It’s a city where a 5 year old boy and an 86 year old grandmother will be wearing the same Boston Red Sox hat on the T and asking the same question each and every morning- how did the Sox do last night? Baseball is not just another sport in Boston, it’s part of the culture…it is Boston. That “Fever Pitch” movie was no joke. Just get used to it and leave your opposing team jerseys at home unless you want to get hit in the head with a bottle. Seriously, especially you Yankees fans.

Boston is a great city that blends its future into its storied Boston Tea Party past. Walk The Freedom Trail to step back in time for some Revolutionary history. And then you have the cosmopolitan new architecture right next to Paul Revere. Think charming New England with those lovely brownstones.

Faneuil Hall is a must. Explore the North End for “to die for” Italian… just like grandma makes.

Here are our journeyPod picks for your viewing pleasure:

Restaurants

1. Anna’s Taqueria: Yes, there is always a line out the door, but it is well worth the short wait. Stick with their world famous Chicken, Pork, or Beef Burrito. Anna’s has become a Boston icon, and has two locations:in Brookline and in Cambridge.

2. Red Bones: Barbecue in the North must have been created here. Great selection of every style of ribs. Fantastic beer menu as well. Walk in very hungry. Red Bones is located in Cambridge.

3. Ginza: The best Sushi in Boston. If you are hungry, try ordering the full Boat. You will float out of there. The staff and SAKE are fantastic. Ginza is located next to the St. Mary’s stop in Brookline.

4. Fiore: There is simply not enough room on this list to mention all of the North End Italian Restaurants, so we picked one of our favorites, Fiore. If you have never been to Italy, the North End is the next best thing. A walk down Hanover Street is like a moment in Italy.

5. Tasca:The best Spanish Tapas restaurant in Boston. Fantastic Sangria and a huge selection of tasty Tapas. Located in Brighton on Commonwealth Ave.

6. Sunset Grill:Menu is very diverse with something for everyone. If you have room, you must order the Mud Slide Pie for dessert. For the Beer Fanatic, Sunset has the most beers on tap or in the bottle in all of Boston. They must just have every beer ever made. Located in Allston on Brighton Ave.

7. Figs: When he is not cooking for the TV audiences, our boy Todd English turns out a nice thin crust pizza. There are only 13 tables in Figs, so be prepared to wait. Figs is located Beacon Hill, Boston, and Charlestown.

8. JP Licks: Keeping with the dessert theme, JP Licks has some of the best home made ice cream (and yogurt) on the planet. We highly recommend the Peanut Butter low fat yogurt. JP Licks is located in Coolidge Corner in Brookline, Jamaica Plain, and Newbury Street.

9. Mike’s Pastries: No trip is complete without a stop for Mike’s famous canoli. They should put Mike’s on the Freedom Trail it has become so popular. Again, there is always a line for late night dessert, but it moves quickly and is worth it. Mike’s is the perfect finish after you have stuffed yourself in the North End.

10. Davios: High end Italian American food. The menu is very diverse, and we highly recommend their steak or seafood. Located on Arlington Ave.

Looking for flights to Singapore? We will help you book your holiday in Singapore or business trip dates. While traveling to Singapore with Travour, you can find the best hotels in Singapore. We will make your tour to Singapore a memorable experience. There are many wonderful accommodation options in Singapore. You can choose among them as per your wishes and budget.

The Elizabeth Hotel in Singapore  ( 4 Star hotel )
Facilities: Founded in the fashion of old-world splendor providing all the facilities of modern day technology, the Elizabeth Hotel is a first class luxury Hotel. It is ideally located within the main residential district of Mount Elizabeth. Also, it lies within the easy access to the shopping and entertainment hub of Orchard Road. It is an exclusive hotel that features neo-classical architecture with idiosyncratic European interior décor. The Elizabeth Hotel in Singapore offers you a pleasant stay amidst an aura of majesty and inimitability.

