1. Mall of America, Minneapolis

Almost everyone has heard of the Mall of America, but many people have yet to experience it. This 520+ store behemoth is the grand-daddy of all shopping malls. Literally everything you could possibly think of is available for sale at the Mall of America. Obviously due to the massive tourism industry surrounding the Mall, prices are fairly high. However, for most people, the experience is well worth the price. If you can’t afford to drop much money, visiting the Mall of America can still be very fun, even if you only go for a day. There are so many activities and things to see that you will find it hard to get bored.

2. Madison Avenue, NYC

Though there are many hot places to shop in the NYC, some of the most legendary and prestigious stores are headquartered on Madison Avenue. Many of the worlds best designers, such as Dior, Armani, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and others have stores on this well-known street. If you do go to New York, be sure to check out Fifth Ave as well, where you will find Tifanny’s, Saks, and other must-see stores.

3. Las Vegas, Nevada

Though Las Vegas is known primarily for it’s gambling, there are a lot of shopping destinations near the Strip. This is mainly because when people win money they want to spend it, so high-end stores locate themselves as close to casinos as possible. Visit Las Vegas to see legendary stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstroms, and much, much more. Whether you’re a gambler or not, shopping in Vegas can be very enjoyable.

For the uninitiated, capsule hotels are hotels which resemble well, capsules. They are small, with limited facilities and yet desired by those travelers who are on a shoestring budget when visiting Japans. Also great for otakus, or Japanese fanboys, who are strapped for cash as the night before they attend huge conventions in the heart of Tokyo or any other city in the Land of the Rising Sun. Don’t be intimidated if you are planning to stay in one during your sojourn in Japan, check out some tricks and tips we prepared.

1. Counter your claustrophobia
Capsule hotels are cheap, but it comes with some setbacks and one of the major disadvantages include claustrophobia. Those who suffer from this condition should stay away from capsule hotels and bunk in with their friends in Japan or pay more for a budget hotel. For travelers who are slightly uncomfortable with tight spaces, it pays to focus on the task at hand when you’re in your cabin, and that is by sleeping the night away.

2. Boys only? We don’t think so
There is a misconception capsule hotels are only for males but nowadays more and more hotels catering to women travelers have popped up, such as the Akihabara Capsule Inn. Women traveling in groups can safely stay the night with their gal pals without worrying about drunken salarymen trying to proposition them.

3. Keep plenty of change
There are lots of vending machines in the vicinity of the capsule hotel so if you are hankering after a snack or a cold drink during warm nights, you can easily fulfill your desires with some coins. Otherwise, do ask the friendly staff behind the counter for some change.

4. Bring ear plugs
The walls between one capsule and the one next to it are SO THIN that you can hear people talk and snore. Bring ear plugs and use them when the snoring gets too unbearable.

5. Learn basic Japanese
It helps if you packed a small but handy Japanese dictionary in your belongings. This allows you to converse with the people running the capsule hotel and with people around you.

1. Stockholm is always worth for a visit, but specially in winter. It is white, it is magic, it is quite special, and also has those endless nights (think to Aurora Borealis, please). The Swedish girls are quite O.K., they are cultivated, refined and speak foreign languages. What could be nicer? Stockholm really seems to be a paradise on Earth. It is by far one one of the world’s cleanest cities: one third of Stockholm consists on water, and one third on parks and forests.

Gamla Stan (Old Town) is a must see for the most romantic days

There are many things to do and to see in Stockholm. For the lovers, visiting Gamla Stan (Old Town) will enhance your romantic mood.

2. Goeteborg, also in Sweden, but so different comparing to Stockholm. Gothenburg, as the local name this wonderful city, is even more welcoming than Stockholm, and managed to keep successfully in some neighborhoods a taste of a little town. Visit in Goeteborg the student quarter for its cosmopolitan flair and budget restaurants, but spoil your beloved at restaurant Hos Pelle; visit also Liseberg, which is Sweden’s biggest amusement park, and very popular among locals.

