Warm Welcome to the New and Shiny Year 2014

Written by Shezaa Nehal

The New Year's Eve celebration greets warmly the coming year, which could be very beneficial, gainful, satisfying and flourishing for the entire world. Everyone is anxiously waiting with the hopes of fulfilling their desires and dreams with the gleaming beam of new sun. Here we will identify the best possible ways to welcome the New Year in the following lines.

Hangout Anywhere For New Year's Eve Celebration

The New Year's Eve celebration can be ideally organized at home, in any unique restaurant or hotel located in the city or anywhere in the local station, in a farm house, in a relaxing location, or in any sea resort. The main aim is to bid goodbye to the passing year, and offer a very warm welcome to a new excellent and shiny year, with the hope that it will bring significant benefits and amazing success, together with well-rounded pleasure and joys.

Jovial Activities for New Year Eve Celebration

The New Year Eve celebration is amazingly known for its foods, which add spirit and eagerness to the vibrant festivities. Other vital components of New Year celebration are eating and drinking gatherings, having a party and dance, gorgeous light decorations, experiencing fireworks and bonfires, and joyful trip to adventurous Hatta mountain safari, a place of natural elegance and grace. There are some well known dishes that are associated with this evening like prime rib, seafood, some soups and lentils and many more.

The Three Most Visited Sanctuaries in Italy

Written by Shaiya Ong

Vatican City remains to be the most visited religious sanctuary in the world, with over 1.1 billion Catholics flocking the place all year round; not to mention other religious denominations who are intrigued by the place.  In any case, there are other religious destinations in Italy that are also gaining prominence among tourists and local travellers.  This is a list of them.

Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel

Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel 

This is located near San Giovanni Rotondo, a place where the archangel apparently appeared in the years 490, 492 and 1656 allowing it to become a consecrated shrine.  Popular persons in the religious realm were also noted to have visited the place, which includes St. Gerard Majella, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. William of Vercelli.  This and news of being miraculous site has made this sanctuary one of the most popular in Italy.

Padre Pio Shrine 

Padre Pio Shrine  

Padre Pio is known for his supernatural powers, particularly his stigmata in the year 1919.  His body was exhume in April 2008 and eventually placed in display at Santa Maria delle Grazie sanctuary in a glass coffin before it had its final resting place at the crypt of the church.  Due to the large volume of pilgrims who go and visit the shrine, architect Renzo Piano designed a place for worship that allows 6500 people to sit and another 30,000 to stand outside and hear daily masses, but it is still not sufficient to the seven million pilgrims who visit this place annually. It is open to the public and remains free up to this date.

San Gabriel Sanctuary

Sanctuary of San Gabriel

Approximately two million visitors go to this place each year.  It is located at the foot of Gran Sasso Mountain in Teramo and is dedicated to the young saint that exhibited uninterrupted supernatural experience during his lifetime.  It is in proximity with other two popular sanctuaries in the place.  Loreto, and San Giovionni Rotondo.  Many who come and visit also include these other two sanctuaries to complete their pilgrimage.  The place is quite popular because of the 300 year old painting of the Our Lady of Sorrows.

Most visitors of Italy remain to be religious pilgrims who vowed to see up close these sanctuaries.  Many of them prefer arriving at Rome airport to begin the journey with a mass at St. Peter's Basilica at Vatican City.  So if you haven't decided on your Italy itinerary yet, why not add a few of these sites in your list and experience why some prefer to spend money just to fulfill a pilgrim to this places.

Author Bio: 

Shaiya is a freelance writer in the Philippines who once endured the extreme task of becoming an educator to university students. She is happier to have been given the liberty to take time at her own pace. She is now enjoying moments travelling to places she dreams of visiting and cherishing precious time with her family. 

Rome ~ "Must-See" Places and Things You Should Remember

I consider my trip to Rome as one of the greatest accomplishments. It is so attractive that I had to stay a little over 3 days in this historical city alone. Am not into museums but I did enjoy as I cannot stop admiring its stunning art and architecture.  Travelling to a new destination is always fun and exciting as you explore new cities, visit new enthralling sites and eat delectable local cuisines. 

Colosseum  in Rome

As soon as we set foot in the hotel, we were given maps and brochures and the most needed tips that is truly helpful especially if it comes from the local people. This is why we decided to explore the city on our own. It is easy to move around.

Go Ahead with the Cruise - After the ill-fated Costa Concordia?

I have not been to a luxury cruise but have had enough information on how luxurious the cruising was.  The sailing I am referring to are the ones on the high seas for a couple of nights.  The ones that stop on some ports that give the passengers experience what the stop-over has in store for them.  To me, it is a better way of exploring and discovering small places. 

I have been to short cruises that last from four hours to a day.  I always want to experience all the transport facilities in my destinations.  I fly, take the bus, the taxi, the train, and cruise to go around must-see places.

Taking a week-long cruise is not in my itinerary but I had planned on cruising to Alaska just before the mishap in Giglio, Italy.  I never question my original travel plan after the disaster and I don't see any reason why I should change my mind.  

Cruise bookings after the Costa Concordia disaster remain strong according to the cruise industry. Daily Telegraph in UK confirmed that prospective holiday makers are still making almost as many inquiries about cruises as they were before the mishap.

To read the details of the story released by Tribune Information Services, please click here.