Archive for July, 2010

A Bit of Italian Chicago in Las Vegas

Author: Gina

Jul 31


Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/content/d/y/l/dylandownhill/html/lovemocha.com/wp-content/plugins/tweetmeme/tweetmeme.php on line 33

Want to get away from all the glamour and glitz which is Las Vegas? Then head over to Chicago Joe’s Restaurant located at 820 S. 4th Street downtown Vegas. This restaurant is a 3-time winner at the Rio Italian Festival for its sauces. The establishment is in a converted old-style brick house and is family owned and operated. It’s virtually a little piece of Italy in the midst of high rise Las Vegas hotels and attractions.

Chicago Joe’s is a unique, small house in downtown and the marinara sauce is to die for, especially over cheese ravioli; their marinara has a touch of sweetness and thickness that makes each bite a thrilling treat. If marinara isn’t your favorite type of sauce, then order the pasta either with mushroom sauce, calamari sauce or with snails; all are outstanding. The bread is freshly baked and the service is superb and an absolute delight. The wine list is good.

Chicago Joe’s is great to take clients for lunch, most will feel they have found heaven; it’s the only place in downtown with the requisite combination of grace, effervescence and elegance, while at the same time has a homely atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable and most patrons are return out-of-town visitors to Vegas or a dedicated local crowd.

0 Comments
Filed under: Travel | Tagged as:

Great Museums of Manila

Author: Gina

Jul 27


Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/content/d/y/l/dylandownhill/html/lovemocha.com/wp-content/plugins/tweetmeme/tweetmeme.php on line 33

As one of the largest metropolitan regions in the world, it is no surprise that Manila and its neighboring cities have a tremendous amount of cultural attractions and establishments. The city is known for its diversity and the tremendously condensed nature of its population requires a certain amount of acceptance for others and mutual respect. One of the ways Manila honors its great culture, history, the sciences and art with its numerous museums. They are one of the top attractions for many people who are staying in one of the Manila hotels and they make a great contribution to the overall experience of tourists.

The National Museum, Metropolitan Museum and the Museo Pambata are just a few of the great museums found there. The National Museum is an incredibly important organization and serves as the national repository for the country. It was originally established in 1901 and has collected important diverse cultural elements for over a century. The building currently exists in what used to be the home of the Congress of the Philippines . The building was designed an American architect named Daniel Burnham and was constructed in 1918. The museum has some of the most important and brilliantly created paintings and sculptures to have come from the country. And while it is highly recommended you pay a visit here while you are staying in the city, you should be aware that you will want to spend more than an hour or so, and will be absolutely amazed from the time you enter the building.

0 Comments
Filed under: Travel | Tagged as:

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town

Author: Gina

Jul 23


Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/content/d/y/l/dylandownhill/html/lovemocha.com/wp-content/plugins/tweetmeme/tweetmeme.php on line 33

Cape Town, South Africa is the second most populated city in the country and it is also one of its most popular tourist destinations. The Cape Town hotels are full of visitors from around the world who are interested in exploring the beauty and culture of this incredible city. In addition to all of the amazing geographic features and beautiful natural scenery, there are an impressive amount of entertainment options, cultural attractions and numerous arts venues. Cape Town is also one of the most multi-cultural and diverse cities in the world, which is one of its more attractive aspects and this is celebrated and enjoyed by most of the people who visit it.

In addition to all of the great festivals, concerts and other events that regularly occur throughout the city there are some standard attractions that entice most of the people who visit it. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is one of the newer additions to the city, though it is also the most popular tourist attraction. It happens to be the most popular shopping center in Cape Town, which is a favorite aspect for residents as well as tourists. It was built on the top of what is part of the Cape Town docks. The Two Oceans Aquarium is one of the most impressive and popular attractions located there. Visitors can also find wonderful dining options and quaint little cafes for an afternoon pastry and coffee.

0 Comments
Filed under: Travel | Tagged as:

Hong Kong’s An An and Jia Jia Pandas

Author: Gina

Jul 18


Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/content/d/y/l/dylandownhill/html/lovemocha.com/wp-content/plugins/tweetmeme/tweetmeme.php on line 33

Ocean Park in Hong Kong is a full-fledged amusement park that includes the ever popular Dragon Roller Coaster, a fantastic marine park with a shark aquarium, a Ferris Wheel, and a Chinese cultural village complete with temples, pagodas and traditional street settings. But, the best reason to visit Ocean Park is for its two extremely adorable pandas named An An and Jia Jia.

