Dortmund: The Westphalia's "Green Metropolis"

Dortmund City Skyline

Dortmund City is a city in Germany. It is located in the Bundesland of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Ruhr area. Its population of 587,830 (in June 2005) makes it the 8th largest city in Germany and the 34th largest in the European Union. 

The Ruhr river flows south of the city, and the small river Emscher flows through the municipal area. The Dortmund-Ems Canal also terminates in the Dortmund Port, which is the largest European canal port, and links Dortmund to the North Sea.

Like almost no other German city, Dortmund has seen enormous change in recent years. The former "steel city" developed into a modern and cosmopolitan metropolis, acquiring renown all across Europe as an innovative location for technological development.

But the biggest city in the Ruhr Valley also scores with a wide range of possibilities in the cultural and sporting sector, with extensive greens and a high quality of life.

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head: Lord Mayor Ullrich Sierau

City Land Area: 280.4 square km.

Website: http://www.dortmund.de

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dortmund

Cartago: The City of Fogs

Cartago is a city in Costa Rica, about 25 km (15 miles) east of the capital, San Jose. It is at an elevation of about 1435 m (some 4,707 ft) above sea level, at the base of the Iraz?Volcano. Cartago is the capital of Cartago province. The city covers an area of 152,68 km? It includes the districts of city downtown: Oriental, Occidental (known as the typical downtown area), San Nicol? (the main entrance to the city, at west), El Carmen (north), Dulce Nombre, San Francisco (at south, San Francisco is known commonly as Aguacaliente), and Guadalupe (Arenilla). The city is part, with the cities of San Rafael de Oreamuno and Tejar del Guarco, of a continuous urban area that, in 2008, had a population of 156,600 inhabitants, according to the Statistics and Census Institute of Costa Rica.

Cartago Aerial View

OFFICIAL DETAILS:
City Head: Lic. Rolando Rodriguez Brenes

City Population: l156,600
City land Area: 152.68 sq. km
Website: http://www.muni-carta.go.cr
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartago,_Costa_Rica

MONIKER/NICKNAME(S):

"The City of Fogs"

Tagaytay: The Second Summer Capital of the Philippines

Tagaytay is as close to paradise as one can find. We present this web site in the spirit of fostering this exceptional city and country. For the first time both Filipino's and visitors alike, using Tagaytay.com as your guide, can enjoy the wonders that Tagaytay and the Philippines offers at very affordable prices, offering exceptional value for the money.

In our opinion the Philippines best chance of economic recovery is through international and domestic tourism. At today's prices most Filipino's can't afford to enjoy the treasures the Philippines has to offer like Tagaytay. First time visitors from abroad may be put off by prices that don't reflect value for the money.

If you can get a deluxe room in Bangkok from US$50 per night, why shouldn't they be able to do the same thing in the Philippines? Intuitive entrepreneurs decided to do something about this, and in fact go one better! They were determined to offer deluxe rooms, at a brand new inn, with spectacular views overlooking Taal volcano from Php 2,750 per night and they did it! This is arguably The BEST HOTEL DEAL in the PHILIPPINES!

The idea started more than 14 years ago when a small family of entrepreneurs first visited Tagaytay and fell in love with the serene surroundings and astonishing views all characterized by the absence of emotional agitation and free from disturbance. Add in the cool clean air and a sparsely populated city and one has practically found paradise! There are so many sights, places and things to do in Tagaytay its hard to know where to start. Click here for things to do .

The first obstacle to overcome was the outrageous land prices at the time, around US$400 and UP per square meter for a decent size lot overlooking the beautiful Taal Lake and volcano. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 solved that problem when the peso halved in value in relation to the US dollar. That made land acquisition affordable, though we still feel that land and property prices in general (in the more desirable locations throughout the Philippines) are still too high.

However as with all real estate, it's always, location, location, location. Like the great American humorist and actor Will Rogers said about land decades ago, "They ain't making anymore of it!"

After more than seven years and countess trips to Tagaytay, searching, haggling, researching and looking at more than 100 properties, this small family of entrepreneurs hit the jackpot. They located a large parcel of land overlooking Taal Lake and volcano at a fair price. Their location, admittedly, has one of the most inspirational and uplifting views I've seen in all my travels, and I've been to nearly a hundred countries during the last 42 years!

