10 Hot Holiday Destinations

Whether you are looking for a holiday now or planning one for the future, this list will help you make the right choice. I have selected some of the best holiday destinations from around the world, focusing on a particular aspect of each place. So, here you have it: 10 hot holiday destinations, In no particular order:
1. The Maldives

For: Relaxation
The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, about 435 miles South-West of Sri Lanka. It is a popular tourist destination because of the astoundingly beautiful resorts and scenery. In most cases you can stay in a private villa which sits out in the middle of the water – connected to the mainland by a small walkway. If you want to go somewhere to relax – this is the place to do it. The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi, which is very closely related to Sinhala, the language of Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, you will have no problems speaking English in the tourist spots. Don’t forget to pack your laptop so you can read the List Universe while you are sipping margaritas on your private porch floating on the ocean!

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2. Queenstown New Zealand

For: Excitement
In Winter or Summer, Queenstown is a fantastic place to holiday. In the Winter it is full of people there for the skiing, and in summer it is full of people there to take the white water trips down the Shotover river. I would also say that the food in Queenstown ranks as the best I have eaten in the entire world; though food in New Zealand is of an extremely high standard in general. There are a large number of hotels right on the waterfront of Lake Wakitipu (New Zealand’s longest lake and third largest). The water is bitterly cold (even in summer) – but it is beautiful to look at from your hotel window and if you can stand the cold, bathing is certainly allowed. Queenstown is also New Zealand’s jetboat and bungy jumping capital. And if you think the price is too high – you can always pop to Arrowtown right next door and try panning for gold in one of New Zealand’s old mining towns. Oh – and don’t forget, New Zealander’s are the friendliest people in the world.
3. Paris France

For: Food
Everyone knows that Paris is the City of Romance and Food, but it has that reputation for a good reason! The food in France is simply outstanding and almost unparalleled around the world. You can stay at very inexpensive hotels, or very expensive ones, depending on your budget; just make sure you leave enough money for the food and wine. Some of the things you will have to do: 1) eat macaroons at La Duree, on the Champs Elysee (you won’t be able to control yourself when you taste these things!), 2) eat ice-cream at Berthillon – the best ice-cream in the world (handmade entirely from natural ingredients), and 3) eat pastries at Pierre Hermé – the picasso of pastry. Don’t forget to check out Printemps – the incredible department store found on Boulevard Haussmann.
4. New York United States of America

For: Shopping
With the US dollar at an all time low, it is the perfect opportunity for non-Americans to travel to New York and pick up some bargains. In addition, you get to see one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the United States, and can experience the hustle and bustle of an incredibly busy city. New York has many state parks and two major forest preserves. Adirondack Park, roughly the size of the state of Vermont and the largest state park in the United States, was established in 1892 and given state constitutional protection in 1894. Major destinations include the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Broadway theatre productions, museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and other tourist attractions including Central Park, Washington Square Park, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, luxury shopping along Fifth and Madison Avenues, and events such as the Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village, the Tribeca Film Festival, and free performances in Central Park at Summerstage. New York’s food culture, influenced by the city’s immigrants and large number of dining patrons, is diverse. Jewish and Italian immigrants made the city famous for bagels, cheesecake and New York-style pizza. The city also boasts some of the finest haute cuisine restaurants in the USA.

5. Hong Kong China
For: Unique Culture
Hong Kong is frequently described as a place where East meets West, a meeting reflected in its economic infrastructure, education and street culture. On one street corner, there may be traditional Chinese shops selling Chinese herbal medicine, Buddhist paraphernalia or bowls of synthetic shark fin soup. But around the next, one may find theatres showing the latest Hollywood blockbuster, an English-style pub, a Catholic Church or a McDonald’s. The city’s cosmopolitan flavour can also be seen in the wide variety of cuisines available. While different varieties of Chinese selections, especially seafood, are most popular, there are also many European, American, Japanese, Korean, and other restaurants. Ethnic dishes served in cha chaan teng’s and dai pai dong’s are also popular. The people of Hong Kong take their food seriously and many top chefs make their way to the city to show off their talents to these discerning diners. The Hong Kong government also supports cultural institutions such as the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

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6. Venice Italy

For: History
Every time I have been to Venice I have had an amazing holiday. Not only is the city incredible for its history, it is incredible for its food, its architecture, and its uniqueness. I have been in both summer and winter and would suggest that either of those seasons is perfectly fine for a visit. In summer it gets very hot and crowded, and in Winter it is not crowded but can be a bit on the cold side. If you are interested in old Churches, this is the place to go – there is one around every corner. The ambience of the city is one of mystery and rich culture. I recommend the Hotel Bauer which is just a few meters away from the San Marco square (the heart of the city). One of the best things about Venice is that you can leave your hotel and just start walking – you don’t need to worry about maps as you will eventually find your way back to the hotel. This is also an excellent way to explore the tiny dark alleys. Be sure to go for a trip on a gondola – but be prepared to pay big for the privilege – it is not cheap – on my last trip it cost me 75 Euros for 45 minutes.
7. Pyongyang North Korea

For: Exclusivity
This one is for the intellect – so that you can one day say that you have been the last bastion of Stalinist communist. It is very difficult to obtain a visa to visit North Korea, and if you do, it will be an expensive holiday. But you will be in a very small group of people who can say that have visited. By all accounts the food is extremely good and plentiful. You will be waited on hand and foot, and you will have a tour guide with you the whole time to explain things (okay – they are communist agents, but they will still explain things). You can visit the large shopping center and watch people who are paid to shop (so they look prosperous) and if you time it right, you may get a chance to see the amazing Mass Games, which are held every year on the 15th of April at the Arirang Festival, to celebrate the birthday of the Dictator Kim Il-sung.

8. Cape Town South Africa
For: Beaches
Cape Town is the third most populace city in South Africa, and it is the most popular tourist destination due to its good climate and natural setting. It is the home of the famous Table Mountain. Due to the city’s unique geography, it is possible to visit several different beaches in the same day, each with a different setting and atmosphere. Cape Town is noted for its architectural heritage, with the highest density of Cape Dutch style buildings in the world. Night life in the city caters for all tastes, with a range of restaurants and cafes that are generally recognized as including some of the finest eateries in South Africa (both in food quality and decor terms). Night clubs and bars abound with popular areas including the top end of Long Street and its immediate surrounds, as well as the redeveloped Cape Malay quarter, De Waterkant.
9. Sydney Australia

For: The Nightlife
Aside from having the most deadly creatures in the world, Syndey is a wonderful place. It is vibrant and pumping at all times – though especially at night. If you like the nightlife – this is the destination for you. Australian people are very friendly and the crime rates are reasonable. You can go on a harbour cruise at night and have dinner while floating under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or you can go out to the country side to see some amazing and unique flora and fauna. You can even spend an evening at the opera in the famous Sydney Opera House, home to the third busiest opera company in the world. Sydney’s most popular nightspots include Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and The Rocks which all contain various bars, nightclubs and restaurants. Star City Casino, is Sydney’s only casino and is situated around Darling Harbour.
10. Monte Carlo Monaco
For: The gambling
If you fancy holidaying Bond style, this is definitely the place for you. Be prepared to come home with no money – but memories you will cherish forever. This is the city of the Rich. Did you know, citizens of Monaco are not allowed to enter the casinos? They are also exempt from tax, making this a popular spot for the world’s billionaires. As well as gambling, Monte Carlo hosts the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and many fashion shows. This country was, of course, home to the American actress Grace Kelly (Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco) before her death in 1982.

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Another 10 Artistic Uses of Ordinary Things

Artists see the world differently than other people. It is this special view of the world that makes them outstanding in their various fields. This list shows another ten artists who used their special perspectives to create unique works of art from otherwise mundane objects. If you have other suggestions for other artists that I should add to this list, feel free to add them in the comments.

10

Watermelons

Takashi Itoh is a Japanese food sculptor who specializes in carving amazing designs on watermelons. The idea came to him after he saw a watermelon sculpture at a Thai culture festival. Duly inspired, he started teaching himself how to carve the fruit, and three weeks later, he mastered the craft. His carvings, which can take up to ninety minutes to complete, include dragons, slogans, cranes, tortoises and a series of athletic designs inspired by the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He even made a self-portrait of himself on the fruit. For more of Itoh’s delicious art, go to his website.

9

Matchsticks

Scottish artist David Mach is a highly innovative artist who has created many extraordinary artworks from ordinary materials, such as postcards, bricks and coat hangers. His recent works include a series of 3D portraits of famous icons like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, made from thousands of colored matchsticks. The sculptures were made by painstakingly gluing matches, with the tip facing outward to a fiberglass mold. Thus, the sculptures can take 500 hours to complete, although occasionally after finishing a sculpture, Mach torches his work and lets it burst into flames, as a fitting finale to his flammable art. For more of his fascinating works, go to his site.

8

Phonebooks

Alex Queral, from Philadelphia, is a sculptor with a difference. He creates portraits of famous people from discarded phonebooks. He does this by first making a freehand sketch of the person he will carve. Using the sketch as a template, he then places it over the phonebook and starts carving the face into the pages using an artist’s scalpel or razor blades. ‘It can be quite tense work sometimes because it takes a long time to finish and when you cut something away you can’t get it back again. Nearing the end of the carving and then suddenly having it ruined by a careless cut can be pretty crushing. You have to start all over again,’ said Queral. He now makes up to two new carvings each month and has produced carvings of Barack Obama, Jack Nicholson and the Dalai Lama on the discarded books. For more photos, go here.

7

Corrugated Cardboard

Mark Langan, a self-taught artist, has perfected the art of using corrugated cardboard to create intricate sculptural pictures. Each of Langan’s pieces was visualized using no computer rendering; a simple sketch is used. Each artwork entails cutting, layering and sealing the individual pieces using nontoxic glue. Not only is the finished work beautiful, but it is totally environmentally-friendly. To see more of his artwork, go to his site.

6

Hard Drives

Miguel Rivers, a systems administrator, creates beautifully complex metal sculptures from used computer hard drives. Rivera’s first project was a car out of 33 standard 3.5-inch hard drives, which took an entire weekend to make. Now, he has created other cars, motorcycles and robot-like figures out of the metallic medium. For more photos, go here.

5

Dollars

At the O.H.W.O.W. gallery in Miami, Florida, Scott Campbell, a Louisiana tattoo artist, showed his works, with the highlight of the exhibit being a series of laser-cut carvings made on several stacks of dollar bills. The unique collection contains designs that showcase Campbell’s distinct tattooing style, including a thorned rose, the Virgin Mary, and a handgun. For more pictures as well as a sampling of Campbell’s tattoo art, visit his website.

4

Tortillas

Los Angeles artist Joe Bravo is a painter. Nothing unusual about that, except that his choice of canvas is not paper, but flour tortillas. He first dries the tortillas naturally or by using an oven, then varnishes both sides so that it could be painted on with acrylic. After finishing a work, he protects the image from moisture by coating it with more varnish. His paintings are often inspired by the texture and burn marks present on the tortillas themselves. Bravo has created tasty images of famous icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Che Guevara, Ronald McDonald and La Virgin de Guadalupe. He has earned such a reputation from his tortilla art that he has sold some of his works for more than $3,000. For more of his yummy art, visit his site.

3

Crayons

Herb Williams, from Tennesee, creates whimsical sculptures and installations out of that kindergarten classroom staple, crayons. He uses up to 250,000 crayons for his artworks. Because of this, his studio is filled from top to bottom with boxes of 3,000 single-color crayons, and he is one of the only individuals in the world with an account with Crayola, where he gets most of his materials. For more of his colorful art, go here.

2

Old reference books

Brian Dettmer, from Atlanta, Georgia, resurrects old reference books into beautifully intricate masterpieces. In a process that he calls a ‘book autopsy’, Dettmer seals the edges of the books he uses before performing ‘surgery’ on their pages. Using surgical tools like scalpels and tweezers, he dissects sections of the book’s text, leaving interesting text and illustrations intact. Nothing is added or altered, only removed, so everything that’s left is in its’ original place in the book. Titles that were ‘operated’ on by Dettmer includes ‘Household Physician’ and ‘Webster’s New International Dictionary’. For more photos, go here.

1

Light

Lichtfaktor is the name of a group of graffiti artists based in Cologne, Germany. Only these graffiti artists don’t work with spray paints: they use flashlights, neon tubes, glowsticks, LEDs and other mobile sources of light to create dazzling shapes and brilliant swirls, that illuminate dreary cities with their momentary glow. Then, using a special camera with a long exposure, the group captures these light ‘sketches’ to preserve them for future appreciation. The group, comprising of graffiti artists Tim Feshke and David Lupschen, and video engineer Marcel Panne, also make videos of their art, using stop-motion animation to make their light graffiti come alive. In one particular video, entitled ‘Star Wars vs. Star Trek’, Tim and David made trash cans come alive, staged a fantastic light saber fight, and ‘teleported’ themselves through the gloomy streets of Germany. For more of their bright art, go here.

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