Your luxury tale can have a lot of memorable moments, like taking a leisure dip in the Hotel’s outdoor pool, humming with the tunes of underwater piped-in music, sipping a refreshing cocktail, intensifying your senses in a sauna or simply relaxing under the sun. The impressively designed Langtry’s lobby lounge is worth admiring. It overlooks a wonderful waterfall garden. Balanced by relaxing music and lively nightlife, the Elizabeth hotel is definitely an ideal place to chill out.

The Room facilities include, AM/FM Alarm Clock, Coffee Maker in Room, Hairdryers Available, Mini Bar, Modem Lines in Room, No Smoking Rooms/Facilities, Room Service, Safe Deposit Box, Television with Cable.

You will have many facilities in the Hotel as, Babysitting/Child Services, Concierge, 24 Hour Front Desk, Handicapped Rooms/Facilities, Parking, Laundry/Valet Services, Dining & Entertainment, Bar/Lounge, Restaurant, Sports & Leisure, Pool, Fitness Center or Spa, Sauna, Meeting Facilities, Business Center, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Check-in time 1400hrs and Check-out time 1200hrs

Le Meridien Hotel in Singapore  ( 5 Star hotel )
Facilities: Strategically located along Orchard Road, in the heart of the business, shopping and entertainment district, the Le Meridien Hotel in Singapore is a deluxe hotel. It is a big hotel that offers all the amenities that the guests would expect from a luxury hotel in today’s modern scenario.
The hotel offers 407 guestrooms and suites where comfort reigns are supreme. All the rooms are equipped with modern conveniences and facilities such as personal safe and voice mail system. The Le Meridien Singapore Hotel and its welcoming staff are there to make your stay pleasant and memorable.
The room facilities include, Coffee Maker in Room, Hairdryers Available, Mini Bar, Modem Lines in Room, No Smoking Rooms/Facilities, Free Newspaper, Room Service, Safe Deposit Box, and Television with Cable.
The Hotel facilities are, Babysitting/Child Services, 24 Hour Front Desk, Handicapped Rooms/Facilities, Parking, Laundry/Valet Services, Dining & Entertainment, Bar/Lounge, Restaurant, Sports & Leisure, Pool, Fitness Center or Spa. You can also avail the hotel’s meeting facilities and also the Business Center and Banquet Facilities.

Furama City Centre in Chinatown
Facilities: Furama City Centre is a distinguished landmark that nestles in the heart of Chinatown. Clarke Quay is at a distance of just 5 minutes, while the tourists can reach Changi International Airport easily in 20 minutes by car. The Hotel offers you the pleasure of staying near Singapore’s most colorful main road and also easy entrée to any destination on the island. It begets you the added advantage of wandering along the charming streets of Chinatown, shopping in the pleasant atmosphere of unique shops and feasting at the great range of bon vivant delicacies.
The room facilities include; Coffee Maker in Room, Hairdryers Available, Mini Bar, Modem Lines in Room, No Smoking Rooms/Facilities, Free Newspaper, Room Service, Safe Deposit Box. The hotel facilities are; Babysitting/Child Services, Concierge, Parking, Laundry/Valet Services, Dining & Entertainment, Bar/Lounge, Restaurant.
Furama City Centre provides meeting facilities also to the business travelers, which include, business center and banquet facilities.

The Sentosa Resort & Spa Singapore ( 4 Star hotel )
Facilities: Set on a cliff top in the area of 27 acres of tropical woodlands and lush greenery, the Sentosa Resort & Spa in Singapore is the heaven of peace and harmony. The Hotel offers its visitors the pleasant scenery of charming gardens and lily pond views from the windows of the rooms, which are enough to sooth and relax them. A relaxation statement here is to sit back and enjoy the afternoon and evening environ at the Pavilion of Sentosa Resort & Spa with friends.