To wake up in the morning or see the sunset overlooking Taal volcano was an experience I'll never forget. You won't either if you make the time and effort to participate in such an experience.

There is a cornucopia of hotels, inns, apartelles and bed and breakfast rooms to rent in Tagaytay and throughout the Philippines, with prices ranging from a few dollars per night to an outrageous US$400 per night for the luxury resorts. Conduct a search for "Philippines hotels" at www.google.com the world famous search engine, and you'll find more offers than you can shake a stick at.

However the Royal Taal Inn stands heads and shoulders above all the rest. Why? Because the Royal Taal Inn offers the best value for the money I've come across in a very long time indeed! They offer the least expensive overlooking rooms in Tagaytay I've discovered ... PERIOD! Starting from Php 2,750 each and every room at the Royal Taal has a spectacular view overlooking the Taal Volcano.

Enjoying a cup of coffee on a crisp morning, or a cup of tea overlooking Taal volcano during a speculator sunset on your own private porch, will become one of your more memorable travel treasures.

In order for this family run business to offer overlooking rooms at knock down prices, they had to limit the number of guest rooms available. So it's strictly first come, first served on availability and from just Php 2,750 per night the rooms go very fast.

The secret in getting these knock down low rates is much like the airlines. The earlier you reserve and pay for your room, the cheaper your rate! I like that and it's saves you a lot of money.

Though there is a limited supply of rooms, they spared no expense in building and furnishing each room.

Each guest room has all the modern conveniences, i.e. telephone, TV and your own private comfort room , which is the local lingo for "rest or bath room." Each comfort room comes with a shower, toilet and sink with very impressive tiles. Each room has air cond, as the locals call it (better known as air conditioning,) but you'll rarely if ever use it. The large windows and doors, all screened, offers a breeze during the night, which at times requires a blanket to keep you warm.

The surprisingly large rooms, for the money, sleeps two adults and two children, a rare event in today's holiday industry. There's even Internet access available if required.

Though the Royal Taal doesn't have a restaurant, (another way they keep the cost down,) you can have morning breakfast ( small additional cost, ) in the special roof top dining area, and order snacks and sandwich's until late evening time. Soda's, long distance telephone calling cards, DVD player and DVD movies are also available (at a small extra cost,) along with other miscellaneous but at times, essential utilities. Internet access is available from each room so everything is well thought out and planned for both visiting Filipino's and especially overseas guests.

Probably the best perk of all is the friendly, efficient and warm hospitality this family run business offers. You feel more like you're at home or your best friends house, rather than staying at an Inn. The family goes way beyond being helpful offering to arrange transportation, reservations and suggesting "to do" recommendations during your stay. What a refreshing change from the run of the mill business establishments nowadays.

The family running the Royal Taal Inn , trusts that by offering excellent value for money, they will encourage other Tagaytay establishments to lower their prices accordingly. Who knows, maybe this idea of bringing prices into parity with other Asian nations will spread across the Philippines and help attract a greater number of visitors to this friendly and marvelously beautiful country. At least this is the idea behind this site. Therefore it may be a good idea to bookmark or save this site as one of your favorites as we will endeavor to continually update and bring you the very best deals in Tagaytay and the Philippines we can muster up.

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head:

City Population:

City Land Area:

City Classification:

Website: http://www.tagaytay.gov.ph/

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagaytay

AWARDS & CITATIONS:

MONIKER/NICKNAMES:

LINKS FOR MORE ABOUT THE CITY HERE:

  @ http://www.tagaytay.com

MORE OF THE CITY’S PIC HERE:

Jaipur: The Pink City

This famous city is the capital of Rajasthan and has earned universal renown as the " Pink City ", and pink it is, with beautiful constructed palaces, havelis and forts. Tall, rugged men with handle-bar whiskers sport bright pink turbans. Jaipur which means the city of victory was built exactly 273 years back and is 262 km by road from Delhi ( Capital of India ). A strong wall encircles the old city and even today has a suggestion of formidable strength, its function of protecting all within is obvious. 