Gothenburg is a very welcoming and rewarding romantic destination

3.Vancouver, Canada will organize next year the Winter Olympic games, but this year it still is a quiet destination. Visit the Chinatown in Vancouver, and ski on the many slopes which are next to Vancouver. Taste some wine or beer in the exquisite restaurants of Gastown and have an unforgetable night in one of the city excellent night bars.

Gastown in Vancouver is a favorite destination for beer drinkers

Seeing how the President of United States Barrack Obama himself recently visited the Great Wall of China, we think it’s a matter of time before people would be scrambling to scale the great structure all over again. Here are some survival tips you can take note of before climbing this majestic wall, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

1. Be fit, be very fit
Let’s face it. The wall measures 8,851.8 km but it is unlikely that you will be scaling the walls the entire length! Moreover scientists and historians have concluded that there are hidden sections of the wall yet to be discovered so be sure to keep an open eye for something off the beaten tracks. However, you still need to maintain a good healthy body before you embark on a quest to conquer the Great Wall of China.

2. Watch where you step
Some parts of the Wall are crumbly and are in a state of disrepair so it would be wise for you to watch where you step or lean in case the bricks, or mud walls, give way.

3. Bring plenty of water
To keep yourself from being dehydrated, it pays to stash an extra bottle of water in your bag

4. Bring your camera
You’ll be kicking yourself in your cushy behind if you forgot to bring your camera. Deemed one of the most photogenic man made structures in the history of humankind, the Wall can be photographed from so many interesting angles. Take some snapshots as a keepsake.

5. Avoid the tackiness of souvenirs, if possible
The closest tourist spot is Badaling as it is located the nearest to Beijing. Don’t go overboard with the souvenirs sold at the hawker stalls.

6. If you can’t climb…
… Ride the cable car. Mutianya has a great cable car section for those who can’t climb up the wall, which is steeper than the sections at Badaling. Fewer tourists mingle here so it’s time for some great photography session.

7. Wake up early
Try to be there at the Wall very early in the morning to avoid tourists who may come in between you and your lens

8. Tour in May
May’s the best month as it is the sunniest all year. Perfect weather, perfect views

9. Sneak a snack
Be mindful to pack some snacks such as energy bars or a sandwich. Try not to use plastic or other disposable containers as rubbish bins may be few and far in between.

The Singapore Flier is arguably one of the best places to visit in all of South East Asia. When I first heard of its construction, I did not believe that such an enormous structure could fit in the tiny city island but once I see it upon completion, I am awed beyond belief because the Singapore Flyer is indeed larger than life itself.

1. Enjoy 360 panoramic view
If you want want to enjoy a beautiful 360 degrees panoramic view of the city, you don’t need to sneak up to the tallest skyscraper in Singapore. All you need to do is get a ticket to ride the Singapore Flyer and you will be rewarded with sights that will take your breath away! On a clear day you can see the bustling streets of Orchard Road, the scenic Straits of Singapore and even Batam Island in neighboring Indonesia! Being in this gigantic Ferris Wheel does not mean that you will only be contained in your seat for the entire 45 minutes – in fact, you get to take a stroll, take in the views and get excellent snap shots as souvenirs!

2. Have a romantic dinner
Did you know that you can wine and dine your date with a romantic dinner aboard the Singapore Flyer for a mere SG$199 per couple? For that price you will get exclusive VIP lounge access, a delicious 3 course meal and your very own host in your decorated cabin! If you feel like splurging and/or proposing to your spouse in a private ceremony, you can shell out SG$1500 for a private cabin complete with 3 course meal, champagne, flowers – the works! Otherwise you can opt for the Champagne Flight or the Cocktail Flight packages, perfect when riding the Flyer during sundown to appreciate the delectable view of the city.

3. Learn more about the amazing city of Singapore
It is recommended that you utilize the free audio guide on board the Singapore Flyer where you can learn a lot about this wonderful city. A comprehensive map is also available in the cabin should you feel like planning your trip around the city as major landmarks are labelled clearly for your convenience.

