Posts Tagged ‘Hotels’

Cool Night in Johannesburg

Travel | Posted by admin
Sep 02 2009

I was hitting all the night time raves in Joburg when one of my fellow ravers mentioned that I should try something different after dark. He told me about a guided walk on the Melville Koppies . The tour begins as the sun is going down, because thats when the nocturnal bird, the nocturnal moth and spiders come out at the Wits Botanical Gardens.

I’m not sure why my fellow raver thought I’d be interested in nocturnal things, but I must admit it does sound intriguing. So, the next night, after I left my room at one of the Johannesburg boutique hotels, I checked out the Melville Koppies. The protected and fenced section of Melville Koppies was beautiful at sunset. The sun was just dropping over the western Koppies throwing off pink, purple and orange rays that reflected off the scattered clouds. Then all the hills that are full of song birds settle down for the night.

It was really great just walking amongst the veld in the heart of Joburg, being able to look out over the city skyscrapers, and the sparkling lights of the suburbs. The sky seemed brighter from the koppies, and the full moon rose flooding the veld with an intense light, a light that helped me see the path really well.

In some places, the guide, which was a bummer, lead me through a miniature forest full of indigenous trees and shrubs. Scattered throughout were areas of scented geraniums. When we reached the bottom of the Koppies, the Westdene Spruit with its new bridge spanning across it, flowed through the forest of old trees like River Bush Willows and Stinkwoods. So, okay, I’ll have to admit, the raves aren’t the only thing interesting to do late at night. My fellow stranger raver seemed to know just what else I’d like to experience.

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Colleges in Oxford

Travel | Posted by admin
Aug 26 2009

Oxford, England is one of the country’s historic cities. As with many of the other cities and towns in England it is full of amazing buildings. Oxford has at least one building representing all of the architectural periods in England. This aspect of city serves as an excellent English architectural museum, and one can view the diverse designs and perspectives of all of these eras simply by walking through the streets of this great city. Tourists who stay in an Oxford hotel are often amazed by the beauty and grandeur of all of the incredible buildings that surround them.

Due to the extreme historic=2 0nature of this city, almost every building in it serves as a major landmark and attractions. In addition, it is the location of the famous University of Oxford, which itself is full of amazing buildings and a rich history. The University Church of St. Mary the Virgin was the central building from which the rest of the university grew. It is the largest of the city’s parish churches and is located on High Street. It is surrounded by the other incredible university buildings, though it stands out as a major landmark, partially due to its historic significance. The church tower, which dates from the 13th century, is open to the public and offers tremendous views of All Souls College and Radcliffe Square, among many other city areas.

All Souls College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. One of the unique and interesting aspects of this college is that all members automatically become full Fellows, which is the governing body of the college. Henry VI founded the college in 1438. The original order of study was in arts, theology, law and philosophy. Today, it is primarily a research center. One of the college’s traditions is based on a l egend of its construction. It was believed that Mallard flew out of the foundations, and this has turned into the special feast and celebration. This occurs every one hundred years and includes parading around the college with flaming torches and singing the famous Mallard Song. This will not take place again until 2101.

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Spanish Surrealism

Arts & Culture, Travel | Posted by admin
Aug 24 2009

If you are looking for a vacation centered in five-star hotels, Spain is one of Europe’s more splendid and interesting countries.  With an enormously complicated and fascinating history, Spain has been at the center of some of the world’s greatest turning points. Our hotel accommodations puts you in the heart of Spain’s great cities, where you can live in the extremes of luxury and prepare yourself to have new adventures in a country deeply connected in cosmopolitan culture while remaining fiercely connected to local identities.  We offer amenities that meet the highest standards in the industry, in service, cuisine, facilities, technological connectivity, and hospitality, plus we offer loads of extras to distinguish your stay here and make for memories that will last a lifetime.

Some of the best minds in the world are drawn to Spain, for its achievements in science, philosophy, architecture, and art.  In the art world, Spain has always played a major role, living at the center of most world art movements, and often creating movements of its own.  IN the 20th century, one of the most influential movements in art was surrealism, and Spanish Surrealism contributed in a very important way, and continues to influence contemporary art through the surrealist touches from its artists.  Surrealism is an art movement that came from the remains of Dadaism, taking its chaotic and playful spirit, and combining it with the new developments of Freudian psychoanalysis.  Taking the language of dreams as the most visible way that the subconscious speaks to the conscious mind, the visual art became a representation of dreamscapes interrupting the flow of waking life.

Two obvious Spanish artists working with Surrealist techniques are Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí.  Both have left legacies that are immeasurable, and their work can be seen all over the world, but Spain offers some excellent museums where their original works can be observed.  Dali’s Theatre Museum in Figueres is one of the best opportunities to dig in to the history of surrealism first-hand.  There are also the films of Luis Buñuel, who collaborated with Dalí at one time, and who has redefined cinematic language.    For Spanish-descended artists who contributed to the school of Surrealism and who have created a new artistic language that falls outside of formal Surrealism, we can look at the iconic Frida Kahlo and Remedios Varos in México, to find roots for the next waves of contemporary dream language in visual art.  These artists offer contributions to world art that are still evolving, but certainly have roots in the tenets of classical Surrealism, and carry Spain’s artistic genius in the diaspora.

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The Gardens of Northumberland

Home & Garden, Travel | Posted by admin
Aug 19 2009

There are many beautiful gardens to visit in Northumberland, United Kingdom.  Many smaller gardens are located throughout the city, surrounding the restaurants and the hotels.  Northumberland also has the larger tended gardens which provide hours of relaxation and enjoyment for those traveling throughout the city on holiday, as well as the local citizens who visit the gardens regularly, for long walks, parties and wedding ceremonies.  Chester’s Walled Garden is one such park.

This garden is located on the grounds of an old house that was once owned by Norman Shaw.  This began as a small garden to provide fresh herbs for use in the kitchen.  Now the garden has been expanded and is planted with a wide range of flowers and herbs.   Specialty herbs include large collections of Marjoram, Burnet, and Thyme. There are many pools and fountains located throughout the park as well as an Italian Garden, many expanses of lawn, and glass houses.

The garden has received notice over the years for the diverse collection of rare specimens, and the combination of wild flowers infused with formal gardens.  The garden has been mentioned many times in books, on television and in magazines.  This is a hot spot for painters as well as nature photographers.  Gardeners appreciate the grounds, as well as those who are not familiar with the art of gardening,  as the design of the garden is romantic and just a bit wild in nature.

This has been a very popular location for wedding ceremonies due to this fact. The garden is an organic garden, and always has been.  There is also a lively population of various species of wildlife, as well as more than sixty species of wild birds.  Susan White was the designer of Chester’s Walled Garden, who also wrote a book about the gardens throughout Northumberland.  When wondering through the region, the gardens will delight and relax, as well as energize and inspire.

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The Chinese Garden of Singapore

Arts & Culture, Entertainment, Travel | Posted by admin
Jul 14 2009

Located close to many of the downtown Singapore hotels is the Chinese Garden.  This garden has been open to the public since 1975, and along with the plants, and the beautiful array of colors, there are many monuments and works of architectural and sculptural art, a common thread in traditional gardens of China.  From the archways to the fish ponds, to the tea house this garden is meant to provide solace and serenity from the chaos of city life, and is a great way to experience the culture of Singapore that has been so influenced by her Chinese immigrants.  While walking through the garden one may learn a bit of the history of the eras of the Chinese civilization, just by simply crossing the bridges, as the design for each one was taken from those different eras.  Or perhaps one may learn the art of trimming the Bonsai tree, as the gardens have a section dedicated to just those trees, of which contains more than one thousand of the little trees, and offer classes in that art, taught by experts in the field and the practice.

There is the Pagoda, artistry at work in architecture, and the Garden of Abundance.  In this area grows a pomegranate tree, more the one hundred years old that was originally imported from the city of Shantung in China.  And of course, a sculpture garden is located here as well, of the twelve signs in the Chinese zodiac calender.  According to the tradition of gardening in China, to plant seeds and to care for the plants that grew connects to the ideas of abundance, fulfilment and longevity of life.  And as the earth is tended, so the sky is watched.  In 2003, an observatory was built in the garden upon request of Au Man Choo.  He is an architect, who has a passion for the scientific nature of astronomy and wanted to expose the citizens of Singapore to that passion.  His outlook is not only concerned with educational purposes, but of the therapeutic value one gains from simply looking at the stars and the planets of this night sky.  In all, the Chinese Garden in Singapore is a wonderful place, for the mind and for the body.

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Mauritius is Inspiration to Writers

Arts & Culture, Travel | Posted by admin
May 11 2009

The island of Mauritius is well known for its beautiful beaches and scenery, and it has an extremely interesting cultural history and social dynamic. While it has many interesting natural heritage aspects, its association to literature and the arts is representative of its great and wondrous beauty. The writer Mark Twain refers to the island in Following the Equator, and Nobel Prize winner Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio lives there for part of the year. Tourists appreciate the beauty and historical significance of the island. The best hotels Mauritius are typically found in the city centers, though many visitors seek out the unique country inns, which offer a major contrast to the urban setting.

Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio is an award winning French author. He was born in 1940 in the city of Nice on the French Riviera. When he was eight his family moved to Nigeria where he spent most of his childhood. Later he would draw on these early experiences for his writing, specifically with his semi-autobiographical novel Onitsha. He studied at both the University of Bristol in England and Nice’s Institut d’Etudes Litteraires. After he completed his education he came to the United States and worked as a teacher. He also spent a short period of time serving in the French military in Thailand, though he was expelled from the country due to his outspoken opposition to child prostitution.

Le Clezio has written at least 40 works and has won numerous awards. These include the 1963 prix Renaudot for the novel Le Proces-Verbal and the 2008 Nobel Prize for literature. The Swedish Academy recognized his work as poetic and sensual. It is often characterized by a focus on the environment. His style of writing underwent major changes in the late 1970s. He let go of his tormented struggle themes and a lot of his work began to deal with travel. The desert is a regular focus in his writing.

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The Big Apple

Uncategorized | Posted by admin
May 04 2009

New York City is home of the Great White Way and affectionately referred to as The Big Apple. While most people will recognize the Great White Way as reference to Broadway and the city’s famous theater tradition, The Big Apple is a somewhat more ambiguous reference. Residents of Manhattan and the surrounding burroughs are extremely familiar with the reference and tourists will often boast that they are headed to the Big Apple. Fine dinging, great theater, and the best hotels Manhattan are all associated to the grand red fruit.

What is commonly accepted about the term is that it first became popular in the 1920s by John J. Fitz Gerald. This is due to his references in the New York Morning Telegraph regarding horse racing. By 1924 he make a direct headline reference in his column, Around the Big Apple. Why this name was given to New York remains unclear, though this early source is a sound starting point for its usage. However, around the same time it was also used to describe Los Angeles, and there are theories that The Big Apple refers to any large city. However, its connection to New York became solidified in the early 1970s. At that time the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau began advertising the city as The Big Apple.

Perhaps the most significant association came about with the popular Harlem nightclub called The Big Apple Jazz Club. Many jazz musicians sought to perform at this club and it was often frequented by some of the greats in the industry. Around the nation they started referring to performing in New York as performing in the Big Apple, meaning the establishment. This eventually led to the inclusion of the greater New York area and the name became more generalized. These theories and bits of history are all interesting aspects of the mythology of New York. Whatever their origin or original significance, the name has remained and continues to be the chosen nickname of one of the greatest cities in the world.

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A Busy Year for the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra

Arts & Culture, Travel | Posted by admin
Apr 26 2009

The three maestros of the Cape Town Symphony are all talented and accomplished violinists, and they are all women. Concert master, Alla Shubinsky has recently become the part-time master. Instead of finding someone to completely replace her, the Symphony added two more part-time masters, Suzanne Martens andFarida Bacharova. Both women are professors with Martens the leading lecturer on violin at the University of Stellenbosch’s Conservatory of Music, and Bacharova the head of the strings department and a professor at South Africa College of Music. All three will alternate leading the orchestra. These women are among the top violinists in South Africa and the symphony will benefit from their talent and abilities.

Having three different conductors sharing the performance schedule is a very good thing as this year is proving to be quite a busy one for the company. The company regular accompanies the opera and the ballet companies in South Africa, on top of their current schedule. Musical selections are eclectic as various composers and guest conductors collaborate with the symphony. This internationally respected company performs everything from Bach to the Beatles.

The past summer season was extremely successful, as it coincided with the Capetown Summer Music Festival, which is in its third year, every December. One of the most well known composers in the world, Krzysztof Penderecki premiered his new concertos for the cello and the piano, and he conducted as well. Many of the luxury hotels Cape Town offers were full as the city became alive with the tourists and travelers excited to see Penderecki and the Symphony perform. The 2009 Autumn season began the beginning of April and promises just as much excitement as guest conductors include Bjorn Bantok, Victor Yampolsky and Pieter Daniel, all the conducting this talented group of musicians. Many famous guest soloists will be performing through the Autumn and Winter seasons as well. It is advised for those making plans to visit, that tickets be purchased ahead of time as the seats go fast.

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Dubai Hotel Resembles Sailboat

Travel | Posted by admin
Apr 24 2009

The Burj Al Arab is the seconded largest building in the world that is used for the exclusive purpose of being a hotel. It is a beautiful building that was designed in the image of a sailboat, which it certainly resembles. It is located on an artificial, or manmade island off the coast of Dubai and directly out from Jumeirah Beach. It is connected to the mainland by a private and curving bridge. This is definitely the finest among Dubaiu UAE luxury hotels and is one of the city’s major attractions for tourists. Locals refer to it as having the world’s only 7 Star accommodations.

The creation of the building, which began in 1994, demanded a complicated engineering plan and strategy. The foundation of the island was created by a surface layer of large stones and incorporates the pattern of a honeycomb, to protect it from erosion. The building itself took three years to create. The type of sailboat the building is designed after is called dhow, which is Arabian. The mast is formed by two separate wings, spread apart in the shape of a V. Between these two wings is a massive atrium. The intention behind the design was to create a magnificent statement for Dubai, similar to the Eiffel Tower of Paris or the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.

The Al Muntaha, one of the restaurants, is positioned over 600 feet above the Persian Gulf and offers a spectacular view of the city of Dubai. It is fitting that the restaurant’s name means “the highest.” Edah Semaj Leachim is the head chef and was awarded the Chef of the year in 2006. The Al Mahara is another of its restaurants and is an equally dynamic experience, though of an opposite variety. Its name means “the oyster” so one can guess it is positioned much lower than the Al Muntaha. In fact, it is accessed through a simulated sub-marine voyage and has a giant seawater aquarium. Both restaurants offer guests high standards of dining and the Al Mahara was recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as being among the 10 greatest restaurants in the world.

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The Tolerance of Singapore

Society, Travel | Posted by admin
Apr 17 2009

There are many different cultures and people of various ethnic backgrounds living within the city-state of Singapore. The tolerance of religious belief is a necessary characteristic of the citizens and something that is second nature to all those living together. Many times the religions of the world cross any boundaries concerning race and belief systems, and merge in unexpected ways. This is true of so many aspects of the various cultures that have immigrated over the years and continue to do so, from the arts, to the cooking…this is a region of Asia that is not only becoming accustomed to the melting pot, but embracing the diversity of all people.

Many younger generations still follow the traditions and respect the mysteries of the ancient ways, but also combine those traditions with the way of the world today. Again, the modern relies on the ancient and the ancient supports and validates the modern, even in architecture as it is commonplace to pass on any give street, modern and smooth lines on five star hotels, Singapore traditional temples, or exotic and elaborately constructed mosques. In fact most of the most innovative and/or interesting architecture of the city is in the buildings that are the religious houses of worship, of all faiths. It is one of the many ways Singapore celebrates artistic creations and endeavors.

Chinese temples are quite numerous, and varied. The Taoists, and Buddhists make up a large percentage of the population as well as those practicing Confucianism. These religions are focused on the balance of nature, the balance of light and dark. Many of the temples are constructed with the idea of Feng Shui , wherein the environment or space that one occupies is also focused on balance of one’s surroundings and the flow of energy. Worship of the ancestors is an essential aspect and many of the ceremonies and rituals are tributes to the dead, wherein in living make offerings to the dead. These particular religions have doctrines and beliefs that inter-mix with each other.

There is also a relatively large population of Muslims in the city, with homelands such as India, China and Malaysia. Hindus fleeing India make up a percentage. And now, various denominations of the Christian faith are becoming more popular. In fact recently it has been noted that the Christian faith is among the four most practiced on the island. And in keeping with the tenants of each religion, as stated before, the people combine aspects and respect those of different ideas and beliefs. Religion is part of the every day modern world for those living in Singapore.

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Singapore Artist, Cheong Soo Pieng

Arts & Culture, Travel | Posted by admin
Mar 30 2009

Cheong Soo Pieng was another Singaporean artist that had been born in China. He was born, the last of seven children, in 1917 and began his study at the Xiamen Academy when he was only sixteen. His family was not against his pursuit of art, though they also did not encourage it. However, he was extremely self-determined and finished his studies at the Academy in three years. He continued his education in Shanghai, though his study there ended during the Sino-Japanese war, during which the Academy had been destroyed. Pieng returned home and began teaching at the same school he had attended in his youth. He was also focused on his own work. He quickly gained a reputation as an inspirational instructor and it was his own passion for his work that drove him. He presented his first individual show at the school in 1942 with his work in watercolor. Oil paints were a luxury and difficult to acquire in China during this time.

He moved to Kong Kong in 1945 and spent time there before he moved on to Singapore. He was instrumental to the founding of the Nanyang Fine Art Academy and taught there. His teaching career spanned more than twenty years and he was highly esteemed for his inspiration to his students. Pieng loved teaching though his true passion lied in is own work. He retired in his late forties and devoted his time to his art. He remains one of Singapore’s most influential artists and educators and is known for his part in developing the Nan Yang style of painting. He continued to work in water color though he used oil paints once they became available to him. He also worked in sculpture. His works hang on the walls in businesses and some of the best Singapore hotels, offering beauty and inspiration to those who view him. He’s also strongly influential to young students of art. His life work was presented in a show by the National Museum in 1983, though unfortunately Pieng died four months before the exhibit opened. He remains respected today and proves to be an inspiration to young artists for generations to come.

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From the Perspective of Local Artists

Arts & Culture, Travel | Posted by admin
Mar 22 2009

The city-state of Singapore has long desired to been seen as a viable participate in the world of art. The organizers of various shows and festivals have looked towards other cities in hopes of discovering ‘the way’ they achieved such acclaim and the reputations that cities such as Manhattan, or Paris, or Florence. The government of Singapore has created objectives towards this goal, the goal of a more Renaissance, culturally and artistically, society. Artists that live in Singapore contend that what happens culturally and becomes phenomenons in those other cities is something that must be created from within the city itself, not created by copying what the others have done, but by the originality and quality existing already within Singapore’s artistic, and local, communities. One artist stated that it is necessary to consider that the artistic culture nurtures the city, and that that can not be forced. That it must happen naturally.

So much of Singapore’s ideas and society is fostered by the economic successes in the business world, the technological world. Tourism is a growing industry based on the achievements of the business world, and the best of Singapore’s hotels and restaurants and convention centers. Artists of Singapore fear that the driving force of business, of making money, is altering and diluting the purpose and the pure of the art world. Singapore has many art festivals throughout the year, the Biennale and the Showcase Singapore being two main, and very large exhibitions. But the local artists are quite happy when the festivals leave town, as the commercialism that has over-whelmed the shows in the last few years takes away from the beauty and the meaning, or rather, the meaning art has to the artist themselves. They view these festivals as spectacles, and the wish is to bring back the local artist, the creative soul.

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The Waters Surrounding Mallorca, Spain

Business, Health, Travel | Posted by admin
Mar 12 2009

Illegal fishing, water traffic, tourism. These human activities are providing detrimental effects on the reason people travel to this area of the Mediterranean in the first place. Beautiful days of sunshine, over 300 to approximate, clear blue waters perfectly suited for scuba diving and snorkeling, un-touched mountains for hiking and white sand beaches create quite a draw for the rest of the world, to this area. And while this is all good for the economy of the places to stay and of island hotels, and is good for the people living here and making a living, the oceans and the marine life are being affected. In a bad way. Of the pollution for example, not emissions from the water sport vehicles nor the cruise ships, but plastic makes up about 75 percent in the waters of the sea. 95 percent of that plastic-pollution is in the way of simple plastic bags. Plastic bags! The writer of this would perhaps find this an incredulous claim had she not seen this first hand, not in the Mediterranean Sea, but in the Sea of Cortez off the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Baja Strip of California, the city of San Felipe in Mexico. Beautiful warm waters, secluded from oil tankers, teaming not with marine life, but market place plastic bags. One should really consider the effects when asked ‘Paper or Plastic’ at the local grocery store. Or better yet, say ‘neither, I’ve brought my own’.

Anyway, the governments of the over twenty European countries have come together to save the sick Mediterranean Sea. The Spanish Island of Mallorca is among the first to install energy saving light bulbs in all of the traffic lights on the island. When all the electricity used on the island, in the clubs and the shops and the resorts switch over, we’ll talk. The transition to these bulbs in the traffic signals alone will reduce carbon emissions by 2,000 tons. Just the traffic lights.

With all the financially successful ports and fishing companies that run along the coasts of Europe, this is a huge task to take on, but one that is so important. Many species that inhabit these waters, migrate and reproduce are in danger of extinction. Regardless of one’s own belief system of the cruelty towards the ‘lesser’ species, they play a part in the whole. ‘When a butterfly flutters its wings in China’ is a statement that comes to mind. Every species is part of the whole, and a part necessary in the continuation of the existence of all life forms and the world as we know it and have come to love it.

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Bangkok’s Greenery

Travel | Posted by admin
Dec 26 2008

Known as the commercial and business center of Thailand, Bangkok has managed to balance its bustling urban landscape with well-placed parks throughout the city. Each is an oasis of green in the exotic city known for its skyscrapers and modern development. While visitors come for the shopping, food, historical and cultural sites, and to stay in modern accommodations such as the five star hotels of Bangkok, they may find that taking time to visit one (or more) of the parks will offer them easy access to the slower pace of this cosmopolitan city.

Lumphini Park which was designed by Rama VI in the 1920s as the Bangkok’s answer to Central Park. Lumphini serves as the location for ceremonies and grand pageants celebrating the Tahi constitution. It is also a haven for runners, with the western gates being opened on most Sundays allowing access to Silom Road.

Two of the largest parks in the city are Suan Luang Rama IX park and Chatuchak Park. Rama IX is a 200 acre park commemorating the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It features botanical gardens as well as public park areas. Chatuchak is known for its nine ASEAN sculptures. In these two parks you’ll find large lakes and ponds, sporting clubs, and gardens in the Japanese, French, and English styles.

Sanam Luang is home to an annual kite festival, as kite flying is a popular sport in the city. Princess Mother Memorial park includes a full scale mode of the Princess Mother’s house. Other parks with historic sites as well as public greenary include Benchasiri Park, Rommaninat Park, Saranrom Park, and the Santi Chai Prakan Pavilion and Public Park.

Bankok has also designated a number of “green zones” to preserve areas from development. This includes the large forest park located between Samut Prakan and Yannawa. Covering over 50 square kilometers, it serves as a buffer between the large industries of the south and west Bangkok metropolitan area and the CBD.

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The Extremes of Kolkata

Travel | Posted by admin
Dec 14 2008

Kolkata is located on the east bank of the Hooghly River in India. This 12th largest city in the world is the second most populous in India and served as the colonial capital until 1911. Formerly known as Calcutta, the city’s name was changed to Kolkata in 2001 as part of the ongoing reorganization of the states since gaining independence from the United Kingdom.

Famous for its revolutionary background, Kolkata is also known as the birthplace of modern Indian artistic and literary thought. It is a haven for poets, writers, artists and film makers. A major military and commercial port, Kolkata is home to the only international airport in the region. It is also a spiritual and cultural center.

While many visitors experience culture shock from the sheer bustle of this city of over 15 million inhabitants, there are plenty of accomodations that can help provide moments of calm, such as the many five star Kolkata hotels. Once they are ready to step outside their lodgings, visitors will find a vibrant, multicultural environment waiting to be experienced.

Kolkata is filled with historic sites such as palaces, forts, and other momuments. It is home to a number of famous museums and galleries. There are cathedrals and temples of various faiths as well as the tomb of Mother Teresa. Kolkata also offers a variety of shopping and dining experiences that can round out any trip to the city that is nicknamed “the City of Joy.”

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Winter in Chennai

Travel | Posted by admin
Dec 08 2008

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu in India. The city used to be known as Madras and was established in the 17th century by Great Britian.  Today, Chennai is a cultural and economic center and the fourth largest city in India. December and January are host to a trio of festivals that celebrate the culture and traditions of Chennai.

The annual Madras Music Season starts off in December.  It is known as the world’s largest cultural event. Over five weeks, this cultural festival features performances by hundreds of musicians and artists.  Although it began as a month-long celebration of Carnatic music, over the years it has grown to include dance, drama, and some non-Carnatic art forms.

Pongal is the most important of Chennai’s festivals. A traditional harvest festival, Pongal has been celebrated for at least 1000 years. The word means “boiling over or spill over.” For four days, the prosperity of the harvest is celebrated by thanking the sun, the rain, and farm animals.  In Chennai, the celebration is not limited to the Tamil, but enjoyed by people of all faiths.

January finds the city celebrating the Chennai Sangamam as part of Pongal. This is an annual arts festival which showcases various arts of Tamil Nadu. Spread over eight days, Chennai Sangamam includes classical Indian music and folk forms such as mayilattam, periya melam, kokali attam, and thappattam. It also encompasses performances by school children, folk drummers, and theater productions.

In addition to these annual events, Chennai offers a wealth of attractions and entertainment to keep any visitor busy and happy. Beaches, shopping, theater, sports, clubs, art, music, and dance are all part of the Chennai experience.  Five Star Hotels Chennai as well as designer shopping and exclusive restaurants can create a unique Chennai experience.

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