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Detroit has its secrets; most of them in the form of little known tourist attractions. Now that the city is becoming a haven for weekend getaways, they’re springing to life again, adding vibrancy to a slowly resurrecting industrial town. All of the following attractions can be reached by a variety of transportation, including limos and luxury sedans.

Greektown

The ouzo flows and the souvlaki sizzles on Monroe Street, the center of an ethnic section of Detroit dominated by Greek restaurants and businesses.

GM Renaissance Center

Multi-towered skyscraper is the tallest building in Detroit that features an observation tower on the 72nd floor.

Greektown Casino

From Baccarat and Blackjack to Craps and Caribbean Stud, this lively casino ensures an exciting gaming experience.

GM World

Twenty-five General Motors cars and trucks are showcased in this elaborate setting.

Pewabic Pottery

A historical specialty shop where visitors can pick up beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces of pottery.

Historic Trinity Lutheran Church

Traditional cathedral ministry serves the greater metropolitan area of Detroit.

Ambassador Bridge

At the time this bridge was built in 1929 it was the longest suspension bridge in the world.

Detroit Cultural Center Historic District

This area includes Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Science Center, the Detroit Public Library and Wayne State University.

Comerica Park

Home of the Detroit Tigers, this is no ordinary ballpark. Combination theme park, ballpark, and baseball museum, it features huge statues of tigers, a Ferris wheel, carousel (with tigers, of course) and a fountain that celebrates each home run with colored lights and music.

Ford Field

Detroit Lions’ new home field and site of the 2006 Super Bowl.

Eastern Market

A fantastic farmer’s market where you can get just about anything.

Belle Isle

This large urban park on Belle Isle in the middle of the Detroit River contains the Belle Isle Zoo and was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead.

Detroit Heritage Tours

Learn about the history of Detroit on a set of five guided walking tours led by volunteers from Preservation Wayne.

Detroit Opera House

The old Grand Circus Theater was transformed into this opera house.

Hart Plaza

Designed by Isamu Noguchi, this huge concrete expanse features the designer’s unique creations of a twisted spire and fountain.

Detroit Symphony

Popular orchestra performs a wide variety of musical performances featuring classical, pops and jazz concerts at Orchestra Hall, Meadow Brook Music Festival and other venues.

Fox Theater Building

A beautifully refurbished, flamboyant, 5,000 seat theater.

Max M. Fisher Music Center

Originally built for the symphony in 1919, this building was saved from destruction and now houses the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Joe Louis Arena

Detroit sports center where the Red Wings won the 1997 Stanley Cup.

Mexicantown

Mexican section of southwest Detroit. Incredible, authentic Mexican food.

Poletown, Detroit

Ethnic section of Detroit.

Century Club

Now being used for cabaret theatre or private dinner functions

Detroit-Windsor Tunnel

The first international vehicular tunnel that now allows thousands of visitors to transverse the Detroit River daily.

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When travelers think of historic Italian cities, they often think of Florence, Rome, and Venice. But for those who know the real Italy, there are other incalculable riches. One such treasure is the town of Ferrara, protected by UNESCO on the World Cultural Heritage list as a priceless example of a living, breathing work of Renaissance art.

A vast portion of the town survives from the middle ages and in the off-season, before the arrival of eager tourists, a quiet morning walk in the pedestrian center along the cobble-stoned streets and brick and stone palazzos will bring you back hundreds of years to a less complicated existence. Now picture a crisp cool day in September and try to imagine the sky above that beautiful city filled with the dancing colors of hot air balloons. First one, then five, twenty, then thirty.

Alex and I braved an actual take-off, but even from the ground, the festival is filled with sights and sounds that most of us are not used to experiencing in every day life. Imagine a flaccid piece of colored parachute-like material, slowly inflating to a balloon the size of a three story building and then float off into the sky amid the sound and sight of the flaming forced air entering it. Let’s face it, your adrenaline is going even if you are not one the lucky ones to take a celestial journey. It’s not necessary to wait until next year. Ferrara has many other sites, none of which should be missed. But should you decide to combine your trip with the experience of the magnificent “mongolfiere,” the hot air balloons will be waiting for you next September.

Our favorite hotel is Hotel Ferrara (+39) 0532-20.50.48, in the historical center in the main piazza overlooking the Castello Estense an imposing 14th century castle and the symbol of power and refinement of the historical presence of Ferrara. There could be no better base for a visit of the town. Using the complimentary hotel bicycles, we were able to bike to the Balloon Festival.

The region of Emilia Romagna is known world-wide for its food, and our dinner at the Big Night Ristorante (+39 0532 242 367), a restaurant that shares an entrance and collaborative relationship with the hotel, was no exception. We ate a crostata salata di ricotta, which is a ricotta pie topped with grilled radicchio. This was followed by pasticcio di macaroni alla ferrarese con tartufo, a wonderful macceroni pasta with truffles covered by paper thin and crispy pasta dough. Our second course was filetto di manzo in crosta con punte asparagi, crema di Roquefort profumato al tartufo nero, which is a beef fillet in pastry with white asparagus tips, a hint of Roquefort and black truffles.

All dishes melted in our mouths and were some of the finest I have tasted. The entire dinner was topped off with a chocolate masterpiece, dolcetto di cioccolato fondente con crema alla vaniglia, gelato di pistachio e curry indiano. If you can picture this, it was a warm chocolate cupcake with a liquid center, with vanilla cream, homemade pistachio ice cream and Indian curry. It would be the one food I would request should I have the misfortune to find myself on death-row some day. The chef, Fabio Zanella, is sure to have been scooped up an aggressive hotelier somewhere else in the world, were it not for the fact that he was born and bred in Ferrara and reluctant to leave.