4. Value for money ride
Where else can you get so much for so little? For as low as SG$30, or lower if you book your ride online, you get to enjoy the views and be in your private little world with loved ones.

Tips to ride the Singapore Flyer: It’s not easy to get “air sick” but if you feel uncomfortable, it would help if you walked around instead of focusing your eyes on a single spot. Also, you can book the Singapore Flyer at http://www.singaporeflyer.com.sg/ to get an attractive 20% off the $30 fare.

1. The Dome, Bangkok
Located at the top of The State Tower, the Dome is indeed a sight for sore eyes, and dry throats. Besides offering a scenic view of the vibrant city below and the enchanting Chao Phraya river, the skybar also lets customers choose from a tempting array of the best whiskies known to man. The bar itself changes color ever so often, creating a fairytale like ambiance as you sip on champagne and feast on fresh, juicy oysters.

2. Vertigo 42, London
Like its name implies, this skybar is located at the 42nd level of Tower 42. Couples have been known to frequent this bar to enjoy the romantic view of the Thames and the St Paul’s Cathedral, and there has been quite a number of proposals which happened right in the bar. Besides offering a good selection of canapes, you can also ask for their famous cheesecake, which is said to melt in your mouth AND in your heart!

3. Rainbow Room, New York
Are you dressed to the nines in New York and want to be seen AND heard? Check out the Rainbow Room, all the way up in the 65th floor of the famous Rockefeller Center. Here, you can revel in the Art Deco-ish ambiance and rub shoulders with famous celebrities such as John Travolta who, incidentally, names the Rainbow Room skybar as one of his favorite night spots in New York.

4. Aqua
If you’ve been to Hong Kong and wondered where’s the party at, wonder no more. Ask any local about Aqua and chances are they will nod their heads in approval – only the most glamorous crowd mingle amongst each other in Aqua. Besides indulging in drinks and merry making all night long, you have the option to caress your tastebuds with the most palatable morsels of food. Take your pick from Italian food from the Aqua-Roma, or Japanese sushi from the Tatami Room.

Also known as Candi Borobudur, this magnificent temple was literally carved out of volcanic stones during the reign of the Sailendra dynasty, which is estimated to be around 700-850 AD. Historians are clearly awed at the majestic structure but was baffled as to how and why the temple was erected. They were also puzzled how the temple was abandoned and was consecutively covered by thick layers of ashes (there were lots of volcanoes in the area). The Borobudur temple was rediscovered by the British as they came to Indonesia for the first time in the 1800’s.

The temple featured 9 separate levels leading to nirvana, or rather, the top of the temples for those who are still living on Earth.  As you get to the last 4 levels, you will encounter ornate stupas, little effigies of Buddha in a sitting position. It is interesting to note also that some of these statues were purposefully built to contain the ashes of revered high priests. Should you not be able to make it to the higher levels, you can still obtain a beautiful view of the scenic temple compounds and feast your eyes at the wall carvings and ornate inscriptions upon the walls. I find that a postcard of the Borobudur Temple as well as carefully taken photographs is a must-have to commemorate your trip there.

Nearby Borobudur, you can travel a short distance to Prambanan where you can see many more temples. In the olden days, Prambanan was a kingdom that belonged to King Baka and his daughter, the beautiful and virtuous Princess Lara Djonggrang. However, the king was tragically slain by the evil and conniving Bandung Bondowoso, who wants more than anything to make Lara Djonggrang his queen. The princess refused, because which woman in the right mind would marry her father’s killer? She could not refuse the forceful wishes of Bandung Bondowoso but she could set one impossible task for him as a condition to the marriage – building 1000 temples in one single night!

Of course, the cunning Bandung Bondowoso hired demons to help him build the structures and when the princess thought that they had almost succeeded, she quickly asked her maids to start a fire and pound the rice in the paddy fields. Thinking that the light of the fire was the rising sun and associating the pounding with morning activity, the roosters wasted no time crowing. The demons were then fooled into thinking that time was up and they fled, leaving Bandung Bondowoso only with 999 temples, angry and frustrated. He then cast a spell on Lara Djonggrang and turned her into stone.

