Travel Guide

Saturday, July 13, 2019

How much is the travel insurance policy? What is health insurance covering 30,000 euros during travel ?

July 13, 2019



How much is the travel insurance policy? What is health insurance covering 30,000 euros during travel?












If you are a person who is considering issuing a visa to travel to Europe, it is necessary to submit a health insurance document for travel in addition to other documents

One of the conditions required in this document to be valid for travel is to cover € 30,000 for the duration of travel.

Here enters the formal in the jar of the reader of the Koran and mixed with the palpable and becomes confused by his order, believing that he is to pay those 30 thousand euros.

"If I had 30,000 euros, I would not think of leaving my country.

In general, there are a number of misconceptions about the price of the travel insurance policy. In this article, we will attempt to clarify this matter until we remove this confusion

1_ What is the Schengen Travel Insurance Policy?
Schengen travel insurance or travel health insurance, medical travel insurance or travel insurance policy ...

Are all the names of a document that the traveler is required to attend in order to complete the European visa process.

This document is a certificate that the traveler is insured for the duration of his stay outside his country.

2_ What is this document?
The role of a travel insurance policy is that a traveler entering the Schengen region may be subject to sudden illness or accident.

And while he is out of his country he will need treatment and medical care.

To get treatment in Europe you have to pay money because it is simply not a European citizen.

But what if this traveler did not have money? Will the state that is on its territory die?

Of course, they will not leave it, but to avoid these problems, these countries have agreed with international insurance companies in most countries of the world to take care of this.

Where the traveler pays a sum of money to one of the recognized insurance companies in his country.

In return, this company will provide health insurance to him for the length of time he will be in Europe.

3_ How much will this insurance cover?
Insurance companies compete with each other to provide travelers with temptations by providing the best offers and services.

But what is required of the consulates is that the amount covered by this insurance is not less than 30,000 euros.

Let us take an example so that everyone understands:
"Amjad Nader" traveled to France for a holiday and during his journey was exposed to illness or accident (God Lester and saves).

When he was taken to hospital, the doctor told him that he would need surgery, and the cost of the operation was estimated at 20,000 euros.

Here the role of insurance will be where he will pay a large part of these costs, even if it amounted to 30 thousand euros.

Another example to understand more:
"Amjad Nader" during his visit to France suffered a stroke or a heart attack ... and then died there in France.

What will happen?

The first thing is that the site of Amjad will close 😉

The second thing is that the family of "Amjad Nader" will demand the body of her son to bury him in the homeland.

Here is the role of Schengen travel insurance, since the insurance company will be charged with the expenses of transporting the deceased to his country.

How much is the travel insurance policy?
The amount of money varies from company to company and according to the offers that each company sets according to the number of days spent on travel as well.

Therefore, we are always careful in our articles not to put the amount required to obtain the insurance policy to avoid any information is wrong.

But on the whole the amount is accessible to everyone ranging from 35 euros to 45 euros per person.

So be assured that if you want to travel abroad you will not be asked to pay € 30,000, which is a huge amount and can not be imposed on travelers.

You can contact one of the recognized insurance companies in your country and ask about the amount by the number of days you want to spend in Europe and the other benefits that this insurance will provide you.
Read more
0
at No comments:

Travel Vaccinations & Advice for USA

July 13, 2019






Travel Vaccinations & Advice for USA









Many people have a dream to travel to the United States of America to have the ‘the great American experience’. This American experience is all about things like 

snow-covered peaks, beaches and bluegrass, redwood forests, big open skies, restaurant-loving cities, and more.
After planning your vacation to the US, for any reason, you must not forget to check which vaccinations you might need for going to the country. Vaccinations for travel to the US can be expensive so it’s better to do all the research.
Well, before we begin, the American government and the immigration are quite strict with the vaccination stuff. You must double check the vaccination requirement for the US if you’re planning to visit the country.
Before starting, the first question that comes to your mind here is:

What Vaccines are needed for US Immigration?

