Arnold’s4001 N Broadway St (between Cuyler Ave & Irving Park Rd) Chicago, IL 60613: The price has gone up over the years but for an iconic cheap eat in Chicago, you can’t beat 3 eggs, hash browns or grits, toast and coffee, it used to be 1.99 you can have it for 3.75 these days, complete with those super classy paper hand towels!

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With the mere mention of the State of California, one conjures up images of glamour, beaches, sun, palm trees, the body beautiful, and Hollywood. Fun is the name of the game here. Boy, does a Californian know how to have a good time! The elixir of youth (and Collagen implants!), Los Angeles is the Mecca for people with a work hard and party harder attitude. What I love the most are the amusement parks!

Enter the world of fantasy and magic when you step through the thronging gates of Disneyland. Forget about the harsh realities of the world when you melt in the arms of Mickey Mouse affectionately giving you a tight welcome hug. Careen your way into the canal of the castle encompassing a Diaspora of the world with the famous song “it’s a small world” playing in the backdrop. Become a space warrior riding into the galaxy when you ride through “Space Mountain” and then head straight to the haunted mansion where your bravery will be put to the test.

Raging Waters is California’s largest water park with the most thrilling and spine tingling rides around. Not recommended for the light hearted, those with “bring it on” attitude are the ones who thrive in this water kingdom.

Knotts Berry Farm, America’s first theme park, caters to the young and elder members of the family. There is something there for everyone as you walk through an era where the West Coast was nothing more than an unexplored rugged land with many untapped opportunities.

The abominable Six Flags Magic Mountain is a dream come true for the daredevil in you. The Colossus, a rickety wooden roller coaster which leaves your stomach in your mouth gives you a high from the adrenaline rush. This is the place where they dare to rate the rides on the thrill factor and you decide if you are really cut out for!

These thriving theme parks are just a tip of the iceberg on the fun quotient that California takes pride in scoring very highly on.

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Africa is becoming more and more popular among people who seek adventures, a nice holiday and an amazingly spent time in the world on nature. That is the reason why many tour operators have increased the number of offers they have for Africa, tourists are getting more and more and even though that is quite welcome for the economies of the continent, it brings plenty of risks for the natural world -more flights mean more air pollution, the same is with more means of transportation that the tourist might need, more hotels that require more resources which is all again connected in one way or another with pollution. Thus visiting the continent for its nature may actually become quite dangerous for the natural African world.

Pollution and environmental protection have made people cautious about what they are going to undertake by visiting the continent and this is the reason why many companies now offer the so called “green holidays”-vacations completely organized to preserve the nature of the continent and at the same time to provide the quality of services and experience tourists expect.

After booking such a vacation, a tourist will be amazed how amazing he can spend his time without spending a dime for airplanes, cars, trains or other transportation means that pollute the environment. The journey begins from Spain where, using a wind yacht, tourists reach the shores of the African continents, depending on which country they have picked up(usually Tunisia is a preferred destination). Later on, they reach the hotels riding a horse, a camel of even using (even though not many tour agencies offer it) the so called wind bikes.. The hotels are completely environmentally friendly -the food is prepared by traditional methods thus preserving the nature from gas usage, all the tourists sleep in traditional rooms designed to be comfortable without air conditioners or other systems requiring high electricity demand. All expeditions during the day are on a horse back or boats which of course does not involve any use of red diesel or fossil fuels thus preserving the ecosystem.

This is how different tour agencies are striving to procure the idea of green traveling -people should undertake such journey more and more often if they want to significantly contribute for the planet’s preservation.

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Americans love to eat. Just one look at the state of the vehicle we got from cheap car rental usa covered in takeout wrappers was enough to tell you that. In fact, the United States offers a very diverse menu of foods which can be narrowed down to location. Below are some of the most popular locations in the USA and the favorite foods and restaurants of each.

New York City

Definite can be thought of as the predominant food authority. You can find anything from Italian, Asian, Sushi, Greek and of course pizza in this city. Aside from these particular dishes, New York City is well known for a wide range of exquisite restaurants such as the Café Gitane, Colicchio & Sons and Marea.

Chicago

When people think of Chicago, they automatically think of deep dish pizza. However, Chicago is not just known for its famous pizza. It’s also famous for its steaks, hotdogs and seafood. You can actually find a wide variety of restaurants offering a variety of food types. These restaurants include but are not limited to Harry Carey’s, Portillos, One Sixty Blue and (okay, pizza) Gino’s East.

San Francisco

Tagging right behind New York’s bottom is San Francisco and her famous treats. In fact, there are many chefs who have actually left New York to come to San Francisco. You will find fine establishments such as Cyrus, The French Laundry and Manresa.

Boston

This city offers a variety of different foods with sushi being a right up there. In fact, some of the top sushi chefs are in Boston. One very upscale sushi restaurant in Boston is the O Ya.

Favorite Restaurant Chains in the USA

Chinese - Chinese establishments can be found all over the USA. Americans love chinese and you can find a restaurant around just about every corner of any block in any city in the United states.

Outback Steakhouse - Another popular restaurant around the US. Americans love steak and this is by far the best place to get it.

Red Lobster - The US would not be the same without Red Lobster. You will find these establishments from coast to coast with great service and prices. Although it is famous for its lobster, you can also find many different dishes here including clam chowder, shrimp, scampi, soups, salads and yes steak!

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When someone visits another country with a culture as different from their own as can be there are bound to be some differences that can cause possible insult to the local people. There are a great deal of quirks that certain countries do not find offensive that others do. Polite etiquette in one country is not the same in another. In order to avoid this type of problem you will need an insider’s view of what to do or not do.

Although Thailand seems like a fairly westernised culture, they sell gold jewellery like us, and have the same technology, so traditions still remain strong. One of the most commonly portrayed insults that outsiders make in Thailand is that foreigners do not remove their shoes when going into certain shops, people’s homes and temples. While you may be forgiven the first time that you do not do this, you will experience a highly irritated host if you continually forget to remove your shoes when entering a home or temple.

Apparently feet are a big deal in Thailand. While you must not wear your shoes indoors, you also must keep the bottom of your feet to yourself. This means with or without shoes. There is no propping your feet up or use of ottomans. Another way to insult a local is to nudge their foot with your own.

All over Thailand the national anthem is played at 8AM and 6PM on the dot. When this happens everyone stops what they are doing and stands at attention. It is strongly suggested that you do the same. It is a sign of respect for visiting their country.

While other countries find that raising their voice when confronting a problem gets faster attention in hotels and restaurants, the opposite is true in Thailand. Using bad manners, being loud and obnoxious will actually make you look bad and will have locals shaking their heads at you. This will actually get you worse results as they will be more reluctant to help you.

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Africa is becoming more and more popular among people who seek adventures, a nice holiday and an amazingly spent time in the world on nature. That is the reason why many tour operators have increased the number of offers they have for Africa, tourists are getting more and more and even though that is quite welcome for the economies of the contitent, it brings plenty of risks for the natural world -more flights mean more air pollution, the same is with more means of transportation that the tourist might need, more hotels that require more resources which is all again connected in one way or another with pollution. Thus visitng the continent fot its nature may actually become quite dangerous for the natural African world.

Pollution and environmental protection have made people cautious about what they are going to undertake by visiting the continent and this is the reason why many companies now offer the so called “green holidays”-vacations completely organised to preserve the nature of the continent and at the same time to provide the quality of services and experience tourists expect.

After bookin such a vacation, a tourist will be amazed how amazing he can spend his time without spending a dime for airplanes, cars, trains or other transportation means that pollute the environment. The journey begins from Spain where, using a wind yacht, tourists reach the shores of the African continents, depending on which country they have picked up(usually Tunisia is a preffered destination). Later on, they reach the hotels riding a horse, a camel of even using (even thouhg not many tpur agencies offer it) the so called wind bikes.. The hotels are completely enronmentally friednly -the food is prepared by traditional methods thus preserving the nature from gas usage, all the tourists sleep in tradional rooms designed to be commfortable without air conditioners or other systems requiring high electricity demand. All expeditions during the day are on a hourse back or boats which of course does not involve any use of red diesel or fossil fuels thus preserving the ecosystem.

This is how different tour agencies are striving to procur the idea of green travelling -people should undertake such journey more and more often if they want to significantly contribute for the planet’s preservation.

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One of the most fascinating aspects of the life in Argentina is the culture of this South American country. Every tourist should be aware that when travelling in South America, he must not only spare some time for Argentina’s amazing beaches, but take a look at the Argentine lifestyle -and it definitely promises a remarkable and unforgettable experience with its high reaching cultural peaks.

Argentina is considered a country with vast European influences in the cultural life -the capital of the city, Buenos Aires, is densely populated with European origin people thus bringing the authentic European atmosphere within the city. The retail value of which has started to mimic such popular destinations as property in kalkan. The prevailing elements in the architecture both the modern and the previous decades one is the European architectural factor. While walking the busy Buenos Aires streets, the cathedrals, the older building and the new architectural monuments contain much of the elements which are specific particularly for the Spanish and Italian architecture.