The story does not quite end there. To commemorate the incident the temples around the area were inscribed with the tale of the tragic kingdom and the stone princess. Out of the 999 temples, only 50 or so survived the test of time. You can check them out the next time you visit Yogyakarta and Prambanan!

1. Castle Leslie, Ireland
This ornate castle was build more than 3 centuries ago and belonged to the Leslie family ever since. Perfect for celebrities and those who are rich and famous, this 5-star retreat offers ideal solitude with the absence of the Internet, telephones and televisions. And if you have a craving for the supernatural, do ask to stay in the Norman Room, so called based on the name of the ghostly apparition that manifests from time to time. Don’t worry, he’s harmless, only known to haunt that particular room and appear to guests as a smiling entity.

2. Crescent Hotel, Arkansas, Unites States
The hotel itself was established in the year 1886 but due to financial problems, it was abandoned in the 1940’s. Several decades later, the new owners of the Crescent Hotel re-opened the grand Victorian structure in the year 1972. From then on, ghostly hauntings were so common that even the infamous Ghost Hunters team from the titular TV show deemed it fit to visit the hotel and conduct their investigations. During the course of their one night stay there, they captured a dark figure roaming the grounds with their infra red camera. So know you know the hotel has been given a seal of approval – for possibly America’s most haunted lodging establishment.

3. Hotel de Coronado, San Diego, United States
The Hotel de Coronado in San Diego bears two similarities to the Crescent Hotel featured above: it was also built in the 19th century and featured Victorian designs on its exterior facade. In the recent years, this hotel is well known amongst both locals and tourists as a premier Victorian beach resort AND a haunting hot spot after the spirit of one Kate Morgan was reported to roam the hotel grounds and especially room 302 in the year 1892. Why room 302, you ask? That’s because it was the room that she was supposed to meet and make up with her estranged spouse, Tom. Tom never did appear and her dead body appeared on the main hotel steps six days later, with a bullet wound on her head. As much as the locals would draw their own conclusions, the mystery was never solved…

4. The Langham Hotel, London
This hotel was established in the year 1865 and was deemed the first luxurious hotel in the London. The British Broadcasting Corporation were once owners of this opulent hotel in its heyday and although the hotel since retained its regality, it is now a famous site for ghost hunters and those who seek a paranormal thrill during their stay in London. It was said that Room 333 houses the most spiritual activity where a spirit dressed to the nines in Edwardian costume was said to have appeared out of thin air. Assorted ghosts such as a German soldier and the spirit of Napolean III has been seen in the compound.

5. Hollywood Roosevelt, California
This hotel is a historical landmark in the city of California, United States. Named after President Teddy Roosevelt, the hotel was built in the year 1927 and was situated most strategically across the street from the Chinese Theater, ensuring that the Hotel Roosevelt was never short of celebrities in its guest roster, especially the ghostly apparition of Marilyn Monroe who continued to haunt her favorite suite 1200 even after her death.

China is actually a vibrant and rapidly developing economy. It’s now one of the strongest in the world, and every Chinese person is proud of their heritage.

Almost everywhere you go in China you can see people who are proud and respectful. As the world looks on, many are uncertain as to what China is about and there is still a great deal of mystery about what will become of this country, as it has rapidly transformed into a major global superpower.

The Beijing Olympics is perhaps the single most important event that could have happened to China. The Olympic Games brought world-wide media coverage to a country which for the most part had been ignored. From Hong Kong to Macau, many westerners have treated China with a wide berth, but China has now proven to the world it can be a great place for a holiday as there are countless great locations to visit. This really is a country that offers something unique every day, but the great part is that much of it is undiscovered and lies ready to be found as the country has largely opened up to western tourists.

Shenzhen is a major city in the heart of China. It’s not Hong Kong, it’s not Macau – it’s Shenzhen. Shenzhen is the third largest city in China, and it is also the country’s richest. It’s a place that’s often been forgotten by the west, however within China itself Shenzhen has a famous reputation for its shopping, restaurants and architecture that makes it very typically Chinese.