At present, vaccination for the following ailments and diseases are required for US immigration:
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Polio
  • Rubella
  • Pertussis
  • Diphtheria and Tetanus
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Haemophilus influenza type B (HIB)
  • Rotavirus
  • Varicella
  • Meningococcal disease
  • Seasonal influenza
  • Pneumococcal disease
Now we’ll discuss:

What are the Criteria for New Vaccination for US Immigration?

All the immigrant applicants receive a medical exam as per the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations. During this exam, the applicants have to present the proof of receiving certain vaccines. If any applicant fails to present the proof that they have received the necessary vaccines, the vaccines would be given at the time of this medical exam - states the law.
There are new criteria for new vaccination introduced by CDC. These criteria aids in deciding which vaccines must be required as a part of the process of immigration. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will make use of these parameters at regular intervals, as required, for the vaccines, which are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the general public of the United States of America. This will decide which vaccine is required for US immigration.
The criteria are as follows:
  • The vaccines must safeguard against the disease, which has the potential of causing an outbreak.
  • The vaccines should be age-appropriate for immigrant
  • The vaccination should safeguard against the ailment, which is the process of being eradicated or has been eradicated in the US.
*Vaccines for a particular age are recommended by ACIP in the general public of the United States of America. These recommendations by ACIP are used to decide which vaccinations are age-appropriate for the general population of the immigrants.
These parameters are applicable to the vaccines recommended by ACIP, which are not particularly mentioned in the law of immigration.
In case ACIP-recommended vaccines for the general population of the US meets the aforementioned criteria, immigrant applicants from the overseas have to get vaccinated during the immigrant medical examination.
The immigrant applicants who’re already in the States and are changing their status of VISA to become a permanent resident also have to get the same vaccination unless they present proof of vaccination (if they already got one) or in case the doctors do not advise vaccination.
The immigrant applicants have to get only a dose of each vaccine during the medical examination. Nevertheless, applicants are encouraged to receive other doses of the vaccine to finish the series.

How far in Advance you should get Vaccinated before Travelling?

You must get the vaccinations at least 4 to 6 weeks prior travelling. This will allow the vaccines to start working, so you’re secluded while travelling. This also allows ensuring that there’s enough time for you to receive vaccination, which requires more than one dose.
If you have any medical condition, which prevents you to receive a vaccination, which is age-appropriate for you, the civil surgeon will interpret Form I-693 accordingly and marking the vaccination as contraindicated.
Contraindication is a condition, which prevents you from getting a specific vaccine. The CDC has a list that indicates which vaccines are considered a contraindication. This civil surgeon determines whether you have any such condition, which prevents you from taking particular vaccination while immigration medical exam is carried out.
Read more
3
at 3 comments:

Friday, July 12, 2019

6 trending worldwide destinations for 2019

July 12, 2019


6 trending worldwide destinations for 2019




A new year means a new opportunity to travel to new destinations. We asked our favourite expert travel companies for insights into which destinations are trending in 2019. Below are six suggestions: The Balkans, Mongolia, Vietnam, Egypt, Sao Tome & Principe and the Arctic.
So what are you waiting for; grab your passport, stock up on sun cream, and get going. Bon voyage!

KE Adventures: The Balkans




Trebinje, Bosnia Herzegovina


This superb walking holiday takes you through an undiscovered corner of the Balkans. Highlights include Montenegro’s stunning UNESCO National Park of Durmitor and and an exciting two day mini trek takes you through the magnificent Bjelasica Mountains whilst staying in nomadic shepherd huts perched on alpine pastures. From Montenegro you’ll cross into neighbouring Serbia where you’ll walk in the beautiful canyon of Uvac, home to one of the largest breeding colonies of Griffin Vultures in Europe. A night in a monastery offers a wonderful insight into Serbian Orthodox life. The final night is spent in the walled town of Trebinje in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. An off-the-beaten track holiday suitable for those with a reasonable level of fitness.
From £925 land only, June to September, includes all airport transfers, experienced local guide and all accommodation.

On The Go Tours: Egypt



Abu Simbel
(c) On The Go Tours

Our top travel destination for 2019 has to be Egypt, the land of the pharaohs. Where else can you marvel at ancient pyramids, explore temples covered in hieroglyphics and come face-to-face with the dazzling funerary mask of King Tutankhamun?
A trip to Egypt is a trip back in time with history to discover wherever you go. And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s also a destination that offers the perfect mix of culture and relaxation. Spend a few days cruising along the scenic River Nile by traditional felucca or upgrade to a 5 star ship, or enjoy the watersports on offer at the Red Sea resort of Hurghada. And with the new Grand Egyptian Museum due to open in 2019, displaying artefacts for the very first time, there’s never been a better time to visit.

Chimu Adventures: Cruise the Arctic




Arctic


A three hour flight from Oslo will take you to the world’s northernmost city, Longyearbyen. From here, you can embark on an Arctic exploration in Spitsbergen in search of the elusive polar bear. This is only possible during the months of June to September when the ice has receded enough for a small ship to make access. Your expedition will take you through crunching pack ice, past glittering icebergs, to pebbly grey shores and up mossy green hills under a midnight sun. At this time of the year, the sun never sets so you can sit on deck looking out for wildlife such as whales, bird species and of course polar bears until the small hours.
Chimu’s first charter cruise to the Arctic, Arctic Unveiled, departs on the 23rd June 2019 and we are currently offering a 25% discount.

Yellowwood Adventures: Mongolia Naadam Festival Adventure




Horse rider


‘Naadam’ in Mongolian means “the three games of men”; consisting of Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery – incorporating lavish costumes, celebrations, dancing and partying! We will join this incredible spectacle both in the capital Ulaanbaatar and also in the countryside staying with local families in their warm gers (large felt tents or ‘yurts’) to learn about their ancient nomadic way of life. We will also hike or ride horses up to a mountain monastery and ride Bactrian camels across the windswept sands of the Gobi Desert.
We will explore the wild beauty of Mongolia’s vast grassy steppe, deep wooded forests and sandy deserts with chances to ride the small but incredible hardy and swift Mongolian horses. Staying with local families we will experience their delicious meat dishes and vast array homemade dairy products; including Mongolian vodka! Mongolia is one of the last great frontiers on the earth where you can witness the timeless nomadic pastoral way of life on the Central Asian steppe.
Join YellowWood Adventures Limited for this amazing adventure on Saturday 5th–Sunday 13th July 2019 for only £1,499. 8 nights based on twin sharing, full board, including all accommodation, transport, guides, horses and events entry.

Far & Wild: Sao Tome & Principe




Bom Bom Landscape


Sao Tome & Principe are two little know tropical islands off the coast of West Africa. This dream tropical destination is full of unique landscapes, wildlife, and deserted beaches. Explore wild terrain, search for endangered birds, see turtles hatch in the early hours or just relax on the beach. It is the perfect place to holiday if you want to get away from the crowds and explore a Jurassic world landscape. Find out about Sao Tome & Principe before everyone else!
Far & Wild are offering an 11 day tour of Sao Tome & Principe from £2850 per person (based on two sharing a double room). Price includes return economy class TAP flights from London Heathrow (or selected other UK airports) to Sao Tome, air taxes, internal flights from Sao Tome to Principe return, transfers, accommodation and selected meals.

Nadova Tours: Vietnam



Vietnam


Vietnam is a country that will take you to a different world with its scenic landscapes, fascinating culture, tasty food, wonderful people and a diverse range of traveling activities.
Absolute Vietnam Holidays is the most typical Vietnam travel package, highly recommended for everyone as it suits all travel styles to discover the diversified beauty of Vietnam. Within 15 days, you can experience the best things Vietnam has to offer, from the bustling cities to remote rural areas, from the mountains to the prosperous deltas, from traditional values to modern faces of the country. The tour is private and flexible, you can start in Hanoi and end in HCMC or vice versa. It can always be customised to fully match your travel needs and budget.
Read more
2
at 2 comments:
Labels: , ,

Travel guide: in and around Nagasaki, Japan

July 12, 2019

Travel guide: in and around Nagasaki, Japan









Nagasaki is situated in Kyushu, the third largest island in Japan and the most south westerly. Of course you can’t miss the Atomic Bomb Museum and Memorial, but other attractions include the restored Dutch Trading Post of Dejima, for 200 hundred years Japan’s only contact with the outside world and Glover Garden, a collection of 19th century colonial houses. There’s volcanic activity nearby, with eruptions as recent as 1990, and a mountain village of hot springs, perfect for revitalising aching bones.

Nagasaki

It was bad weather which forced American planes to divert from their original target of Kitakyushu and bomb Nagasaki instead. These days, if it were not for the memorials, museum and Peace Park, you’d never know that the quiet suburb of Urakami was completely destroyed. Over 75,000 died and 75,000 were injured but it could have been far worse – the valley and the mountains afforded some protection and two thirds of the city was spared.
A smooth black stone column marks the point where the bomb exploded 500m from the ground. This was the site of Urakami Cathedral, the largest Catholic Church in Asia, and only a fragment of wall remains.
Nagasaki Bomb Hypocentre

The Peace Memorial Park, close by, is dominated by sculptor Kitamura Seibō’s muscular Peace Statue, unveiled in 1955. Every year, on the 9th August, there’s an official memorial ceremony remembering the dead, accompanied by antinuclear protesters determined to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Nagasaki Peace Statue

To appreciate the full scale and horror of the destruction, take the circular walkway leading down to the Atomic Bomb Museum. You’re greeted with pleasant views of pre-war Nagasaki, then you enter a darkened room showing videos with stills of the dead and wounded. A display of personal objects, including a schoolgirl’s charred lunchbox and a helmet with the remains of a skull, bring home the individual tragedy.
In spite of the tragedy this is a beautiful city, set on a huge bay where the shipyards are still busy and mountains frame the skies. From middle of the 16th century, for over 200 years, Japan’s only contact with the outside world was the Dutch trading post on the island of Dejima.
It’s no longer in the sea, a result of land reclamation, but the buildings have been restored to their 1820’s state. There’s just one street, with the architecture a strange mix of Dutch and Japanese, and it was linked to the mainland by a heavily guarded bridge. You can see their lavish lifestyle as the dining room in the Chief Factor’s Residence has a recreation of a Christmas banquet.
Nagasaki Dejima Dining Room

Another part of the city’s past is found in Glover Garden where houses of Meiji-period European residents have been reassembled. It’s named after Scotsman Thomas Glover who built Japan’s first railway and helped establish the shipbuilding industry here. His house, the oldest Western style building in Japan, sits at the top of the hill and halfway down is a statue of Japanese opera singer Tamaki Miura who found fame in the West as Puccini’s Madame Butterfly.
Nagasaki Glover House

The glittering lights of Nagasaki meant it made the list “Best Urban Night View” along with Hong Kong and Monaco in 2012. A cable car takes you to the top of Mount Inasa and it’s best to get there just before sunset. The view is spectacular in the daylight but, as the sun goes down, the lights are switched on and the moon rises, you’ll probably agree it’s up there with the best.
Nagasaki city of lights

Unzen

In the early twentieth century, people came from Shanghai by steamer to Nagasaki to spend time at the thermal resorts nearby. It then was a boat ride to the seaside town of Obama (no relation to the former US President) and you boarded a sedan chair to be carried up to the resort of Unzen. These days it’s an hour’s bus journey, but it’s still worth stopping here to sample the longest foot bath in Japan which runs by the sea for 105m.
Obama Foot Bath

Unzen is still popular today, with a selection of high end hotels tastefully hidden in the woods all offering steam baths, or onsen. It feels like one of those Indian hill resorts and boasts the oldest public golf course in Japan, opened in 1913.
Bubbling hot springs, known as hells, gush with steam and 33 Christians were tossed into Oito Jigoku in 1630. These days they only boil eggs here, and there’s a strong whiff of sulphur.

 
To catch the mountain air, take advantage of an extensive network of hiking trails in the Unzen National Park, all handily signposted in English. Active volcanoes tower above the town and Mount Fuken last erupted in 1990, although it’s still steaming. You can take a cable car to Myoken and get extensive views of the Ariake Sea. Time your visit for late spring when the pink Azaleas are blooming or autumn when the leaves are turning technicolour reds and yellow.
Read more
1
at 1 comment:
Labels: , ,

Top 10 things to see and do in the volcanic Azores archipelago: Sao Miguel, Faial and Pico islands

July 12, 2019



Top 10 things to see and do in the volcanic Azores archipelago: Sao Miguel, Faial and Pico islands







Lying in the middle of the North Atlantic are nine volcanic islands that make up the Azores archipelago, an autonomous region of Portugal.
Get there in May and the lush land lights up with the pinks and blues of the long stretches of hydrangeas in Sau Miguel. At any time you can see the basalt lined vineyards growing out of the dark land of Pico Island and watch the steamy plumes escape from the calderas Lagoa des Furnas.

1 Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel

It may be the Azores’ most populated and developed city, but with delightful cobbled streets, 16th century churches and a charming seafront promenade, visitors to Ponta Delgada will feel like they’ve stepped back in time.
Portas da Cidade in Ponta Delgada

Gaze through the iconic city gate, Portas da Cidade, at the imposing church, Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião, and marvel at how islanders have ingeniously incorporated their volcanic surroundings into everyday life. For these two structures, the city’s benches and even the pavements are largely made out of volcanic basalt, adding a classy monochrome filter to the city.
The dazzling facade of the Palacio de Sant’Ana strikingly detours from this palette and is well worth the short stroll inland, while the serenity of the António Borges Garden is a pleasant stop-off point along the way.

2 Sete Cidades, Sao Miguel

Sete Cidades

While the Azores are blessed with endless displays of natural beauty, nothing comes close to the simply staggering Sete Cidades. This enormous volcanic caldeira and its mystical green and blue lakes are legendary – literally – said to be formed by the tears of a shepherd and princess who shared a forbidden love.
Start in the quiet town, located on the water’s edge in the centre of the crater, and marvel at the fairytale-esque Sao Nicolau church – an enchanting basalt structure at the end of a tree-lined walkway. From there, stroll down to the lakeside and be dwarfed by the imposing caldeira walls that encompass the area.
Then take the meandering, blue hydrangea-lined road up to the abandoned Monte Palace Hotel and from its enviable location at the top of the crater rim, look down on the spectacle that is Sete Cidades. From here, you can appreciate the collosal geological forces required to carve out a caldeira of such scale, for the captivating scene extends as far as the eye can see.
On the roof of the Monte Palace Hotel, there’s a colourful piece of graffiti which reads “welcome to the best view”, and with the glory of Sete Cidades sprawled out in front of you, it would be hard to disagree.

3 Ponta da Ferraria, Sao Miguel

There are many places on earth that are home to sites where people can bathe in waters warmed naturally by geothermal activity. Those at Sao Miguel, however, differ in that it is possible to experience such heated water while swimming in the sea.
Swimming in geothermal waters

Ponta da Ferraria lies about 16 miles northwest of Ponta Delgada and is accessed by a rather precariously steep road, which twists and turns down to a luxury spa – Termas da Ferraria. Continue along a coastal path to where the real attraction waits – a gorgeous, naturally-formed basalt pool where cool ocean water blends with thermal currents to produce a relaxing haven.

4 Terra Nostra, Furnas, Sao Miguel

Terra Nostra Garden

The warm waters of Terra Nostra in Furnas are also great for a dip. Do not be put off by the pool’s muddy brown appearance, for this is created by the volume of minerals in the water which are said to do wonders for the skin.
The bath lies in the serene landscaped grounds of Terra Nostra Park, which was built in 1780 by the American consul Thomas Hickling. Hickling’s magnificent mansion overlooks the water and is surrounded by a garden which beautifully showcases over 2,000 species of tree.
Tip: While Caldeira Velha is a popular thermal site, skip its expensive and often over-crowded pools in favour of the more peaceful Terra Nostra.

5 Caldeira, Faial

Faial is just a short one hour flight away from Sao Miguel and like its larger neighbour, the landscape is littered with evidence of a volcanic past. Nowhere is this more obvious than the picture-perfect, island-dominating crater that is Caldeira do Faial.
Caldeira in Faial

The gigantic cone is Faial’s highest point, standing over 1,000m high, and its car park is reached via a winding, scenic drive up from the main town of Horta. From here, stroll through the dramatic rock tunnel before coming face-to-face with the vast crater. It’s a breathtaking sight over Faial and Pico on the horizon and can be appreciated from all angles by hiking the complete 8km rim.

6 Capelinhos, Faial

The Capelinhos Volcano rises up to the sky, as the witness to the last volcanic eruption that took place in the Azores in 1957/5

When you wander amongst such timeless beauty, it’s easy to assume that it’s all the product of a distant era. Capelinhos, a volcano on the western coast of Faial, is proof that the Azores are still very much a geographical work in progress. For the majority of the scorched, Martian-looking land mass only emerged from the ocean in the late 1950s, when a dramatic eruption destroyed nearby villages.
Remarkably, the traditional lighthouse standing guard over this stretch of coastline survived the explosions and the top of its tower is now a fantastic spot to take in the unearthly panorama. It’s said that during the 13 months of eruptions, the lighthouse keeper continued his duties to protect passing ships from the chaos.
There is an excellent Interpretation Centre at the site which describes the historic event in full detail.

7 Horta, Faial

Faial - view of Horta

By wandering through the charismatic and colourful streets of Horta, visitors are following in the footsteps of tens of thousands of sailors who have harboured in the city while crossing the Atlantic. The ocean marina is actually the fourth most-visited on the planet and to appreciate the scale of this popularity, scan through the dazzling mosaic of paintings left on the jetty by each arriving vessel.
Head slightly northwards out of town and you’ll soon reach Miradouro de Nossa Senhora da Conceição – a small roadside viewpoint which takes in the whole harbour area, the sweeping beaches and the distant Mount Pico. A little further on lie a couple of attractive 19th century red windmills, providing the perfect foreground to photos of the imposing volcano.

8 Praia do Almoxarife, Faial


Look northwards from Miradouro de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, a few kilometres up the coastline from Horta, and your eyes will be drawn to the unusual sight of Praia do Almoxarife. This quiet beach is made up of striking black sand which is the by-product of ancient eruptions washing up to shore.
Its dusky nature means that the sand retains heat well, so it always feels pleasant between your toes.

9 Mount Pico, Pico

Pico Mountain

The towering Mount Pico is a constant companion as you explore the area. Its dramatic isolated summit rises sharply to over 2,350m, making it the highest point in Portugal, and dominates the skyline for miles around.
Hiking the volcano is a challenge, you’ll scramble over twisting lava flows, feel the steaming heat from unrelenting volcanic activity and brush through intense greenery, a result of the area’s enviable fertility. The path is steep and untamed, but eventually you’ll scramble over a ridge to enter the main crater, a vast rugged landscape, punctuated by the actual summit, Piquinho. This final section is the most testing and you’ll need to use your hands to negotiate the near vertical ascent.
The reward for doing so undeniably justifies the four hours or so of hard hiking. From the top, all five of the central islands are visible, as are Pico Island’s ancient labyrinths of UNESCO world heritage vineyards. Breathe in the crisp, clean air, warm your hands over the bubbling vents and take in the mesmerising 360 degree vista, before reluctantly beginning your descent.

10 Whale watching, Pico

Whale Watching

Pico Island is equally famous for its superb marine life. This is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching, with a variety of species calling its waters home all year round.
Head to Lajes do Pico, a small settlement in the southwest corner of the island, to Espaço Talassa, one of the first companies to bring commercial whale-watching to the Azores. Their mantra of protection and sustainability is admirable and their level of expertise means you’ll be in good hands.
Any time is a good time to go as both whales and dolphins are in abundance. Sperm whales, Bottlenose dolphins and Risso’s dolphins make frequent appearances, while Blue whales can be seen in the Spring months.
Read more
0
at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Travel Guide: 24 hours in Detroit, USA

July 12, 2019



Travel Guide: 24 hours in Detroit, USA






“Why would anyone want to spend time in Detroit?” asked the passport inspector at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Shocked, I heard myself saying, “well it’s the birthplace of Motown, home town of Aretha Franklin, has the amazing Detroit Art museum not to mention the Ford museum”. He raised an eyebrow – either I was a big shot or I had clearly done my research.
“In that case” he said, “if you have a good time and tell all your friends. Have a nice day now”.
On reflection I’m not really that surprised at the banter. Detroit is still under the cosh of its reputation as being run-down and a little unloved. Yet the city has spent the last decade going through a regeneration process where forlorn skyscrapers and iconic buildings have been and are still being restored.
The buzziest part is downtown Detroit, where just one square mile offers 175 bars and restaurants. This is also home to a heritage steeped in ice hockey (Detroit Red Wings), baseball (Detroit Tigers) and American football (Detroit Lions) who collectively entice hundreds of thousands fans into the city’s magnificent stadiums.
In any case, Detroit, part of the State of Michigan, is known for two amazing achievements, both of which will get you moving. The first is the motor industry thanks to Henry Ford and the second is the legendary Motown music.
Some say that the city reminds them of New York because it has skyscrapers. And like the Big Apple, homes are heated by underground mechanisms and to release the pressure, steam is let out from holes in the ground. Fair enough, but that is where any similarity ends.

Must stay at the Aloft Detroit at the David Whitney building

The Aloft hotel is housed in the iconic David Whitney Building. It was built in 1915 in a Neo-Renaissance style exterior with a beautiful terracotta and glazed brick facade. It recently  underwent a huge refurb costing $92 million resulting in 136 contemporary styled rooms scattered over 19 stories. The X-factor is the  incredible four storey atrium and skylight that splashes daylight over a spacious lobby that is unabashedly covered in marble and gold leafing.

Must tour the Ford Rouge Factory

Detroit aka Motor City has a long history connected to the Ford family. The city is known for the manufacture of Chrysler, General Motors and Ford in the Henry Ford factory. It impacted the city positively by employing 10,000 of its two million city folk. But then came automation and robots and the workforce reduced. Today there are around 3,000 people who oversee the smooth running of the production line.
Though it may seem odd to suggest a visit, watching how a car moves through the assembly line with the precision of human intervention is actually mesmerising. A new car leaves the assembly line every 53 seconds, averaging 1,500 trucks a day every single day. The 007 style multisensory film in 5D is pretty amazing and later you get to see the Legacy Gallery display of the groundbreaking V-8, the classic Thunderbird and the Mustang.

Must check out Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

This is a rather large snapshot of American life depicted through Henry Ford‘s massive collection of Americana which he started in 1929. You’ll get to see his first ever car, the “Quadricycle,” which ran on four bicycle tyres, presidential cars, airplanes, a museum of mathematica, furniture and even tractors.
Ford's first car - The Quadrangle

You can also see the bus in which Rosa Parks, dubbed the Mother of Human Rights, famously made a stand against segregation causing a city-wide boycott of the bus company of Montgomery in 1955. The story goes that Rosa indignantly refused to give up her seat in favour of a white person. It was her arrest that led to the wave of protest and the following civil rights movement.
Other interesting artefacts are the rocking chair in which Abraham Lincoln was shot and died, tens of cars and tractors and even planes.
There’s also a real Model T, the first affordable Ford car, which is taken apart every day and visitors can put it back together again. It’s really quite simple.

Must see some art at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)

Detroit Institute of Arts is the second largest art museum in the USA and has a unique and rare collection of artwork. Check out Peter Brugel’s The Wedding Dance (1566) which was, in its time, controversial because it depicted mixed dancing and kissing.
Diego mural

There are also the Diego Rivera’s murals. Rivera, who was married to fellow Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, was a Mexican communist who was brought in by Cecil Ford during the Great Depression to create these artworks as a tribute to the industry and its workers. There are 27 panels collectively known as the “Detroit Industry Murals,” depicting the evolution of the Ford Motor Company highlighting the human plight.
There are plenty of other artists too including Cezanne, Dega, Matisse and Picasso and Van Gogh. Check out Van Gogh’s Bank of the Olise at Anvers (1890) where thick brush strokes took a staggering three years to dry.

Must boogie down to the Motown Museum

Mowtown museum, Detroit

The wonderful Motown music was conceived in Hitsville USA, the nickname for the house that was home of founder Berry Gordy and the studio where the music was recorded. It’s a glamourous name for a house that looks like grandma lives there.
Motown Museum was named in empathy with the nickname of Detroit, “Motor City”, and the company that inspired the Motown rhythm. Prior to Motown Gordy had a job at the Ford Factory which he said was “the worst job in the world”. Nevertheless, he became inspired by the repetitive sounds heard in the factory and that beat became the backbone to the distinctive Motown sound.
With a family loan of $800 from his family he began to write and produce music. Again inspired by the Ford Factory he copied the flow of the production line and created a metaphorical factory floor:  find raw teenage talent, teach them to dance, social etiquette and grooming then release them into the world and turn them into stars. The rest is history – think local Motown heroes Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson  and Michael Jackson.
It’s a bit of a cheesy tour but great fun and you get to hear lots of amazing Motown music as you pass through culminating in a stint in Studio A dancing to “My Girl”.

Must admire the Fisher Building

Fisher Lobby

For an incredible eyeful of splendour take a tour of the Art Deco style Fisher building. Architect Albert Kahn’s 1928 masterpiece on West Grand Boulevard in midtown is an ornate 30-story skyscraper landmark and is so beautiful it is known as Detroit’s Largest Art Object.
On a sunny day its limestone, granite, and several types of marble dazzle in the sunlight. Inside you will see the exquisite interior arcade, including one-of-a-kind mosaics, hand-painted ceilings, Art Deco chandeliers, and the finest craftsmanship in stone, brass and bronze and magnificent views over the city. You can also catch a show in its equally lovely theatre. Tours are free but it’s best if you register first.

Must take a walk in Rivertown

More than 3 miles of RiverWalk in Detroit

The five-mile Detroit International RiverWalk which stretches the city’s riverfront is quite something especially at night when the city lights reflect in its water. Couples often spend time there to enjoy the romance of nightfall. It connects Chene Park Ampitheatre and William G Miliken State Park and Harbor and leads visitors to the Outdoor Adventure Center.
Incidentally, the land you see over the other side of the water is Canada.

Must eat

In Detroit go for American cuisine. It’s casual stuff but delicious. Two places that get it right are Wright & Company and Lumen Restaurant both in the Downtown area.
Wright & Company is a gastro-bistro serving modern American small plates – two per person and then share – craft cocktails (loved the raspberry martini) wines and craft beers from around the world. You will find it on the second floor of the historic Wright-Kay building. The door is easy to miss and the lift quite bland but opens to a hip industrial-themed scene with a great vibe. You can sit at the bar or by a table. Try the potato chips, crab cakes, scallops, chicken,  roasted cauliflower and beef tenderloin and for afters a butterscotch dessert or orange date cake.
The new Lumen Restaurant located in an appealing building with tall windows with views over Beacon Park is an American bar/restaurant. You can eat inside or out depending on the weather. The menu is quite small but with some great choices. Be sure to try the hot pretzel sticks and the Wagyu beef. Other items are Mac and cheese, crab chowder, a generous charcurterie selection, salmon and pasta with shrimp.
A nice lunchtime venue is the The Jolly Pumpkin brewery – an atmospheric brewery and pizzeria in the Midtown area. As well as pizza you can also get curried chips, hummus flat breads and of course a huge selection of beer.
Read more
0
at No comments: