New York is known for a lot of things. The place is always busy and adapts to changes that happens around it. Whether in the field of sports, entertainment and of course fashion, it just keeps on improving. One more industry that is growing is its lodging business.

The present recession greatly affected hotel industries in the US.  Based on the information provided by Travlezoo, the lodging business last 2008 went down on a depressing value and was still pulled down by approximately nine percent in 2009. This 2010, despite the US current situation, New York City hotels do not seem to be affected. In fact, more hotel rooms and structures with astounding designs and remarkable services are popping out in the Big Apple. These hotels seem to be everywhere. There's in Chelsea, Nolita and lower Manhattan. According to Chris Heywood of NYC & Company, the city's tourism authority, guests can still enjoy and explore the genuine New York City even if some of these new hotels are located in the not so popular enclaves.

There are a variety of new hotels to choose from. And each hotel caters to each guest needs, moods, personality and budget. If you're an actor, artist, an eco-conscious person or a model you'll find a perfect space just for you.

The James

For people who loves nature, eco-conscious and organic buff, The James hotel is best for you! This SoHo hotel situated on the corner of Thompson and Grand is designed in ecological manner. As you enter the hotel, a unique art of recycled keyboard keys providing a montage effect is there hanging waiting for you.

The rooms are environmentally inspired. Rugs are made from all natural fibers; pillows are eco-friendly provided by Keetsa and have wooden floors and furnishings. Their shampoos, conditioner and body wash are provided by their partner Intelligent Nutrients, a certified organic, food-based and natural beauty lines. like brining nature in the city.

You can also enjoy their outdoor amenities which include an urban garden, rooftop pool deck with a bar and sky lobby. Enjoy the green grass and botanicals in the hotel's Urban Garden located on the exterior of the second floor. Relax and have fun in the private pool in the hotel's rooftop pool deck. The deck also gives you a full view of Manhattan. The sky lobby is a reception area covered by glass walls that gives you scenic views of sculpture garden, Lent space and tree nursery. The lobby is used to transfer hotel guest from the lobby to a private living room for business functions.

The Chatwal

Theater fanatics will surely enjoy The Chatwal's Broadway-inspired interiors.  A hang out designed by Stanford White, the Lambs club was renovated with a 95 million dollar budget. The Lambs club was turned into an Empire Deco Gem with 88 rooms. It has a 24 hours fitness lounge where you can use their audio-visual materials and have a personal trainer. You can also have a holistic pampering in their Ayurvedic The Chatwal Spa.

Fashion 26

Who says fashion is just for people? Fashion26 Wyndham Hotel with 280 rooms is the trendiest and newest hotel in the city of Fashion. Spot this stylish lodge in West26 Street which is just around Fashion Institute of Technology, The Empire State Building, Herald Square and the famous Macy’s. The lobby showcases the history of the garment industry. If The James hotel used recycled, organic and environment- thoughtful materials, Fashion 26 used textiles, threads and garments for their designs. Models, designers, photographers or just style-conscious human being will definitely love this hotel.  If you are a professor in Fashion Institute of Technology, you can take advantage of their discounts. Make sure that you are in your most stylish outfit when you get in Fashion26. You might be awarded as the best dressed-guest for the day.

Andaz 5^th Avenue

Do you want to have a real New York experience inside your hotel? Be a New Yorker while you have your accommodation in Andaz 5th Avenue. The design was modeled after the Big Apple itself. The New York Public Library, Grand Central Station, and Empire State Building are some of the inspiration to put up this building.

Eventi, a Kimpton Hotel

There will be three words that will come to your mind when you stay in Eventi — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This environment-friendly hotel does not use disposable materials to reduce the production of waste materials. As much as possible, they avoid printing on paper to lessen paper trashes. They utilize washable tableware, utensils and table napkins which can be reuse again. There are recycling containers in every meeting room and they used recycled paper for printing important documents. All of their cleaning products are safe for the environment. Plus, they have this terrace filled with attractive flowers on the fifth floor. Go Eventi for a green city!

Gansevoort Park Avenue

Settled in 29^th street, Gansevoort Park Ave.  hotel has 249 deluxe rooms. Get wet on their heated, rooftop indoor-outdoor pool all year round. After taking a plunge, enjoy the night life at the Rooftop+ Lounge. Grab a bubbly, feel the music as you take a full view of Manhattan.

Nolitan Hotel

Feel at home in this boutique hotel situated in downtown, Manhattan, New York City. Aside from the cozy yet eclectic design of the building, Nolitan's personal touch and warm service will make you utter, "Honey, I'm home!"

The best part of it all is that they are offering a reasonable introductory rate. Isn't this the best time to be in Manahattan?

W New York – Downtown

The W New York which opened last August 9, 2010, is your genie in the city. They have a "Whatever/Whenever® Service" which entitles you to wish whatever legal thing that you want, whenever you like it.  If it is time for you to check out, a farewell kiosk is waiting for you for printing of your boarding pass. The kiosk gets rid of the hassle of waiting and falling in line the station, giving you a relax and smooth departure.

Intercontinental Times Square

The location of InterContinental Times Square is just perfect. Everything is just around the corner. Shopping malls, banks and other commercial buildings are very accessible. Broadway theaters are just steps away. Airports are just nearby. And subway stations like Penn and Grand Central are within reach.

Going to places and exploring their culture is not enough without enjoying the country's best delicacies. But dining doesn't have to be fancy all the time. Eating in a kiosk or local market is fun and practical. It won't take your time choosing the best dress nor finding the perfect shoes to enjoy this nibbles. You can eat it anyway you want, standing up or sitting down without worries on making your clothes dirty. Munch as much as you can with these best global food markets.

La Vucciria, Palermo, Italy

Make sure that you know how to get out of the maze as you enter this smelly and rough market. Their products include pomegranates and Pantelleria capers.

Try this:

If this is your first time, you should try Pane c'a meusa,a yummy spleen sandwhich which can be bought in every stall. Trying this out is part of their ritual.

Shanghai Trattoria is popular for their eggplant caponata and pasta con le sarde.

Borough Market, London

The Best time to visit this place is on an early Thursday or Friday so that you would not experience a squeezed crowd every Saturday. It is London's nibble center, packed with stores, bars, stalls and small restaurants.
Try this:

Brindisa is an outdoor grill that offers smoky chorizo-and-arugula sandwiches on crusty ciabatta roll. (Sandwiches for two $10.50)

Shellseekers offers scallops for two at $14. The owner itself dives for scallop and serves it baked with  a bacony bean-sprout stir-fry

Rabot Estate serves a St. Lucian chocolate filled desert for two at $8.

Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid

This market located in a 1916 Beaux-Arts building which was left abandoned for several years was renovated last 2009. Today, the 33 shopping and dining booths and coffee spaces brought it all again to life.
Try this:

El Yantar del Ayer offers drinks and snacks for two at $7. They serve Sherries placed straight from barrels are partnered by Andalusian olives and nuts roasted in a wood-burning oven.

Pinkleton & Wine serves some two dozen wines by the glass worth $8 for two persons.

Caviar Purveyor Daniel Sorlut serves fines de claire oysters. The price starts at $1.20 per oyster.

Sherries drawn straight from barrels are accompanied by Andalusian olives and roasted nuts.

Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market, San Francisco

Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market is located in a waterfront where your eyes will pop out of seeing carrots, tomatoes and other vegetables. It is Kingdom Plantae out there. It is best to visit this place on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays since most cultivated products are available. It is still good to visit them on ordinary days since they still serve jam-packed of goodies to choose from. They have salty Tomales Bay oysters fresh from Hog Island and lavender-flavored chocolates from Recchiuti Confections.

Try this:

Chef Daniel Patterson's Il Cane Rosso. The meal includes great fried-egg breakfast sandwiches and note-perfect salads, a lunch for two at $25.

You can have an exotic micro-roast coffee paired with their heavenly Belgian waffles for only $6 (good for two persons) at Blue Bottle Coffee Co.

Local Chefs line up at Primavera Tamales every Saturdays for organic-masa mole tamales douse with roasted-tomato salsa. It is a snack worth $18 and good for two persons.

Marché des Enfants Rouges, Paris

Looking for the best and tasty hams, sausages, and pâtés? Try Marché des Enfants Rouges in Paris. The marché in the Marais has a variety of yummy and meaty products. Different ethnic and enticing foods are served in a very reasonable price.

Try this:

La Rôtisserie Enfants Rouges (lunch for two $24) serves up crisp-skinned rotisserie Bresse chicken with potatoes and a glass of vin rouge.

Le Traiteur Marocain (lunch for two $25) is a must for its bracing spiced lamb-and-prune tagine and fluffy couscous royale.

Mercado de la Merced, Mexico City

With 3,00 vendors around Mexico, Mercado de la Merced have it all. Starting from preserved and dehydrated chiles, moles pastes, smelly Oaxacan cheese, piles of nopals and mixture smelled from guavas and epazote makes this market full of life.

Try this:

Abraham trades in delicious huaraches (griddled masa cakes) with toppings such as chorizo and carne asada, a snack good for two worth $4.

Migas Arnulfo) is  well-known for its sopa de migas, a soothing bread soup, also a snackgood for two worth $4.

Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne

Queen Victoria Market provides a two hour tour worth $30 in order to see and experience " Queen Vic" more than 1,000 stalls. The tour includes food tasting and vendor chatting. It started from 1878 and has provided Southeast Asian greens, Italian cheeses, kangaroo salami, and Tasmanian scallops.

Try this:

Coffea has espressos good for two at $6.

Bratwurst Shop offers sandwiches starting from $6. You can choose from a spicy or mild bratwurst sandwich topped with five different kinds of mustard.

Mezze Table has snacks for two at $6. Try their flaky multilayered börek filled with everything from spiced lamb to leeks.

Market Juice has the healthiest thirst quencher. At $3 for two persons, enjoy freshly-squeezed passion fruits.

Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore

If you get tired and hungry shopping in this 1950's building, you can take a break and try the different food stalls that offers delectable treats.

Try This:

Roasted Pig Specialist has Char siu a must try snack worth $3 for two persons.

Jian Bo Shui Kueh will provide you with soft springy steamed rice cakes topped with fried preserved radish.

Fried Kway Teow will stuff you with rice noodles filled with Chinese sausage, eggs, and fish-cake nuggets. Their snack is at $4 and good for two persons.

Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çar?i), Istanbul

Enclosed in 65 streets and has approximately 4,000 stores, this grand bazaar in Istanbul doesn't only sell kilims and bangles. Getting hungry is not a problem for these retailers since they have a variety of food stalls to choose from.

Try this:

Subasi has goldsmiths, rug lords and copperware kings. They serve white beans in tomato sauce and chicken stuffed with rice with an affordable price of $30 (good for2).

Dönerci ?ahin Usta provides the best meat wrap, a luscious döner which is good for 2 persons at $12.

Try the the city's flavorsome kebabs in Kara Mehmet Kebap Salonu. Kebabs for two persons are worth $12.

Mercado Municipal Paulistano, São Paulo, Brazil

You will not only enjoy eating here but also appreciate the cathedral-worth stained glass scenic place. This 1930'2 market sells olives, linguica sausages, and salt cod.

Try This:

As part of their custom, you try first a mortadella sandwich. Follow it up with flaky pastel de bacalhau (salt-cod pastries) at Hocca Bar.

Ki Piexe serves oyster for two at $14.

Banna Juice has chocolaty açai-berry shake as their bestseller.

Whale-watching seems to be an enjoyable leisure time nowadays. The biggest mammal in the sea has provided entertainment for these watchers on their past time. You can ride a boat, travel by air or simply sit on a bench while using your binoculars in capturing Moby Dick and his friends have fun under their blue-shaded home. Read on the top places to whale watching whenever and wherever you want.

San Diego

There are different ways to catch and see whales up close in San Diego. You can go to Seaworld and see Shamu. If you enjoy the sea, you can also go there and catch Gargantuan Gray whales. They are freely around in their blue-shaded environment. Best time to see them is during winter where they travel from Baja's Southern spot going to San Diego. Another option is to ride a boat and be closer to them. You can also visit Cabrillo National Monument set in the city. You can go whale watching in Cabrillo by land. It is more than 400 feet above sea level. It has an observatory made out of glass to better appreciate the sea world.

Cape Cod

The waters surrounding Cape Cod was acknowledged as one of the top ten whale-watching destinations by the World Wildlife Fund. The minke, finback, and humpback whales are their pride. You will definitely enjoy the way they dance into the water. Take peek as they glide, spout and breach in the Atlantic. The companies holding this whale watching event shared that they are always 99 percent successful during whale-watching months of April to October.

Quebec

There are two common species of whales that can be seen here in Quebec, Canada. The first which is approaching extinction is the North Atlantic right whale. If you see one of these whales, you are very lucky since there are approximately 350 whales remaining. The second kind is the Beluga whales. These whales are very much prominent in the St. Lawrence River. These white mammals are well-liked because of the expression of their faces. They are like water gymnasts that dances on the water with their heads up showing their proud faces.

Orcas Island

This collection of places for whale-watching will be incomplete without the Orcas Island. The name speaks for itself; it is where orcas whales and gray whales are to be found. These whales gather around the coast mostly during spring and summer. There are also an ample amount of killer whales in this destination. Do not be scared of these killer whales because there are other tame and lovely sea creatures living in its water surroundings.  Its marine environment includes uncommon sea species like harbor whales and porpoises.

Dominica

The Dominica is recently recognized as the "Whale Watching Capital of the Caribbean". This island between Martinique and Guadeloupe is not only a whale-watching destination but also a scuba diving site because of its amazing sea world. It has radiant coral reefs and sparkling hot springs. You will surely forget about time once you go on a boat tour and see whales as they make friends, mate and play with you. Dominica assures you of a 90 percent possibility in catching and getting up close with these whales. Whales commonly seen in this place are sperm, killer and pigmy. Even most of these whales are seen late November and June; people still enjoy hanging out here any time of the year.

Hawaii

Aside from the tropical weather, the humpback whale is also one of the reasons why guests travel to Hawaii every winter. The water in this Aloha spot is lucid enough to see things until under100 feet. The best time for sightseeing is from late- November to mid-April. Whales tend to go around the different islands but most of them stay in Maui.

Kaikoura

An internationally renowned center for eco-tourism, Kaikoura is set on the East Coast south Island of New Zealand. There is also a humungous chance of seeing a sperm whale because a swarm of these gathers together in the seashore any time of the year. Kaikoura is wealthy not only with whales but with other marine species. Some of these are dolphins, fur seals and seabirds. Orca whales are most likely to be seen from December to March. Take a glimpse on Humpbacks from June to July while pilot whales can be occasionally spotted. Try a boat tour to witness a sperm whale wag its tail or better yet, ride a plane and enjoy a 30-minute air travel for an exclusive view of whale-watching.

Hermanus

You definitely do not need to ride a boat just to see whales in Hermanus. Just bring your binoculars and find a bench or perch in the shorelines. The coastline is perfectly designed for a relaxed shore-based whale sight-seeing. July is when most southern right whales are visible because they enjoy the warm water in the sea area. Other paraphernalia are provided around the place for a better whale-watching experience. It is worthwhile to visit Hermanus in the months of May to December. Every year they hold a Hermanus Whale Festival. This yearly affair is celebrated every September.

The Azores

The Azores is located in the middle of Atlantic Ocean. It is composed of isolated islands chained together. People in The Azores are in touch with the sea. They strongly believe that seashore will attract lovely whales. There are nine volcanic islands that make up this chain. The seas along Faial, Pico and Sao Jorge are the best places to spot whales. April to September is the best time to go here. Aside from whales, you will also varieties of fish and other sea mammals which include sperm and short-finned pilot whales. A boat available for touring the scenery and exploring the place is available in the island. Just a tip, Pico has the most attractive panorama, so better start your boat ride there.

Los Cabos

There are a lot of reasons to visit Los Cabos, Mexico. It simply got it all, the best beaches, fancy resorts, colorful views and wonderful weather any time of the year. Whale-watching is an additional perk in going to Los Cabos especially during months of January to April. An assortment of whales like humpbacks, grays, blues, and sperm are just around the waters playing, paring off, and taking good care of their offspring. Many boat tour guides are waiting excitedly to assist you and show you around.

Sama Airlines, a low cost carrier in Saudia Arabia announced that it will cease its operation this week until further notice.  The halt of its operations is said to be due to their $266 million or 1 billion riyal loss and failure receive help from the government.

Sama Airlines catered to six Boeing 737-300 that flew to ten destinations until things went downhill.  Bruce Ashby, Sama Airlines' CEO, said in a statement that the cease of their operations is the only option they had after the handful of months they spent in trying to find financial help for liquidation for the heavy losses they suffered from October last year to March 2010, a large amount that they failed to recover from.

Ashby also mentioned that he had been waiting for the government's, an "aviation relief package" that would cover fuel funding and support for the losses they had incurred in the past as well as aid in the business's growth.  Unfortunately, Sama Airlines was not successful.  Ashby also stated that they have found investors who were willing to give financial support but they were not able to seal the deals in time.

Sama Airlines used to fly to different destinations in Saudi Arabia and in several neighboring countries like Syria, Sudan, UAE, Egypt, and Jordan.  Their CEO is still hoping that a financial aid will be found to allow them to resume operations as soon as possible.  However, at present, their aircrafts stay waiting until the company finds a solution to make them zoom into the air once more.

Stripping down to your underwear at 15,782 feet above sea level amidst the snow is possible—if you brought yourself a portable sauna, that is.  Just like what the group of four Finnish mountaineers did when they climbed Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco, the tallest peak in this portion of Western Europe.  This mountain has been a favorite summit to be conquered by mountaineers and in time, it has been known as the La Dame Bianche, which is the French term for "The White Lady."

Last Saturday, the four Finnish men set off to climb Mont Blanc.  Since they need a good weather condition to set up the portable sauna, the men climbed in darkness and were able to reach the summit at dawn at sub-zero temperatures.

Quickly, the men set up the portable sauna that uses a customized sauna oven to burn the wood-fire in sub-zero temperature and high altitude.  When they finally finished putting up the small portable sauna, the men stripped to their underwear and enjoyed the sauna and the fantastic view at the summit.

Kari Härkönen, one of the Finnish mountaineers said that the portable sauna got too that it was refreshing to freshen up with the -5C temperature outside.  These Finnish mountaineers have trained with other pro mountaineers to condition their body to adapt to the altitude and sub-zero temperature.  So do not try this feat without the proper precautions.

Okay, this week has been boring when it comes to news about the Boeing 787.  So let's check out what's new with the Airbus A380 instead.  In the previous week, we told you that the Airbus A380 is flying to Manchester, England the following month.  We are surprised to know that so much work has been done and how much money has been spent in preparing the Manchester airport for the arrival of the Airbus A380.

Emirate Airline, Middle East's biggest major airline company, will starting flying the Airbus A380 in Manchester Airport starting this September 1, 2010.  This is actually a first that the Airbus A380 will fly in and out of an airport that does not belong in one of the world's major cities.  The Airbus A380 is an enormous plane, so big in fact that the Manchester Airport spent around $15 million in making their terminal suitable for the operation of the Airbus A380.

Today, all the necessary preparations have been finished but the work started eighteen months before the news that the heavyweight Airbus A380 would be landing on the Manchester Airport for a quick visit.  The Manchester Airport built a new parking space for the Airbus A380 and this includes a state-of-art docking system.

Manchester Airport sure gives the big boy Airbus A380 a special treatment.  The renovations also include strengthening and upgrading every space that the Airbus A380 will touch.  The airport even moved some of the perimeter fences that lined the runway to give the Airbus A380 plenty of room to maneuver without any trouble.  In terms of safety precautions, the Manchester Airport also installed new fire equipment and other safety gears in case of emergencies.

With all these renovations, the Manchester Airport is proud to belong to a Category 10 airport—those that operate with the world's biggest aircrafts and come with an extensive array of firefighting and rescue system that is administered by the Civil Aviation Authority.  At present, there are only 17 Category 10 airports in the world.