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The Wimbledon Championships 2013
The best tennis players in the world will take part in the most prestigious tournament: Wimbledon. Out of the four grand slams on the men and women´s circuit, the ATP and the WTA, Wimbledon is the one that everyone wants to win, since it´s the oldest and the hardest of them all. The grass of the All England Tennis Club in London is unforgiving and only the best can manage to lift the champion´s trophy. Photo: Spiralz Wimbledon takes place between the end of June and the beginning of July. This year, 2013, the specific dates are from the 24th of June until the 7th of July, with the men´s final taking place on Sunday the 7th and the women´s on Saturday the 6th. This tournament boasts an incredible history, as this year will be its 136th, and it´s considered as one of the greatest and most important sporting tournaments in the world. London thrives with tennis during these two summer weeks and the whole city focuses on Wimbledon, a fantastic experience for all sports fans. Tradition is a very important part of Wimbledon: the tennis players wear all white whilst spectators enjoy the famous strawberries and cream that you can buy around the All England Club. This year, once again, we will see players such as Roger Federer (7-time champion), a recovered Rafa Nadal (twice a winner here) and Novak Djokovic (winner in 2011) delight the crowd with their slick tennis, as will Maria Sharapova (winner in 2004) and Serena Williams (winner 5 times), who are the two favourites for the women´s crown. In any case, the stars...
Reopening of the Statue of Liberty
On the 29th of October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused severe damages throughout the East Coast of the United States, while leaving destruction all around. Even one of the most powerful cities in the world, New York, succumbed to the power of Sandy. Photo: William Warby Streets, tunnels and even the subway got flooded because of the destructive effects of Sandy, which was followed by a power cut that leaved in darkness the city that never sleeps. Meanwhile, Liberty Island, the island that hosts the Statue of Liberty, got flooded too, but fortunately the statue itself was not damaged due to its height. However, on the island the water reached nearly 3 meters high and destroyed all boilers and electrical systems, causing great damages to all infrastructure and ports where ferries used to arrive, while making it impossible for people to reach the island. 9 months after the Sandy nightmare, which caused damages for more than $ 71 billion, Liberty Island reopened its doors to visitors. The big reopening day will be the 4th of July, the American Independence Day. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to New York in the nineteenth century, more specifically on the 28th of October 1886, and was build by architect Frederic Bartholdi. The statue symbolizes freedom (obviously) and welcome to all New York visitors, as it is the first thing you’ll if you arrive by boat. Tickets for the grand reopening are already on sale and can be purchased online. If you want to get the best places, like for example, a place on the crown, you should...
City of London Festival
London is a city that shines in the summer as you can enjoy the great weather of the season, which is something not usual at all during the rest of the year. The gray clouds, cold breeze and rain are replaced by sun and warm weather, which live up the celebration of festivals in the city, while people take to the streets to enjoy. © Copyright Christine Matthews The City of London Festival is an arts festival held for four weeks between June and July, which host various musical events, film screenings, guided tours and talks. Music takes special prominence; many of the concerts include jazz, blues and opera. In addition, many of the performances are held in the hot spots of the city such as St Paul´s Cathedral; there are almost a hundred different sites to visit. The festival has also been actively involved with schools in London, which contribute cultural and artistic performances that are exposed as part of the event’s agenda. Thus, the City of London Festival aims to build a mentality of community awareness in a city that has so many traditions and diversity. Apart of music, at the festival you’ll also have the chance to enjoy film screenings, talks and even guided tours around the city. The first festival was held in 1962, and has since then grown to become what it is today, while bringing together locals and visitors to celebrate culture and the arts. In addition, many of the restaurants in town also celebrate this festival and offer discounts and special menus for this unique occasion, which are always welcome in a...
Sant Joan Festival in Barcelona
Streets, beaches, private gardens and parks are lit with bonfires on the shortest night of the year. The city opens its arms to the summer season on the 23rd of June, a very special night full of dances around bonfires to honor Sant Joan. This is almost as if it was a ritual. The Night of Fire, also known as the Revetlles de Sant Joan, is a magical night, in which not even the Metro goes to sleep. You’ll find a DJ in every single beach bar (which BTW, they all close at 6 o´clock that day), you can go on a picnic at the seashore and make bonfires on Barceloneta or Maresme beaches (Only allowed on Sant Joan). If you prefer hitting the streets of the city, you’ll find many bars with live performances for your entertainment. They say fire purifies the soul and keeps it away from sins. So according to tradition, the one who lights a bonfire that night will be purified throughout the year. People usually burn old furniture, clothes, and useless things that keep the fire all night at its peak. According to the tradition, if you want to have good luck, you should bathe in the sea after midnight. It is said that if you do so, you´ll be healthy the rest of the year. It is usual to find groups of naked guys swimming in the sea, due to the party mood and consumed alcohol. During Sant Joan people drink and eat a lot, but the gastronomy highlight of the festival is definitively the dessert: coca. For those who don’t know what...
The magic of the Dragon Boat Festival in Beijing
In the month of June, more specifically on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Lunar Calendar (from the 10th to the 12th of June, 2013) marks the beginning of a party in Beijing with more than 2000 years of history: the Dragon Boat Festival. This is a tradition that gathers tourists from all over the world and that fills with magic one of the most highly populated cities in the world: Beijing. The festival is about sailing and eating; eating and sailing… a water adventure that takes us to the other side of the world. Fancy coming on? Photo source: http://blog.beijingholiday.com/ The Dragon Boat Festival isn´t just any ordinary boat race. These are river races in which hundreds of colourful boats take place and each with a dragon head and one aim: arriving at the finish line before anyone else. Skill and expertise is required throughout the race that takes place amidst a firework display and, of course, to the rhythm of the drums that the team leader sets the pace with, an instrument that´s essential in this party. Oh, and best of all is that anyone can take part in this curious festival, from professionals to amateurs that just want to have a good time; you just need a boat. Legend says that this festival is carried out to entertain the gods but the truth is that, today, it´s a tourist attraction for thousands of people that go to Beijing every year to see it first hand. With 20 rowers tops for each boat. the Dragon Boat Festival was originally a mythical celebration that just took...The Secrets of the most rented apartments
At Only-apartments we have analyzed those with the most reservations so far this year to see which are the characteristics most sought after. Although the apartments we looked at are in different cities all through the world, they have a lot in common. We can now show you the 4 Fundamental secrets, in order of importance: 1. Reviews: These are the most important. Internet users trust more with every comment from their fellow renters. The apartments with the most number of reservations in 2013 now has more than 100 reviews from past clients (the average is 41.88 out of the most rented), and this figure will increase. It is clear that the quantity is very important, but also the quality (even though it’s quite obvious, we checked that apartments with lots of negative reviews don’t receive reservations.) Conclusion: You should motivate your clients to leave positive comments about your apartment. At Only-apartments we always send clients a satisfaction questionnaire when they leave the apartment, but you can play a very important role if you remind them to fill it in. You can see those with the best ratings from clients by following this link, where we have done a qualitative study of the comments from the most reserved apartments. 2. Price. People compare prices before making any purchase, by following this link 3. Location. Not all clients want a central location. Even though your apartment might not be in the centre of the city, there are still a lot of chances to receive reservations if you always take our suggestions on board (remember we are apartment specialists!) – If...
Sonar celebrates its 20th anniversary
I have to start this article by congratulating Sonar for its 20th anniversary. This is one of the most popular music festivals in Spain, as well as the one with the best parties you can ever imagine. To celebrate this anniversary the organizers brought together many of the main protagonists of the previous editions of the festival as: Kraftwerk, Richie Hawtin, Pet Shop Boys and Laurent Garnier. All of these famous artist will perform at Sonar 2013 in Barcelona, because they all have one thing in common: their infinite love for electronica. (Photo: Sonar official website) During three days: the 13th, 14th and 15th of June you’ll feel how the Music decibels rise in Barcelona. Are you ready? The masters of electronic music return to perform in Spain: Kraftwerk, Pet Shop Boys, Richie Hawtin, Laurent Garnier, Paul Kalkbrenner, the Dewaele brothers with their band Soulwax, Cut Chemist and Nu-Mark (with their hip hop) and Skrillex who will show us why they are the most virtuosos turntables musicians. In addition to the above, some creative artists couples will perform in a two-bands show: The Bradien, Comelade Pascal, etc. Sonar will display the performances of the most important techno artists. We do not forget the shows of Angel Molina (which is a constant performer in the festival), as well as Arcanoid, Cesar de Melero and Zero. Hip-hop and electronica have managed to fit perfectly to each other. Remember this name: Jurassic 5, led by Cut Chemist and Nu-Mark, which certainly are geniuses in this field. This year, Sonar Festival will also give you the option to enjoy all concerts, national mostly,...
Shopping in Beijing
Beijing is now one of the most attractive cities in the East. While its sustained economy continues to grow, there’s an undeniable interest in the best representatives of international fashion in the Chinese capital. With its economic growth and global expansion, a country like China could not turn its back on the world of fashion and modern and attractive clothing design in spite of its socialist government. There’s no doubt that designers, brands and renowned department stores have their sights set on Beijing: the markets expand despite ideologies, because the ideology of fashion is universal; being “in” is a right that absolutely everyone has. Photo: Jrwooley6 Forever 21 For example, in Beijing you can find stores like Forever 21, whose light and very contemporary styles captivate both teens and adults with cheerful outfits that are released each new season. There has been an explosion of interest in the store among young consumers. In fact, they have not stopped visiting the store, which has a total of four floors, since it opened in August 2012. Of course, pastel and neon colors are part of the latest trends in this popular store, which is also filled with modern sounds. Forever 21 prices are also accessible to younger people and those with a tighter budget. Unianswer If you´re looking for a more exclusive clothing store, one of your best options is the Unianswer store. This store offers great clothes for women that are made in Korea. This shop was founded by Wang Na and is one of the most frequented during fashion week in Seoul. It distributes brands such as How and What...
Design Route in Budapest
Don’t be surprised when we tell you that on your next trip to Budapest you can purchase genuinely exquisite garments and accessories that are entirely Made in Budapest. The capital of Hungary is now a breeding ground for young designers who have opened their own design stores and are currently enjoying great success. Photo: Nouhailler You can find them in the city center within walking distance of each other. Here’s a list that will help you to identify them easily: Printa Akadémia This store mainly showcases household items, but it also offers a mix of other cool stuff, like a silkscreen workshop, art gallery and cafe. In short it’s a concept store, the first in Budapest, in which the “eco-design” philosophy governs everything in this multipurpose space. Here you can enjoy fair trade coffee, buy furniture designed by a local artist or accessories for men, women and children. And if you have time, take part in one the workshops which are held every so often. Printa Academy is in the Jewish Quarter, at Rumbach Sebestyén utca 10. Kék Ló This shop is also located in the Jewish quarter, this time at Kazinczy utca 11. In Kék Ló, which means “blue horse”, they offer eco-friendly clothing as well as some garments constructed from second-hand clothes. And you can also enjoy a beer or smoke (which is still legal in Hungary). Another interesting aspect of Kék Ló are the prices. For very few (between 9 and 20) euros you can find pieces with a unique design. This is the kind of bargain that is quite simply irresistable. Tisza Cipő Are you...
