15 Romolo

Slip around the corner to tiny Romolo Street to find this darkly glowing speakeasy, part of the Hotel Romolo. Blue velvet booths and abundant candlelight envelop the crowd in a posh urban ambiance. The jukebox is known for its frequently updated selection. 15 Romolo St. (in the alley between Broadway & Vallejo and Grant & Kearny), (415) 398-1359.
 




Bimbo's 365 Club






 

Rita Hayworth got her start at this supper club and speakeasy in 1931. Today, you can hear live music acts ranging from the Temptations to Jewel to up-and-coming indie rock bands. The club's retro aesthetic extends to the women's restroom, where plush velvet seats and individual makeup mirrors decorate the lounge area. Dolfina, a scantily clad mermaid who frolicked in a fishbowl at the original Bimbo's, continues to swim in her swanky pond as a reminder of the club's chorus-girl days. 1025 Columbus Ave., (415) 474-0365.













Offers dance lessons ranging from swing to tango in its lofty ballroom, and frequently features rock acts and DJs. Check out the two bars and swanky lounge. Located upstairs from the Velvet Lounge. 435 Broadway St., (415) 291-0333.







  

Columbus Cafe






 
Divey sports bar popular with local workers has one of the best happy hours around: Two-for-one draught beer (there are at least 10 to choose from) from 5-8 p.m. every day, including weekends! The scene is lively, friendly and hard-drinking, and the atmosphere is dominated by TV screens and noise. For extra ambiance, they sometimes dump sand over the floor and hang fishing net from the ceiling. "The Inferno," a dingy downstairs rec room, opens for weekends. 562 Green St., (415) 291-0818.















This hip, stylized bar can be pleasantly uncrowded during the week, despite being granted hot spot status by InStyle magazine. On weekends there's a line out the door and no room to breathe once you're inside. The house cocktails are large and creative (try a chocolate Manhattan or a cucumber cosmo), a DJ is usually in evidence and the interior is rich with indigo hues. 493 Broadway, (415) 908-3600.





Trade in your normal happy hour for Gino & Carlo's cheap martinis and homemade Italian food. Expect big crowds -- this 1940s bar is located at one of the liveliest intersections in North Beach. Although unofficially "owned" by a cast of regulars, newcomers are treated like old friends. Opens at 6 a.m. to accommodate early birds and late-shift workers, has pool and pinball. 548 Green St. (between Grant and Stockton), (415) 421-0896.






 The Hustler Honeys cavort in floor shows and other displays of exotic dancing at an adult nightclub that's gotten noticed through its association with porn publisher Larry Flynt. The establishment aims to be a classier breed of adult venue, offerring a tapas (but not topless) menu, and adding a dash of pasties and panties to its strip tease. With occasional porn star "guest" appearances.















 A few blocks from the "Little Italy" heart of North Beach, Kennedy's is a bit of a local secret. When you've tired of cappuccino and opera music, sample the unlikely combination of pleasures of this Irish pub. Beyond the expected pints of excellent stout, it offers an Indian buffet (try the sag paneer and fresh naan), an outdoor patio, and a rec room full of games such as air hockey and pinball. 1040 Columbus, (415) 441-8855.

 



While tourist spots proudly advertise "Se habla Espanol" or "Il parles Francais," the sign at the entrance to this old Italian bar only promises that "English is Spoken." Established in 1922, it keeps the people coming with televised sports, a jukebox of North Beach favorites (Sinatra, Connie Francis, Louis Prima) and a talkative staff. 957 Columbus, (415) 674-1266.





 


The Purple Onion









Phyllis Diller, the Kingston Trio, the Smothers Brothers and even Maya Angelou got their start at this veteran of the SF comedy scene, which was restored and reopened in 2004 by Stephanie and Mario Ascione, owners of the upstairs restaurant, Macaroni Sciue Sciue. The plan is to have stand-up shows twice a month to start, perhaps more frequently as things get rolling. (For a schedule see www.caffemacaroni.com.) Expect "more jokes about politics and penises," a "no-drink minimum" and a cash-only policy for tickets, which will be just six bucks. (-SF Chronicle and SF Gate) 140 Columbus Ave., (415) 956-1653.



 Any bar that pours Hoegaarden beer on tap is all right with me, and Rosewood is one of these bars. It also serves a nice selection of cocktails and some very expensive champagne to its patrons, typically thirtysomethings who like their hip-hop strong, with an international flavor. Each night of the week boasts a different style, such as French hip-hop on Wednesdays and urban electric music on the first and third Thursdays of the month, with some top-notch DJs spinning, and the place consistently draws a large crowd. On the first Wednesdays of the month, Rosewood hosts film screenings in one of the bar's three rooms. With its sleek wood-paneled interior and retro-mod black leather sofas, it's an upscale beat aficionado's hideaway. (- Lisa Zaffarese, SF Gate) 732 Broadway St., (415) 951-4886.

Nestled on the corner of Grant and Fresno sits the oldest bar in the City, a Barbary Coast relic that opened in 1861 as Wagner's Beer Hall. It's the size of your living room and beaten up like an old pug, but it's a friendly place to locals, suits, Euro-trash and the occasional toothless wench having a spirited conversation with herself. They have great live blues bands every night, free on weekdays and a nominal cover on weekends. Some of the greatest names in San Francisco's psychedelic music scene -- including Barry "The Fish" Melton (of Country Joe and The Fish) -- have played here; if you're lucky, you may spot Jefferson Airplane's Paul Kantner smoking something in the alley between sets. 1232 Grant Ave., (415) 986-7666.

Though overrun by tourists and drunk twenty-somethings on the weekend, it's still good for a weekday pint or glass of wine. This neighborhood institution opened in 1906 as a sailors' boarding house, and was the home of Beach Blanket Babylon in the '70s. Today, the huge covered patio, old-fashioned wooden bar, four pool tables and the occasional Elvis impersonator still make the Savoy-Tivoli worth a visit. 1434 Grant Ave. (near Green), (415) 362-7023.

Since it opened in 1968, Specs has been home to a menagerie of misfits, from strippers and poets to longshoremen and merchant marines. You can order a foofoo drink here, but it will come with a brass plaque from a ship's boiler that reads "unfit to drink." If, however, you want a beer, dry wit and good stories, this is just the place. (-SF Chronicle and SF Gate) 12 Adler Place, (alley off Columbus, between Broadway and Pacific), (415) 421-4112.


Jukebox-generated arias fill the air at this moody, spacious bar, where the décor includes a mural of Venice in the large back room and pictures of Robert Mitchum in the ladies room. As evening approaches the bartender lines the long wood bar with a queue of coffee liqueur drinks, the specialty of the house. A good place to take a group -- capacious red booths line the back walls -- though the weekend tends to draw a crowd. Known as a good spot for Bay Area star sightings. 242 Columbus Ave., (415) 391-1244.

Around since the early '50s, this old Beat hangout still attracts an artsy crowd. The two-story space is cozily lit with hanging lamps and decorated with a flea-market jumble of photos paintings and curious objects. On the balcony upstairs, small tables overlook the bustle of Columbus and narrow Jack Kerouac Alley, where the face of the "On the Road" author himself looms up from the muraled wall. While Vesuvio has a reliably hopping nighttime scene, in the afternoon it can also be a relaxing place to read or chat over a mug of tea. 255 Columbus Ave. (at Jack Kerouac Alley, just south of Broadway), (415) 362-3370.

 North Malé Atoll Maldives
Reservations:  + 960 664 8800,  + 960 664 8822

Most luxury and deluxe five star beach resort hotel in the Maldives surrounded by the wonders of the sparkling Indian Ocean. One & Only Maldives is located on North Male’ Atoll, one of 26 natural atolls scattered across 90,000 square kilometers of Indian Ocean. Its spectacular shape creates six kilometers of stunning coastline with 12 beaches - ample space to grace each and every villa with an ocean view, a generous private veranda, and over-water deck or stretch of powder-soft sand. All villas and bungalows in the resort hotel offers an unrivalled level of style, choice and personalized exploration. Sleek and spectacular, with unprecedented privacy, One&Only ReethiRah Maldives inspires extraordinary journeys for the soul.




One&Only Reethi Rah is unusual, designed in an octopus shape with an extraordinary 6 km of coastline. As a result, villas are wonderfully spacious and all guests can enjoy beautiful ocean views and access. Set on one of the largest islands in North Male' Atoll, adorned with endless white sand coves and turquoise bays, all villas have direct access to the lagoon and an unprecedented degree of privacy. Villas, service and dining are geared to guests accustomed to the highest world-class standards.

One&Only Maldives at Reethi Rah's 130 villas are discreetly placed amidst beautiful landscaping, each occupying its own secluded piece of sandy shore or private deck over crystal clear waters of the lagoon. These are some of the largest resort villas in the world, with a minimum area of 135m2, high airy ceilings and generous exterior space, ranging from private verandas and stretches of beach to private swimming pools with large decks. The look and feel is sleek and elegantly tropical, using beautiful natural materials and contemporary styling.




All villas feature air-conditioning, wide-screen plasma TVs, DVD players, surround sound systems, fully stocked beverage cabinet, smoke alarms, sun beds, safes, double bathrooms and dressing areas, large soaking tubs with oversize bathroom area. Extensive in-villa dining is available and the resort keeps a library of books, CDs and DVDs for use by guests.

Lavishing new tastes from the One&Only Maldives Reethi Rah hotel offers a variety of culinary delights.

Location:	North Male’ Atoll
Distance from Airport:	42 Kilometers
Number of Rooms:	130 Villas (detailed below)
Transport:	75 minutes from Airport by Luxury Yacht

Ischia island is the biggest island in the Gulf of Naples, about 40 minutes by hydrofoil (fast ferry) from Naples itself or about an hour by ferry with the car on board.
Ischia offers a wealth of spectacular scenery and of archaeological remains that make it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the mediterranean. The island is full of excellent restaurants and of many well-known thermal resorts. Ischia is also known for its exceptionally good climatic conditions; in fact the average annual temperature is about 17°C (63°F). The coast of Ischia is, without a doubt, among the most scenic in Italy, with white beaches alternating with rocky promontories. 





The Palm Islands (Atlantis) are an artificial archipelago in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on which major commercial and residential infrastructures will be constructed. It is one of the most enterprising and ambitious ventures to ever have been imagined, let alone taken from an incredibly innovative idea right through to fruition. The Palm Island Resort is a series of three islands called Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Jumeirah and Palm Deira. They are also often referred to as The Eight Wonder of the World. Palm Deira is the largest in the Palm Island Resort and is anchored into the ocean floor just east of another incredible Dubai project, The World Islands. With the construction of the Palm Islands Dubai is a more sought-after tourist destination than ever before.

Tanah Lot, Bali.................................................................................


The identify of Tanah Lot temple in tourism bibliography about Bali nearly by no means absent. Among those temples as a tourist visit it’s probably Tanah Lot is second hottest after Besakih. The name Tanah Lot might be from ” tanah laut ” means land within the sea. It is the fact that the sturdy sea abrasion has separated the temple area with Bali mainland, so it looks that the temple nests on a small speck of rock building up on the ocean. Even though robust hit of sea wave but the web site remains to be standing whereas the entire side have disappeared by the raged waves of tons of of years.

Check out our suggestion for the top 10 things to do in London

Remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. Complete with tales of  historical drama, infamous Beefeaters, the Crown Jewels and the Royal Armouries, a visit to the Tower is a must for all visitors to London.



Built in 1894, this is one of the best known and most iconic bridges in London. Visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition and you'll not only learn about the history of the Bridge but you'll also enjoy breathtaking views of London from the high-level walkways - a perfect photo opportunity.



Another popular tourist attraction in London and it’s one of the most beautiful too. The Cathedral is home to the tombs of great historical figures such Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. TOP TIP: Climb the 530 steps from the cathedral floor to the Golden Gallery, also known as the Whispering Gallery, for panoramic views of London.



 Located just outside of London, it is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It has been the official residence of the British sovereign for over 900 years and the amazing State Apartments are a favourite with London tourists.



Home of King Henry VIII. Not only is this one of the most breathtaking and legendary of all London palaces, it also boasts stunning gardens, a world famous hedge maze and more than one ghost.



Home to the late Princess Diana and birthplace of Queen Victoria. This stunning palace can be found in the lovely Kensington Gardens surrounding the royal residence.



Great attraction in London for all the family. The zoo features the popular Gorilla Kingdom and Clore Rainforest Lookout which both get you closer than ever to primates of Africa and South America.



Attraction set within the arches of this historical bridge. Featuring real life actors, stunning special effects and animations, this is unique interactive adventure really does takes you back in time.



Identical reconstruction of the original building which housed Shakespeare’s theatre in London. This open-air playhouse can be found in the banks of the Thames River and features an exhibition dedicated to both the play writer.



The banks of the River Thames are lined up iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Canary Wharf and many more. Weaving through the heart of London the Thames River Cruise really is the best way to see the city.

Going to vacations is exciting, but can be stressful, too.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Slip away from the energy of Old Town to this shaded escape that clings "like a barnacle to the outside of the city walls," Steves says. Laid-back bartenders serve wine in plastic cups at this hole in the wall, which is "exactly what you'll have to go through to get to this place," he says. "Buža comes with castaway views and Frank Sinatra ambience," and is "the most scenic spot for a drink in Dubrovnik." cafebuza.com/




Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy

From the restaurant's three-table balcony, sip on a local wine and savor striking views of the vineyard-wrapped Mediterranean. The "creative cuisine" hinges on fresh catches and reinvented classics. Steves recommends "the hearty zuppa Michela (a seafood soup), fishy spaghetti Bruno, and trofie al pesto (hand-rolled noodles with pesto)." www.ristorantebelforte.it/





Hydra, Greece

Steves prefers Hydra's dinner views from this spot, which marries the charm of Kaminia's port; the bustle of water taxis, hydrofoils and old freighters ("castles of rust"); and "the beauties of a Greek isle escape." Choose front-porch seating for drinks (ouzo, anyone?) and the shaded side terrace atop the harbor for meals, which are guaranteed to be fresh, as owner Dimitris embarks each morning on his boat to secure the fishermen's best catch. www.hydra-kodylenia.gr/kodylenia.htm





Staithes, England

The "refreshingly unpretentious" town that drew explorer James Cook to the sea is "a salty jumble of cottages bunny-hopping down a ravine into a tiny harbor," says Steves, where there's little to do but "stroll the beach and nurse a harborside beer or ice cream." Snack on fish-and-chips and people-watch from this pub's outdoor tables, or retreat to its "cozy living room warmed by a coal fire." The old-time photos will reveal that little has changed for Staithes (pronounced "staythz") since Cook's time in the 18th century, as the town is "gloriously stubborn about not wooing tourists." codandlobster.co.uk/




Burriana Beach, Near Nerja, Spain

Named for its owner, "a lovable ponytailed bohemian," says Steves, this eatery has been pleasing palates with its paella for 30 years. Try to stop by for lunch, when Ayo runs an all-you-can-eat paella special for $7.50. Settle into a table under the canopy for a front-row view of the cooking fires, and drink in the idyllic setting with a jug of sangria in hand. ayonerja.com/ayo.en.htm