Ferrara has many other sites, none of which should be missed. They include La Pinacoteca Nazionale (The National Picture Gallery), a home for a panorama of paintings from the mediaeval era to the 18th century and many other beautiful museums. The most heart-rendering, however, and one not to be missed by those exploring their Jewish heritage is that of the Jewish Ghetto, beautifully preserved with its three synagogues.

The Jewish community prospered here throughout the 1400s thanks to the particular protection of the Estense dukes who welcomed refugees to the city from other European countries. Later in the 1600s, the community endured taxes and other impositions, restrictions and segregations. Still later, under fascist rule, gates closed off the quarter. The history of these centuries, both beautiful and horrendous is preserved in the walls, the streets, the synagogues and the Jewish museum and serves as an enduring historic monument to all that was endured over the centuries. Much credit must be given to the people of Ferrara for their dedication in preserving it. Whether you wait for next September, or hop a plane tomorrow, we will in all likelihood see you there.

]]> http://www.leadbellybluesfestival.com/the-ferrara-balloon-festival-you-may-never-be-earth-bound-again.html/feed 0 http://www.leadbellybluesfestival.com/varanasi-the-city-of-fairs-and-festivals.html http://www.leadbellybluesfestival.com/varanasi-the-city-of-fairs-and-festivals.html#comments Sat, 17 Jul 2010 10:20:24 +0000 admin http://www.nailaintan.co.cc/varanasi-the-city-of-fairs-and-festivals.html

Varanasi is the last pilgrimage spot for Hindus located on the left bank of the Ganga River along the Uttar Pradesh state. Their rich cultural traditions and heritage of Varanasi has made it the city of fairs and festivals.

Varanasi is known as the oldest living city in the world. It is also the culture capital of India. The place became the center for fairs and festivals by virtue of their cultural and religious importance. Festivals are celebrated almost every month. The celebration symbolizes life at its best with the dedication of Varanasi’s beliefs.

Varanasi is commonly known as Banaras or Banares. The city became the center for learning and civilization over 3000 years ago. Its culture is greatly associated with the river’s religious traditions. It has been the symbol for Hindu renaissance and devotion to the gods. People believed that the Ganges River has the power to wash away the sins of mortals. Hence, a person who dies on Varanasi would achieve freedom and salvation.

Many festivals are celebrated in high spirits. A huge number of foreigners visit the place in order to witness the significance of each fair.

Bharat Milap at Nati Imli

Bharat Milap is celebrated from October to November. The festival is held in regard of Lord Rama’s (the chief protagonist of Ramayana) return to Ayodhya after his 14 years of exile and his reunion with his brother, Bharat. The festival attracts millions of devotees in a whole day fair following Dussehra. The festival shows the profound love of the Lord Rama and Bharat and the victory of good over evil.

Buddh Purnima in Sarnath

Buddh Purnima is held in May celebrating Lord Gautam Buddha’s birth. This festival connotes the birth and death of Buddha on a full moon day. The relics of Buddha are taken out to view by the public on procession. Sarnath is the place for the large fair celebrated with rare abandon.

Ramlila of Ramnager

Ramlila is a month long feast with regards on Goswami Tulsida’s Ramcharitmanas. A live show of ancient rituals or pantomime is presented in the form of Surpnakha Nasika Chedan, Dhanush Bhang and Ram Janmotsav. The two performances tackle the story of Lord Rama.

Dhrupad Mela

Dhrupad Mela is held every March. It is a 5-day musical festival performed by renowned artists. Tulsi Ghat is a popular place among tourists that come to experience the musical extravagance.

Hanumat Jayanti Janmotsav

Hanuman Jayanti Janmotsav is celebrated at Sankat Mochan Temple. It is a 5 day cultural and musical affair by Indian artists. The fair is based on Hanuman Charitra, Saraswati, Ram and Krishna Lila. It commemorates the birth of Hanuman (mythical character).

The Nakkatayya and Nah Nathaiya are other festivals in Varanasi which is dedicated for Rama and the Lord Krishna.

Nakkatyya – Chetganj

A stage play is reenacted showing the story of Ramayan during this festival. This is a story wherein her sister Surpnakha insisted to attract Laksman and Ram. The cutting of the nose of Surpnakha was enacted in a beautiful way onstage. Decorated lags are taken out for the occasion.

Nag Nathaiya

Nag Nathaiya is part of the Krishna Leela ceremony. It is a mythological tradition depicting the life episode of Lord Krishna jumping into the Ganga River for Nag Nathan. Nag Nathaiya’s origin can be traced back to the Mahabharata. The festival is held at Tulsi Ghat during the month of November to December.

Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is dedicated to Lord Shiva where a marriage procession of Lord Shiv is presented from Mahamritunjaya temple to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Around 50,000 to 60,000 people gather here to see this much loved festival. All the temples are decorated and devotees offer milk, songs, bhajans and hymns to create a sacred atmosphere.

Other fairs and festivals are the Panch Koshi Parikrama and Dev Deepavali (festival of lights). The pure and divine ambiance of the festivals attracts many people. The blessed city of Varanasi captivates many devotees, expressing their cultural tradition.

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