What is the first word that comes to mind the moment someone says ‘Los Angeles’? Hollywood? Beaches? More likely than not. But did you know it is a city steeped in history? Los Angeles, which is Spanish for ‘angels’, was part of the Spanish colony from 1781 till 1821 when it became annexed to Mexico. It became part of the United States in 1848, subsequent to the Mexican-American War. Californians are intensely proud of their capital, it being a major center in terms of world trade, culture, and technology.

The moment you get off the rather enormous Los Angeles airport, you will be completely overwhelmed by the magnitude of the city’s attractions and activities. The nearest point is the Howard Hughes’ Promenade which is a smallish mall but serves an outlet for the latest brands in clothing. If you are hopping between flights and have little time, Howard Hughes’ serves as a pretty nice stopover. But if the break lasts the entire day and you have time hanging heavy on your hands, we strongly suggest you take the Lot C shuttle to the Farmer’s Market where you can sample California’s fresh fruits, wines, its assortment of cheeses, and ice creams. You might also want to visit a shopping district called The Grove replete with high ranking stores and restaurants. If you have time, you might like to go to the theatre here.

If you are staying on for a while well then, you’ll be surprised at the sheer number of things you can do and the sights you can see. But where would you like to start? If you’d like to sample European hospitality in a US setting, we recommend the rather quaint Alpine Village hailed for its music festivals including the greatly-celebrated Oktoberfest, sumptuous European cuisine, and beer.

One in Los Angeles, or LA, as it is more popularly called, how can you go away without visiting Hollywood? Tour operators will only be too glad to book a studio tour for you. You will never forget the historic visit to Sunset Strip, Melrose, Rodeo Drive, etc. Visit the famed Hollywood Boulevard to get a feel of the ‘celebrity’ aura that pervades Hollywood. Do bear in mind, however, that the tour needs to be booked at least 72 hours in advance.

Certain places in LA present a happy amalgam of shopping with outdoor activity. One such place is Catalina Island where you can go on exciting boat-rides, moonlit walks and also swim in cool, clear sea-waters. You can also go shopping for electronic goods and jewelry. The art-minded might also like to visit the Catalina Art Gallery located in the gorgeous Casino Building.

Very high on the popularity list of tourists’ interest is Disneyland and its sister park known as California Adventure. You might also want to visit the Knott’s Berry Farm which is not too far away. This is an amusement park which is hailed for its ‘Wild West’ theme.

Going around the city is quite easy as the public transport system is pretty nifty. Yet you are best advised to rent a car so that you can visit far-flung areas without worrying how to get back. Good luck with your trip to good old LA!

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Seattle offers some lovely sights and a great deal of bustling urban activity. This port city – incidentally the largest along the Pacific Northwest – is part of the Washington state. Initially known as New York Alki, it came to be known by its current name in 1853. Mainly an industrial town, Seattle is home to well-known technology companies such as Amazon.com, Microsoft, and RealNetworks, to name just a few.

Going around Seattle, you will get drawn into its active urban scape replete with tall buildings and wide boulevards. A microcosm of the bustling urban activity is evidently perceptible in Seattle Downtown’s Pike Place Market. A celebrated icon of the city, this is one of the oldest wholesale markets of the United States where farmers are known to sell their fresh merchandise. Constructed along the edge of a steep hill, you’ll come across fresh fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, also antiques and comic books.

Interestingly, Starbucks Coffee – the international coffeehouse chain – was founded here way back in 1971. Visible from the market are some ancient buildings like the Alaska Trade Building dating back to the early 1900s. Art lovers should not miss going to the Seattle Art Museum where you get to see African, Asian, and Native American works of art. The museum also has two shops where you can buy souvenirs and memorabilia.

If you like browsing bookshops and art galleries, Pioneer Square is a must-visit. You would definitely want to visit the Klondike National Historic Park in order to get a taste of the city’s great history. This marks the famous Yukon gold strike of 1897 when news of gold in Alaska brought thousands here on their way up north. Quite a few stayed back to build the city. There are interesting exhibits here that tell the story of the gold rush of two centuries ago.

There are quite a few things to do in Seattle. For instance, you can go on this wonderful cruise to the Blake Island National Park. Or, you can go on top of the Seattle Space Needle Observation Deck and get a sweeping vista of the city. And how can you possibly miss a trip to the Boeing Factory? It might interest you to know that Seattle used to be the corporate headquarters of Boeing. When you go on this tour, you start by entering the largest building in the world with regard to volume. Once there, you will get to see various versions of the Boeing airplanes in various stages of manufacture.

While in Seattle do pay a visit to the Seattle Aquarium with its plethora of marine life. Chief among the aquarium’s attractions is its underwater dome where you can watch fishes and mammals swim and play. For those with a love of the outdoors, you could travel down to the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville. A tram will take you through 715 acres of land housing all kinds of wild animals including cougars, bears, lynxes and bobcats. You can dismount at the Fir Bough Café for a bite before you resume your journey. And the list doesn’t end here as there’s a lot to do and lots to see. Just take your pick.

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Thomas Wolfe, American novelist and short-story writer had said of New York, “One belongs to New York instantly; one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.”

There is something about the world’s commercial centre that pulsates with a rare energy. It is an energy that bounds up and embraces you, the tourist, and draws you into its warm fold. New Yorkers are justifiably proud of their country’s rich cultural tradition and history. Home to Dutch settlers for four decades till 1664, the British took over till mid 1776. The state of New York has witnessed many battles such as the Battle of Saratoga and the Revolution.

While going into the city by boat you cannot possibly miss the Statue of Liberty. Holding aloft the torch in its hand, this icon of supremacy beckons invitingly to the traveler. One you are inside the bustling, swarming city you cannot help but be mesmerized. This is one city which never lets you get bored; it never lets you down by not providing what you are looking for.

Connoisseurs of the fine arts simply swear by the city’s bounty of museums and centers for performing arts. If you happen to be an art aficionado how can you possibly miss visiting the Metropolitan Museum on 1000 Fifth Avenue’s 82nd Street? Here, you will find everything from the arts of medieval Europe to contemporary oeuvres of international artists. You also get treated to various lectures and films on art, usually for free.

And if you wish to soak your senses in the best of the arts you should not miss a trip to the 92nd Street Y Tisch Center for the Arts. Be it film screenings, poetry reading, classical music, jazz or dance, you get it all under one roof. Plenty of it too!
And while in New York, you cannot possibly miss the Broadway shows in its myriad gorgeous theatres, can you?

New York is known as a city that never goes to sleep. The bars and nightclubs are guaranteed to keep your evenings alive and kicking. In bars like Obivia you cannot get bored even if you are by yourself. Its friendly ambience, lively music and five separate plasma screen TVs showing a different movie is enough to keep you engrossed.

During the day you could go shopping at Manhattan Mall, if you like. Here you can get the latest in fashion at pretty low prices. Or, you could go to Dave’s between 16th and 17th Streets, particularly if you want to buy men’s sweatshirts and Tee shirts.

If you have a strong literary streak, however, you could visit the innumerable bookstores the city is studded with. For out-of-print and rare books you should pop into the Strand Bookstore with its books stretched over 18 miles long.

Book lovers also flock with gusto to Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Union Square for not just its vast array of book but also events like weekly story time sessions popular with children or author-backed events like book launches, etc. As for the eating joints in New York, where is one to start? From road-side cafes to sophisticated bistros you find everything to suit every palate. As we said before, there is something in New York for everyone.

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