Leisure Markets

Regardless of your age or of the things you like to do, there is no place to vacation quite like theme parks. I hope all of you have fond childhood memories of visiting theme parks with your family. I hope you remember waiting in lines for hours to experience the latest adventure ride and I hope that you remember the joy of being able to eat as much junk food as you wanted during your visits to theme parks. If you don’t have these fond memores, it isn’t too late. Make a visit to theme parks the next vacation for you and your family.

I love theme parks because they can entertain a four year old or a seventy-four year old. How many other vacations can you think of that everyone will enjoy equally? The variety of experiences that theme parks provide is one of the best things about them. Whether you are looking for wild adventure or for a relaxing way to unwind for a few days, theme parks can be the right place for you.

Another great thing about vacationing at theme parks is that for the most part, theme parks include everything you and your family need to have a great trip. Hotels and condos are often onsite or nearby. Theme parks often provide package deals that allow you to purchase a hotel or condo, your passes for the theme parks, and your meals all for one great price. Parents can actually relax and enjoy vacationing at theme parks because they never have to worry about cooking meals or about getting their family from place to place. Theme parks are designed in compact ways that make getting around them quick and convenient.

There are more theme parks then you’d probably guess. Pick a state or an area of the country that you’d like to vacation to and then research to see if there are theme parks you can visit. You can search for theme parks on the internet or utilize the services of a great travel agent. Look for package deals whenever possible if you’re looking to save money. You can often choose between three day, five day, or week long package deals for theme parks.

So gather your parents and your children and choose one or more theme parks for your next vacation. Allow the people you love to be entertained by the wide variety of great events that most theme parks offer.

Six Flags Theme Parks are located throughout the United States and they offer some of the best family entertainment to be had! Whether you are interested in a water park, an animal park, or an exhilarating ride; with so many theme parks to choose from you are sure to find the thrill of a lifetime!

Lets check out a few of the many theme parks Six Flags has to offer.

Why dont we start by saddling up and heading out to the wild west in Frontier City, Oklahoma with more than 50 nail biting rides and plenty of other attractions to keep you amused for hours.

1. Eruption is the tallest ride. It starts at 250 feet then plummets back to earth. It only for the bravest!

2. Mind Bender if youre looking for an adrenaline rush, check this one out. This is a combination swinging pendulum roller coaster thats going to have your head spinning.

3. Tomahawk Heres a real sleeper that starts out slow. Then suddenly youll find yourself 80 feet high heading for earth. What a rush!

4. Silver Bullet will take you to the top on a monster lift; then suddenly youll find yourself being shot out of a cannon through the seriously looping coaster.

5. Wildcat This is your classic wooden coaster ride so sit back and enjoy the tight twists and high speeds. It will have you coming back for more.

San Francisco Six Flags has the most rides and attractions in California as well as an oceanarium and wildlife park. So whether you want to talk with the animals, enjoy the underwater world, or have a thrill of a lifetime ride its here! Oh wait, this is also the home of Medusa, the most extreme roller coaster ever! Are you up for it?

1. Medusa is the longest coaster around with 3500 feet of twists and turns and 7 inversions. This is said to be the most technologically advanced rollercoaster ever. Try it for yourself.

2. Boomerang This is a super roller coaster with intense vertical loops and inversions. Youll climb to 125 feet and reach speeds of around 50mph.

3. Kong is a 10 story coaster with loop after loop suspended from what appears to be nowhere; sidewinder inversion; and a double twist. Can you handle it?

4. Vertical Velocity The advanced propulsion system on this roller coaster takes you from 0 to 70 mph in under 4 seconds on a 45 degree inclined tower. Its not for those with a weak stomach!

Six Flags Over Georgia is about to unleash Goliath, which covers more than 8.5 acres and towers more than 200 feet above the ground. Goliath is the roller coaster that is going to be the ultimate in rides! It covers 4,400 feet in less than 3 minutes, reaching speeds of 70mph as well as dwarfing everything else around it.

Of course there are still all your other favorite rides at Six Flags Over Georgia like Ultimate Flight, Skull Island, Superman, and Mindbender. But if you really want to go out on a limb, come ride Goliath!

And if youre a thrill seeker looking for the most daring ride to date, then you need to head to New Jersey where the El Toro is about to provide the most daring wooden roller coaster ride in the world.

And for the younger ones, the Bugs Bunny National Park has just opened. Be sure to check it out.

Six Flags Theme Parks are located throughout the United States. There is also a park on Canada and one in Mexico. If youre tired of the same old boring vacation, perhaps its time to turn up the heat and check out what the theme parks have to offer!

The city of Sao Paulo has been compared to the city of New York, and has just as many interesting places to go and unique things to see as New York does! Sao Paulo is South Americas largest city, and is the third largest city in the entire world. It is home to an astounding 17 million people, and has many neighborhoods made up of a diverse collection of people with nationalities such as Japanese, Arab, Italian and Lebanese.

If you ever wish to make a trip to Sao Paulo, try to avoid the months of January, February and March, as this is the rainy season and floods are inevitable. These floods disrupt the normal flow of things, and make seeing the sites nearly impossible. The best time to visit is April through December. This is the period of time when you will be able to see art and fashion shows, cultural events, as well as music festivals.

A visit to Sao Paulo will have one bewildered by the assortment of activities and attractions that are available. One unique place to experience is the Butanta Institute, one of the worlds most well known centers for the study of poisonous snakes. While it is foremost a research center, it does house thousands and thousands of poisonous snakes that can be observed by visitors to the Institute.

Art lovers will not want to pass up the opportunity to visit the Museo de Arte Sacra & Jardin de la Luz. This lovely museum is situated inside an 18th century baroque monastery, and houses what is thought to be the best collection of colonial artifacts, as well as art in South America. There are also numerous other museums and galleries scattered throughout the city, some housing major collections, with others hosting shows for local artists.

Sao Paulo, being a cosmopolitan city, is home to many of Brazils richest residents. It is also a shopping mecca, and top of the line goods such as cameras, clothes, perfume, jewelry, leather goods, shoes, art, antiques, as well as hand made goods and crafts are widely available.

Sao Paulo is also known for its vibrant nightlife and plethora of dance clubs and bars. One of Sao Paulos best-known bars is Bar Brahma, which has been around since 1949. It used to be a meeting place for artsy types as well as local politicians, but today is the favored location to hear live samba music.

Like any metropolitan city, Sao Paulo is easy to get around in by using taxis, buses and trains. It is wise not to rent a car and attempt to navigate the city yourself, as during rush hour the traffic can be at a standstill for hours, and when it rains, traffic doesnt move at all.

Sao Paulo is a city rich in history; it has a diverse population, beautiful museums and galleries, and is full of attractions and beautiful architecture. It is a city that has much to offer to visitors and residents alike.

Countless words have illustrated the Colosseum, and its fearless gladiators; the Pantheon, and its gateway to the gods; and the Roman Forum, once heart of the mighty Roman Empire. But what of the hidden tourist attractions of Rome and those that receive fewer column inches?

For a taste of the macabre try the Capuchin Crypt, the original haunted house. Ghoulishly decorated with the bones of long dead monks, the Crypt is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Those monks privileged enough to retain their bones in skeletal form have been propped up against the wall and dressed in hooded robes. Be sure to greet your hosts as you savour the creepy ambience and explore for lost souls. Its a place you will either love or hate, though its probably unsuitable for young children.

The Gothic Sacro Cuore del Suffragio church claims to have evidence of paranormal activity. Enclosed in a glass case to protect from contamination, several handprints are believed to be those of lost souls awaiting their journey to heaven.

Egyptian influence is evident in the Pyramid of Caius Cestius. In ancient Rome many built their tombs in Egyptian fashion, but today, this is the only survivor. Constructed as part of a wall defending the city, it remains a compelling monument for the Tribune of the People for whom it was intended.

According to inscriptions upon the stones, the tomb was built over a period of 330 days and stands 118 feet (36 metres) tall. Completed in 12 BC, though the tomb may have the Egyptian signature, it differs in regard to its finish. The Romans loved marble, and in keeping with their tastes the pyramid was completed with marble slabs over the brick.

The Romans – indeed Italians in general – are justifiably proud of their culinary expertise, serving the world with their recipes. The National Museum of Pasta proudly reveals the origins of pasta in the heart of Italy, dating way back to the conception of the foodstuff some time in the 12th century.

The museum goes to great length detailing correct cooking procedures and the million and one variations on the theme that make the dish so versatile.

Learn how to cook the perfect pasta and discover how rigorous chewing can aid your digestive system.

There are many buildings and attractions in Spain that look as they did centuries ago, but there are few that still operate like they did in the generations that have past. The Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales is one such location. It is the monastery of the barefoot nun, and while that may sound like a funny name, it is a location of serious religion and serious art.

The convent was originally created in 1559 by Charles Vs daughter. She envisioned the location as a noblewomans retreat. At that time, it was a royal palace that allowed the noblewomen of Spain to retreat to silence. The next 200 years saw the location known as a completely practicing convent. Eventually outsiders were kept out, and the property became solely a convent.

In addition to an area to contemplate and grow in their religion, those inside the convent could also grow in their appreciation for art, as it houses a private art museum with a number of pieces of art as well as historical artifacts.

In recent years, the convent opened its doors to tourists, who are allowed to come inside the walls during scheduled tours.

The convent is an architectural spectacle in itself. The walls are made of vibrant orange stone with inviting archways, Renaissance doors and construction. Walking through the grounds and the carefully tended gardens you will feel as if you have gone back to the time of Charles V himself.

The art collection is varied and beautiful. Many of the items that are in the collection were brought to the convent by those who wished to reside within its walls. They would bring the pieces of art and artifacts as their dowry or offering to become a ‘bride of Christ’. Now all those items are one of the attractions many want to see when visiting the area. Among the paintings in the gallery are those by Brueghel, Titian, and Zurbarn . There are also Rubens inspired hand-woven tapestries and sculptures by Crescenci and Mena.

Since the 1960s the public has been able to take part in enjoying the grounds that the Franciscan nuns have so lovingly cared for all these years. They opened the convent to the public, and tourists are invited to see the area through tours that they conduct. While many wonder if they can just wander the grounds and take it all in by themselves, that is not allowed. The only way an outsider can visit the convent is by being a part of one of the tours guided by the nuns. On the tour, visitors will see both the convent grounds and the art collection on the site.

If you dont speak Spanish, you will not understand much of what is said on the tour, since it is only given in the native language, but as you walk through, you may well find the tour fulfilling without even knowing what is being said by the tour guide. If you do have questions, English questions are allowed at the end of the tour and answers will be given to your questions.