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Tags: Dubai Travel / Landmarks / Travel News / Recession Travel / → All Tags

In Dubai, It's The End Of 'The World'

In order for Dubai to survive the worldwide recession and nurture their burgeoning reputation as a must-visit destination, the weak and frivolous projects must suffer in favor of things that actually contribute to the city. Thus, we are only somewhat surprised to learn of the failure of the multi-billion-dollar project of man-made islands called "The World."

After all, the islands were only due to be accessibly by the richest of the rich, with no dynamic plans for the future after the many moneyed residents built their homes on the islands. The Burj Dubai and Dubai metro system will however positively impact both locals and tourists—that's why they get the go-ahead during these rough times while The World ends.

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Tags: Dubai Travel / Landmarks / Travel News / Tourism / Skyscrapers / → All Tags

The Impossibly High Burj Dubai Will Have 124th-Floor Observation Deck

To tell you the truth, we're torn on the issue of tourism in Dubai. Is it a theme park of a city that caters to tourists versus travelers, or is it worth the visit for the unique experiences? Who knows when we'll find out since the place is so firmly out of budget anyways.

Just in case you also like to entertain the thought that a trip to Dubai is in your future, you'll either be delighted or scared shitless to learn that the famous Burj Dubai skyscraper is due to have its observation deck on the 124th floor. Of course the 160+ story building needs to be completed first, and that won't be happening until early December. In the meantime, the building is readying to open the world's first Armani Hotel in the first 37 stories. But let's hear a little more about that vertigo-inducing observation deck, shall we?

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For $550 Million Dollars, The Empire State Building Gets Its Art Deco Back

The first thing that usually dazzles tourists as they hit midtown in New York City is the view of the Empire State Building from almost any street. It stands at the commanding position of center of the city, and is also quiet central to a visitor's plans in NYC, being a tourist mecca. In order to keep up its appearances and continue to dazzle, the Empire State Building has just undergone at $550 million dollar renovation, with the lobby along accounting for $12.5 million of it.

Back in the 1960s, some aesthetic attempts at "modernization" took place—think the Mad Men-era's preoccupation with the future—and as a result, original Art Deco details of the building were covered up. This renovation has revealed at least two shiny Art Deco murals that fell victim to the 1960s revamp, and now they're back to giving the building's lobby an extra oomph of drama.

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Tags: Opera Travel / Travel Health / Milan Travel / Italy Travel / Landmarks / → All Tags

What's the Italian Word For 'Asbestos?' Because Milan's La Scala Has It

Yes, we know that's a radiation icon, but we mean it in a Hazmat capacity

A fat lady singing can't do anything for asbestos removal, as Milan's La Scala is finding out. Back in spring, officials in Milan discovered the toxic stuff in the famed opera house's ceiling, and they've just now closed down the 270 seats of the uppermost tier in order to begin removal.

This poses a problem for the tourists who, in last few months, have possibly been exposed to asbestos from officials rustling up there, but thankfully it's been confirmed that there's no spread of asbestos. Ticket holders will either be offered an upgrade to better and less toxic eating, or, if that's unavailable, then a simple refund. No loud Italian opera for the cheapskates, we guess.

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Fresnel Travel: Fire Island's Lighthouse

We've been spending some time recently on a perfect summer island getaway: Fire Island, just off the south coast of Long Island. There's tons to do outside of hitting the beach, checking out the Sunken Forest and knocking a few back in the area bars with the local personalities as the sun sets on the bay.

One fun daytrip is to the Fire Island Lighthouse, perched off Kismet with amazing views of Long Island, the Atlantic Ocean, the South Bay and all of Fire Island's beaches. Built in 1857, the lighthouse was re-opened in 1987 as a museum and observatory by concerned locals looking to save this piece of American history. (It was decommissioned as an "aid to navigation" in the early '70s.) The Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society (yep, FLIPS!) was also created to keep watch over this regal black and white landmark.

Two 1,000-watt bulbs now keep the lighthouse going, and the public can take guided tours of the lighthouse throughout the summer months.

