Jet Blue flights, jet blue check in and airline tickets

Airlines are increasingly talking about the atmosphere. Some airlines are giving their customers the choice to offset their travels, others are taking it a step more.

Who is aware of whether it’s because they really care, or whether it’s because they assume it’s what they must talk about?

For instance, in the past few months, it can be seen some airlines announce major carbon offset schemes.

jetblue

Besides, it’s a step in the right direction.

To give some examples, Air France and British Airways will be carbon offsetting all domestic flights, whereas Easy Jet will be carbon offsetting all flights period.

A new US airline “JetBlue” is joining the club, as “preparing their business for a brand-new climate.”

Headquarters:

JetBlue first had it headquarter at 80-2 Kew Gardens Road, then in the Forest Hills Tower, both in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, 6 miles (9.7 km) from the present office in Long Island City. Former headquarters, 80-02 Kew Gardens Road, JetBlue’s headquarters are in the Brewster Building in the long island city, New York.

In 2009, JetBlue declared that it was searching for a new headquarters location and was considering moving either within New York City or to the Orlando, Florida area.

In 2001 it was declared that the airline would take 74,000 square feet of area in the Forest Hills Tower, and by December 2002 announced that it has planned to extend its leased space.

On March 22, 2010, JetBlue declared it’d remain in the new York city space, in long island city, due to the airline’s historical links to the city, the price of employees relocations, the airline’s desire to retain access to financial markets, and because of Lingus and Lufthansa, JetBlue’s marketing partners, fly into juke airport.

In April 2009, Helen Marshall, the president of the Borough of Queens, said that the city of New York was trying to keep JetBlue in the city; the CEO of JetBlue, Dave Barger, and Governor of Florida Charlie Crist met in Tallahassee, Florida to discuss a possible move to Orlando.

JetBlue planned to combine its Forest Hills and Darien, Connecticut offices, together with about 1,000 workers, into about 200,000 sq. feet in the Brewster Building by mid-2012.

A choice was expected by March 2010, although a move would not happen until 2012 when its lease in the Forest Hills Tower expired.

jetblue

The business model of Jetblue airlines:

Unusually for an LCC, however, JetBlue will have more than one class of the cabin and provides some free in-flight amusement and refreshments.

JetBlue operates with most of the features of a low-cost carrier (LCC), for instance (and as stated in their Annual Report), a fleet of recent and efficient aircraft of (mainly) one model, high aircraft utilization, point-to-point routes (with several aircraft bases), comparatively low distribution costs, and without membership of a major airline alliance.

JetBlue flights carbon offsetting all domestic:

JetBlue has declared that they’ll carbon offset all of their domestic flights as of July 2020, by making them the first major U.S. airline to try and do so.

JetBlue says that since 2008 they’ve compensated over 2.6 billion pounds of CO2 gas emissions.

To do this, JetBlue will do a partnership with carbon fund, a U.S. x carbon reduction, and climate solutions organization.

They describe this as the equivalent of removing over 1.5 million passenger-buses from the road.

This enlargement is predicted to offset an extra 15-17 billion pounds of emissions annually.

JetBlue choosing specific carbon offset programs:

JetBlue isn’t simply throwing cash at carbon credits, but rather the airline is determined about the ways in which they’re equalizing flying.

As they describe it, the airline will support carbon offset projects targeted on but not restricted to:

  • Landfill Gas Capture: landfill gas is a natural byproduct of the decomposition of organics in landfills, used to stop methane from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.

  • Additionally, LFG energy projects generate revenue and make jobs in the local people and beyond.

  • Solar/Wind: These projects develop extensive solar and wind farms, generating more power that otherwise would have been supplied by fossil fuels in the form of coal, diesel and furnace oil. These projects also make jobs and revenues for local communities.

  • Forestry: Forest conservation projects stop deforestation by serving to voluntarily forego plans that might have converted forests for different functions, thereby sequestering carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere in trees and soil whereas having extra co-benefits for communities and local wildlife.

Modern planes & ATC modernization help also:

JetBlue claims that ATC inefficiencies account for the maximum amount as 12% of fuel burn.

Beyond carbon compensatory and using sustainable fuel, the airline points out different ways in which they’re attempting to scale back emissions.

They’re additionally getting 70 A220 crafts to replace older craft, which decreases per seat emissions by about 40%.

For once, they’re getting a lot of fuel-efficient aircraft, including 85 new A321neos that improve fuel efficiency by about 20%.

On top of that, JetBlue is recommending a lot of efficient ATC system.

JetBlue Airlines Travel

JetBlue Aviation routes Travel are as following:

  •       19% of JetBlue Aviation routes travelers were beyond 60 years old.

  •       5% of JetBlue Aviation routes travelers went with kids under 14.

  •       31% of JetBlue Aviation routes travelers were recent college grads.

  •       52% of JetBlue Aviation routes travelers were female.

  •       New York City was the most mainstream goal for JetBlue Aviation routes travelers.

JetBlue airline tickets and check in

JetBlue is an American airline and the sixth biggest aircraft in the US.

 

 

JetBlue airline tickets

Established in August 1998, the JetBlue airline is headquartered at the Long Island City neighborhood of New York City.

JetBlue has its Center Urban communities at John F. Kennedy Universal Air terminal, Post Lauderdale-Hollywood Global Air terminal, Logan Worldwide Air terminal, Long Seashore Air terminal, Luis Munoz Marin Worldwide Air terminal, and Orlando Worldwide Air terminal.

With an armada of 228 airplanes, the carrier works flights to 100 goals in the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Focal America, and South America.

To Protect Trees:

JetBlue has to earn carbon credits by investing in projects that will prevent forests from destruction, develop new solar and wind farms rather than coal, diesel or chamber oil to generate power; and capture landfill production of methane series, which may be converted into a renewable energy supply.

“By buying these currently, JetBlue is apparently locking in a hedge against rising carbon-dioxide costs”, the sustainability chief.

JetBlue considers its investment is the price of doing business, though notes that the expense of carbon offsets is going to arise with demand.

Other U.S. carriers purchase offsets on a lot of limited bases.

Takeaway:

This goes beyond simply throwing cash at a carbon offset scheme, however rather they’re being deliberate regarding which programs they select, and they’re even using sustainable aviation fuel.

Kudos to JetBlue for their unique plans for addressing the environment.

Best waterproof backpack for travel?

A waterproof backpack or waterproof backpack will save your valuable bags and electronics from irreversible harm.

When searching for a waterproof backpack or water-resistant backpack, it’s vital to know the explanations why you would like your backpack to be waterproof.

Waterproof Backpack

However, it could on the market claim to sell a waterproof backpack, just for the reviews to state otherwise.

For days of hiking in difficult conditions, a one hundred pc waterproof backpack goes to be ideal compared to a waterproof backpack.

Whether you’re searching for a water-proof backpack, water-resistant backpack, or waterproof protect your backpack, my list of the fifteen best waterproof backpacks and waterproof backpacks can cover you for a good vary of wants.

Likewise, if you would like solely to shield your laptop and physical science, a heavy waterproof dry bag isn’t getting to be sensible.

Waterproof is regarding submersion

If a backpack is tagged waterproof that means, you’ll be able to fully submerge the bag in a body of water while not letting wetness inside.

It goes beyond a storm and optimizes for a lot of extreme conditions.

To clarify, backpacks created with waterproof materials aren’t essentially waterproof backpacks.

The material can be waterproof. You can walk through a waterfall or white-water raft down a river with a water-proof backpack, and your stuff will stay dry.

Few travel things need a very waterproof backpack.

A zipper can be a waterproof backpack. And yet, a backpack created with waterproof materials and waterproof backpack zippers could also be classified as “water-resistant” not fully waterproof. Particularly town adventures.

Extreme water resistance, like what you’ll notice within the Out breaker and Homebase travel backpacks, can stand out for many journeys.

Waterproof’s downside:

Designers have narrow choices and must make sacrifices within the pursuit of a waterproof backpack.

Creating a water-proof bag, one that keeps your stuff dry once you submerge the bag in water, maybe a huge endeavor.

If you sew 2 pieces of fabric along, you create a hole for water to ooze through with each stitch.

Each material needs to pass a submersion check, and therefore the parts must be assembled in a way that doesn’t create holes.

Most firms approach waterproof backpack assembly by welding thermoplastics primarily melting 2 pieces of material along using ultrasonic sound waves.

Waterproof backpacks are good at keeping waterway once you’re kayaking down a watercourse, however, the strict limitations in materials and assembly make them unideal for different circumstances.

Those holes are too minuscule to impact a bag’s performance in a rain, however, matter a lot after you submerge a bag in a lake.

Your selections in aesthetics and functionality are limited with a water-resistant bag.

For that matter, several waterproof materials can’t be welded and thus cannot be made into a truly waterproof backpack.

Welding is an upscale way to create a waterproof backpack, and it needs very specific fabrics.

Not each fabric can be fastening. To top it off, a waterproof backpack additionally must be simpler styles than sewn bags because of the restrictions of welding.

That’s why most are designed as a bucket-like main compartment with one or two flat pockets.

What Does Water-Resistant Mean:

A water-resistant backpack would possibly only keep your stuff dry in a drizzle, or it might perform well in a rainfall.

So, what makes a backpack water-resistant or waterproof?

In contrast to “waterproof,” which includes a clear definition for bags, water-resistant may be a little imprecise.

The difference between a waterproof backpack and water-resistant looks obvious.

Water-resistance means that the bag can resist water however, at some point, water can get through.

To know where a backpack falls in that spectrum, check for two main factors: zippers and material.

If you see covered zippers on a backpack, that’s a clue your bag can perform well in heavy rain.

Waterproof Backpack

Coated zippers keep water out of the bag in one of the most vulnerable places, since zippers are filled with holes.

It’s right in their names. Waterproof backpack means water won’t go through the holes of the bag.

Fabric may be a little more sophisticated. Regardless of how tightly you weave a cloth, there’ll always be holes. Cheaper materials combat this issue with a coating to repel wetness.

Some “waterproof” materials are merely tightly woven nylons with a sturdy water-resistant (DWR) coating applied to the rear. That coating works for a short time.

however, it’s infamous for rubbing away over time. That’s all true however all too easy. Holes lead water to get through.

If you see “sailcloth” or multiple waterproof layers in a backpack’s material, that’s a clue that your stuff can keep dry in heavier rain.

The Waterproof Backpack has both a layer of waterproof film and a weather-resistant coating.

As its name implies, sailcloth was originally used for the sails of racing boats and is formed to face up to extreme conditions.

Higher quality waterproof materials, like sailcloth, have multiple layers to lure wetness and keep coatings from sporting off.

Sailcloth is an upscale, premium fabric selection for optimum performance and durability. It’ll keep your stuff dry, even though you’re stuck in a downpour.

The Material of waterproof backpack:

Let’s begin with the material.

The most common materials are nylon, polyester, and cotton. So, even once the fabric is woven tight, water will still flow through.

It can be measured in Denier. So, if the bag is made of 400D nylon, then every inch of the fibers is formed up of 400 yarns of nylon.

The larger the denier count, the heavier the yarn.

One yarn of the fabric is equal to one denier.

So, you’d assume the denser the material, the less water can get through. Not necessarily true.

600D nylon can repel water better than 1680D nylon. If the water pressure is high enough that’s if it’s exerting enough force on the bag water may create its way through the pores within the material.

The super high Deniers, though thicker in fibers, have larger gaps.

Water molecules are tiny, after all.

Making of the waterproof backpack:

Once you have a fabric with pores thus microscopic water can’t get through or, ideally, material without any pores at all you must join that material together in a very specific method.

Every part of a bag must be waterproof for a bag to be waterproof. Not simply the zipper or the joints or the fabric.

Usually speaking, the bonded space is truly stronger than the mother material.

Two-panel edges of the fabric are carefully aligned and then held together using pressure.

Ultrasonic welding is the most common way to approach that.

The 2 panels are technically not two panels, they have been fused along and are now one panel.

It’s tough and, despite being “the most common way” of going about this, still quite rare within the scheme of things.

The energy from the sound waves activates the fabric at a molecular level, creating a high level of energy that moves the molecules around rapidly, resulting in heat that permanently bonds the two panels along.

At this time, the RF fastening machine emits high-level supersonic sound waves at the seam (directly focused through the die).

No holes needed whatsoever.

Takeaway

Honesty, 99% of individuals don’t need a waterproof backpack for work/travel.

Or, like most humans, merely don’t have the time to analyze such nonsense, we’ll break it down for you and make recommendations.

A waterproof backpack may be reserved for those who see prolonged downpours a day in their lives OR for people who are buying an activity-specific bag.

What is Wow Airlines, wow airlines reviews and wow airlines baggage

Wow, airlines were less costing airline agencies in Iceland. This airline blocked its services in March 2019. It was a traveling agency, which was founded in 2011, it started its services between Europe, Asia, and northern-America.

The headquarters of Wow airlines was situated in Reykjavik and Keflavik.

Wow Airlines

History of WOW Airlines Company:

Wow airlines were inaugurated in 2011, this was the project of an Icelandic entrepreneur, the main business of this Icelandic entrepreneur was technology and telecom, His name was Skuli Mogensen.

Wow, airlines get the tag of Iceland expresses in October 2012. But at the last time of October 2012, it starts its flight services to Berlin, Kaunas, Salzburg, and Warsaw. Wow, airlines in 2013, serve 400,000 passengers to their destinations but in December 2014 this number increased to millions.

In 2015, Wow Airlines starts its services in Northern America, serving in the U.S, Canada, in 2016 wow airlines start flights in san Francisco and Los Angeles.

The capacity of wow Airlines in 2016 doubled up to roundabout 1.5 to 1.7 million, from 7400,000.

Wow Airlines

Challenges in the pricing of wow airlines:

In 2017, Wow Air was suspect of spreading false claims through churnalism, once many media retailers rumored its claim that it might fly passengers from London Stansted for £99, which it aforementioned was below value.

A flight leg priced at £99 was solely accessible as a part of a considerably costlier comes back to flight.

Difficulties facing in wow airlines:

On five November 2018, it absolutely was declared that the Icelander cluster, the company of rival carrier Icelander, would acquire the complete share capital of WOW air, subject to stockholder approval; the 2 airlines would still operate below separate names.

Together, Icelander and WOW air have a share of around three.8% of the transatlantic market.

On 27 November 2018, WOW air declared that it had come four craft which leases back supply fell through and also the company’s monetary state of affairs worsened because of stricter demands by providers and contractors.

The four came craft (two airliner A320s and 2 A330s) square measure owned by the identical company that was presupposed to deliver four airliner A330neos to WOW air.

On twenty-nine august Icelander abandoned its takeover plans because the pre-conditions of the shareholders meeting were unlikely to be met

The same day, Indigo Partners, which has stakes in many immoderate inexpensive carriers, reached a preliminary agreement to shop for WOW air.

Shortly when WOW airlines announced about the serious issues and changes to its operating system due to this reason the employees of this company were lessened by 360  all the way down to regarding 1,000, an additional 5 craft and also the remaining A330 were to be introduced.

WOW air, therefore, concluded its routes to a metropolis, la, point of entry (which was seasonal) and Vancouver (which was to be introduced as a seasonal route in 2019).

In Jan 2019, WOW air disclosed that Indigo’s investment would at the start correspond to a forty-ninth material possession, with the choice to extend at a later date.

But, by March 2019, Indigo Partners withdrew its investment proposal and WOW air concisely however unsuccessfully resumed talks with the Icelander cluster, however when Icelander examined WOW’s finances, they quickly unemployed the proposals.

 

On twenty-five March 2019, the day when talks with Icelander ceased, many WOW air flights were off supply speculation on the airline’s fate.

The airline attributed the cancellations to a technical failure and its knock-on effects, though 2 planes were immobilized when being repossessed by the proprietor.

On 26 March 2019, WOW air declared the conversion of bonds into equity and in progress discussions with bondholders to secure the company’s property.

The subsequent day, the corporate deferred all flights scheduled for twenty-eight March “until documentation with all parties concerned are finalized.

Wow, Airlines ceased operating:

On 28 March 2019, WOW air proclaimed that it had been ceasing operations.

All flights were off and thousands of stranded passengers were suggested to book flights with different airlines.

Wow Airlines

The founding father of the corporation, Skuli Mogensen, has spoken of an attainable resurrection of the airline with a replacement, slow-growth business arrange if he receives the $40 million he desires.

He plans to re-launch the corporation with five innovative airliner A321neos.

The website of this company named Wow airlines also replaced by some other page.

Due to the market share of WOW air on the Icelandic traveling market, the airline’s bankruptcy caused some disruption within the travel plans of multiple expected guests.

The dropped numbers of flights badly affect Iceland’s industrial and commercial enterprise and fishing-dependent economy and caused an increase in unemployment; the airline previously delivered over one-fourth of all guests to Iceland, and its failure caused tourers visits to drop 16 PF overall and banknote from the U.S.

 

Wow airlines baggage

Wow airlines baggage

Wow, air lodge stuff recompense allows the travelers to accept one sack with them. This sack can match 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm including handles and wheels. It ought not to gauge in excess of 12 kg. The Wow air lodge things cost relies upon the goal and the span of the flight.

Rumors to restart wow Airlines:

The company that took over WOW air’s bankruptcy has delayed its initial flight till December, Flight Global reports.

The airline was originally scheduled to start operations this month of March.

The delay was proclaimed in a very statement from Michele Ballerina, chair of US Aerospace Associates, that no heritable WOW’s assets following the airline’s bankruptcy in March.

Wow Airlines


“Wow Air intends to be totally operational in December with price tag sales striking the market in Nov,”
the statement to Flight Global reads.

“Significant market changes have taken place since the announcement of the re-launch of WOW Airline.

This contraction of carriers has provided a rise in craft inventory antecedently not accessible within the late summer.

Wow, Air can take this chance to amass and reconfigure our launch craft within the best interests of our customers and shareholders.”


The statement doesn’t disclose any info concerning the airline’s schedules, routes, or destinations.

US Aerospace did state upon feat WOW’s assets that it planned to restart operations between the Washington diplomat International flying field and Keflavik.

Wow airlines reviews

wow airlines review

We see individuals whine about their carriers all the time nowadays. Possibly security took excessively long, the plane had to sit on the runway for 60 minutes, or some insane bitch began pissing on the floor. Although it’s good and also in the budgeted airline.

Conclusion:

Wow, airlines were less costing airline agencies in Iceland. This airline blocked its services in March 2019.

Wow, airlines were inaugurated in 2011. It started its services between Europe, Asia, and northern-America.

The headquarters of Wow airlines was situated in Reykjavik and Keflavik. Wow, airlines get the tag of Iceland expresses in October 2012.

On 28 March 2019, WOW air proclaimed that it had been ceasing operations.

Due to the market share of WOW air on the Icelandic traveling market, the airline’s bankruptcy caused some disruption within the travel plans of multiple expected guests.

The dropped numbers of flights badly affect Iceland’s industrial and commercial enterprise and fishing-dependent economy and caused an increase in unemployment; the airline previously delivered over one-fourth of all guests to Iceland, and its failure caused tourers visits to drop 16 PF overall and banknote from the U.S, prompting a decline in dwelling and edifice construction.

The airline was originally scheduled to start operations this month of March.

The delay was proclaimed in a very statement from Michele Ballerina, chair of US Aerospace Associates, that no heritable WOW’s assets following the airline’s bankruptcy in March.

“Wow Air intends to be totally operational in December with price tag sales striking the market in Nov,” the statement to Flight Global reads.

US Aerospace did state upon feat WOW’s assets that it planned to restart operations between the Washington diplomat International flying field and Keflavik.

That was all which is in this article.

Taste of Chicago pizza and Recipe of Chicago style pizza, lou malnati’s

Chicago pizza is the famous deep dish of Chicago. Chicago, formally city of Chicago, is that the foremost colonized city among the U.S. State of Illinois, and thus the third most colonized city among the U.S.

With an associate ascertainable population of 2,705,994 (2018), it’s in addition the foremost settled town among the western U.S Chicago is that the seat of cook county, the second most settled county among the U.S, with a little portion of the northwest aspect of town extending into a county on the point.

 

What is Chicago Pizza

In dishes and aliment, Chicago pizza is that the delicious food item in Chicago and certain eat by most of the folks living in Chicago, that’s why Chicago pizza pie has nice importance in aliment restaurants in Chicago.

There square measure many forms of Chicago pizza pie that square measure far-famed got fame in several different countries.

Chicago Pizza or lou malnati’s:

Chicago Pizza is a dish prepared per several utterly totally different styles developed in Chicago. The foremost illustrious is a deep-dish dish. Chicago pizza pie is also known as lou malnati’s.

lou malnati's

The pan within its baked offers the dish it’s the characteristically high edge that provides ample space for giant amounts of cheese and a chunky sauce.

Chicago pizza is additionally prepared in deep-dish vogue and as a stuffed dish.

Try this simple, elaborate deep-dish Pizza with step-by-step directions for a thick and buttery, flaky crust and an expensive, chunky sauce, with several adhesive slices of cheese.

According to dish hut, the dish is typically voted the number one hottest food in America and truly, 94% of Yankee voters eat it a minimum of once a month!

Recipe of Chicago pizza:

Chicago pizzas recipes are here for you :

Do that simple, careful formula with piecemeal directions for a thick and buttery, flaky crust and a trendy, chunky sauce, with several adhesive kinds of cheese.

Homework time: one hour
cook time: one hour vi minutes
resting and rising: one hour 45 minutes
total time: 2hours 6minutes
servings twelve
calories 525

Chicago pizza Dough:

• 3 1/4 cups general flour
• 1/2 cup yellow meal
• one .25-ounce package speedy rise yeast
• 2 teaspoons coarse white sugar
• 1 one/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 one/4 cups water (at space temperature)
• 3 tablespoons tasteless butter (melted and cooled slightly)
• 4 tablespoons tasteless butter (at space temperature)
• 3 tablespoons + one teaspoon oil

Chicago Pizza Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon tasteless butter
• 1/2 medium Spanish onion (minced)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• one 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, no salt
• 1 teaspoon coarse white sugar
• 2 tablespoons sliced up to date basil
• 1 tablespoon oil

Chicago Pizza Toppings:

• 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 1/2 cup sliced olives
• 16 ounces cut part-skim cheese cheese
• 1/3 cup cheese cheese

To Make lou malnati’s Dough:

Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar, salt on low speed until homogenized.

Add the water and liquid butter. Mix until combined, concerning one to a combination of minutes. Scrape down the edges of the bowl and mix another time until well homogenized.

Increase speed to medium and knead until the dough is shiny and sleek and pulls remote from the edges of the bowl, concerning four to 5 minutes.

Coat the edges and bottom of an outsize bowl with one teaspoon of oil. Transfer the dish dough to the clean, oiled bowl and switch to coat.

Cowl with wrapping and let the dough rest at temperature until nearly doubled in size, concerning one hour.

To Make lou malnati’s Sauce:

While the dough rises, prepare the Chicago pizza sauce.

Terribly very medium pan over medium heat, combine the one tablespoon of oil and one tablespoon butter.

Add the minced onion crushed red pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently until the onion is softened, concerning 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, concerning thirty seconds. Add the tomatoes and sugar and turn out to a simmer.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce has reduced to concerning a combination of 1/2 cups, concerning 30 minutes.

Exclude from the heat and add the recent basil and oil. Check the seasoning and add salt if needed. Cowl and forgot.

To Laminate lou malnati’s Dough:

Adjust the household appliance rack to a very cheap position and warm up the household appliance to 425 degrees.

Flip the dough out onto a clean work surface. Roll the dough into a 15 by 12-inch tetragon. Use an off-set spatula, unfold the softened butter over the dough deed a 1/2-inch approximate the edges.

Starting at the short end, tightly roll the dough into a cylinder. With the seam-side down, flatten the dough into an eighteen by 4-inch tetragon.

Cut the tetragon in zero.5 crosswise. Operative with one zero.5 at a time, fold the dough into thirds form of a text. Pinch the seams on to create a ball.

Repeat with the remaining dough and transfer the balls to the oiled bowl. Cowl tightly with wrapping and let rise among the white merchandise until nearly double in size, 45 to fifty minutes.

While the dough rising, cook the Italian sausage terribly} very huge non-stick skillet. Break the sausage in very small pieces and heat it on low flame

To Assemble And Bake The Chicago Pizzas:

Coat 29-inch cast-iron skillets or cake pans with a pair of tablespoons of oil each.
On a clean work surface, roll one in every of the dough balls into a 13-inch spherical disk concerning 1/4-inch thick.

Roll the dough loosely around the utensil and transfer to the prepared skillet. Unroll the dough and Gently press into the pan, guaranteeing you have used it into the corners and 1-inch up the sides.

If the dough resists, modify it to rest for 5 minutes before making an attempt another time.

Repeat with the remaining dough ball.
Sprinkle each dish with a combination of cups of the cut cheese. Divide the sauce between the two pizzas, spreading with the rear of a spoon until equally distributed over the cheese layer.

Divide the sauté Italian sausage between the two pizzas, scattering to cover the sauce. High with the olives, then the cheese.

Bake until the crust is golden brown, relating to twenty to 30 minutes. If over-browning, tent the dish with foil until sauté through.

Remove the dish from the home appliance and funky for 10-minutes before serving.

Stuffed Chicago Pizza:

Stuffed pizzas area unit usually even deeper than deep-dish pizzas; but otherwise, it should be exhausting to visualize the excellence until its take away.

chicago pizza

A stuffed dish usually incorporates a ton of deeper topping density than the opposite form of the dish.

Like deep-dish dish, a deep layer of dough forms a bowl during a} very high-sided pan and thus the toppings and cheese area unit a lot of.

Then, an extra layer of dough goes on prime and is smoothened to the sides of the crust.

Summary

In short, Chicago is the city of the U.S, which is very famous for its Chicago pizza.

On average every fast food restaurant in Chicago use to serve pizzas but know a day’s recipe for Chicago pizza is spreading world-wide and getting fame due to its taste.

The ingredient s of Chicago pizza is much more different from other pizzas that’s why it gives a different taste to its consumers, but it is now becoming easy to eat Chicago pizza without visiting Chicago because its recipe has been spread all over the world.

Best island in Hawaii, Hawaii volcano and Maui Hawaii

The best island in Hawaii is Maui; Maui is a stunning island, with lush green mountains, waterfalls and many of Hawaii’s best beaches.

Maui is also home to the most important dormant volcano Hackella crater inside the world.

Best island in Hawaii

 

The best island in Hawaii is Maui. Maui’s most popular hotel locations are placed along its long west coast.

The west part is home to Kanapali; the northwest side of Kapalua and the southwest is home to Valeya and Makena.

The Kaanapali vicinity offers golden brown sand beaches, shopping, golf and a long range of different accommodation and condos.

There is a beach for a walk that goes from the Hyatt Regency Kaanapali to Honua Kai (about 3 miles).

The route is exceptional for a walk at sunset, waking up early in the morning or staying and exploring the Whaler Village.

The hotel has an extensive desire for luxury spas, pools and various amenities. Like the Westin Villa and Honua Kai, the range from affordable to complete service sense.

Some condos have pools and more spas for excellent restaurants.

The nearby city of Lahaina has several selections for food and entertainment. China became the imperial capital of Hawaii by 1845 and attempted the atmosphere of an old whale metropolis.

The city itself is a chosen destination. The area is 1884 km. According to the 2010 census, the best island in Hawaii (Maui) has a large population of 144, 44.

Physical Features of Hawaii:

Maui, the best island in Hawaii, has a tropical climate of seventy-five, with gentle temperature levels between seventy-five to 85 ° F (23.8–29.4 ° C).

 

Best island in Hawaii

The prevailing trade winds carry rain clouds to the northern end of the island, forming a south-south coast.

In areas of more than 3000 ft (914 m), guests can feel drying conditions with perceptible cold temperatures.

In line with the irregular topography of Maui, weather characteristics such as rainfall, precipitation, temperature, and wind speed will also vary greatly over the distance of the interval.

Haleakala alone boasts seven completely different climatic zones on its piece of land.

Rain in Hawaii:

Rain is very common; while some of them are very heavy, the substantial majority is light and concise.

Even the heaviest rains cause rainfall, followed by thunder and lightning. In summer, the heavy winds of trade winds in the Terai regions make pleasant weather.

hawaii

At one extreme, rainfall once a year averages 17 inches (430 mm) to 20 inches (510 mm) or less, much less in coastal areas, along the coastline from Malaya Bay to Kappo, and Close to the summit of Haldala.

In contrast to the extreme, normal rainfall exceeds three hundred inches (7,600 mm), along with the decreasing curved slope of Halkela, especially along the Hana Highway.

The Big Bog, located on the edge of Haleakala National Park, which is at an elevation of about 5,400 feet towards Hana, had an estimated annual rainfall of 404.4 inches over the 30-year period from 1978 to 2007.

If the islands of the state of Hawaii no longer existed, the normal annual rainfall on an equivalent patch of water would be about 25 inches (640 mm).

Instead, Maui’s mountain topography and alternative islands result in an actual average of about 70 inches (1,800 mm).

The climate in Hawaii:

Warm tropical sunshine, a different humidity, ocean winds, and alternating winds, and make up considerable microclimates to altitude.

Although the island of Maui is small, it may seem quite distinctive in each district due to its unique choice of micro-climate, which may be common in each of its extraordinary locations: Middle Maui; Leeward South Maui and West Maui; Windward North Shore and East Maui; And Upcountry Maui.

Although Maui’s daylight temperatures average between seventy-five and 90, nighttime temperatures tend to be about 15 range cooler in areas with more humid air, cooler in about 18 feet within dryer areas, and better Cooler in height.

Makena Beach, South Maui: Middle Maui usually includes Kahului and Veluku. Kahului is actually the center of the island and holds stable, extreme temperatures at rough levels.

The microclimate in Kahului can be muggy at times, although it generally feels particularly dry and regularly very boring.

The Veluku location is located towards the West Maui mountain range. Here, more rainfall will be discovered at some stage in the year, and higher humidity levels.

The Leeward side consists of South Maui (Kihei, Velia, and Makena) and West Maui (Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Kapalua).

These areas are generally drier with higher sunlight temperatures (equivalent to 92 levels), and a minimal amount of rainfall.

(The one exception is the highly elevated, unpublished West Maui summit, which claims about four hundred inches of rainfall, taking into account yrs. on its north and east sides.)

Hawaii volcano

 

Hawaii volcano

Hawaii’s Mount Kilauea fountain of liquid magma is the most youthful and most dynamic Hawaiian shield well of lava and is situated on the southern parts of the Island of Hawaii. The latest significant emission at Kīlauea has likewise ended up being by a wide margin its ejection of longest-known span and started in 1983.

 

Wayapanapa State Park in eastern Maui next to Hana

The Windward Side consists of North Shore (Pia and Haiku) and East Maui (Keena, Hana, and Kipahulu). Located within prevailing, northeast exchange winds, these areas have heavy rainfall levels, which increase significantly at superior elevations.

 

hawaii

On a 1,700- to 4,500-foot level Maukee (Macao, Pukalani, and Kula) provides moderate heat (70 and low 80) for daytime periods and funky evenings. Better elevation, cooler evening.

During Maui’s winter, the upper Kula can have a cold as low as 40 levels in the morning, and the Helikala peaks can dip below freezing.

An exception to the simple pattern is the occasional winter “Kona Storm”, which rains after extreme southwesterly winds (as opposed to the prevailing exchange wind direction) in the south and west regions.

Hawaii’s Legends:

Ancient Hawaiian legends are very important part of the culture that is passed down from one generation to the next.

It is done via storytelling and highlights the critical stories of how the Hawaiian Islands were formed, how they got their names and what each should be remembered for.

Ancient Hawaiians have a deep connection to nature and use myths and legends to provide an explanation for them.

According to legends, a demigod Maui pulled the Hawaiian Islands from the sea and lassoed the sun atop Haleakala, island’s highest peak.

Maui changed into named after this mythological being, perhaps because the shape of the island resembles that of what his head and body appeared like. Paddling outrigger canoes, the first ancestor of the Hawaiian Islands followed the celebrities and birds across the sea to Hawaii.

Maui’s history, like the different Hawaiian Islands, is one in every of wars and conquests in which one king might take over every other king’s land.

The uniqueness of Maui in Hawaii:

 

hawaii

 

Have a pampering rubdown at one among Maui’s best resorts within the morning, head out to the highlands for a challenging trek you’ll never forget, and stop your day with a worthwhile dinner of Hawaiian Regional Cuisine.

Maui is for romantics, sightseers, and adventurers who want the benefits of both large and small islands, bustling and non-violent islands all rolled into one. For many, the island of Maui is “simply right.”

Conclusion:

Best Island in Hawaii, Maui is an island situated in the Central Pacific, which is the important part of the Hawaiian archipelago.

According to the area, it is the largest island in Hawaii, the area of the best island in Hawaii; (Maui) is 727.2 square miles. It’s averaging gentle temperatures between 75°F and 85°F (23.8-29.4°C).

Showers are very common; while some of those are very heavy, the substantial majorities are mild.

The climate of Best Island in Hawaii (Maui) includes sunshine, various humidity, ocean breezes, and alternate winds, and ranging elevations.

The best island of Hawaii is the best destination in Hawaii for visitors.

 

 

24 Hours in Tbilisi, Georgia

As you enter Tbilisi from the west, the utterly captivating capital of Georgia, you will pass a statue of King David the Builder (David Aghamashenebeli) who reigned from 1089 until his death in 1125. He looks poised and gallant on his horse from his elevated perch on the motorway, beyond which the old Soviet style buildings give way to a more picturesque setting.

The statue is an important symbol of prosperity and strength as David – who incidentally gave his name to Kutsai airport (officially David Aghmashenebeli Airport) – successfully kept away unwanted visitors and heralded in the Georgian Golden Age.

It’s a great spot for him to witness the renewal of this beautiful, peaceful and inclusive city as tourism nudges in another Golden Age casting a spotlight on the Tbilisi’s gorgeous terrain. From any perspective this city is abundant with monuments, lush verdant hills, curvy river with sheer cliffs and attractive homes defined by their ornately carved wooden balconies.

The city makes for a wonderful short break. If you’re only there for 24 hours, you might like to take a half-day tour of the city. Georgian Holidays provide a half-day private tour of Tbilisi from just €29, which includes a private guide and entrance to all sights including the Holy Trinity Sameba Catherdral, the Narikala Fortress and the Sioni Cathedral.

Otherwise, here’s how to make the very best of Tbilisi in 24 hours.

Must Stay

Rooms Hotel is the hippiest joint in the city. Owned by a flamboyant casino owner you can expect artworks, unusual decor, moody lighting and some extravagant flourishes. Read the full review of Rooms Hotel.

TIP: For an even hippier experience at budget prices check out Fabrika hostel which was fashioned out of a former sewing factory. You can share hostel-style rooms from as low as £10 per person or upgrade for a little more. But the partying here goes on well into the night so you may not get much sleep. Read the full review of Fabrika Hostel.

Must check out the Old Town (Altstadt)

The old cobbled streets of the Old Town twist and turn churning out ramshackled yet colourful buildings alongside renovated brick-built homes with their iconic balconies. These are interwoven with classical Russian and Art Nouveau architecture and the visual effect is pleasing.

Freedom Square, looking grand with it’s neo-classical buildings, is where the statue of Lenin was symbolically torn down in 1991 to mark the end of Soviet Rule. Look up to see glinting St George statue in gold at the top of a tall column that rises up from the roundabout. The city’s main street Rustaveli Avenue leads off from here. It has the Parliament, the Opera and Ballet Theatre and the National Museum along its stretch.

St George statue, Tbilisi, Georgia
St George statue

The deeper into the centre you get the more narrow and twisty the roads become passing the only mosque in town where both Shiite and Sunni Muslims pray in gorgeous mosaic interiors; the 6th century Sioni Cathedral (named after Mount Zion in Jerusalem and rebuilt by David the Builder in 1112) and the Great Synagogue built 1895-1903 by Georgian Jews from Akhaltsikhe.

Incidentally the gold domed Cathedral that rises out of St Ilya Hill, on the left bank (the other side of the river) is the Sameba and is the third-tallest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the world.

Sameba - Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi
Sameba – Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi

There’s also a bizarre looking puppet theatre with a rather higgledy piggledy clock tower in the heart of the centre. It is part of Gabriadze puppet theatre and was built just a few years ago to look like it had come out of a story book.

Clock and puppet theatre
Clock and puppet theatre

On the hour, a puppet angel pops out of a door at its zenith to give the bell a tap with its hammer. Blink though and you will miss it.

Tip: Right in the heart of the city is a the Meidan Bazaar – the kind of place you stumble upon unless you are in the know. That’s because this hive of trade is in a tunnel under Gorgasali Square that connects sulphur baths to botanical gardens. This small stretch of tunnel has several little shops selling Georgian souvenirs, artwork, honey and wine.

Meidan Bazaar
Meidan Bazaar

Must see the views

Look up towards the peak of Sololaki Hill and you can see a 65-foot tall statue of the Mother of Georgia (Kartlis Deda) wearing the national Georgian dress. She was created in 1958 to celebrate the city’s 1500th birthday. She is holding wine in one hand for her friends and a sword in the other to deter foes. Trek up the hill or catch a cable car (cost: 5 LARI) to join her and enjoy a panoramic view over the city.

Tbilisi from Sololaki Hill – you can see the Mtkvari (Kura) river with its sheer cliffs

But there’s more because on the other side of the ridge there is a vista over 97 hectare botanical gardens.

There are more views to be had from the Peace Bridge. This stunning modern bow shaped bridge – a little piece of eye candy in itself – is the masterpiece of architect Michele de Lucchi. It is made of steel and glass illuminated with numerous LEDs. It’s lovely during the day and a head turner at night.

It crosses 150 metres (490 ft) over the Mtkvari (Kura) River and from here you can see the Metekhi Church, the statue of the city’s founder Vakhtang Gorgasali that stands in front of it, and the Narikala Fortress which unfolds on a hill between the sulphur baths and the botanical gardens.

Narkila Fortress
Narikala Fortress

Must visit a spa

The Abanotubani District is where the bathhouses and sulphur spas are and you can see the 17th century domes that speak of underground baths. It’s a 2,000 year old heritage that grew up around the hot, healing waters of Tbilisi. Turns out that the Romans also bathed here as far back as 1st century AD.

There were 60 spas at one time, but today only five are functional. Even if you don’t partake, be sure to seek out Bathhouse Number 5 whose exterior walls are decorated with exquisite mosaic.

Tip: If you continue walking away from the river towards Leghvtakhevi the path will eventually find an eye-widening waterfall almost hidden away.

Waterfall
Waterfall

Must Eat

Unusually decorated in Asian and Persian style Cafe Leila has a lovely location next to the clock tower and is a great place to have lunch – especially for vegetarians. Eat in or out, this pescetarian restaurant offers vegetarian versions of Kharcho which is traditionally a beef soup but made here with mushrooms and blackberry sauce, served with mchadi (corn bread) on the side. Of course staples such as Khachapuri, a Georgian cheese bread is done particularly well. Also try the soko ketze sulgunit (mushroom on a clay plate with Sulguni cheese) too. The homemade lemonade is particularly refreshing.

As a dessert go for Churchkella. This is a sweet made from walnuts and grapes. The walnuts are threaded onto a string and this is dipped into hot grape juice thickened with flour and left to hang dry for a couple of weeks to form a candle shaped sweet. Sometimes chocolate, almonds and even raisins are woven into this. You will find this for sale everywhere and it makes great present for those back home.

Must visit the National Museum

The National Museum on Rustaveli Avenue has a magnificent display ancient objects and an array of splendid gold jewellery from pre-Christian times that would not look out of place at Tiffanys. On the first floor is a ghoulish collection of skulls tagged Homo Neanderthals, some dating back 70,0000 years.

Perhaps the most poignant section is to be found upstairs. An exhibition on Soviet rule in Georgia from 1921-91 has moody lighting and a layout like a cinema set.

It’s open 10am-6pm, closed Mondays. Entry 3-7 GEL.

Must detour to Uplistsikhe rock town

It will take around 90 minutes to drive to the rock town of Uplistsikhe aka “the lord’s forest”. But it is certainly worth the detour to visit this simply incredible town of rocks and caves. They were inhabited between the 6th century BC and 1st century AD by 20,000 people at its peak. It’s located by the Mtkvari River, and from the top you get an eyeful of the Mtkvari valley. You’ll need sturdy shoes to navigates its ups and down and twisty rock formations but you’ll easily spot the wine cellar, pre-Christian Kartli temples that paid homage to the sun goddess, the conference hall and even the tiny underground prisons topped with grills. People would literally be able to walk over them.

Fact file

GETTING THERE: Wizz Air flies from Luton to Kutaisi, 150 miles north-west of Tbilisi, from £70 return.

PACKAGE: Georgian Holidays provide a half-day private tour of Tbilisi from just €29, which includes a private guide and entrance to all sights including the Holy Trinity Sameba Catherdral, the Narikala Fortress and the Sioni Cathedral.

Travel Guide: 24 Hours in Havana

Sitting in El Floridita bar in Havana‘s Old Town, perhaps on the very seat American novellist Ernest Hemingway was once perched, sipping the very cocktail – a Daiquiri – he loved to sip, I was aghast at just how many of these sweet tipples the bar tender knocked out every 15 minutes. He adeptly filled eight cocktail glasses at a time for a clamouring clientele. Continuously. All night long.

El Floridita
El Floridita – continously pouring 8 Daquairis at a time

It is of course a wonderful experience, but in that moment I was glad I was in Havana at this time. The city is busy now but I’ll bet (but not in Cuba as there are no casinos) that within 10 years the crowds will have swelled, the streets will be filled with guided groups and the joy of discovery will be elusive. And indeed enjoying an evening at El Floridita will be nigh on impossible – unless you are a sardine.

So, if you don’t want to miss the gorgeously ramshackled 16th century buildings that sit alongside posh architecture or the iconic, colourful American classics (Cadillacs, Chevys, Dodges, Buicks, Fords) which may disappear due to lack of parts, get there now. I can report that Japanese Kias and Hyundai cars are already far too prolific on Havana’s roads and though perfectly functional they are not nearly as much fun.

Must explore

Start at Parque Central which leads to the old town – Havana Vieja. Prepare to be dazzled by the neoclassical Capitol on Prado street – the former seat of the Cuban Congress and once home to the Cuban Academy of Sciences. After 8 years of restoration this impressive building has reopened as the home of Cuba’s national assembly. Use this building as a landmark and a point of orientation as it faces east and everything in front of it is Old Havana.

El Capitolio Havana Cuba
El Capitolio Havana Cuba

Near to it is the Gran Teatro de la Habana Alicia Alonso, named after Cuba’s most famous prima ballerina, probably the most beautiful building in town. Take a moment to gaze at the sculptures, the marble and bronze works. The four groups of sculptures in white marble in the front are by Giuseppe Moretti and represent charity, education, music and theatre.

Walk into Parque Central, a shady, leafy and palm filled square and see the statue of Jose Marti, a Cuban poet and journalist. He masterminded the revolution but was not a military man and died in combat.

Jose Marti, a poet not a fighter
Jose Marti, a poet not a fighter

Opposite is the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes – Arte Cubano which some say is the finest art gallery in the Caribbean. Look out for works by Guillermo Collazo, a Cuban great; Rafael Blanco, Raúl Martínez of 1960s Cuban pop art fame and Wifredo Lam whose work can easily be compared to that of Picasso.

In two minutes get to Calle Obispo, a long narrow road hemmed by tall buildings and quirky shops such as an apothecary museum where you can buy headache pills and an intriguing al fresco art and craft market.

Along with Calle Mercaderes it is one of the most popular shopping streets and the two streets converge at Hotel Ambos Mundos where Ernest Hemingway had a room – which you can visit. If you are ready for a rest, make your way up to the hotel’s rooftop bar for a beer or two and a pretty good view over the harbour.

Passing the fantastic Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, former residence of the governors of Havana but now home museum of the City of Havana you get to Plaza Armas. This is the oldest square in the city and is a lovely leafy square with palm trees around which has the statue of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, who played a major roll in Cuba’s independence in 1868. Around it is the Archeology Museum, Castillo de la Real Fortaleza, a 16th century fort and El Templete which is monument to Christopher Columbus for founding the city.

Walk a little further to Havana Bay where the cruise ships come in. Make your way there and pick up a taxi to Plaza de la Revolución. It is one of the biggest squares in the world and is where Pope John Paul II (on a first ever visit by a Pope in 1998) and Pope Francis held large Masses during papal visits.

You can also take an elevator up to the top of the José Martí Memorial, one of the city’s highest points. The National Library and various government ministries are located in and around the Plaza and some are adorned with images of revolutionary figures Che Guevara and his companions.

Must go for a ride

Those classic cars that Havana is famous for are the most fun way of touring the city and getting your bearings. Classed as national moments by the government, they are on full-time tourist duty. Pick one up by the bay, in front or Parque Central, around Revolution Square and near the Capitol building. Either use it as a taxi service or ask for a tour.

Must eat and drink

There are a few trendy places to wet your whistle and of course El Floridita made famous by Hemingway is one of them. There’s also Sloppy Joe’s Bar, once the place-to-be for American celebrities in the 1940s and 1950s – and still a popular celebrity haunt. Though not as salubrious as it was in its glory days, sipping a Cuba Libra (rum and coke) here still holds some cachet. And if you do love a mojito, try La Bodeguita on Empedrado Street. Dressed in curious objects and signed photography, they claim to have invented the mojito and say they have been serving it since 1942 – that’s a lot of practice.

Pork, lobster, chicken and fish are the most popular dishes in Havana. Often served with rice mixed with beans. Try these dishes at lunchtime at La Imprenata housed in a former printing works on 208 Mercaderes Street. The food may not be cordon bleu but is highly satisfying. You won’t find the US products such as Coke, so instead try the Ciego Montero Kola which is a tad sweeter but does the trick. In between courses take a walk around to look at the old printing presses and see if you can find the small pond with live turtles.

Must go for a stroll at sunset on El Malecón

The vibe around the seafront promenade, Malecón, is pretty palpable. Many Habaneros hang out along this five-mile (8km) coastal road – officially known as the Avenida de Maceo – and esplanade for no particular reason other than to enjoy the dimming light at sunset. There may be some salsa notes drifting around from somewhere or perhaps just the hum of the waves as they move back and forth.

Must take in the Museum of the Revolution

To get a handle on Cuba’s steadfast resistance to the United States you must visit this museum. Though a tad shabby the insights it provides are piercing. It’s in the old presidential palace and the preserved bullet holes are telling. A myriad of documents tell of Fidel Castro’s triumphant moments from his guerrilla days and his relationship with Che Guavra.

Must take home

If you want something worthwhile to take home, pick up some rum or cigars. None make these products better than the Cubans.

Must stay

A great place to stay is the centrally located colonial-styled Parque Central hotel. It has all mod-cons and a great roof terrace with wide ranging views over the city.

Get there

Virgin Atlantic flies three times a week from Gatwick to Havana. José Martí airport is 10 miles south-west of the city. The main international arrival point is Terminal 3. Passport control and customs are usually friendly and efficient. Bring a copy of your travel insurance policy, or you’ll need to buy cover on arrival.

A taxi into the heart of Havana takes about half-an-hour for a fare of CUC25 (£16).

Travel Guide to Jaipur, Rajasthan (what is there to see in the Pink City)

One guidebook I glanced at was rather disparaging of Jaipur. Its sights were poorly maintained, it said. The Golden Triangle city’s popularity was due to its accessibility for those wanting to “do” India in a week or 10 days by train or chauffeured car.

However my accommodation was already booked. “Bugger,” I thought to myself, as we touched down at Jaipur International Airport after dark. Somehow, I wanted to prove the writer of that guidebook wrong.

As the cabin crew disarmed doors and cross-checked, I peered out of the windows of the Airbus 320 hoping to see the ships of the desert – camels – passing in the night. I was expecting intense heat, the moist air heavy with exotic spices and wild flowers of the desert.

But what I got after my e-visa was stamped and the officer gave me a head wobble was not the welcome I expected. It was cold. My driver, sporting a dark stripped woolly jumper, just shrugged his shoulders as I noted the low temperature. Even at the antiquated family mansion (haveli) I had to raid other unoccupied rooms for blankets.

The prospect of ten more days in one place seemed like a bad idea.

My mood lifted the following morning, as the sun burned off the gloom and a pot of cinnamon-spiced masala tea was served to my marble-tiled room. With local guide Dilip – whose name means protector – we set off to explore the old city, an even older settlement, and some less-visited outlying quirks of Rajasthan. Talking at speed, without pause, and with mispronunciations and wrongly stressed syllables, I sometimes had trouble keeping up with Dilip’s accented information bursts.

Why is Jaipur pink?

As our white Suzuki squeezed through Jaipur’s city gates, he gave me an opportunity to show just how well-prepared I was. “So do you know why it’s called the ‘Pink City’?”

“It’s because of the locally quarried pink stone,” I knew this would impress him.

“No sir,” he corrected me. “Not stone. The buildings in the old city are painted pink. Every four years it is repainted.”

City Palace, Jaipur
Pink walls of the City Palace

As we parked illegally outside the five-story façade of the picture-perfect Hawa Mahal, I got up close to pyramid-like structure to see if this were true. It seemed to be made from sandstone, but on closer inspection, it was painted with layers of pink paint, the colour of a rare-medium salmon steak.

Over the coming days I encounter varied reasons of why the old city was painted pink. One travel brochure claimed it was to replicate the Mughal red sandstone found throughout the region. Because pink is a welcoming colour and the maharaja wanted to welcome guests, a server at a coffee-house tells me.

A less flattering explanation reckons terracotta paint was used to cover up the poor quality exteriors. It was for the royal visit of the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria in 1876, confides a host at the Rambagh hotel. ‘Then Lord Albert proclaimed us a ‘Pink’ city,’ she says. Whatever the reason, later I see a work crew painting the walls with calcium oxide paint, making decorative patterns in white lime.

Palace of the Winds

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, is the landmark of Jaipur, an elaborate screen wall of niches with windows. It seems somewhat ironic that the icon of Jaipur that everyone comes to see was designed to allow women of the royal household to observe the bustling market street and festivals in anonymity and without the need to cover their face.

More insight into Jaipur’s regal past is found behind ornamental doorways at the adjoining city palace museum, which features ceremonial halls, a gold thread embroidered skirt, and a frightening display of daggers and blunderbusses.

Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Jantar Mantar

Beside the palace is a 300-year-old astronomical observatory, the UNESCO World Heritage Jantar Mantar, where 19 huge instruments measure celestial bodies and provide remarkably accurate readings. The ruler behind the observatory and Jaipur itself was Jai Singh, who built the city using Hindu town planning principles of a grid of nine squares.

That sacred geography and geometric orderliness is less evident in the narrow lanes of the old city, a labyrinth of bazaars selling saris, sherbet, resin bangles, marble carvings, rugs, silver jewelry, precious gemstones and spices. Much of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was shot in and around Jaipur.

 Amer Fortified Citadel

Amer Fort, Jaipur
Amer Fort

While you could easily spend days exploring the sights and street-life of Jaipur, a majestic wonder awaits on a hillside north of the city, past the Jal Mahal water palace which floats like a mirage on a reservoir of water.

Pre-dating Jaipur, Amer was once the fortified citadel of the princely kingdom up until 1727. Accessible on the back of a decorated elephant, by jeep or an easy 10 minute walk, each successive courtyard contains another fascinating feature, from ornate gateways to water-cooled pleasure palaces to a mirror mosaic chamber which can be lit with a single candle.

Secret Jaipur

Chand Baori, Abhaneri, Jaipur
Chand Baori (c) Chetan

North of Jaipur is the old artist town of Samode, while south, near the airport at Sanganer, craft villages produce blue-dye pottery, block-printed cotton, and handmade paper. Hidden away a few hour’s east, towards Agra, is the world’s largest stepwell, Chand Baori, with 3,500 symmetrical steps tapering down 13 stories like an Escher drawing – it featured in a Batman movie.

Elephant Festival

Elephant Festival, Jaipur
Decorated elephant (c) Faraz Usmani

An elephant festival each March is one of Jaipur’s draw cards, with a kite-flying event followed by the Jaipur Literary Festival attracting tens of thousands of domestic and foreign visitors.

Fact file

GET THERE: Jaipur’s international airport (JAI) has flights from Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Singapore, as well as frequent flights from most Indian cities including the capital New Delhi and the other main gateway from Europe and the UK, Mumbai. Train is the good way to go around the Golden Triangle, with a chauffeur-driven car the best option to get to less visited places.

VISA: Getting a tourist visa for India is easy, with an online e-visa easily obtainable for US$50 up to 4 months in advance, giving an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for 30 days in return for answering a long questionnaire and providing a scanned photo.

STAY: The former residence of the Maharaja, the Rambagh Palace with its marble latticework, balustrades and manicured gardens is one of the finest heritage hotels in the world. Non-guests can enjoy the Polo Bar, garden lounge or steam train restaurant. Out of town, and spread out as a re-created fort with gardens, pools and fountains, the Oberoi Rajvilas is a magical resort with tented rooms and spacious villas.

GETTING AROUND: A driver hired daily, or a taxi arranged through accommodation is the safest for venturing around Jaipur. Use Uber or Ola apps for shorter trips, or look for the auto-rickshaw drivers earnest for your custom.

TIP: Try the street food. It is nothing like the Indian food you have had back home. In Jaipur, be sure to sample freshly made onion kachori, the baked wheat ball dal baati churma, or a Rajasthan thali featuring all the local specialties.

Top 10 things to see and do in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, the “pearl of the Indian Ocean”, is going through a renaissance right now. Tourists have been flocking to the island since one of its luxury beach resorts was featured in the reality program Made in Chelsea earlier this year.

Sri Lanka is easy to access with direct flights from several hubs to the capital city of Columbo, and for around £75 a day you can stay in a cheap hotel or an Airbnb property, hire a driver and eat out for lunch and dinner.

Though small, not much larger than Wales, Sri Lanka has ancient cities, Buddhist ruins, hillside tea plantations, wildlife sanctuaries and glorious beaches.

We pick our 10 favourite activities.

1Climb Sigiriya

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

The ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya near the town of Dambulla is a soaring example of ancient urban enterprise. The remains of 5th century palace built by King Kaspaya sit atop the 200m high rock formation. Visitors can climb to the summit via a series of dizzying steps leading to a gateway in the form of a lion, complete with huge, stone paws that have been carved into the rock. The palace of King Kaspaya, which was later used as a Buddhist monastery, is decorated in colourful frescoes depicting celestial nymphs (or perhaps King Kaspaya’s concubines). The surrounding landscape, with its water gardens and lush, green forests, really adds to the drama and has secured Sigiriya as one of Sri Lanka’s World Heritage Sites.

2Discover the ancient kingdom of Polonnaruwa

Sri Lanka Polonnaruwa Buddha lying
(c) Martino Matijevic

The ancient city of Polunnaruwa, now a World Heritage Site, was built in the 11th and 12th centuries AD. It was once a thriving metropolis containing grand buildings, beautiful parks and even a 25 km² lake, but by the 13th century AD had faded into insignificance and was eventually abandoned. The city ruins are now a popular tourist attraction and provide some fantastic photography opportunities. This includes the 13m high King’s Royal Palace, which once housed 50 rooms over seven floors. Today most of the structure is an empty shell of crumbling walls, but it is still a very impressive site. There are also numerous Buddha statues dotted around Polunnaruwa, most of which are in varying states of decay. However the four Buddhas at Gal Vihara, cut from a single slab of granite, are in near perfect condition.

Click on the image to enlarge. All photos © Martino Matijevic.

Top tip: one of the most enjoyable ways to explore the ancient ruins is by bicycle, which can be rented from nearby guest houses and cafés.

3Participate in a religious ceremony at Sri Dalada Maligawa

Sri Lanka Kandy drummers
Kandy drummers (c) Martino Matijevic

Also known as the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Sri Dalada Maligawa is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy in central Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy and houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha, which legend tells us was retrieved by his disciple, Khema, just before he was cremated.

Click on the image to enlarge. All photos © Martino Matijevic.

The interior of the temple is richly decorated in white, red and gold, and features some colourful painted murals depicting elephants in procession. In the evenings, you can watch the Kandyan Dance, a ceremonial dance that is accompanied by red and white-clad drummers.

4Take the train from Kandy to Ella

Sri Lanka blue train Kandy to Ella
(c) Martino Matijevic

The striking blue and red train that makes the daily journey from Kandy to Ella is a terrific way to experience the varying and dramatic landscapes of Sri Lanka. The express train takes around six hours (there are plenty of stops on the way) and on route you will pass cascading waterfalls, misty mountains, dense forests and local people tending to the lush green pastures of the tea plantations.

Click on the image to enlarge. All photos © Martino Matijevic.

While you can reserve a seat in advance, you will get more out of the journey if you buy a cheap ticket on the day, costing only 240 rupees (less than £2) and stand in one of the carriage doorways. The views are worth sacrificing your seat, and you’ll also experience a welcome breeze as you snap away at the incredible scenery.

5Visit Udawalawe National Park

Sri Lanka Udawalawe elephant and jeeps
(c) Martino Matijevic

If you love elephants, Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places to observe these majestic creatures in the wild. The country has seen a brutal decline in the Sri Lankan Elephant thanks to 2000 years of ivory trading. However they are now a protected species and the 200 or so elephants at Udawalawe National Park enjoy both freedom and protection. The park, which is located in the southern part of Sri Lanka, is also relatively small and significantly less than the nearby Yala National Park. The park consists of dense habitat of tributaries, forests and grasslands, which is a haven for over 500 species of flora and fauna. As well as elephants, deer and water buffalo, you may spot more secretive mammals including the rusty spotted cat and sloth bear.

Click on the image to enlarge. All photos © Martino Matijevic.

Top tip: If you are in central Sri Lanka, you may wish to visit Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which is home to around 80 elephants. This includes baby elephants who have been found orphaned or abandoned in the wild.

6Learn about Sri Lanka’s 150-year-old tea industry

Sri Lanka tea leaves

Tea was first introduced to Sri Lanka during the British colonial era, and nowadays has become a booming industry, with 28 different grades of Ceylon tea. Kandy is the birthplace of Ceylon tea, where it is grown at an elevation of 2,000-4,000ft, producing a relatively strong and rich-coloured beverage. However the best place to learn about the tea industry is not in Kandy, but in Nuwara Eliya, known for its fresh climate, British colonial buildings and stunning scenery. The area can get quite busy times, so it is best to visit Nuwara Eliya out of season between June and February.

Click on the image to enlarge. All photos © Martino Matijevic.

There are several tea plantations open to visitors, one of which is Mackwoods, which was founded in 1841. You can book a tour of the plantation, which involves learning about each step of the tea making process while observing the workers in full swing. The tour itself is a bit underwhelming, but the views and brews are worth the investment.

7Practice the art of yoga in a forest retreat

Sri Lanka hilltop yoga
hilltop yoga (c) Ulpotha

The forests of central Sri Lanka are home to the Ulpotha Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat, which promises to bring you to a zen state in the most stunning of sceneries. The retreat is about a four-hour drive from Columbo city and covers 22 acres of forest; home to macaque and langur monkeys. A variety of yoga styles are on offer (including Hatha, Sivananda, Iyengar and Astanga) and locations vary from the open-sided “Yoga Shala” hall to the top of Monkey Rock. The retreat encourages its guests to unwind, rejuvenate and get close to nature, and there’s no pressure to attend the yoga classes if you would prefer some time to yourself. The retreat also has a warm heart: the Ayurvedic treatment centre, which serves paying guests, is used to fund the year-round Free Clinic for the surrounding villages.

8Go dolphin and whale watching off the coast of Kalpitiya

Sri Lanka whale watching

Located in the less touristy North of Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya consists of 14 islands and is an excellent spot to observe dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. Observe huge pods of spinner dolphin, sometimes in their thousands, surfing the waves in perfect synchronisation. These curious and playful dolphins can often be seen swimming alongside boats and leaping out of the water, showing off their acrobatic prowess. As you venture further from the coast on your boat trip, there’s ample opportunity to observe sperm whales as they swim to the surface, flashing their distinctive tail flukes as they return to the ocean depths. If you’re really lucky you may even see a blue whale, a rare pleasure, as they tend to avoid coastal areas.

9Surf your way to serenity at Arugam Bay

Sri Lanka Arugam Bay surfer at sunset
Arugam Bay surfer at sunset (c) Dennis Binzen

Arugam Bay on the south east coast of Sri Lanka is one of the island’s best surfing spots. The moon shaped bay attracts a laid-back crowd eager to sample the watery playground that is the Indian Ocean. Surfer dudes flock to The Point, where the waves can reach up to six foot. However there are plenty of (quieter) areas to enjoy surfer paradise including Crocodile Rock and Pottuvil Point, a long stretch of deserted beach dotted with huge boulders along the water’s edge. If you’re not worried about catching the best waves, visit Arugam Bay during the low season (November to April), when the area is quiet and serene. Just bear in mind that some shops and restaurants might be closed for business at this time of year.

10Sample Sri Lanka’s favourite dish: rice and curry

Sri Lanka rice and curry
rice and curry

In Sri Lanka, rice and curry is just what it says on the tin: a pile of white, fluffy rice accompanied by various curry-based dishes, traditionally eaten with hands rather than cutlery. Depending on the time of day and occasion, the delicious dish can range from a simple curry in a thin broth to a banquet of richly spiced meat or fish curry with up to 10 side dishes, including sour lime pickle and sweet seeni sambal (onion relish). Most dishes come with a punch, although more touristy restaurants will serve watered down versions of what they cook at home. Rice and curry can be purchased from street vendors and in the fanciest of restaurants. There’s no need to fret if you don’t eat meat, as the basis of rice and curry is always Vegetarian – you simply order the meat on top.

Cycling trip through Germany: Lübeck, Hamburg and Lüneberg

In medieval times, this part of Europe saw the rise of powerful cities, ruling the
waves in the Baltic and North Seas. Those days are long gone, but the fairytale
houses, narrow streets, cavernous churches and ornate town halls still
remain, lost in time. And since it’s so flat, it’s easy to explore by bicycle.

The Hanseatic League was a loose coupling of cities in North Western and Central Europe that came together in the late middle ages. Hanse was the Middle Low German word for a convoy and the League provided protection for merchant trade in the Baltic and the North Seas, as well as on land. Over three centuries the cities became rich but the rise of countries and states finally put an end to this arrangement. The death knell sounded when their merchants were imprisoned and expelled from London in 1597.

Lübeck

Lubeck River
Lubeck River (c) Rupert Parker

The rebuilding of Lübeck in 1159 is generally acknowledged as the start of the Hanseatic League and the port became the centre of trade in the North and Baltic seas. These days there are still ships in the harbour and, although city suffered much damage during the war, the buildings have been painstakingly restored and it retains much of its medieval charm.

Dockside Lubeck
Dockside Lubeck (c) Rupert Parker

The new European Hansemuseum uses state of the art technology to take you through the history of Hanseatic League. It’s clever – once you’ve registered, don your headset and you’ll be guided in your own language. There’s a whole section dedicated to London and the prominent role it played in Hanseatic trading – wool was exported from the north of England and goods from the continent arrived in return.

Climb to the top of St Peter’s church to get a fantastic view over the tiled roofs stretching as far as the Baltic Sea on a clear day. It’s worth wandering the narrow lanes where workers were allowed to build doll’s house cottages in the grounds of much larger houses. The 13th century town hall is one of the oldest in Germany and the two remaining city gates, the Holstentor and the Burgtor, have been imaginatively restored, although the walls were demolished in the 19th century.

Lubeck Town Hall
Lubeck Town Hall (c) Rupert Parker

The city is close to the Baltic so I set out for the coast on a designated cycling trail. To cross the River Trave, I put my bike on a free shuttle bus, to get through the Herren Tunnel. After that it’s a glorious ride cross country to the port of Travemunde which has ferry connections to Sweden, Finland, Russia, Latvia and Estonia. I follow the trail north on the cliffs, with tantalising glimpses of deserted beaches and narrow coves, before arriving at the attractive resort of Niendorf.

Boats Niendorf
Boats Niendorf (c) Rupert Parker

There’s time for an excellent fish lunch on the seafront at Mein Strandhaus before cycling back through the forest, stopping off at Karls Erlebnishof to sample the first strawberries of the season.

Hamburg

From Lübeck, I cycle south for three hours on a flat stretch of towpath to Hamburg. This was also a Hanseatic city but the medieval town is long gone, first destroyed by fires and then flattened during WW2. Most of the church spires survived, as they were used as landmarks for allied bombers, the churches have been rebuilt and there’s been much reconstruction of other important buildings. The Chilehaus, reminiscent of a ship’s bow, is a shining example of 1920s Brick Expressionism and its ten stories were one of Germany’s first high-rise buildings.

The old port is also being revamped, as HafenCity, conserving the impressive brick warehouses, themselves now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and avoiding the mistakes of other dockland developments like Canary Wharf. They’re committed to providing affordable social housing and the new Elbphilharmonie concert hall is designed to impress.

Hamburg Elbphilharmonie
Hamburg Elbphilharmonie (c) Rupert Parker

Cycling around the city is a joy, although often you share the pavement with pedestrians, but the locals don’t seem to object. The famous Reeperbahn is nothing to get excited about, full of inebriated tourists in pursuit of forbidden fun. Nearby, though, are interesting neighbourhoods with cafes, bars and restaurants.

Hamburg Reeperbahn
Hamburg Reeperbahn (c) Rupert Parker

I’m pleasantly surprised by the Alster Lake which sits in the heart of the city, surrounded by a green ring of trees. I explore it first by cycling around the banks, passing through sophisticated residential districts. Then I take a one hour cruise going as far as the Alster River. Hamburg’s other river is the Elbe, the city’s main artery, home to the docks and route for huge cargo ships going to and from the North Sea.

Hamburg Alster Lake
Alster Lake (c) Rupert Parker

There’s a cycle route along its banks and my first stop is the International Maritimes Museum housed in one of those UNESCO warehouses. Three thousand years of seafaring history are covered on nine floors with memorabilia, model ships and paintings. Just down river is the fish market, more of a pit stop for night revellers getting their breakfast of beer and herring to the pounding of cover bands, although they do still sell fish here.

Hamburg Fish market
Fish market (c) Rupert Parker

I continue above the river on a good trail to the suburb of Blankenese. Ship owners and merchants built their villas and mansions here in the 18th and 19th centuries and it’s now one of Hamburg’s most affluent neighbourhoods. It tumbles down the banks in a series of winding streets lined with rows of historic houses and chic cafes, perfect for afternoon tea. Where it meets the river is one of Hamburg’s most beautiful beaches.

Lüneburg

It’s around three hours by bike to Lüneburg, slightly south east, a city literally built on salt. For 1,000 years, the precious “white gold” was extracted from deposits below with serious consequences. The mining caused major subsidence, distorting the streets, causing the buildings to lean and curve, and some, of course, have just simply collapsed. The history of salt can be discovered at the German Salt Museum in factory where the stuff was processed.

Fortunately, the city was spared WW2’s bombs so it’s one of the best preserved examples of a medieval Hanseatic city, its gabled houses a treasure chest of architecture. I climb to the top of the early 20th century Water Tower and get a view across red tiled rooftops, pierced by the slightly crooked spires of the three Gothic, churches. Below me is the Ilmenau River, where salt was loaded for transportation, and in the distance is the Kalkberg where the castle once stood.

Luneburg rooftops
Luneburg rooftops (c) Rupert Parker

I cycle along the Ilmenau towpath for three miles to the tiny village of Bardowick. It’s hard to believe that this was once one of the most prosperous cities in North Germany until it was razed to the ground in 1189 by Henry the Lion. Luneburg rose in its stead and the St. Nikolaihof was built to here to house the city’s lepers. It consists of several medieval houses and barns surrounding a brick chapel, dating back to 1435, and home to the oldest organ in northern Germany.

Bardowick St Nicolai Church
Bardowick St Nicolai Church (c) Rupert Parker

Back in Lüneburg I get a tour of the town hall, really a rag tag assembly of buildings, started in 1230 and growing until 1720 when its white baroque facade was constructed. The interior is full of surprises with a main hall lined with Gothic stained glass windows and 16th century frescoes of the last judgement. Even more impressive is the renaissance council chamber with intricate wood carvings.

The oddest item goes right back to the founding of the city. Legend has it that a hunter shot a wild boar, bathing in a water. When he hung up the skin to dry he discovered crystals of salt clinging to the pelt. There’s a bone in a glass case which supposedly comes from this famous boar. It’s hardly surprising that, with all this salt around, the city supported many breweries. Even now it has the highest concentration of pubs in Germany.

Luneburg Town Hall
Luneburg Town Hall (c) Rupert Parker

Count on at least a week to explore these three cities. You can do it faster by putting your bike on the train but you will miss the tranquillity of the countryside. Although you can visit in any order, better to start in Lübeck at the Hanseatic Museum to understand the historical background.

Fact File

LUBECK

STAY: Holiday Inn Lübeck is a comfortable base near the Burgtor.
EAT: Schiffergesellschaft serves traditional food in a medieval setting. Ristorante Roberto Rossi is a surprisingly good Italian restaurant.
MORE INFO: Lübeck Tourism 

HAMBURG

STAY: Hotel Innside by Melia is a new hotel in a central location.
EAT: Mutterland Cölln’s is Germany‘s oldest oyster bar and has excellent fish.
At Strand Pauli you can eat and drink watching the sun set over the Elbe.
MORE INFO: Hamburg Travel 

LUNEBURG

STAY: Hotel Bargenturm is near the salt museum and makes a comfortable base.
Hotel Einzigartig is a stylish boutique hotel in the old quarter with good food.
EAT: Das Kleine is in the old harbour, and serves fresh local fare.
Mälzer Brau und Tafelhaus makes its own beer and has traditional delicacies.
MORE INFO: Luneburg Tourism

Tip: Deutsche Bahn will transport you and your bike on the train between cities.