There are a lot facilities offered here as; Air Conditioning, Satellite Color Cable Television, International Direct Dial Telephone, Radio, Minibar, Hairdryer, Refrigerator, Private Bathroom, Iron/Ironing Board, Alarm Clock, In Room Safe, Disabled Room, In-Room Movies, Coffee/Tea Making Facilities, Baby Cots & Sitting, Personal Safe in Room, Front Desk Safe Deposit Box, Laundry & Valet, Doctor on Call, Fax & PC Port, Smoke Alarm & Sprinkler System, Car Parking, Video Cassette Player, Express Checkout, Turn Down Service, Shoe Shine Service, Currency Exchange, Non-Smoking Room, 24 Hours Front Desk, Tour & Car Hire Desk, 24 Hours Room Service, Dining & Entertainment, Restaurant, Sports & Leisure, Jacuzzi, Golf Course, Jogging Track, Fitness Centre, Sauna and Spa, Swimming Pool, Tennis and Squash, Volleyball and Archery. The business travelers can take the facilities like, Meeting Facilities, Meeting Room, Business Centre, Conference Room and Secretarial Services.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa , this multi award-winning resort is a sanctuary for the senses. Enjoy seclusion and tranquility in this vast tropically landscaped paradise which overlooks the Andaman Sea.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is an oasis, commanding 17 kms of Phuket’s untouched, unspoiled Mai Khao Beach, on Phuket, Thailand. The low, sweeping design of the resort with its rock walls, broad reflection ponds, water features and ornate roofing has an imperial presence. It’s like a mythic palace of relaxation.

The resort is set amongst 11 hectares of lush tropical landscaped gardens, complete with lily ponds and areas of natural preserved coastal wetlands, blending perfectly with its local environment; adjacent to the Sirinath Marine National Park and protected sea turtle nesting area.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa enjoys close proximity to the airport and is just minutes from the Blue Canyon Country Club which was recently named by Asia Golf Monthly Magazine as the “Best Golf Course in Asia”

Rooms & Suites
All rooms and suites face the ocean or command expansive views of the landscaped tropical gardens and pools. Most rooms have full or partial views of the Andaman Sea. Accommodation is contained in low rise three storey buildings amongst an oasis of coconut palms and lush tropical gardens.
- 265 spacious seafront rooms and suites with balconies and indoor Thai sala with twin massage mats
- Polished wood floors and rich silk fabrics; high-speed Internet and DVD player
- Elegant bathrooms with oversized soaking tub and separate shower
- Mini-bar and safe, satellite TV, 3 phones, hairdryer, robe and slippers, iron and iron board
- Tropical garden resort includes 12 luxurious 1-bedroom suites with magnificent sea view
- Baan Mai Khao royal suite has three 2-bedroom villas, living/dining pavilion, private pool

Facilities & Services
-  Twice daily housekeeping service, including evening turndown service
- 24 hour room service
- Safe deposit boxes
- Baby-sitting service
- Children’s Pavilion with indoor/outdoor recreation areas
- Business Center
- Mandara Spa
- Beauty Salon
- Gift shop
- Fitness Center
- Wellness Sala
- 3 Swimming Pools
- Ginja Cook Cooking School
- High-speed internet access in rooms
- Wireless internet in some public areas
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The Hotel Pierre Milan , A vibrant mixture of history and current events, in the centre of Milan reflects the spirit of the city. In the heart of one of the most exclusive districts, with its majestic architecture of the Cathedral and the cultural tradition of the Theatre on the Staircase, the antique shops and sophisticated restaurants, the hotel’s location is of an unparalleled distinction. Luxurious and intimate, the Pierre Milan gives one an atmosphere of refined elegance the type appreciated by discerning travellers.

A vibrant blend of the historic and the modern, Milano’s centre district embodies the quintessential spirit of the city. In the heart of this exclusive district-amidst the architectual majesty of il Duomo, the cultural traditions of La Scala, the sleek sophistication of fashionable shops and restaurant-is a hotel of unparalleled distinction. An intimate luxury hotel, the Hotel Pierre Milano offers the effortless elegance and graceful ambiance so cherished by discerning travelers.

The hotel has 51 rooms, among which 8 single rooms, 27 double rooms, 7 suites and 10 rooms with French beds.
Each room is furnished with precious wallpaper and period furniture. All rooms are also equipped with every amenity and with modern technology to satisfy even the most demanding customer and to guarantee security, privacy and intimacy.

Rooms and Suites
The 51 rooms and suites, are furnished with precious tapestry and antique furniture, they are equipped with every comfort and technological advancement that will enhance the stay of discerning travellers and to also give them a sense of intimacy, privacy and security.

There are 8 Singles, 27 Doubles, 7 Suites and 10 French.

SERVICES
- Connection to Wi-Fi in all rooms, complimentary
- Direct Telephone
- Satellite TV and SKY channel
- Living area with sofa and desk (Suites)
- Electronic safe
- Individual temperature control
- Rooms are cleaned twice a day
- Check –in 14.00
- Check-out 13.00

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The Forbes Traveler 400 experts pick the top hotels
Italy may be known for its wide variety of spectacular locales, but just three locations dominate this year’s Forbes Traveler 400, an honor roll of luxury properties chosen by a board of luxury travel experts. These gurus of luxe judged nearly 800 top-notch hotels on the quality of their rooms, service, decor, cuisine, public areas, recreational options and location.

The Italian lodgings on this year’s list vary widely in design, stature and guest experience ranging from urban grande dames to breathtaking coastal villas but when it comes to finding the best of the best, Rome, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast account for no less than 60 percent of the experts’ selections.

Given the size and influence of the capital city, it’s no surprise that Rome provided five of the top 25 hotels, all strolling distance from most of the city’s famed attractions. Closest to the Piazza del Poppolo is the Hotel de Russie, described as “the” hotel in Rome by more than one Forbes Traveler 400 board member. It’s an unusual retreat, offering an excellent spa, terraced gardens for strolling and even a tranquil butterfly oasis. Near the foot of the Spanish Steps, the Portrait Suites is a tasteful boutique property that feels more like staying at a quiet private residence. Its rooftop terrace offers an excellent nighttime view and makes a fine place to relax from a day of business or sightseeing.

The nearby Hassler (“a classic,” according to one board member) has been one of Rome’s top hotels since it opened shortly after the end of World War II. Here we find possibly the most attractive luxury suite in the city: a seventh-floor penthouse boasting antique furnishings, silk wall coverings, marble flooring trimmed with gold and a 2,100-square foot private terrace. Not far away, just off the Via Veneto, the St. Regis Grand Hotel has benefited from a $35 million restoration. All guests are enveloped in rich Empire and Regency decor, suite residents enjoy the brand’s signature 24-hour butler service, and heads of state appreciate the hotel’s private diplomatic entrance. Finally, further east, closer to the commercial center, the Hotel Eden offers top business facilities and a rooftop restaurant overlooking the historic seven hills of Rome with a wine list to match the view.

For those who prefer the Tuscan sun, the Forbes Traveler 400 experts have five suggestions. In Florence, the Hotel Savoy offers stylish luxury right on the Piazza Repubblica, just steps from the Duomo and the Uffizi, while the Hotel Lungarno overlooks the scenic Arno river, just across the Ponte Vecchio from some of the city’s most fascinating bars and cafés.
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Sofitel New York offers a dining experience like no other. Gaby, our Art Deco restaurant, offers French flare in a luxurious setting. Or you may prefer to simply relax with a cocktail and enjoy the intimate atmosphere of Gaby’s bar.

The ultimate in comfort and convenience, this thirty-story building in midtown Manhattan-a contemporary statement in limestone and glass-is just a stone’s throw from Fifth Avenue. The modern-day traveler will enjoy the amenities on offer at this fine establishment, set within easy reach of Manhattan’s most celebrated attractions. These include Times Square, Broadway theaters, world-famous restaurants, famous boutiques, art museums and corporate headquarters. Good access to transportation links.