Related Stories:
· Fire Island Lighthouse [Official Site]
· Hiking Fire Island's Sunken Forests [Jaunted]
· Landmarks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: stjenna]

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Wedding Travel: Hurry, Before London Bridge is Married Too

If you have any yearning to marry a famous landmark, you'd better get your pre-nups signed before they're all spoken for. We already told you that the Berlin Wall has been married to a Swedish woman for decades, and another celebrity landmark wedding just happened.

This time it was a woman from San Francisco whose new name is Erika La Tour Eiffel. Although she also admits a fondness for the Berlin Wall, she decided to take the Eiffel Tower as her husband.

We're wondering which tourist attraction we'd want to marry: An ancient pyramid would make a loyal bedfellow, but a really tall building might make for some extra excitement. For a stable marriage, maybe a particular leaning tower deserves a second look?

Related Stories:
· Woman Weds Eiffel Tower [Ananova]
· Wedding Travel: Hooking up with Your Favorite Tourist Attraction [Jaunted]

[Photo: webbmb]

Tags: Attractions / Landmarks / Ben Bernanke / Buildings / Government Building Travel / → All Tags

Government Building Travel: What to Expect at the Federal Reserve

There are three ways to get into the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC and only one of them involves President Bush introducing you to the flashbulbs at a press conference. If you know that you'll be visiting the capital and have a burning desire to see the Martin or Eccles buildings which hold the offices of policymakers like Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, you can request a group tour at least two weeks in advance.

Can't round up 9 friends who care about monetary policy? We recently entered the Martin Building on the coattails of a private group, for which we had to submit our Social Security number and don an "ESCORT REQUIRED" badge at all times. We also had to pass through an airport-esque security checkpoint, including the dreaded removal of shoes. (It could be worse: Some federal buildings, like the US District Court in Oklahoma, don't allow any electronics to be brought in.)

If you visit, you might not to get to see much, either; your escort will usher you past an eternity of closed doors, and once in the building you won't be allowed to exit and re-enter at will. We didn't spot any giant bricks of money, but you will see the idiosyncratic collections of art which decorate the elevator banks. That said, it's a trip you should take if you can, if only for that opportunity to say, Hey, this is where the makers of monetary policy eat lunch.

Related Stories:
· Info on Touring the Fed [Official Site]
· Washington, DC Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ayjayem]

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Iolani Palace Not the Best Idea Today

A separatist group occupied the Iolani Palace in Honolulu yesterday, closing the landmark to tourists to protest the "occupation" of Hawaii by the United States. The peaceful demonstration by the Hawaiian Kingdom Government lasted about eight hours, and no arrests were made.

The group says it wants to reestablish the Iolani Palace as the seat of the islands' sovereign government. The HKG plans to reoccupy the grounds today, though the organization doesn't plan to lock people out like they did Wednesday. Still, might not be the best day to visit.

The palace was the residence of the last two Hawaiian monarchs and it's now a National Historic Landmark. When it's not being occupied, you can visit on a docent-led "Grand Tour" for $20 or just take a self-guided tour of some of the galleries for $6.

Related Stories:
· Group Occupies Hawaii Palace [Honolulu Advertiser]
· Hawaiian Sovereignty Seekers Take over Palace Grounds [AP, via Google]
· Iolani Palace [Official Site]
· Hawaii Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: PeterWebb]

Tags: Music / Celebrities / Landmarks / → All Tags

That's All Right, Mama

Put down that fried peanut butter and banana sandwich and listen up! We're a little surprised that it wasn't already, but today it's now official: the Jungle Room and all the rest are a National Historic Landmark. Fifteen-foot long white leather couches deserve preservation, too, you know.

Graceland had been a mere "Historic Place" since 1991. Elvis bought the mansion--it's actually much smaller than it looks--for $103,000 in 1957 using the money he earned from "Heartbreak Hotel". Thank you, thank you very much.

[Image via einafour/Flickr]

Related Stories:
·   Elvis' home to be national landmark [CNN]
·   Elvis Presley [site]
·   National Historic Landmarks