More than 62 million people visited Orlando in 2014. It marks a new all-time record for the U.S. travel industry, solidifying Orlando’s position as the most visited destination in the US. Visitation grew five percent from 2013 as visitors from around the world came to experience all that is new across the ever-expanding destination. A record 32 million room nights were sold in Orlando in 2014, resulting in bed tax collections topping $200 million for the first time in Orange County, Fla., home to the Central Florida tourism district. “This historic milestone is the latest testament to Orlando’s leadership in tourism,” said Visit Orlando President and CEO George Aguel. “It’s a tribute to the steadfast commitment and continued investment by our tourism community, the special brand of serv
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The beauty of this photo is also the character itself. Sonali Mahapatra is performing Oddissi at Khajuraho festival of dances 2015. An accomplished dancer, Sonali lost her major hearing power due to a medical negligence when she was just five. But she never let that come as a hinderance in her commitment to learn dance. She can't listen to swara and hence now uses a hearing aid and dances by listening to just the beats of the taal. ...
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One of the premier dance festivals of India, Khajuraho festival of Dances is organised every year during springtime for last 41 years by Ustad Alauddin Khan academy of music and art under the aegis of ministry of Culture, government of Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho Festival of Dances is organised at UNESCO world heritage site of Khajuraho in the premises along the western group of temples. Kathak duet by V. Anuradha Singh and Rajendra Chaturvedi on 24th February 2015. V. Anuradha Singh is best known for the introduction of Sufiyana Kathak style of dance. See some snapshots and a video of the dance. Devadasi dance by Dr Yashoda Rao Thakore at Khajuraho festival of dances (2015) was perhaps the biggest achievement of this year's dance festival. This was perhaps the first time that
Read MoreBeautifully laid untouched snow on top of the hill! An amazing 360 degree view of natural splendour in clear blue skies. Gorgeous unhindered spectacle of himalayan ranges from Himachal to Chaukhamba to Trishul and Nanda Devi right in front of your eyes. No mess of a tourist place. Calm and seclude and above all this altitude of almost 10 thousand feet so approachable as a just 45 minutes cool trek from main motorable route. Seems surreal, isn't it! And it is in India. Wanna be there? Drop down at Kaddukhal on main Mussorie-Chamba road in Uttarakhand and take a one and half kilometre trek through to top, to Surkanda Devi temple. Its amazing! ...
Read Moreबड़े हिल स्टेशनों की चमक-दमक में अक्सर हम उनके आसपास की ज्यादा खूबसूरत जगहों को भूल जाते हैं। सैलानी ज्यादा लोकप्रिय जगहों पर ही आकर अटक जाते हैं। ऐसी ही बात सुरकंडा देवी के मंदिर के बारे में भी कही जा सकती है। सुरकंडा का मंदिर देवी का महत्वपूर्ण स्थान है। दरअसल गढ़वाल के इस इलाके में प्रमुखतम धार्मिक स्थान के तौर पर माना जाता है। लेकिन इस जगह की अहमियत केवल इतनी नहीं है। यह इस इलाके का सबसे ऊंचा स्थान है और इसकी ऊंचाई 9995 फुट है। मंदिर ठीक पहाड़ की चोटी पर है। इसके चलते जब आप ऊपर हों तो चारों तरफ नजरें घुमाकर 360 डिग्री का नजारा लिया जा सकता है। केवल इतना ही नहीं, इस जगह की दुर्लभता इसलिए भी है कि उत्तर-पूर्व की ओर यहां हिमालय की श्रृंखलाएं बिखरी पड़ी हैं। चूंकि बीच में कोई और व्यवधान नहीं है इसलिए बाईं तरफ हिमाचल प्रदेश की पहाडिय़ों से लेकर सबसे दाहिनी तरफ नंदा देवी तक की पूरी श्रृंखला
Read MoreTough for someone to do a labour-intensive work at this altitude daily (almost 8000 ft), and tougher if it is related to sanitation as then nobody literally cares about you. They just care about what you were not able to do. You surely miss the light of liberation. Somehow, it never falls on you. You are domed to remain marginalised!!...
Read MoreHimalayas... Deodars... Pines... Morning light... and first cup of tea in a hillside shack! Nothing else can bring more cheers this summer to me. Isn't it! Nothing more gears up for the challenges ahead!! ...
Read MoreThe annual holiday season is right at the corner and one has got many options to choose from. Adventure tourism in general and trekking in particular is always flavour of the summer vacations when it comes to youth. Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI) has been a pioneer in India for economical group trekking in himalayas and elsewhere. This time around we are listing top ten summer national trekking/adventure expeditions of YHAI in India which one would love to join. Treks are open for everybody, but unless we rush limited seats might not be available in each group. Have a look meanwhile- Glorious Sar Pass trek In the beautiful Parvati valley of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh, SAR Pass is one of the most popular trails of the Shivalik range of the mighty Himalayas. Parvati...
Read MoreLooking for a new venue to host your next event? Here are the most anticipated Toronto restaurants, corporate event venues, hotels, conference centers, and private and party rooms to open next year. These new and renovated Toronto venues can accommodate groups large or small for private and corporate events, conferences, meetings, weddings, business dinners, teambuilding activities, cocktail parties, and more. Toronto offers so much for meeting delegates – from great convention facilities right in the downtown, plenty of flight options and all the culture that can easily be explored outside of the convention hours. The impact of meetings is far-reaching as many international delegates extend their stay, bring family with them to the convention and often are inspired to return again for a p
Read MoreWales is famed for being a ‘land of song’, best known for its choirs and Eisteddfodau, but did you know that many festivals showcasing new and emerging musical talent take place here every year, too? Here’s a roundup of some exciting, unusual and entertaining festivals taking place right here in Wales this summer. With such a wide variety of locations and acts, there really is something for everyone – X Music Festival will take place in Bute Park, Cardiff from the 12 – 13 June 2015, featuring DJs and Artists such as Annie Mac, Ja Rule, DJ Fresh, Sigma and Redlight. Merthyr Rock returns to Cyfartha Park, Merthyr Tydfil in August 2015. This year’s line up is yet to be announced, but one can expect internationally recognised acts such as Taking Back Sunday & Real Big Fish, who headl
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