Our luxurious guest rooms provide consummate style, comfort and elegance. Elegantly decorated with Paris and New York motifs, all have a spacious marble bathroom (separate tub). Three telephones, broadband Internet access and fully stocked mini-bar.

At Sofitel, we have transformed conviviality and comfort into an art form. Our restaurants and bars provide the perfect setting for relaxing and socializing and offer refined French cuisine with the latest in fusion dishes from around the world.

GABY RESTAURANT : This Art deco inspired restaurant features a traditional French cuisine and dishes of Asian inspiration.

Tourist Guide (History and national heritage)
Historic monument
- NY PUBLIC LIBRARY : 0.16 km
- ST PATRICK CATHEDRAL : 0.40 km

Museums
- GUGGENHEIM : 4.02 km
- METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART : 4.02 km
- MUSEUM OF MODERN ART : 6.44 km
- MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY : 4.00 km

Special tourist area
- GREENWICH VILLAGE : 4.02 km
- HARLEM : 6.44 km
- ROCKEFELLER CENTER : 0.40 km
- SOUTH STREET SEAPORT : 6.44 km
- TAVERN ON THE GREEN : 2.41 km
- TIMES SQUARE : 0.40 km
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Maldive Islands, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island country consisting of a group of atolls stretching south of India’s Lakshadweep islands between Minicoy Island and the Chagos Archipelago, and about seven hundred kilometres (435 mi) south-west of Sri Lanka in the Laccadive Sea of Indian Ocean. The twenty-six atolls of Maldives encompass a territory featuring 1,192 islets, of which two hundred islands are inhabited.

The original inhabitants were Buddhist, probably since Ashoka’s period, in the 3rd century BC. Islam was introduced in 1153. The Maldives then came under the influence of the Portuguese (1558) and the Dutch (1654) seaborne empires. In 1887 it became a British protectorate. In 1965, the Maldives obtained independence from Britain (originally under the name “Maldive Islands”), and in 1968 the Sultanate was replaced by a Republic.

The name “Maldives” may derive from Maale Dhivehi Raajje (“The Island Kingdom [under the authority of] Male”), the local name for the Maldives. The island nation was synonymous with its capital “Maale” and sometimes called ‘Mahaldeeb’, and the people were called Maldivian ‘Dhivehin’. The word Dheeb/Deeb (archaic Dhivehi, a corruption of Dweep in Sanskrit) means ‘island’ and Dhives (Dhivehin) means ‘islanders’ (ie: the Maldivians). During the colonial era, the Dutch referred to the country as Maldivische Eilanden in their documentation, while “Maldive Island” is the anglicized version of the local name used by the British, which later came to be written as Maldives.

The ancient Sri Lankan chronicle, the Mahawamsa refers to an island called Mahiladiva or ‘Island of Women’ in Pali. The Mahawamsa is derived from an even older Sinhala work dating back to the 2nd century BC.

Some scholars theorize that the name “Maldives” derives from the Sanskrit mālādvīpa, meaning “garland of islands” . None of the names are mentioned in any literature, instead classical Sanskrit texts dating back to the Vedic times mention the “Hundred Thousand Islands” (Lakshadweepa); a generic name which would include not only the Maldives, but also the Laccadives and the Chagos island groups.

Some medieval Arab travelers such as Ibn Batuta called the islands “Mahal Dibiyat” from the Arabic word Mahal (“palace”).” This is the name currently inscribed in the scroll of the Maldive state emblem. Although the classical Yemeni name for Maldives is Dibajat.

Philostorgius, an Arian Greek historian who relates (circa AD 354) about a Divoeis (the Divaeans, pronounced Divians) hostage after fulfilling his mission to the Homerites, sailed to his island home known as “Divus” (Maldives).

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