Most tourist staying at a Hong Kong hotel visit Ocean Park just to see the pandas, but then are very surprised to see the extent and range of the Park. Not only does the Park cater to the little children with a great variety of rides and games, the Park also aims to please teenagers and adults. Visitors end up staying the whole day and well into the evening.

There are two main areas of Ocean Park, which is located at Ocean Park Road. A cable car ride is necessary in order to experience both sections. The best exhibition is the Atoll reef in the marina section. The reef is a huge walk through aquarium that spirals down until you can walk under it; a very unique view of aquatic life from the underside. This side of the amusement park is also where you’ll get to meet An An and Jia Jia , the two adorable pandas. You’ll find that an hour has gone by as you watch the pandas in their natural habitat, and feel it was well worth the long lines at the cable ride just to see them.

0 Comments
Filed under: Travel | Tagged as:

Dallas Has A Fantastic Zoo

Author: Gina

Jul 15


Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/content/d/y/l/dylandownhill/html/lovemocha.com/wp-content/plugins/tweetmeme/tweetmeme.php on line 33

Dallas has a Zoo! There are 95 acres to explore, thousands of animals to watch and a great amount of family activities, which all makes the Dallas Zoo a very entertaining visit for the whole family.

The tallest statue in Texas, a 67.5 foot giraffe, will greet you at the entrance of the Zoo, and once inside, you and your family will find it hard to decide what to see first, like the Wilds of Africa attraction, which includes the chimpanzee forest, the gorilla center, which is landscaped with plants that make the primates feel as if they’re in Africa, it also contains the award-winning Jake L. Hamon Gorilla Conservation Research Center; and the ΒΌ mile nature trail featuring six natural habitats consisting of a forest, woodland, mountain, river, brush and desert wildlife, plus an aviary, which the Dallas Zoo has been nationally recognized for its quality of the bird program, with expanded exhibits for birds of prey and scavengers.

If you’re visiting during the summer months, don’t worry about the heat, you can take the Zoo’s monorail ride that runs through the course of the attractions. Also, the zoo is conveniently located next to the Thornton Freeway, which is next to several 5 star Dallas hotels where you can easily drive or take public transportation Dallas offers all its residents and visitors alike.

Plus, don’t miss the Zoo North attractions, including the award winning Lacerte Family Children’s zoo with touchable animals, the cheetah exhibit, the elephants, giraffes, flamingos and all the other traditional animals.

0 Comments
Filed under: Travel | Tagged as:

Burbanks Philharmonic Orchestra is Ready for a Cool Hot Summer

Author: Gina

Jul 2


Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/content/d/y/l/dylandownhill/html/lovemocha.com/wp-content/plugins/tweetmeme/tweetmeme.php on line 33

Burbank, California is home to the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra that has been giving excellent symphony performances ever since 1991. The Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra is dedicated to bringing world-class music for ‘FREE’ to the entire Southern California community. For the past 18 years, the BPO has met this challenge by performing for more than 111,000 attendees. Plus, in 2002, in recognition of the breath and scope of the music performed by the orchestra and the strength of its musicians, the Burbank Chamber Orchestra officially changed its name to the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra. With an expanding reputation and current economic conditions, has caused the number of concert attendees to continue to grow and become internationally recognized.

Due to the vanishing performing arts organizations, venues and school curriculum’s, the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra now attracts regular attendance from neighboring cities around the San Fernando Valley. The BPO performs most of its concerts at Hall of Liberty located at 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, just outside of Burbank and during the summer, the BPO performs audience favorites for its annual ‘Pops’ concerts at the Starlight Bowl , a premiere outdoor entertainment venue, which is an amphitheater located in Burbank, with a total seating capacity of 5,000; 3,000 of which are actual seats and the rest is for guests to sit on picnic on the lawn, which gives a beautiful scenic view of Burbank. Most performances are at 6:30pm every Sunday from now until August.

If you plan to be in Burbank in November 2010, make it a date to be a part of the BPO’s 20th anniversary. Enjoy the gifted artists from Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale and the greater Los Angeles area, many from an exciting pool of talent that performs regularly as studio musicians in recording sessions and on major motion picture soundtracks. Stay at one of the hotels Burbank offers its music and performing arts lovers at lower rates than what you’ll find in its surrounding cities, plus you’ll get to see the hundreds of other sights which Burbank is famous for such as the NBC Studio tour.

0 Comments
Filed under: Music | Tagged as: