Playing in grandma’s attic used to be a common occurrence — back when more houses actually had attics. Kids could make forts out of trucks and boxes or play dress up with old fashioned clothes. Young girls would pretend to be Anne Frank and boys might get caught up looking at their grandfather’s old military uniforms. Sifting through boxes of papers and books from another was a way of time traveling via imagination. Finding a faded road map with marks highlight certain routes or circling locations could spark the imagination into weaving elaborate stories about a romantic getaway or an escape route plotted by a gangster.

The truth was probably much more mundane, but it’s the very possibilities present in a map that give it character. The purpose of a map, to provide a representation of space that can be used to plot routes and calculate distance , is not as enchanting as the thoughts of what routes, trips, and stories are tied to the map.

It is probably this very romanticism that makes collecting old maps so irresistible to so many people. They look at a gold rush california map and don’t see mine locations and boomtowns. They see fortunes made and lost, broken dreams, and future ghost towns. It is the promise of countless stories that calls to map lovers — even if only some of the stories are true and the rest are works of the imagination.

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Old Maps Have Character

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One of the great things about Rome is its history and significance throughout the centuries. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and certainly ranks among the oldest in the Western world. There are various aspects of the city and society that are reflected in this though it is extremely easy to see in the architecture and art, which represents the greatest artists and architects in world through various time periods. Another historical aspect of Rome that is often extremely enticing to tourists is the dramatic and theatrical history that is associated with it. Seeing one of the ancient Roman plays live and in the city is a great experience for many of the guests in hotels in Rome. And while the ancient works of the Greek and Roman playwrights are often confused and combined into one period and genre, they are in fact two distinct periods of culture and drama, though it is true that Rome borrowed many of the stories and plays from the Greeks, this is a fundamental aspect of all societies throughout history. And there is now denying that the Romans made the theatre and mythology of the time all their own, regardless of where some of the stories may have originated.

One of the signifying differences between Greek and Roman tragedy is the fact that the Greeks did not display major violence on the stage and the Romans loved it. The gruesome details of some of the gory events in Greek plays would occur offstage while the Romans would bring it on in full force. This is a sensational difference that may intrigue some of the audience members at a contemporary performance. And while productions can and will do whatever they want, you can be relatively sure you’ll see more gore from a Roman play than from a Greek. Seneca and Plautus are the two most well known of the Roman playwrights though they were working and living centuries apart. Plautus is well known for his comedies and is believed to have lived between 254 and 184 BC while Seneca is know more for his tragedies and was working much later and in a different social and political environment in the first century AD.

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Ancient Comedy and Tragedy of Rome

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The state of Georgia was one of the first thirteen colonies that put their fists up to British rule. It was the last to be established but it happened in 1733. It accepted the U.S. Constitution in 1788 and was the forth state to do so. Later, it became one of the seven confederate states in 1861 when it seceded from the Union. But came back to the Union of states in 1870. Today it is still a fast growing state with Atlanta being its capital. There are some out door enthusiasts who come to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains that is apart of the Appalachian Mountain range. They can also hit the beach along the Atlantic Sea.

People check into the nice hotels Georgia has to offer and learn more about the battles that took place here during the American Civil War. The Battle of Chickamauga was most significant in the Union defeat and had the second highest amount of soldier casualties in this war, next to Gettysburg of course. Then there was the battle of Kennesaw Mountain and the Battle of Atlanta or it was also called the Battle of Decatur. You can find information on all the battles that took place in Georgia. They are studied well by our military training today.

Georgia has become quite the media center in current times. Television, Movies and Radio industries all of hubs in the state of Georgia. Ted Turner is the big name in Television. He founded TBS, TNT, TCM, the Cartoon Network, CNN and Headline News to name only a few. Atlanta is where the head quarters are to his great empire of media. There have been some movies filmed here and is the home of a couple of studios, Tyler Perry and Rainforest Films. Atlanta is often called the Black Hollywood because there are many films produced with African American actors.

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Early U.S. History

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Truro is a moderately sized city in Cornwall, England. Its population is approximately 21,000 people, and has the distinction of being the most southern city in Great Britain. Its origins were as a mining town, and it quickly grew due to its industry and its status in the trade routes. It retains an historic feel with its cobble stone roads, open streets and Gregorian architecture. In addition, one of the major landmarks in the town is the cathedral, which attracts many tourists each year. Guests staying in a Truro hotel are more than likely to make a visit to this beautiful building while they are there.

The Truro Cathedral is definitely the most recognizable landmark in the city and can be seen from most areas. It was designed according to Gothic design elements and was constructed between the years 1880 to 1910. It took 30 years to complete the building. It was designed by John Loughborough Pearson, who was a leading architect in Gothic revival. He died in 1897 and the architectural duties went to his son Frank. The cathedral was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The cathedral’s organ was built by Henry Willis and installed in the cathedral in 1887. An organ is often considered to be an essential aspect of any cathedral and is often a point of honor and possibly even prestige. The Willis organ was extremely well built and has seen little alterations to this day. The quality of the organ as well as the great acoustics of the building have gained it the reputation as being one of the finest in the world. There is another main organ in the cathedral and this one is located in the St. Mary’s Aisle. It was installed in the cathedral in 1750 and was built by Renatus Harris. The cathedral organist is a prominent figure in the community and church and there is a respected line of organist names and dates of their service.

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Truro Cathedral

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The only section of England that is located on River Tweed’s northern bank is Berwick-upon-Tweed.  Due to this fact, there is a unique and interesting history to the town.  This town is the gateway into England for Scotland, it is a port and has been a stronghold due to these facts for many years.  The British and the Scottish have been fighting over this town for hundreds of years, it had changed the countries hands by 1482, at least thirteen times.  For the last six and half centuries it has been part of England.  In a document signed by James IV of Scotland and England’s King Henry the VII in 1502, Berwick was acknowledged as belonging to neither country, but a state independent from both countries, on its own and located in the middle.  Only in recent history, 1974, has it been officially noted in the Northumberland county of England.  Some tourists unaware of the history, may wonder whether their Berwick holiday is one of the country of Scotland or one of England.

Through much of Berwick’s history the town’s development was shaped by its location close to the river, and by the constant occupation of military forces.  Until the 1600′s the town was occupied by either the Scottish army or the British soldiers, and after the occupation had ended, it was a useful and important British military base.  Salmon fishing became one of the most important economies in the area during the twentieth century.  Salmon has been caught in the River Tweed for centuries, and was often exported to the city of London as well as to other countries, through Berwick’s port.  Before the days of electricity and refrigerators, the fish was transported either live in tanks, or packed in ice on the fastest sailing ships of the time, the Berwick Smacks.  This is one of the towns of Scotland-of England-of Scotland-of England that is most charming and interesting and should be part of any trip through the United Kingdom.

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Berwick, the British-Scottish-British Town

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While the Balearic Islands are often considered together as a whole, or at least a common grouping of islands off the coast of Spain, they are each unique in their various cultural heritage aspects and scenic elements. Majorca is the largest and most heavily populated. It often defines the perspective of the Balearic Islands as a whole. It also receives the most tourists every year, and tourism has increased greatly within the last thirty years. However, with this, vacationers have frequented the other islands in greater numbers as well and tourism remains one of the strongest economic factors for each of them. And while Majorca may be the essence of the Balearic Islands, Ibiza is definitely the essence of island nightlife. The boutique hotel Ibiza industry offers luxury accommodations to the tourists who visit this beautiful island.

Ibiza is well known today through many of its contemporary aspects and attractions, however it also has an interesting history. It played a significant role in the Spanish Civil War, and its ancient establishment and cultural development also influences its current status. There are remains of ancient buildings that serve as contemporary landmarks. Ibiza is often perceived as innovative and progressive. This is symbolized by the famous Egg monument at the edge of San Antonio, which honors a particular legend surrounding Christopher Columbus. The legend itself is similar that of the Alexander and the Gordian Knot. It involves a bet that Columbus could not get an egg to stand on end. Much as Alexander simply took his sword and sliced through the knot, Columbus crunched the egg as he placed it on the table to collapse the end enough to make it stand. While Alexander’s legend is far more famous, these legends are common to contemporary societies to indicate a progressive problem solving and innovated perspective. Such is the case with Ibiza.

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Ibiza and Christopher Columbus

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Cape Town is magnificently beautiful, naturally.  Like one with experience gains beauty, the heritage, the history and the culture draw many tourists and visitors to Cape Town, South Africa.  Hotels are booked far in advance in the regions that the vineyards are located and it is best to make reservations for accommodations in advance.  One of the best aspects of the Cape, is in the Winelands.  Just forty-five minutes from down town, a short drive, lands one in the mountains so splendid and the backdrop so lush and dramatic, the vineyards of the Winelands and the Dutch style of the architecture from long ago is entrenched in history.  The beauty and the hospitality of the people of these regions such as Paarl, Franschhoek Stellenbosch and Roberson gives one the sense of the Breede River Valley and the joy that is South Africa.

The vineyards are surrounded by beautifully refurbished buildings and walk ways.  The streets offer monuments, museums and historical centers, all paying homage and respect to the vast and rich history that so many South Africans are rightly proud of.  World renowned wines are produced in this regions of South Africa, and the winemakers will take those interested on tours of their cellars and vats.  Harvest time is one of the best times to visit, as every lover of wine is astounded by the delights and the flavors of this region, from the smokey reds, to the clear and fruity whites. This is a great starting point for any tour that will take one around the Cape.  Luxury abounds at every corner and the boutiques and artist coves, and bed and breakfasts lend themselves to creating memories that will last a lifetime.  The palette will never be disappointed as many of the wineries offer up festivals that celebrate the wine and cheese of the region.