The plains of Rajasthan of which Jaipur is the capital once thundered and echoed with clash of swords and the drums of wars.Built in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh-II, Jaipur was the first planned city of its time ( the earlier planned city in northern India having been built near Taxila sometime in the 2nd century BC ).     hawamahal1.jpg (492566 bytes)

Jaipur was planned by Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, a Bengali architect, in a grid system with wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of the main bazaars, all arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (chokris). The city itself is an attractive creation worthy of universal admiration.

There is a feast in store for tourists. Attractive monuments where one can breathe the fragrance of history. Comfortable and luxurious hotels, once the proud of kings, parks, gardens, and excursions of nearby places of interest, make Jaipur a tourist's paradise.

Modern infrastructural facilities are developing fast, and in many cases surpass those of larger cities like Delhi and Kolkata.[citation needed] The city is expanding very quickly and has become a hot spot for development in Rajasthan. Jaipur International Airport is located at a satellite location of Sanganer and offer's flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and Guwahati along with sporadic services to International locations such as Dubai.

Jaipur has a well maintained road network with multi-story flyovers and traffic lights with closed circuit cameras. Police control room (PCR) vans are being equipped with GPS to monitor locations and help maintain law and order.

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head:

City Population: 3,910,570 as of 2011

City Land Area:

City Classification:

Website: http://www.jaipur.nic.in

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaipur

MONIKER/NICKNAMES:

The Pink City

AWARDS & CITATIONS:

 1. In the 2008 Conde Nast Traveller Readers Choice Survey, Jaipur was ranked the 7th best place to visit in Asia. ^ http://www.bharatonline.com/news/details/jaipur-seventh-best-tourist-destination-41.php

BRAZIL: The Top 10 Cities of Brazil

@1: Sao Paolo

Cities in Brazil are home to nearly 75% of Brazil's population. It wasn't long ago, perhaps less than 40 years ago, that most Brazilians called the rural areas of Brazil home.

The shift to urban life from rural life has presented several social challenges for the country of Brazil in both the larger and the smaller cities.

#2: Rio de Janeiro

The influx of people coming into the cities from the rural areas of Brazil has caused the favelas, or slums, to grow at a rapid rate along with crime and poverty. The cities did not have the housing or jobs to absorb all of the people migrating into the city.

City governments in Brazil have attempted to deal with the favela communities in several ways, including the demolition of the favelas during the 1970s. When this didn't work, the governments finally began to recognize these people as part of the larger community and now provide services for them. Services might include sewage, electricity, and paved roads. Schools and health clinics have also been established.

There are increased numbers of homes in the cities, but still the poorer people do not have the means to purchase them, so it's very difficult for those coming into the city from the country to find a decent home.

Top 10 Cities in Brazil

1. Sao Paulo

This vibrant city is known for music, theatre, museums, car racing, sports, and incredibly varied ethnic cuisine. It's also home to 20+ landmarks important to the history of Brazil. Sao Paulo is Brazil's premiere business center. Nearly every industry of Brazil is represented in Sao Paulo, one of the busiest cities in Brazil.

Population - 10 to 11 million

Sao Paulo Fashion Week - largest fashion show in Latin America held annually

Home to over 15 universities and colleges

2 major train stations and 2 airports

Has the highest number of regularly operating helicopters in the world

2. Rio de Janeiro

Rio is perhaps best known for its amazing beaches, such as Copacabana, Leblon, and Ipanema, but Rio has so much more to offer. This city is also famous for stunningly beautiful scenery and carnivals.

Population - over 5 million

Christ the Redeemer statue

Maracana Stadium - one of the largest football stadiums in the world

Sugarloaf Mountain

Hosting 2016 Olympics

Tourism is Rio de Janeiro's primary industry

3. Salvador

Salvador has been dubbed Brazil's capital of happiness. This city is a mix of rich historical heritage and modern life.

Population - just over 2 million

Noted for - music, food, arts, and architecture

Industries - petrochemical plant, oil refinery, and tourism

Salvador is one of Brazil's most important ports and trade centers

Host to the largest street party in the world - Carnaval of Salvador da Bahia

4. Brasilia

This is one of the most unique cities in Brazil as it is actually not really a city at all! Brasilia is an administrative district of the Federal District of Brazil.

Brasilia is one of the few planned communities that exist in the world. It was built in just four years and appears from the sky in the shape of an airplane!