Shenzhen is an amazing city, and this is evident everywhere you go with its well-developed infrastructure. It is right next to Hong Kong and many residents from Hong Kong come here regularly to take advantage of the great night life and other attractions such as the many theme parks, museums and galleries which are central to the city.

Shanghai is home to around 18 million people making it one of the largest cities in the world. The city of Shanghai is also one of the most famous, with countless sights and attractions citywide. With Shanghai, simply staying in one part of the city and venturing out is not enough, as there is just so much to see. Everything from the French district that you never knew it had to the Bund which is now the major financial hub of China can be seen in Shanghai as well as countless other spectacles await you in Shanghai.

Shanghai really is the fusion of old, new east and west. It is here that you can really start to see China’s greatness, and from Shanghai you can discover this amazing city which is just as much of an urban metropolis as any city in the west, and with 18 million people is one of the largest cities in the world.

Beijing is the capital city of China and it’s a city that like many in China is growing so fast, that many maps you’ll find in tourist guides are outdated. Beijing serves as the capital city of China and it is here that you can find the world-famous Bird’s nest stadium which held the Olympics, as well as some of the most famous museums in Asia.

This city like no other, with locations such as the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City just a stone throw away. Beijing is a city with so much character that it simply must be seen to be believed. People say that one of the best ways to get around the city is by bicycle, but that’s only if you’re brave enough!

Hong Kong is one of the very unique islands under Chinese sovereignty, in that it’s very much a Cantonese city and its former British influences means that you can experience a diverse range of cultures on this small island which has also become a major world financial center. Hong Kong is a great city in its own right, and one cannot truly call it Chinese, and whilst the people are proud to be Chinese, they are even prouder when they say they’re from Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is rapidly becoming a major tourist destination because of its history but more importantly because of its future, as even though Hong Kong is under Chinese rule, it still has its own administrative government and currency. There is so much to do here with museums beaches, and also the much loved city life that makes it so famous.

Hangzhou is like the land that time forgot. It’s a world famous tourist destination because it is unspoiled and simply breathtaking. One of the most famous attractions is the Hangzhou it features amazing scenery, from the pavilion located on the island which is around 500 years old, or to the Su causeway which is over 3km long and over 800 years old.

Hiring a bike is something that you can do easily in Hangzhou and it’s one of the best ways to enjoy this famously beautiful city. With so much to see, you really will need to stay here for a while to take in the whole city, never mind everything on the West Lake itself.

No matter what anyone says, China is a magical kingdom that’s developing fast. Now may be the perfect time to see the country which has managed to transform in as little as 60 years. If you’ve thought about a trip to Asia, then visiting China will give you the experience of a lifetime.

But it’s their latest idea that’s got everyone up in a storm as their new hotel has the potential to change the face of luxury hotels forever. If you’ve not heard of the Hydropolis then you’re certainly in for a shock when we tell you about this strange but fascinating hotel.

For just $5,000 a night guests can stay in what is perhaps the world’s only luxury underwater hotel. That’s right, the hotel is completely underwater and as it nears completion, the hype is rising and this hotel looks set to be a winner.

Traveling to the hotel will be done by a special under-sea railway system, and guests will be given the chance to share their intimacies with the fish as their rooms are supposedly entirely made out of reinforced concrete and plexi-glass.

Down underwater you’ll be able to see all sorts of natural marine life and if you’re lucky maybe even some mermaids! As the Hydropolis nears completion, people are eager to put down some money for a chance to stay at this once in a lifetime hotel.

Designed by Roland Dieterle, this hotel will comprise of 300 luxury suites spread across an area of around 260 hectares. This isn’t the first underwater hotel in the lineup, as if the Hydropolis is a success; there are plans to build variations worldwide.

The hotel is now nearing completion, and looks set to open within the next few months. It’s located not far from the famous Palm Islands which is a group of three man-made islands which contain every luxury you could ever imagine.

If Dubai isn’t the best place in the world for a millionaire, we sure don’t know what is!