World’s Highest Tennis Court

No other tennis court in the world has quite the view (or drop) as the one at the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Located more than 650 ft (200 m) above ground, the hotel’s grass helipad was converted into a 4500 sq ft (415 sq m) tennis court to promote the Dubai Open back in 2005. Longtime rivals Andre Agassi and Roger Federer had the opportunity to play on the court and even fired a few balls off the edge.

Original post found here.

“This was an absolutely amazing experience,” said Agassi. “When you first get over how high you are and start playing it’s an absolute joy and it was a great time. I had no issues with the height as long as I didn’t have to bungee jump off the side.”

“I have been in Dubai many times and have stayed at Burj Al Arab before, but this was an absolute treat,” added Federer. “To play tennis with Andre on top of such an amazing hotel and overlooking the whole of Dubai was absolutely spectacular.”

Ten of the World’s Most Unique Islands

Original post on http://webecoist.com

With the globe dominated by oceans, islands play important roles when it comes to trade, the environment, geo-politics, and travel.  Hawaii and Tahiti dominate the imagination of travelafficiandos, and  islands like Greenland are known for their size and extreme climates.  Though the islands on this list are not as well known as the world’s biggest and most scenic isles, they have plenty of characteristics that make them among the world’s most unique islands.

 

Tristan da Cunha: Maximum Isolation

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(images via worldstoreblog)

The English-controlled island has the distinction of being the world’s most remote inhabited island.  The rugged, wind-swept landscape is not unlike that oof other islands found in the middle of the Atlantic.  Everyone on the island is a farmer and the land is communally-owned.

Gunkanjima: Island Has-Been

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(images via archibase)

This tiny island (less than 1 kilometer in diameter) was once home to a crowded boomtown.  Miners who dug for coal on the island lived nearby in buildings arranged around narrow lanes.  When the mines were stripped of all their coal, workers simply left, leaving everything behind.  Travel is prohibited to Gunkanjima today, but the buildings still remain, eerily intact.

Dubai’s Large-Scale Sand Art

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(images via imre soltdubai architecture,  Alexander HeilnerNASA)

The super-wealthy emirate of Dubai has been the site of some outlandish and brash construction projects.  None of these were as spectacular as The Palm, a man-made island off the coast of the city.  It was shaped by taking sand from the sea floor and placing it in the shape of a gigantic palm tree.

Samosir: A Huge Island within a Huge Island

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(images via nasa and caingram)

Samosir Island is located in the middle of Lake Toba, a large lake on the large island of Sumatra, which is part Indonesia.  The island covers as much surface area of the lake as the water does.  But it is the unique culture and idyllic landscapes that truly make this one of the world’s most unique islands.  There are also two small lakes on an island.

Spratly Islands: World’s Most Disputed Islands

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(images via US MarinesBorneo Eye, and Sabah Travel Guide)

The Spratly Islands, a chain of atolls in the South China Seas are of great strategical importance.  Troops from Malaysia, the Philipines, Vietnam, Taiwan, and China are stationed on various islands in the chain.  Some islands are claimed by more than one nation.  Nonetheless, some of these thin strips of land are quite beautiful.  Layang Layang, near the Malaysian state of Sabah, is a popular diving spot.

Smallest, Holiest, Wildest Island

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(images via painted stork)

Peacock Island is the home of the holy Umananda temple complex.  The island sits is a tiny strip of land in the middle of the wide Brahmaputra River in India’s Assam province.  Aside from the temple, there are plenty of residents, mostly of the avian and mammalian variety.  Because so many people visit Umananda, the animals, like the Gold Langur (pictured) are quite tame and social.

Java: Island of People

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(images via flydime)

Java is the world’s most populous island.  With over 125,000 people, the main island of the nation of Indonesia is characterized by mega-cities (Jakarta and Surabaya) and, conversely, lush natural landscape.

Azores: Rugged and Remote

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(images via Portugal TravelersEschockUlrik Sverdrup)

The Azores belong to Portugal, but these islands, which you’ve wondered about if you’ve ever looked at the Atlantic Ocean page in an atlas, are so remote, they might as well be their own country.  Sitting in the middle of the Atlantic, these islands are lush, clean, and beautiful.  Though Portuguese influence remains strong, there are  decidedly unique characteristics in the culture of this isolated place.

Ellesmere: The Freezing Isle

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(images via Queens University)

There are places in the world that beat Ellesmere Island when it comes to freezing temps, but this Canadian island, directly to the west of Greenland, is a barren arctic wonderland that is a favorite of geologists and biologists who are studying the natural world in the far north.

Ometepe: Old Island of Fire

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(images Mat Honanmoody751, and nasa)

Ometepe is one of the oldest known inhabited islands in the world.  It is a two headed monster (two circles connected by an isthmus) in the middle of Nicaragua’s gigantic Lake Nicaragua.  The island is made up of two volcanoes.  It has a population of nearly 35,000 – mostly farmers taking advantage of the fertile volcanic soil.

 

12 Most Amazing Shopping Malls

Original post on http://www.oddee.com

1. Mall of America (Minnesota, USA)

Mall of America (Minnesota, USA)
This massive mall has a theme park and a wedding chapel, where more than 5,000 couples have been married since its opening. Mall of America opened in 1992 and is the third largest mall in North America.

The mall has a gross area of 4,200,000 sq ft available as retail space. That’s enough to fit seven Yankee stadiums inside of it! Mall of America is the most visited shopping mall in the world with more than 40 million visitors annually (or roughly eight times the population of the state of Minnesota). Spending 10 minutes in every store would take a shopper more than 86 hours to complete their visit to Mall of America. The mall includes a cinema, Nickelodeon Universe theme park, aquarium, adventure golf, flight simulators, and a comedy house. (Link 1Link 2Link 3)

2. Mall of the Emirates (Dubai)

Mall of the Emirates (Dubai)
Mall of the Emirates is an entertainment and shopping resort. Strategically located in Dubai, this 223,000 square meter centre offers a full range of shopping, leisure, and entertainment.

This shopping center is home to over 450 retailers and also features a complete range of entertainment options including Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski destination in the Middle East, a two-level Magic Planet, the largest indoor family entertainment centre in the country, a 14-screen Cinestar Cinemas and the Dubai Community Arts and Theatre with a 500 seat-theatre and art gallery.

This mixed use development will incorporate two hotels, including a 5-star Kempinski, which will offer over 900 rooms combined, a host of licensed restaurants, tennis court, swimming pools and spas. (Link)

3. The Grand Canal Shoppes (Las Vegas, USA)

The Grand Canal Shoppes (Las Vegas, USA)
The Grand Canal Shoppes is an 500,000 sq ft (46,000 m2) upscale shopping mall adjacent to The Venetian Hotel & Casino and The Palazzo in Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.

The mall was opened along with the Venetian Hotel in 1999. It has indoor canals, where gondolas will take you around the mall. The mall is anchored by a flagship, high-fashion Barneys New York store and contains many designer and upscale boutiques. Live performances can be found throughout the mall.

As of 2008, the mall was seeing 20 million visitors a year, among the highest in the country. (Link 1Link 2)

4. Tokyo Midtown Mall (Tokyo, Japan)

Tokyo Midtown Mall (Tokyo, Japan)
Tokyo Midtown opened its doors in 2007 and is a mixed-use development in Roppongi. The main tower has important companies as its tenants, such as Yahoo, Fuji Xerox, a clinic by John Hopkins Hospital and the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The shopping and dining areas are home to numerous world-famous brands and chefs. The complex is also home to Design Sight 21_21, which is a design gallery and workshop conceived by fashion designer Issay Miyake and world-famous architect Tadao Ando. (Link 1Link 2Link 3)

5. Wafi Mall (Dubai)

Wafi Mall (Dubai)
Wafi City Mall has over 350 stores offering the world’s most original, valued and significant brands, many of which are limited to Wafi.

Whether it’s art, fashion, food, entertainment or lifestyle, you’ll find its most sophisticated appearance at Wafi. In 2008, Wafi received awards for Best Shopping Mall, Best Restaurant, Best New Hotel, Best Spa and Best Independent Boutique. With a famous souk, world-class shopping and the finest dining in Dubai, there’s only one Wafi. (Link)

6. West Edmonton Mall (Alberta, Canada)

West Edmonton Mall (Alberta, Canada)
The 5th largest mall in the world and the largest in North America features the largest indoor water park, which has the biggest wave pool in the world.

Built in 1981, the mall has over 800 stores and services and parking for more than 20,000 vehicles. The mall also includes theme areas including: Bourbon Street (New Orleans-styled clubs and restaurants), Europa Boulevard, and Chinatown. The mall has a theme park called Galaxyland whith a number of attractions including a roller coaster. In addition, the mall has an indoor lake, which is home to four sea lions and a replica of the Santa Maria. The mall also has a hotel, indoor shooting range, petting zoo, dinner theater, cinemas, four radio stations and an inter-denominational chapel.(Link 1Link 2)

7. The Dubai Mall (Dubai)

The Dubai Mall (Dubai)
The Dubai Mall is the world’s largest mall in terms of total area (12.1 million sq ft).

The mall has 1,200 shops and houses and an aquarium, which earned the Guinness World Record for the world’s “Largest Acrylic Panel”. The mall also is home to an ice rink, 250-room luxury hotel, 22 cinema screens plus 120 restaurants and cafes. It also features the unique “malls-within-a-mall” concept with themed shopping areas like Gold Souk, Fashion Island, and The Grove, an indoor-outdoor streetscape with a fully retractable roof.(Link 1Link 2Link 3)

9. Beijing Mall (Beijing, China)

Beijing Mall (Beijing, China)
Not only has this mall made it to the world’s top 10 largest mall, but it also holds a slot in the top 10 luxurious malls of Beijing with a gross leasable area of 3.4 million sq ft. (Link)

9. Istanbul Cevahir (Istanbul, Turkey)

Istanbul Cevahir (Istanbul, Turkey)
It is reported that this mall is the largest shopping centre in Europe. Located in Istanbul, Turkey, it brings 343 shops, about 50 restaurants, 12 cinemas, including a private theatre, a bowling hall, a small roller coaster and a glass roof with the second biggest clock in the world under its roof. It claims the 5th spot with 3.47 million sq ft of gross leasable area. (Link)

King of Prussia Mall (Pennsylvania, USA)

King of Prussia Mall (Pennsylvania, USA)Boasting seven world class department stores and more than 400 stores, boutiques, and restaurants, King of Prussia has more pure retail shopping space than any other attraction in America and it features stores that cannot be found elsewhere in the region. (Link)

11. Zlote Tarasy Mall (Warsaw, Poland)

Zlote Tarasy Mall (Warsaw, Poland)
The Złote Tarasy (English: Golden Terraces) is a commercial, office, and entertainment complex in the center of Warsaw, Poland, located next to the Central Railway Station between Jana Pawła II and Emilii Plater streets. It opened on February 7, 2007. (Link 1Link 2Link 3)

12. Westfield London Shopping Centre (England)

Westfield London Shopping Centre (England)
Westfield London is a shopping centre in Shepherd’s Bush in the LondonBorough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The centre was developed by the Westfield Group, run by Frank Lowy on a site bounded by the West Cross Route (A3220), the Westway (A40) and Wood Lane (A219), and opened on 30 October 2008.

The centre is noted for its size: with a retail floor area of 150,000m² (1.615m ft²), the equivalent of about 30 football pitches. At the time of its opening it was reported to be the third largest shopping centre in the United Kingdom. (Link)

 

10 Most Expensive Hotels in the World

Original post on http://www.travelkat.com

Have you ever dreamed of spending a relaxing night at a luxury hotel? Or maybe planning a romantic evening or a honeymoon where you want to impress your beloved? What would you want included? A gorgeous view? A large comfy bed? A jacuzzi? A personal butler?

Did you know that prices at the best hotel suites have gone up 10% this year? Are you ready to drop about $30,000 for one night? Would you be willing to spend that kind of money on a hotel room? And by the way, none of the nightly room rates includes tax so be prepared to add another 10 – 17% to your bill at checkout

10. The Penthouse Suite, The Martinez Hotel, Cannes

Nightly Rate: $18,000
Website: http://concorde-hotels.com/martinez
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/martinezhotel


This is the biggest, most expensive, and the only terraced penthouse suite on the Cote d’Azur. Both of the two suites has a jacuzzi, plasma screen televisions, DVD library, kitchen, open bar, private butler on call 24/7 (ditto for a limousine), and an option to join both suites into one big apartment. The luxury has no limit here – the design is kept in the Art Deco style, with streamlined furniture, silk curtains and teak parquet floors.

The wraparound terrace is 2,000 square feet with the views of the Lerins Islands as well as the entire Bay of Cannes and can comfortably hold 100 people. One Saudi sheik liked the suite so much he wanted to rent it for five years. The hotel said no. What else can you say? Tres magnifique!

9. Ritz-Carlton Suite, Ritz-Carlton Moscow

Nightly Rate: $18.200

r c suite 4 moscow The Most Expensive Hotels in the World

The floor-to-ceiling windows in the Ritz-Carlton Suite will give you the most beautiful views of the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Christ the Savior Cathedral. The furnishings are in a Classic Russian Imperial style. The 2,500 square-foot suite comes with a spacious living room, dining area, library, office room and boardroom, grand piano, and heated floor.

You will get to enjoy five meals a day and their very own KGB-approved autonomous energy supply system and secure telecommunications array.

8. Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Nightly Rate: $19.000

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The two-story, 8,400-square-foot suite features views over the Arabian sea, marble flooring, a rotating four-poster bed in the master bedroom, dining area, and a private cinema and elevator between the split-level rooms.

The marble bath comes fully stocked with full-sized products from Hermes. Guests are met by a chauffeur driven Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph (or, for a bit extra, by a helicopter). A personal butler stands 24/7 at the ready to fulfill every wish. The Royal Suite is the last word in luxury with a marble and gold staircase, leopard print tufted carpets and Versace linens.

What you can also enjoy is a submarine ride to an underwater restaurant complete with shark-infested aquarium.

7. Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt, Vendôme, Paris

Nightly Rate: $20.000

CA Arequipa Imperial Suite 2 The Most Expensive Hotels in the World

This pricey suite is located on the 5th floor and takes 200-sq.-meters. A 60-sq.-meter balcony is overlooking the Rue de la Paix, with an outstanding view of the Vendôme column. The Imperial Suite has high ceilings, a dining room, kitchenette, bar, and a mansard roof. It also includes in-suite spa with whirlpool bath, steam room shower and a built-in massage table. Also included are high-speed Internet access and a computer with flat screen monitor, multi-line telephones, and a separate work area to help you enjoy the work process.

6. The Bridge Suite, The Atlantis, Bahamas

Nightly Rate: $22.000

atlantis The Most Expensive Hotels in the World

The Bridge Suite is located on top of a bridge that connects the two Royal Towers buildings, so it overlooks the entire resort and marina. An 800 square foot balcony and 12-foot high ceilings throughout with full length windows allow you to enjoy a 360 view of the water, lagoons and pools in Paradise Island. We can make a guess that most of the price is paid for the location of the suite. Forbes reports the suite has hosted guests including Oprah, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, and Bill Gates.

The suite has 10 rooms that are decorated in black, red and gold (including a 22-karat gold chandelier in the dining room). The living room is a 1,250-square-foot room with grand piano and twin entertainment centers. The master bedroom has a sitting area, his-and-hers closets so large that you can park your car there, and hand-painted linens. The kitchen also has its own entrance, so a permanent staff of seven, including a butler and a cook can access the rooms without bothering you.

5. Presidential Suite, Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

Nightly Rate: $25.000

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The suite is located on the 53rd floor above Tokyo with spectacular views that include the Imperial Palace outer gardens and Roppongi Hills.

In the suite’s 3300 sq ft you get pure luxury with a stunning four poster bed in the master bedroom, personal concierge, connected living room/dining room, an oversized marble bathroom with Sony BRAVIA 20 inch flat screen television, and access to indoor pool and fitness studio.

4. Villa La Capula Suite, Westin Excelsior, Rome

Nightly Rate: $29.000

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The suite is located on the fifth and sixth floor underneath the cupola of the hotel which was made famous by Fellini’s movies. It covers 6,099 square feet and has an additional 1,808 square feet of balconies and terraces. While it only has two bedrooms, five more can be joined to it. The entire suite was just remodeled in 1998 for a cost of around $7 million. So now you will have all things Roman and excessive – a cupola, a Pompeii-style Jacuzzi pool, frescoes (the painted horizons on the frescoes were designed to match perfectly with the real Roman one), stained glass windows, and almost 2,000 feet of balcony space including a sun deck overlooking the Via Veneto district.

The downstairs also has a private kitchen, and the dining room features an antique Murano glass chandelier, a private wine cabinet with over 150 wines to choose from and a study/library covered in hand-carved wood. And what really makes this suite over the top is a private cinema with Dolby surround sound.

3. Ty Warner Penthouse, Four Seasons Hotel, New York

Nightly Rate: $34.000

NYF 132 1280x10241 The Most Expensive Hotels in the World

The $50 million Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons in NY was designed by legendary architect I.M. Pei, Peter Marino and hotel owner Ty Warner.

The nine-room suite has walls inlaid with mother of pearl, gold and platinum-woven fabrics. The suite is located on the 52nd floor of New York’s tallest hotel with floor-to-ceiling bay windows offering a breathtaking 360 degree view of the City. If that is not relaxing enough you can enjoy a waterfall in the Zen Room, play the grand piano in the library or soak in a tub overlooking Central Park. Full spa treatments, a personal trainer and a 24/7 butler are all included, and if you still find a will to leave, you can choose to be chauffeured in a Rolls Royce or Maybach, and you’re always guaranteed a table at the hotel’s renowned L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurant.

2. Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas

Nightly Rate: $40.000

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If anyone knows how to vacation in Las Vegas, that will be Hugh Hefner. Even though he is known as a homebody he has spent a few nights away from the mansion at the Sky Villa. The suite itself was built to model the original playboy mansion; it also incorporates elements derived from a vintage Playboy magazine article about the ultimate bachelor pad. The suite cost roughly $10 million to build but the high-rollers can rent it for a small $40,000 a night. Everything screams S-E-X-Y at the Sky Villa. The two-story 9,000 square foot Villa includes a glass elevator, a rotating bed set beneath a mirrored ceiling, and a glass wall Jacuzzi that extends out over the hotel and offers amazing Strip views, around-the-clock butler service, massage and spa rooms, work-out room and poker table, fireplace, three bedrooms, and pop-up plasma TVs.
Sorry, Bunnies not included.

1. Royal Penthouse Suite, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva

Nightly Rate: $53.000

1 The Most Expensive Hotels in the World

The Imperial Suite, which is actually an entire top floor of the hotel, is reached via a private elevator and has four bedrooms, six bathrooms with mosaic marble floor, a cocktail lounge and a terrace with a dramatic view through the bulletproof windows over the city, Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc — all of which overlook Lake Geneva. The suite is decorated in a contemporary style, with marble and hardwood floors. The living room has a billiards table, a library and a cocktail lounge with a view of the water fountain, and can accommodate 40 people. The dining room seats 26 people around an oval mahogany table.

The hotel’s staff reassures guests that the security in the Imperial Suite is among the best in the world, ideal for celebrities or traveling heads of state who visit the United Nations headquarters next door at the Palais Wilson.