The world’s 10 most happening holiday destinations – to party, unwind and dance the night away!

PART FOUR:

Fasano, Rio de Janeiro

Everywhere you look at Fasano Rio de Janeiro, it’s a feast for the eyes. The hotel nods to the Rio of yesteryear with details such as 1960s-style furniture and vintage uniforms. A visual treat awaits on Fasano Rio de Janeiro’s rooftop deck, whose pool overlooks the delicious curve of Ipanema Beach.

The 3-year-old Fasano — a from-scratch concept of celebrated hotel design architect Philippe Starck — has made the fashionable Ipanema beachfront of Rio de Janeiro an even more desirable place-to-be–seen.

The Fasano’s charisma stems from its storied public spaces — lounge/bar Baretto-Londra (an edgy yet elegant homage to London, owner Rogério Fasano’s favourite city); see-and-be-seen Mediterranean-inspired seafood restaurant Fasano Al Mare (helmed by the former chef of a three-star Michelin Florentine eatery); and a rooftop swimming pool, steam room, and January 2010-debuted spa.

Together, they serve as a superlative microcosm of the Brazilian party capital’s legendary and seductive revelry. Party hotel den Baretto-Londra’s leather-clad aesthetic and exposed red-brick walls provide a glam-packed haven for chic Cariocas (Rio residents) and jet-setters, where classic rock tunes, weekend DJs, and the occasional live show supply the beats.

It’s the exclusive, guests-only rooftop scene that is Fasano’s coup de grace, though, where free-flowing bar service and a sexy infinity pool overlooking Rio’s iconic beachfront landscape define the city’s most coveted perch for sunsets and stargazing — of both kinds (P. Diddy, Madonna, and Beyoncé count among past patrons).

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Top Ten Things To Do In Los Angeles PART 1

The city of Angels is an ever-sprawling metropolis where getting from A to B can be a real challenge. This list narrows down the sights, making manoeuvring much easier.

A visit to Los Angeles on California’s sunny coastal stretch is all about immersing oneself in a world of fame, money and opulence in the city famous as the home of Hollywood. Most first impressions of L.A. will be of a surprisingly unremarkable city of unremarkable suburban life. The magic of Hollywood and the extravagance of Beverly Hills are not apparent everywhere in the city; this list tries to narrow down the typical L.A. experience into ten items that will thrill thrill-seekers and entertain almost everyone.

Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

One of Los Angeles most famous sights, the Walk of Fame is in the tourist-centre of the city, on Hollywood Boulevard, near Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Kodak Theatre and Sunset Boulevard. While this ‘attraction’ may just be a few hundred red, black and gold stars on the pavement, it is kind of exciting to stand where so many famous celebrities have, on a site known worldwide.

Take a Walk Down Sunset Strip

The Sunset Strip, a section of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, may have lost some of its charm these days, but there’s so much of Hollywood’s history along this section of road that it’s not to be missed. It’s a great place for celebrity sightings, and nearby are such locations as the ‘House of Blues’ Club, The Viper Room, the Walk of Fame, the Kodak and Grauman’s Theatres to name a few of the notable landmarks. The Strip is a little run-down looking now, but that doesn’t prevent it from being a lively night spot full of restaurants, clubs and interesting shops.

The La Brea Tar Pits

While ‘Tar Pits’ may not have a romantic Hollywood ring about it, this sight is actually pretty unique and fascinating. When the Tar Pits were uncovered in Los Angeles, thousands of bones of long-extinct creatures such as mammoths and mastodons were discovered, opening up a long-forgotten part of the regions past. There are few locations like this in the world, where visitors get the chance to see the remains of long-extinct creatures in an amazing museum sitting alongside the famed Tar Pits.

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Disabled Travel. PART 06

TIP 10: Settle your transport: Don’t forget about transportation to and from the airport. If you have a wheelchair, make arrangements in advance to have a wheelchair accessible vehicle pick you up in your destination city. It is better to make such arrangements before your flight in order to avoid being stranded when you reach your destination.

TIP 11: Be prepared for breakdowns and repairs: Remember to pack some spare parts and tools. Wheelchairs can take tremendous abuse when traveling, and to have to find someone who can repair your  wheel chair in a foreign country can be quite a hassle. Therefore be prepared and assemble a small kit of spare parts and tools for emergency repairs. You may also be required to dismantle a wheelchair for certain flights or activities, so make sure you and your traveling companions know how to do this.

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Disabled Travel. PART 02

Although the Americans with Disabilities Act guarantees that disabled travelers receive equal treatment under the law, it doesn’t always work out that way in the real world. Despite considerable public sentiment and education, disabled travelers still face inadequate facilities, prejudice, misinformation, general hassles and higher prices than other travelers.

Compounding the problem is the fact that there are as many disabilities as there are disabled folks. Each person’s needs and wants differ, and settling for regular airline seats, hotel rooms and rental car fleets may not be suitable or comfortable.

TIP 3: Be specific: This is why it is important to be specific and clear when describing your impending trip with your doctor. A doctor can often prescribe measures for coping with an unusually long flight, limited medical facilities at your destination, the unavailability of prescription drugs, and other pitfalls of traveling. In some cases, your doctor may even question the advisability of travel.

TIP 4: Doctors contact: Take your doctor’s note and phone number. Travel with a statement from your doctor, preferably on letterhead, covering your condition, medications, potential complications and other pertinent information. It is always better to be safe than sorry in such situations and it does not hurt to be prepared.

To sum up this month’s posts; traveling with an elderly parent, relative or friend does not have to be stressful. So long as you are prepared, patient and understand their needs, it can be a fun and enjoyable trip.

Remember to make a list of all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal remedies currently being taken; also see that you include dosages. Pack an appropriate quantity of each medication to last the trip plus an extra supply in case of delays in travel. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so packing a weeks or two worth of extra pills does not hurt.

Always keep medications with the traveler. It is not uncommon for luggage to get lost, so be prepared for anything. Pack all diabetic syringes or EpiPens in original containers with prescription information. Without the original packaging, these items may be confiscated as security hazards. Prepare a detailed list of names and telephone numbers of the physicians who prescribed the medications, so that they can be called in an emergency.

If your elderly relative requires a hearing aide, pack extra batteries. Remember to pack an extra pair of glasses, plus the prescription with you in case they are broken or misplaced.

Bring a cane along if you think they would need it for balance and supplies for denture or incontinence care, as very often these items are not be available in a vacation destination. It is best if your elderly relative can wear medic alert jewelry and/or medic alert cards in case of an emergency.

I think we have tackled almost all, or at the very least, the most common worse case scenarios. So long as you are prepared and ready for anything, you will be sure to enjoy yourself and the time spent with your elderly loved one.