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The Winelands of Cape Town

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When I first saw a report about how Dubai, apparently running out of shoreline, started to build it’s own artificial man-made island in the shape of a palm tree called The Palm Islands. An artificial island to accommodate the best Hotels and Restaurants Dubai has to offer. It was built with dredgers loaded with sand and tons of intricate and complicated engineering so amazing and spectacular. But, all that complication seems not to be necessary. In Mexico, a person found some broken discarded fishnets and combined them with empty water bottles and some dirt to create was in called Spiral Island. Mexico attempted to annex this island and turn it into a tourist attraction.

It amazes me that if we have the technology to create land, then why do we, the human race, go to war over land?  Instead of waiting for mother nature to slowly create more land via a volcanic activity, which can take hundreds or thousands of years, let just keep adding on to our coast lines. I know, according to Global Warming, that currently we are losing coast line. But, we are an innovative society, we like to build wonderful amazing things. Even the earlier tribes in Peru, a pre-Incan people, got creative and build The Uros, a group of man-made islands that have been in exsistance for hundreds of years. Now, that didn’t take a something like the massive and extremely expensive undertaking of creating the man-made Islands of Dubai.

Tokyo, an island in itself, back in the 1800s built an artificial island called Odaiba in Tokyo Bay. It was built in defense to treats from other countries, but now has developed into a major commercial, residential and leisure site. Why fight over land when we can create Islands in the oceans of the deserts.

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Creating Islands in the Oceans Deserts

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Have you ever seen a Shooting Star? Sometimes in the wee hours of the night if your awake and looking out at the night sky you can see a streak of brilliant light cut a blazing trail in the sky. This is what’s called a Shooting Star. Well, it’s really not a shooting star; real stars are sun, like our sun. Giant balls of fiery gas. Shooting stars are actually much much smaller and made of rock or metal or both and are called meteors. They look like stars because they fly through the air so quickly they become hot glowing gas balls due to the friction when entering our earths atmosphere. Most meteors burn up in our atmosphere and never touch the earth, but some meteors are big enough and not burn up completely and hit the earth.

The best places to see meteor shower, or the term I prefer, Shooting Stars, is out in the desert. Some Rajasthan Luxury Hotels give maps to the tourist of where to go in the Rajasthan desert to view some spectacular meteor showers. Death Valley has night tours for the fellow Shooting Star enthusiast. But, if you don’t live in the desert then the best is exploring and finding your own place to watch the nights sky. Pick a spot away from lights, out in the country if possible. A place with a large expansive view of the night sky. Spread osunut a blanket on the ground or on the hood of your car and keep your eyes glued upward; the space invaders will sneak across the sky at a sizzling 40 miles per second where you aren’t looking. But, be patient, and you will be rewarded with a Shooting Star streaking right where you’re looking. Make a wish and that the message these beauties of the night sky brings is to let you know all is good.

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Shooting Stars

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If you’re a world adventurer looking for luxury travel, Singapore will not disappoint.  Situated between old worlds and new worlds, the place will constantly reveal more and more, and at your leisurely pace.  There are many layers to this city, and it’s very likely that everyone will find what they’re looking for.  No large city should be without its team of scientists of paranormal phenomena, and Singapore is perfectly equipped for any haunting situation.

Called the Singapore Paranormal Investigators, this team of specialists of the spooky formed in 2001, briefly closed its doors, and re-opened them again in 2002.  Made up of former university professors, scientists, and scientifically-minded individuals, the SPI are interested in researching any paranormal activity, without religious or political bias, and they are particularly interested in phenomena in Singapore.

Also operating under the name Society of Paranormal Investigators, this team is interested in documenting and looking into all manner of strangeness here.  Whether is be a grave without a family to claim it, strange dreams after natural disasters, hearing voices, or all the way to real sightings of ghosts that demand scientific investigation, they will explore it and post their findings online.  Their mission is in the name of science, to bring a rigor to the study of the paranormal, and also to debunk local Singapore superstitions when they can.  Their work is, in fact, a fascinating look into the Singapore cultural landscape, with curiously charming tales of family members reincarnating as moths, and other folk beliefs here.  They are not, they insist, not ghostbusters.  Their work with spirits from the “other side,” is very gentle and compassionate, and any dealings with unsavory spirits from the beyond are cases they leave to the exorcists.  One thing that must be kept in mind, too, for all the skeptics out there: this team is a non-profit organization, and all their work is free of charge.

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Society of Paranormal Investigators

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