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The British county of Herefordshire sets quaint town markets, Herefordshire Hotels,  and a variety of quaint villages and a variety of topographical landscapes all in the the relatively unspoiled country.  There is a cultural richness along this countryside, as well as a conservation and protected beauty, a leisurely and laid back lifestyle mixed with an interesting history, making this one of the top United Kingdom destinations for travel, relaxation and exploring.  Hereford itself is a very old city, with the towers and spires of the Saint Ethelbert and the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary rising above the Wye River and the medieval era bridge.

The Cathedral was built in 1079 A.D. and is the oldest cathedral in the country of Great Britain.  All of these monuments stand as testaments to the past and the distinguished heritage of this incredible region of England.  The town of Hereford is located close to the border of Wales, in the rural region of the landscape.  This is an area dedicated mainly to farming and agriculture, along with the cultivation of fruit crops and apple tree orchards.  The most productive cider industry is located in Hereford, and the the famous breed of Hereford cattle, well comes from Hereford.  There are many gardens and museums that offer up travelers the opportunities to explore the unique history of the past.

And today the modern amenities of life are intermingled with the rich heritage and architecture of the past.  Situated so closely to the borders of the North Western region of England and South Wales, this is still an important link between the two, with train rails and roads leading back and forth.  This is a center of the region that is of historical importance.  One of the most cultivated and extensive Libraries is located in Hereford, as well as the Mappa Mundi, which houses the famous map of the world.  Many of the museums, as well as the historical cathedrals, also house distinctive cafes and fine dining restaurants as well.  This is one of the many regions to walk, to explore and to discover a bit of history that is significant to so many cultures that are thriving today.

The Genovese mafia family of Manhattan owned many establishments during the 1960’s, amongst them, restaurants, green markets, and NY hotels.  One of the hotels in ownership was the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street.  This mafia family invested a large sum of money to convert the establishment into a gay bar.  Police would stop by once a week to collect their envelopes of pay off cash.  This was the only spot in New York at that time, wherein people could go and dance with each other without fear of imprisonment or bodily harm.  This was a hangout which could conceivably be a hangout today, during modern times of walls painted black, multiple dance floors with flickering lights.  Should the police stop by, the white lights would come on which were a signal to all, to stop dancing.

History recounted states that in the early morning of 28 June, 1969, undercover police entered the Inn.  Evidence for the raid was gathered earlier that evening by other members of the police force.  Just about two hundred people were dancing in the lounge that night.  Many of the patrons had never before been involved in a raid, those that had ran for the exits.  Confusion ensued among the patrons and the officers alike.  Those not able to leave where lined up and were requested to produce identification.

During this time, transvestites were arrested on charges of falsifying information incongruent with their forms of identification.  There was evidence of sexual misconduct on the part of the police department when detaining lesbians.  What became the beginning of the movement, was the fact that many of those released and not arrested, did not leave.  With, what one writer has stated, …with wrists limp and hair in a primp, the people in the Stonewall Inn that night stood up for their rights.  What resulted, was the result of an unjustified raid, and became the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement in Manhattan, and throughout the rest of the world.  The Gay Pride celebrations ended this past weekend, marking the fortieth anniversary of the raid on the Stonewall Inn.  And in cities throughout the world, people celebrated, and considered, how far society has come, and how far it still needs to progress.

Amsterdam is a city of wonder. And outside of the bars, the coffee shops, the “Red Light District” and the five star Amsterdam hotels, there is a rich artistic history. Writers, painters, sculptors and poets travel to this city for inspiration and bit of the life that is worth painting about or writing about or ideas and visions that are sculpted out of stone or set into Bronze. One such poet, not traveling to the city, but born there in 1798, is Isaac da Costa. Costa was born in Amsterdam, lived there and died there at the age of 62. He wrote in Dutch, many poems, papers and essays. He was born into a Jewish family of Portuguese stock, the son of an aristocrat. His father was a successful businessman and his mother was related to a high ranking political economist. Costa love books, loved to learn, and as many parents seeing this tendency in their children, law school was considered his destiny. He spent four years at the Latin school, studying law, and it was during this time he started writing poetry. His math professor at the time took notice and introduced him to a variety of Dutch poets, one of which was Bilderdijk , the most well respected and published of the art form. The two eventually became dear friends, but while he was young he was under the constant supervision of Bilderdijk, per his father’s request. His father wanted to insure his continued and very fine education.

While studying Costa received two PhD.s, one in Law and the other in Philosophy. He then married his cousin, who was a Christian, and soon was baptized into the Christian faith. He was becoming quite known for his writings, and upon the death of his beloved friend and mentor, Bilderdijk , he became known as the next Dutch fine poet. His poems reflected society and religious views, those expanded upon and due to his friendship and his faithful loyalty to that friend. He did write also of Judaism and of Israel , and his writings were so passionate and severe there were many times that censorship threatened to quiet his artistry. He was interested for all of his life, about different religions and while they may not have held the same truths that he held to be true, he always wrote with a sense of respect and awe and dignity. His work has been translated into many different languages and he is well loved and respected to this day as one of the very finest poets, and one of the gentle men, a gentleman of the written and spoken word.

Bangkok is an amazing city, known for its towering skyline, lovely parks and gardens, and the slower, quiet charm of Thailand. The city is equally proud of its modern marvels (boasting over 1000 skyscrapers) and its traditional heritage. The city has a number of enchanting and significant temples. Visiting each of the temples could encompass an entire trip to Bangkok and provide a uniquely spiritual and architectural experience.

Wat Pho is more commonly known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Located next to the Grand Palace it features a gold-plated Buddha that is fifteen meters tall and 46 meters long. Wat Pho was the region’s first public education center as well as a religious enclave.

The Temple of Dawn is officially known as Wat Arun. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya, the temple is famous for its central pagoda. Rising 79 meters high, the pagado is encrusted with porcelain that sparkles in sunlight.

Wat Ratchabophit’s architecture is a mixture of western and local styles. Wat Mahathat is an older temple that is home to Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University and offers meditation classes to tourists. Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing houses beautiful 19th century murals as well as the Giant Swing that is a reminder of the ancient Brahmanic ceremonies for which is was created.

Other temples of interest in Bangkok include Wat Ratchapradit Sathitmahasimaram, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Bowon Niwet, and Wat Intharawihan. Wat Ratchapradit Sathitmahasimaram is a smaller temple with a royal heritage and was originally a royal coffee plantation. Wat Saket and the Golden Mount, Wat Intharawihan, Wat Ratchanatdaram, Wat Thepthidaram, Wat Trai Mit, and Wat Benchamabophit all have beautiful and one-of-kind features that provide inspiration and insight into Thailand’s rich religious history.

To make the most of any visit, stay in one of the best Bangkok hotels and be sure to enjoy the many superb local restaurants featuring the best food in Thailand. And make sure to bring your bargaining skills as all the shops and markets in Bangkok expect you to haggle, even though the prices here are already much cheaper than western tourists are accustomed to paying.