A person can also enjoy a variety of arts galleries situated within the city and the amazing history museums that represent the colorful past of that country -presenting artefacts from the decades before and after the Spanish colonies were established, the Argentine museums are a necessary destination for all tourists. And after a long day full of exploring the colors of Buenos Aires, a person can easily relax in the famous coffee shops which are the centres of the Argentine cultural elite -writers, musicians, artists and actors.

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Weary of the daily grind, I longed to take off for a rejuvenating holiday. Mumbai, India was my first choice because I wanted to meet my friend there and also experience the pace and thrill of the cosmopolitan city.

I reached the Victoria Terminus at Mumbai very early one morning. This was the first time I was travelling alone and I was filled with a delicious sense of freedom. The rain that welcomed me in Mumbai only added to my pleasure.

I had arranged to stay with my friend at Bandra, and then stay at a cheap hostel for a few days in town. We were delighted to meet after a long time and decided to head for the hills of Lonavala without wasting a moment. The overcast sky and the refreshingly cool breeze urged us forward.

Our stay at the tiny hill station was brief but memorable. It rained relentlessly but our enthusiasm was unhampered. We got drenched and yet, we explored every nook and crag of the place, which looked only lovelier in the rains.

Back in Mumbai, I went shopping at grand malls and small local markets. I visited places like the celebrated Elephanta Caves, Nariman Point, Chowpatty Beach, Juhu Beach, and Essel World, an amusement park. I bought delicacies like vada pav, pani puri, and pav bhaji from humble street vendors and savored them with great pleasure.

Mumbai assailed all my senses and I was kept occupied the whole day. I watched the Arabian Sea till late at night and then found restaurants that served mouthwatering Kolhapuri Chicken or spicy kebabs. I lay down on the beach reading for hours and then walked under the stars, enjoying a chocolate ice cream. The rain was my constant companion. It made the city gleam and throb with romance.

I look back on my trip to Mumbai with a keen sense of nostalgia. I wish for a chance to return there and hope that my next visit will prove to be as thrilling and wonderful as my last one.

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Many of the world’s most famous cities divide opinion universally, loved and loathed by tourists and residents. To some, New York and London are the epitome of the buzzing, diverse DIY nature of the best modern cities; to others, they can appear as cramped, dirty urban sprawls with little to please the eye. Cities often lauded as the world’s nicest to live in (the likes of Sydney, Vienna and Vancouver) are derided as dull by others. One city I recently visited appears to strike a great balance between the two extremes: Stockholm, capital of Sweden.

Sweden is universally known for an efficient way of living (not to mention IKEA and its designer bedding), and this can be seen in the layout of its capital city. Stockholm’s setting is virtually perfect - set around Lake Malaren, it spreads out over a series of islands, which decrease in size as the lake flows into the sea. The archipelago itself is an incredible sight, as the islands become so minute each one contains little more than a home and a garden.

Back in the city itself, each island houses a very different district: Norrmalm (literally, North Island) is the commercial centre, filled with enormous shopping centres and ultra-modern office blocks. Sodermalm to the south is the polar opposite, a bohemian borough filled with bars and restaurants. Between the two lies Gamle Stan, a picture-postcard island housing Stockholm’s Old Town. Walking across the island takes only five minutes, but takes you through beautiful courtyards, past ornate buildings and traditional cafes.

If the centre alone makes Stockholm feel like an efficiently devised city, attractions along the river add a sense of the unpredictable. The world famous skansen, replicated everywhere from Cardiff to Cairo, is an island populated only by historical buildings collected from around Sweden, creating a living museum with the feel of a medieval village. A theme park sits between the skansen and the water’s edge; it’s hard to accuse a city of lacking unpredictability when it has an entire island used only to entertain its citizens.

Another factor in Stockholm’s favour is the feeling that, unlike other popular tourist cities, the residents have it just as good as visitors. Plenty of other cities (Tallinn and Milan leap to mind) quickly descend into a depressing industrial sprawl away from the tourist sites. From what I witnessed of Stockholm’s less-explored areas, there was plenty to recommend: housing estates were incredibly well-maintained, and entertainment, eateries and wonderful views could be found in every corner of the city.

Above all, Sweden’s capital treads the line between big city bustle and quality of living better than any other city I’ve visited. Taking the expertly designed subway (which makes the Tube map look like a random scrawl) from the open spaces of the skansen and archipelago into the clean, bright squares of the city centre, before heading to Sodermalm knowing you’ll find somewhere good to go, it’s hard not to feel that if you could make a perfect city from scratch, it’d be a lot like Stockholm.

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