himeji Castle, Japan
18. Ballygally Castle, Ireland
19. Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, Australia
20. Capuchin Crypt, Rome, Italy
21. Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England
22. The Chase Vault at Christ Church, Barbados
23. The Hellfire Tunnels and Caves, West Wycombe, England
24. Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa
25. Old Changi Hospital, Singapore
26. Salem, Massachusetts, United States
27. Ossuary in Hallstatt, Austria
28. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado, United States
29. Valley of the Kings, Egypt
30. New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
31. Bell Witch Cave, Tennessee, United States
With
This list of the funniest places in the world has nothing to do with their names (although you could rack up quite a list of those!). These are the places you should go if you want to laugh. Check it out:
Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, California
International Comedy Festivals in Montreal, Edinburgh, and Melbourne
Chicago, Illinois
Manhattan, New York
Mumbai, India
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Tucked away in the Himalayas is Ananda, the world’s number one destination spa as designated by Conde Nast in 2005, 2006 and 2007 that is dedicated to today’s travelers. This magnificent spa destination is another gem included in Picasso Travel’s new Ports of India packages.
Ports of India offers a luxuriating four night/five day package to Ananda beginning at just $1255 per person, double occupancy, and $2365 for single occupancy through April 15, 2008.
The package begins with a night in Delhi with a transfer by reliable private car for a scenic drive to Ananda the following day. It also includes accommodations for three nights in Ananda, daily breakfast and private car transfers back to Delhi. Guests can partake in Ananda’s restorative amenities such as yoga, meditation, Vendanta (means culmination of knowledge) sessions or the traditional healing art of Ayurveda, which is an intrinsic part of the wellness regime for guests. There are also many other activities for guests to enjoy, such as rafting, hiking, wildlife safaris, golf or cultural programs. The spa menus do not overlook good taste while providing maximum nutrition and a constant release of energy.
This exotic location, also the former residence of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal, is exactly the place to rejuvenate one’s senses and rediscover tranquility. The 21,000 square foot spa offers an extensive menu of more than 79 body and beauty treatments.
All ground arrangements are managed by Kuoni India, which has an impeccable reputation gained by travelers having an exceptional experience in this destination.
The ancient Hindus were known to be highly intellectual and sensuous. One of their main principles was there is no dividing line in human personality between the mind and body. Beautifying the body is to beautify the soul and the Ananda experience strives to achieve that ultimate harmony between the physical and mind of the individual.
For more details about this or other Ports of India packages, contact a travel agent, call 1-888-463-4249 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. PST) or visit http://www.portsofindia.com.
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