All branches of the Brazilian government are located here, as well as many major companies and industries.

Population - 2.6 million

Capital of Brazil

Brasilia International Airport

Important government and economic hub of Brazil

Industry - construction, recycling, furniture, pharmaceuticals, food processing

Historic sites and museums

5. Belo Horizonte

Population - 2.4 million

Largest city of Minas Gerais

Industry - agriculture, mining, automobiles, textiles, biotechnology, steel, gold and gems

Music, theatre, dance, food, and museums

Several cultural landmarks

6. Fortaleza

Population - 2.5 million

Nightlife, carnivals, comedians, cuisine, music festivals

Industry - tourism and national and international commerce

8 historic landmarks

16 miles of urban beaches

7. Curitiba

Population - 1.8 million

Capital of Parana

2nd largest manufacturer of automobiles in Brazil

Industry - commerce, finance, and services

Ecological capital of Brazil - 28 parks and many wooded areas

8. Manaus

Population - 1.7 million

Capital of Amazonas

Surrounded by the Amazon jungle

Home to largest neighborhood in Latin America - New Town

Industries - petroleum refining, Brazil nuts, timber and the manufacture of motorcycles, soap, ships, chemicals, and beer

9. Recife

Population - 1.5 million

Capital of Pernambuco

2 international ports

Guararapes International Airport

Home to over 50 bridges in city proper

Most prominent and important commercial center of North Brazil

2nd largest medical center in Brazil

Industries - electronics for automobiles, canning, textiles, brewing, manufacturing of tubes, and chocolate

Carnivals, shopping centers, museums, and home to musicians, writers, and dancers

10. Belem

Population - 1.4 million

Capital of Para

Serves as entrance to the Amazon - home to an airport, bus station, and port

Known as the City of Mango Trees because there are so many mango trees throughout the city

14 freshwater beaches

Hosts the most important religious celebration in Brazil - Cirio of Nazare

Belem International Airport - largest airport in North Brazil

Industries - international cargo, warehouses along miles of wharf to handle incoming and outgoing cargo

Learn more: http://www.celebratebrazil.com/cities-in-brazil.html#ixzz1PE81ydtO

source: http://www.celebratebrazil.com/cities-in-brazil.html

Bacolod: The City of Smiles

The City of Bacolod (Filipino: Lungsod ng Bacólod), is a highly urbanized midsize Philippine city. It is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental. Having a total of 499,497 inhabitants as of August 1, 2007, it is the most populous city in the Western Visayas Region.

The Cleanest and Greenest and the Most Livable City in the Philippines. The capital of the Province of Negros Occidental which is the Sugarbowl of the Philippines. Bacolod City serves as the entrance of the sugar-rich cities and towns of the Province. Visitor’s facilities abound, modern means of in-land transport can take guests for business or leisure to any point in the island of Negros.

Bacolod will charm you with the genuine warmth and hospitality of her people in harmony with their lilting melodious accent. The Bacoleños will delight you with food and cuisine that is as vigorous yet as subtle as the legendary Ilonggo gentility and taste for the good life.

Bacólod (English: Bacolod), is derived from bakólod (Old Spelling: bacólod), the Old Hiligaynon or Old Ilonggo (Old Spelling: Ylongo and Ilongo) word for a "hill, mound, rise, hillock, down, any small eminence or elevation", since the resettlement was founded on a stony, hilly area, now the barangay of Granada. It was officially called Ciudad de Bacólod (English: City of Bacolod) when Municipalidad de Bacólod (English: Municipality of Bacolod) was converted into a city in 1938.

OFFICIAL DETAILS:

City Head: Mayor Evelio Agi Ramos Leonardía

City Classification: Highly Urbanized City in the Philippnes

City Population: 499,497 as of 2007

City Land Area: 162.76 square km

Website: http://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacolod_City

MONIKER / NICKNAMES:

"The City of Smiles"

"Football City of the Philippines"

AWARDS & CITATIONS:

@ 2009 AIM Awardee for Best Compliance with Gov’t. Mandated Plans.
@ 2009 Region’s Best Performing City in Economic Development.

@ No. 1 in a survey by MoneySense Magazine as the "Best Place to Live in the Philippines"

MORE PICS HERE: