Aloha Hawaii (USA)

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guest post by Leslie To, Aqua Resorts

Hawaii has long been the getaway for those seeking to witness the superbly sublime--a type of natural beauty that startles the mind with its breathtaking profundity and serenity. With the soothing tumble of the Pacific's rolling waves providing a marvelous score, Hawaii provides an outlet for experiences unlike anywhere else on the planet. Whether you're looking to take in the warmth of the sun on one of the many picturesque beaches, challenge yourself to reach the peak of Oahu's famous crater, or acquaint yourself with the dynamic and unique island culture by night, Hawaii boasts a little something for everyone--all of which will be remembered for a lifetime.

Nestled in the heart of city, seconds away from the ocean, and combining island tranquility with contemporary splendor, The Modern Hotel is surrounded with unmissable attractions. Kick up your feet in an unparalleled state of relaxation after seeing the best of what Oahu has to offer.

Take a Surfing Lesson

From the North Shore to Waikiki, the beaches of Hawaii offer varying degrees of surfing difficulty. From beginners to professionals, people travel from far and wide to experience the glistening blue of the island's surf. If you've ever had a longing to give your inhibitions up to the majesty of a wave, there is no better place to try. You'll never forget the feeling of standing up on your board for the first time as you coast back to the beach.

Our Neighbors under the Sea

The clarity of Hawaii's water allows you to see some of the creatures that call the island sea home when simply wading in the surf. However, if you'd like a closer look at the visually-arresting coral reefs, peppered with sea turtles and fish of all different colors and sizes, you'd be hard pressed to find an activity better suited to you than a snorkeling adventure. Strap on your mask, and dive in to a world of mystical beauty.

Hike through a Tropical Paradise

Immerse yourself in the luscious expanse of Oahu's tropical rainforests on a hike you'll remember forever. Enjoy the blissful silence of the jungle, broken only by the distant rumble of a hidden waterfall or the call of a bird as you work up a nice sweat. You never know what you may come across. You may just stumble upon an area you recognize from the hit show LOST.

A Nightlife Worth Exploring

Filled with restaurants, shops, nightclubs, bars, and other Oahu hotels worth exploring, you've got options when the sun goes down. Choose from a number of world class restaurants before dancing the night away or taking in a show. When it's time to wind down, take a relaxing nighttime stroll along the sand with a refreshing cup of coconut ice cream.

See the Island from Above

Oahu is home to Diamond Head Crater, part of a larger series of Hawaii's famous volcanoes. If you'd like to see the entirety of the crater, including the National Guard facility within, as well as the rest of the island with an unrestricted 360 degree view, you should consider taking a helicopter tour. You'll be able to see for miles as you gaze out across the Pacific, and the views of Oahu are truly spectacular when seen from the air.

Regardless of your choice of activity, on Oahu, one thing is for certain--you'll never feel at a loss for things to do. And when calling The Modern Honolulu home for the duration of your stay, you're never far from the action. Come enjoy the Aloha spirit in Hawaii!

Photo Credits: sunset, surfing, turtle, waterfall, crater

Photo of the Week: Eastern Water Dragon (Australia)

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This cute little fellow (click on the photo to enlarge) contentedly poses for the camera as he suns himself on a small rock. Equally adept as swimmers and on land, water dragons are a reasonably regular sight in the Australian summer, especially in parks and near waterways.

Mappa Mundi - The Ultimate Medieval Map (Hereford, England)

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Hand-painted on calfskin vellum, the Hereford Mappa Mundi is the world's largest medieval map. Created in the very late 1200s the map has spent its entire life in Hereford Cathedral surviving fire, flood, theft, various battles and world wars to present to today's visitors a mesmerising detail of the world as it was understood at the time.

Measuring around 1.6 x 1.3 metres, the cloth of the world is not a map as we know them today. It would be impossible to get from one town to another using Mappa Mundi. And although seven hundred years have seen some significant wear and tear, it is in fair condition and remarkably legible for a document of its age.

The cathedral itself is worth a quick wander with its superb Norman pillars and vaulted ceiling. Elegant stained glass windows leak an enchanting hue through this 1000 year old cathedral.

However the highlight of the visit is the exquisite map. The map is split into three main parts (click on it to view it in more detail) - Asia is the top half of the map (maps in those days have east at the top and the Orient sees the sun first, Europe in the lower left and Africa in the lower right. In an embarrassing timeless gaffe, the author labels Europe as Africa and Africa as Europe. The very centre is reserved for Jerusalem with the Mediterranean just below it as the divider of the three known continents.

Each of the over 400 marked cities are identified by a castle or cathedral with the name of the city. Rivers and seas curl through the map like veins. A further hundred or so animals, people, biblical events and plants fill the gaps reinforcing prejudices and legends of the times. Mythical creatures like fire-breathing dragons and griffins are drawn into the Asian section as an area not understood, faraway and hence dangerous and frightening.

The Red Sea sit like a pair of lungs in the top right of the photo along with a curling path representing the path of the Israelites travels through Egypt. The Nile snakes up the right hand edge of the map. In such a detailed map more places become apparent as you study the fine detail. Constantinople (Istanbul today), Rome, Greece sit just below and left of Jerusalem as key places in the history of the world.

England is mapped in the bottom left corner mysteriously separated from Scotland by a river (again, click the reproduced map for more detail). Various towns can be made out even though they are recorded in Norman French though other displays in the cathedral help decode the map.

The fact that the map lives in a cathedral is appropriate as the map is more attuned to representing the eternal glory of Christianity and God and the relative unimportance of humans. As a work of geography it fail completely but rather focuses on the highlights and marvels of the known world, its extraordinary creatures and overwhelming scale. Remembering that the vast majority of people were illiterate, the map enforces the comforting and dependable arms of Christianity and Christ to reassure among the bewildering complexity of the world. Indeed, Jesus Christ sits upon the top of the map arms outstretched to aid as a reminder to the readers of the time.

An excellent excerpt from the BBC captures the mystery of Mappa Mundi well.



Remarkably this isn't the only literary treasure in Hereford Cathedral. The world's largest existing chained library where books are shackled to their shelf (via a rod that runs at the bottom of each shelf) to prevent theft. The books are stored the wrong way around with the pages outwards to prevent the chain tangling when removing it to read from the desk below.

Such was the value of books in medieval times when books were painstakingly hand-scribed and a library of 100 books was considered impressive. Today over 200 chained books sit in the Hereford bookcases alongside a larger collection of books acquired over the centuries. The collection includes the Hereford Gospels from the 8th century (sadly not on display when I visited) and one of only four copies of the 1217 Magna Carta in remarkably fine condition.

More unusually, the Magna Carta is virtually unmentioned through the cathedral and a remarkable surprise given that some of the freedom in statutes encoded in the early 1200s continue to form a basis of English law (and the US constitution) today.

Hereford Cathedral is an exceptional place to visit as an architecturally elegant building with a fine exhibition wrapped around its treasured chain library, Magna Carta and the complex intriguing Mappa Mundi where viewers can immerse themselves for a long period in the incredible confused detail of a map drawn for the glory of Christianity rather than as an atlas of the world.

What would have the people of the 1300s made of this medieval map?

Note: A 360 degree visual tour of the cathedral and chained library are available here.

Photo Credits: chained shelves, chained books

Maps are in the public domain.

Top 10 European Destinations to Visit at Christmas

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guest post by the Travelsupermarket holidays team

As we enter December it is a reminder that Christmas is a hectic time for most people, but if you want to get away from it all for a few days, and are struggling for inspiration on where to go, read our guide to the top 10 European destinations to visit this Christmas.

Vienna

One of the best-known and most popular Christmas markets in Europe is located in Vienna's Rathausplatz, the large square in front of the Town Hall. Here, 140 wooden stalls sell a variety of handcrafts and foods from mid-November until New Year's Eve.

While the market remains open, the nearby park is transformed into a wonderland with themed lights hanging from trees and the air is filled with the spicy scent of mulled wine, all helping to bring Christmas alive.

Strasbourg

With a Christmas market that dates back to the 16th century and features up to 300 stalls, Strasbourg is one of the most popular festive destinations in France. No visit is complete without a taste of Bredle, the small spicy cakes that are traditionally eaten at this time of year.

Prague

As you would expect from the home of Good King Wenceslas, Prague is a city that absolutely loves to celebrate Christmas. A series of markets, stalls and stages surround a massive, beautifully decorated tree in the main square, while spectacular nativity scenes and beautiful choirs add to a festive atmosphere that will continue to delight and surprise you throughout your stay. There are often great deals on city breaks to Prague, so keep an eye out for some bargains on flights and hotels.

Lapland

Located in the far north of Scandinavia, Lapland delivers a truly magical and unique Christmas experience in stunning picture-postcard setting.

With acres of pristine snow, herds of reindeer, teams of eager huskies, sleigh bells and, of course, Saint Nicholas himself, Lapland is a delight for children of all ages. Though temperatures are likely to be below freezing, you can be sure of a warm welcome, along with a hot mug of cider.

Copenhagen

Transformed by the addition of half a million lights and more than a thousand Christmas trees, Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, the oldest amusement park in Europe, is the stunning centrepiece of the city's annual festivities.

Dozens of stalls, selling everything from hot apple dumplings to hand painted porcelain dolls, surround the main lake, which is transformed into a vast skating rink.

Bruges

A stunningly beautiful medieval city at any time of year, Bruges becomes even more idyllic at Christmas with craft markets, fairground rides and a huge ice rink in its main square.

Dresden

When it comes to Christmas markets, Germans are spoiled for choice, with literally dozens to choose from in every major city across the country. In addition to being home to one of the oldest markets in the Europe, a visit to Dresden also affords the opportunity to take part in a unique celebration.

In early December, a four-tonne version of the traditional Christmas cake, known as a stollen, is paraded through the city streets and into the market before being cut up and distributed among the crowd.

Rome

As the city where the tradition of celebrating Christmas was born, a visit to Rome at this time of year is always an enchanting experience.

The spectacular Piazza Navona plays host to a large market while the Piazza del Popolo is home to an exhibit featuring 100 beautifully crafted Nativity scenes. For many, the highlight of any trip is attending midnight mass at St Peter's Square in Vatican City on Christmas Eve, a truly unforgettable experience.

Amsterdam

If you want to start your Christmas celebrations early, Amsterdam is the place to be. Here, the traditional day for giving and receiving presents is December 5, the holy day of Saint Nicholas.

With colourful illuminations, bustling markets, ice skating rinks and a spectacular circus, as well as museums, galleries and exhibitions that remain open, there is plenty going on throughout the whole of the holiday season to ensure you have a Christmas to remember.

Salzburg

One of the smallest yet most historic Christmas markets in Europe takes place in the Austrian city of Salzburg. With just 85 beautiful stalls, you can enjoy a feeling of intimacy that is missing from many larger locations.

Wherever you happen to be in Europe there is a Christmas market in a nearby city to explore and enjoy.

Photo Credits: Christmas bretzels, Vienna, Prague, Copenhagen, Dresden, Amsterdam

Drinks Around the World: Spritz (Italy)

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Spritz is the name of a variety of drinks but the original hails from Venice and the Veneto region. Created when under Austrian rule (hence its Germanic name), it is made by mixing equal measures of Prosecco wine (a very dry sparkling wine), the bitter liquor, Campari and sparkling mineral water. The Campari gives it a vivid orange colour. Chill with ice and add a slice of orange and an olive and enjoy watching Venice waltz pass (but get out of St Mark's Square to keep the prices in check!!).

I find the drink very refreshing and have seen variations in other parts of southern Germany, Switzerland and northern Italy.
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This is the last of a monthly series that has run for two and half years featuring iconic and traditional drinks from various locations around the world. The drinks have varied dramatically including hot and cold beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, some well-known and others unknown to most people.

Photo Credit: drink