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Chicago As A Gay Destination

Chicago, Illinois, USA

 Chicago is gradually emerging to be a gay destination. Sounds quite strange, right? Well! Chicago hosted the International Gay Games in 2006. It was USA’s first government-recognized gay neighborhood and Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade is attended by an estimation of four hundred thousand people every year.

News is in the air that local officials have decided to open up an eco-friendly $20 million gay Community Center at Halsted covering an area of about sixty five thousand square feet. This will support facilities like a computer lab, an office space for gatherings, a black-box theater, a gym named after Billie Jean King – the popular tennis player, a rooftop garden that has been named for Mayor Richard M. Daley, and a Whole Foods supermarket. On hearing the plan, Tracy Baim, editor and publisher of Windy City Times said that it was like a dream come true. more »

Europe Best Sea Kayaking Destinations

Ocean kayaking

Europe is the ultimate name on account of its diverse coastlines,when it comes to sea kayaking. Many coasts of mainland Europe are unique as kayaking destinations. To begin with, Shetland with its amazingly mild climate, is characterized by sea cliffs interspersed with small beaches and caves. These sea caves are fascinating for their large and complex configuration, lighted by occasional sun beams. Anglesey and Brittany are known for their abundance of yummy seafoods. Brittany can be reached even by personal cars and therefore it is really a cool place to relax and enjoy a family vacation.

The Isle of Man in the northern Irish Sea with an area of 221 square miles lies closest to the British Isles. It is a topmost kayaking location within an archipelago. The Isles of Scilly is yet another warm archipelago, whose favorable weather makes it navigable in all types of weather conditions.

Close to Palau and La Maddalena, Sardinia is yet another lovely archipelago with sea-worn granite topography. For days-long expeditions for crossing the straits of Bonifaccio to Corsical is a very suitable idea in the months of April or May.

Scotland does not lag behind as a kayaking spot because it is gifted with isles like Jura and Islay. This apart, the romantic remote beaches with white sands makes Scotland a paradise for those who look ahead for lunch stops.

Moving away from the nearest vicinity of the British Isles, Norway is unique for its Lofoten Islands. Its mountainous topography and fjords make it doubly interesting in the sense that adventurers can both climb and kayak.

The steep and rugged shores of Croatia and its thinly populated islands offer a perfect fun time to those who look ahead spending some quality time in solitude. The appeal lies in its limestone cliffs, pine forests and the magnificent view of the ancient city of Dubrovnik.

Greece has a mountainous terrain protruding into the sea at southern Balkans. A range of over 2000 islands including Crete, Euboea, Lesbos and Chios coupled by the Ionian Sea islands make it a very much sought after kayaking spot.

 www.simplyscilly.co.uk/

Nice Carnival: « King of the Blue Planet »

Nice, Provence, France

From February 12-28, 2010, the « King of the Blue Planet » will reign on the 126th edition of the Nice Carnival, the biggest winter event of the Côte d’Azur. For 15 days, his Majesty will open the doors of his blue planet for 15 days.

Dive into his history, his nature and its astonishing biodiversity, to the abysses and wanderings of humans, before concluding with this intimate conviction: protection and preservation of nature is definitely the most important goal of this century.

Though truly ecological (complete with recycling workshops), this popular carnival remains faithful to its original spirit: humor, scorn and poetry will be in order.

Around the Place Masséna, 20 allegorical and burlesque floats will parade with bands and comedians from the five continents. This parade will look like an initiatory around-the-world journey in 80 minutes! New 360° open floats will parade all along the Promenade des Anglais, decorated with roses, carnations, or mimosas, representing the floral patrimony of the region. Elaborate costumes, dances, and flower battles complete the festive scene.

The Nice Carnival offers a wonderful opportunity to discover Nice during the winter, with its mild climate, constant sunshine, and easy-going joie de vivre.

For more information, visit www.nicecarnaval.com or www.nicetourisme.com.

Nice, France

Nice, France

Nice, France