1. Sweets Museum
A street of more than 20 shops selling all sort of sweets and coffee. As you may aware that Japanese likes sweet a lot and their sweets are in great design and decoration that are so attempting. Not only that you can try almost any sweets in the world here. Particularly if you are going for English sweets you should try out Cafe COMME CA ISM, if you like yogurt you should not miss YAMI YOGURT, or you are fans of ice cream, you can try out MOCHICREAM and another natural soy beans sweets shop called Musashi Cafe.

2. Naniwa Gyoza Stadium
Gyoza also known as Japanese dumpling, usually it is fried dumpling and not soup based. Osaka people are crazy about Gyoza, you can tell by visiting Naniwa Gyoza Stadium. It has total of 9 Gyoza specialized stores that comes from around Japan. At the same time, you can take a look on the Gyoza history and there is a souvenir shop selling a lot of cute gyoza based goods.

3. Aji Doraku Benten
The best Izakaya in Umeda – Aji Doraku Benten that serves special sashimi and sushi like beef and horse sashimi, steamboat. It opens until 5.00 am from Monday to Saturday, suitable for people that cannot sleep at night and wanted to go for supper.

4. Jiro Charcoal Fried Chicken
The most famous fried chicken in Umeda region. The specialty is the shop only uses Miyazaki chicken which has extremely tendering meat texture and great fragrant and fried under the fire setup by long charcoal.

5. King of Chicken Wing – Te Ba Ichi Ro
A Izakaya that specialized in chicken wings. The chicken wings here are so tender, crispy and not oily at all. Special fragrant with sesame seeds covering the chicken wings skin. It is a superb foods accompanying sake or beer.

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Number 1: Hako Sushi
Do you know the origin of nigiri sushi is from Osaka and not Tokyo? Also the sushi is originated in square shape like a small little rectangular match box. The different is it is made by using a square wooden box or mold, all ingredients is put into this box and press to firm and shape the sushi, much different the curry hand made sushi. The fish used in Hako Sushi is also marinated, the rice is also cooked with added sushi vinegar and seaweed juice, with this handling, the sushi can last for at least 2 days.

Number 2: Fubu Sashimi
You can find fubu sashimi in famous sushi shop all around Japan, about 60% of the supply is came from Osaka. Fubu sashimi is very expensive and yet dangerous, only licensed sushi master can prepare fubu sashimi. It is so delicious and yet deadly, it has the sweetness that you cannot find other fish, the meat is so tender than cutter fish.

Number 3: Tako Yaki
It is the all time favorite for kids and adult, especially during Summer fire works presentation season. It is made by flour and octopus tentacles, in a 3-5mm diameter ball shape. Usually it is eat together with dried fish flake, mayonnaise and special sweet sauce.

Number 4: Okonomiyaki
It is like a pancake that cook on a hot sizzling plate, the main ingredients are egg and flour, the content can be vary from seafoods, meats, vegetables, noodles to anything. Many famous Okonomiyaki chain stores allow customer to prepare they own Okonomiyaki with their chosen flavor.

Number 5: Curry Rice
Osaka Curry Rice is famous of its smooth taste, rick fragrant and rick texture.

Number 6: Udon
Many tourists only know where to find the most delicious Lamen, but seldom they aware that in Osaka, they should go for Udon. It is so different from the Udon in other place, which the authentic Osaka Udon taste like soft, sticky and very smooth.

Number 7: Kushiage
Since 1920, Kushiage is already the famous tidbits for many walks of life Osaka people, usually it is the best to go with beer or sake. If you like to find the most authentic flavor one, you should go to Tennoji area to try out Kushiage.

Number 8: Yaki Nikku (BBQ or Grilled Meat)
Osaka local folks like strong taste food, fragrant BBQ or Grilled meat or Yaki Nikku is a must eat food in Osaka. As beef is the main ingredient, however you can find some shops selling home ground wild chicken meat too.

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There are so many sight seeing spots in Osaka that is really worth to take a look and spend some times to experience the building architecture, cultures, scenery. Well if there is really to put a time to the travel itinerary, a 5 days 4 nights for covering the major tourist areas.

However, you need to take in consideration of below suggestions:
1. If planning to theme parks like Universal Studio Osaka, it is advisable to go during weekdays and if possible depart as early as possible to get you enough time to play and watch all interesting games and shows in the park.
2. Not to miss the Rinku Premium Outlet that is near to Kansai International Airport, you can arrange to visit the outlet on the last day of your itinerary, factor in like 3-4 hours for last minute shopping, before catching your flight back home.

Brief Itinerary:
Day 1: Umeda -> Doutoubori -> Shisaibashi
Day 2: Universal Studio Osaka
Day 3: Nissin Noodles Museum -> Osaka Castle -> Minamisenba -> Amerikamura -> Horie
Day 4: Namba -> Den Den Town -> Tennoji Spa World
Day 5: Rinku Premium Outlet -> Airport

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Feature Stores:
1. Adidas
A huge Adidas Factory Outlet Store that has all sort of past season design apparel. The specialty of this store is, it has some very limited Japan edition Adidas goods that is extremely hard to find in oversea Adidas stores.

2. Bandai Asobi
This Bandai Asobi stores is easily 3 to 4 times larger than the one in Gotemba Factory Outlet. So you can find things that cannot find in Tokyo outlet here.

3. Coach
Coach is the 2nd most famous brand after Gucci in Japanese most favorite brand. The goods are usually selling for 40% off the retail price. If you come during the mid year and year end sale season, you will have some goods selling at 50%-75% off the price.

4. Beans
A famous young adult and teenager brand that has all the Beans series of goods selling here. The price is selling at 20%-50% off the normal price.

5. Francfranc
This is a famous grocery and house hold product store in Japan. It sells all sort of house hold, kitchen ware, toilet ware, curtains, and all daily use gear here. The product pricing can be as low as 70% off.

6. LEGO
You can get all LEGO products here including many different design T-shirt and Sling-bag. Pricing is ranging 30%-50% off.

7. GAP
If you are not aware, GAP is the most famous clothing brand, it has mostly all special design for Japan market only. Even though the product price here does not provide great discount, usually it is only 20%-30% off, but sometimes you can get some goods with US$9.99 like T-shirt, cap, belt, and many more.

8. Tsumori Chisato
The famous brand for office lady in Japan. The goods here are much cheaper than the goods selling in oversea retail shops, sometimes you can as cheap as 40%-50% off.

9. ZUCCA
Zucca the brand name of fashion for youngster in Japan. One of good thing about this shop is, it is selling a lot of on season goods with special reduced price. The last season fashion goods are selling at 30%-50% off.

10. Urban Research
A favorite Japanese teenager brand with 30%-50% discount. Even though the product is last season, but the design is still ahead of the fashion curve.

11. World Gourmet Junction
This is the biggest food court in the outlet. It serves authentic Osaka cuisines like Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Sushi, Curry rice, as well as some western cuisine and fast foods.

Operation Hours:
January – December: 10.00 am to 8.00 pm
Off Date: Every year on the Third Thursday on February.

Access Information:
1. Osaka Kansai International Airport to Rinku Town
By Train: Take JR Kansai Airport Line Nankai Line “Airport Express” to Rinku Town, takes about 6-8 minutes. Then about 10 minutes walking distance from Rinku Town to Rinku Premium Outlets.
By Bus: Take Sky Shuttle Bus, about 25-30 minutes to Rinku Premium Outlets.

2. Osaka City to Rinku Premium Outlet
By Train from Nanba: Board Nankai Line “Airport Express” train to Rinku Town which takes about 45 minutes, then a 6-8 minutes walking distance to the outlet.
By Train from Tennoji: Board JR Hanwa Line “Kanku Fast” traing which takes about 45 minutes to Rinku Town, then walk about 8 minutes to reach outlet stores.

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1. Stroll Balboa Island
Nestled in the center of Newport Bay, tiny Balboa Island is the West Coast’s answer to Nantucket. The only retail street, Marine Avenue, is lined with charming shops and cafes, including stands that feature the trademark “Balboa bar”, a cool, ice-cream treat coated with chocolate and rainbow sprinkles.

2. Cruise to Catalina Island for the day
This idyllic isle, often compared to Mediterrannean jewels such as Capri and Malta, sits just 22 miles from the mainland; high speed ferries leave continually from Long Beach and Newport harbors. Once there, you can stroll the tiny town of Avalon, visit the Art Deco Casino pavillion, ride a glass bottom boat, or tour the conservation protected interior of the island.

3. Ride the Tower of Terror at California Adventure
Board a so called service elevator in an abandoned luxury hotel. Ride up nearly 200 feet above Sunset Boulevard. When the doors open at the top, you will see a gaping hole in the structure of the once grand hotel, and suddenly you will take a steep, terrifying plunge down the exposed shaft as the elevator plummers to the ground.

4. Take the train to Mission San Juan Capistrano
Catch Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner in Fullerton, Anaheim, or Santa Ana to the birthplace of Orange County: Mission San Juan Capistrano, reputedly the most beautiful of the California missions.

5. Feed the Dolphins at Sea World
Grab a paper tray of delicious sardines and join the throngs tossing treats to the friendly dolphins. These smart and playful mammals know how to put on a show for their supper, leaping, splashing and occasionally grabbing a fish right out of your hand.

6. Enjoy a Romantic Picnic
Grab an umbrella, a blanket and a sack lunch, then hit the sand. To picnic on the water, rent a boat anything from an electric Duffy boat to a 35 foot yacht and stop at Woody’s Whart in Newport Beach for dockside dining service.

7. Take a Gondola “Cruise”
Imagine gliding through the canals of Newport Bay, nibbling hors d’oeuvres and sipping Champagne, while your traditionally clad gondolier stands astern and occasionally breaks into an impromptu aria. The Gondola Company of Newport has a fleet of Venetian gondolas standing by for fun or romance.

8. See the stars on Hollywood Boulevard
No, we are not talking about hanging around hoping someone famous will drive by, we mean strolling along the iconic “Walk of Fame”, where anybody who’s ever been anybody is memorialized with a shiny bronze star in the sidewalk.

1. Expo Hall Selection.
Each day you can book to visit 5 halls only, so you need to plan properly and book it fast. There are about 200 Kiosks at the main entrance, but it will always crowded there. It is advice to access the Kiosks at Hou Tan and Bai Lian Jin entrance to avoid the long queue.

2. Fast Get Through Security Check:
It is advice not to bring many stuff and big backpack with you, since there is strict entrance security screening. Foods, drinks, tri-port or camera stand, long umbrella are not allowed.

3. Determined your entrance and exit gate:
The expo covers a very large area, it is advisable to plan your day itinerary properly in order not to waste a lot of time on logistic.

4. Transportation to Expo:
Once you have fixed your itinerary planning, plan for your transportation, taxi and subway is the best transportation. Subway 4, 6, 7, 8, and 13 lines can access into the expo directly. For boat entrance, there are total 4 of it and it is free ride to get into the expo.

5. Taxi in Expo:
During Expo period, normal taxi cannot access into the expo. They are total of 4 thousands special purpose taxi in yellow and white color with Expo design can access in and out from expo venue.

6. One Card Takes Care All:
It is recommended to buy one Shanghai Octopus Card that enable to you ride on any transportation without worry about small changes and coins.

7. Expo Guide at Handy:
Pick up a complete expo guide at any newspaper store beside the road for about $20 Yuan. It helps a lot in planning your visit itinerary to expo, especially an overview on all the expo halls from different countries.

8. Night Entrance Ticket is Cheaper:
To get into the expo after 5pm has special discount on ticket price. Also it is good chance to snap some night view photos when most of the exhibition halls will light up very nicely.

9. Take note on Country National Day:
Since each of the country exhibition hall has its special date for special events, showcase and theme.

10. Avoid May 2010 Opening visiting period as it is the most crowded period
June is the best time to visit Shanghai Expo, July and August is the hottest time and not suitable for travelling, September and October is good season too.

1. The Birth Place of Titanic – Hafland & Wolff ship maker
Hafland & Wolff at Belfast is the birth place of Unsinkable Titanic in 1911. The factory is situated at the east of Belfast. The Thomson Graving port is the first place where Titanic had its first water sailing trial. Must try the “Titanic Journey” to see and feel everything about Titanic.

2. Giant Causeway
The Giant Causeway is formed from basalt columns from lava volcano eruption. It has about 40 thousands of these basalt columns spreading across the causeway and into the sea. This is the only World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in 1986.

3. Carrick-a-Repe Rope Bridge
It is the famous tourist spot in Northern Ireland. The rope suspension bridge linked up the main land and Carrick Island. Kind of interesting in walking on the narrow wooden suspension bridge as high as 30 meter above the sea and about 20 meters in lenght. You can see the wave smashing on the rock beneath you while crossing the bridge. The bridge is build by the Salmon fisherman in Northern Island which enable them to park their boards at Carrick island and walk back to the mainland safely.

Only $42 Pound Sterling for 2 Days 1 Night Trip
If you don’t have much time to spend in Northern Ireland and wish to visit all of the most interesting and famous places, here is a superb guide for you.

Day 1:
Arrived in Belfast, check into Belfast International Youth Hostel (price start from $8.50 pound for 17 people room sharing). After that headed straight to visit where the place Titanic was bound the Halfand & Wolff shipyard. Then spend most of the time hanging out in the city to enjoy the local culture, foods and people.

Day 2:
Sign up the McComb’s Executive Travel & Tour to Giant Causeway ($25 pound for adult, $22 pound for student, online ticket cost $17.50 pound per person; tour price does not include park entry ticket cost). The tour starts at 9.45am everyday depart from Belfast International Youth Hostel. Spend about 2 hours of bus ride to reach there, along the journey there are many beautiful scenery that you can enjoy. First stop is the Carrickfergus Castle just for photo shooting. Second stop is the Carrick-a-Repe Rope Bridge. Third stop is the Giant Causeway. On the way back the tour will bring you visit the a very famous whiskey brewing house.

San Premium Outlets has about ~180 outlet stores, covering famous brand like agnes b., ZUCCa, Adidas, Nike, Beams, Armani, Paul Smith, A.P.C,  and many more.

Here are some featured outlet stores:

1. agnes b Outlet is the world wide biggest agnes b outlet. It has all types of agnes based products. However the pricing in this shop s only apply the most 40% to 20% off the retail price.

2. Frapbois Outlet famous of its accessories, shoes and its Moonstar series of fashion. The discount products are usually way below 70% of original price.

3. ZUCCa Outlet has wider range of products including mercibeaucoup, Ne-net. Goods sold here is usually 50% of the original price.

Access Information:

From Shinjuku Station: At South Exit, go to JR Highway Bus Terminal, board the “Marrionier Shinjuku” to Sano Premium Outlet with approximately 90 minutes of journey.

From Tokyo Station: At South Exit, go to bus stop number 5,  board the “Marrionier Tokyo” to Sano Premium Outlet with approximately 80 minutes of journey.

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Milan Mansion Moschino: Fairy Tales Wonderland
Average room rate: Euro $230 – $610.
Access Information: Located in Milan Via Monte Grappa, 5 minutes walk from Garibaldi Train Station.

It is like the other fashion brand designer hotel for example Versace and Armani, which going for high end luxurious category, but there is something very special about this Moschino fashion is the concept and idea of this fashion is very far reach and innovative, always setting surprises for fashion lovers, hence makes this Mansion Mochino so special as compare to others. It is situated at Milan Viale Monte Grappa, the outlook has maintained the 1840 years of train station building as the building architecture theme. But once you step into the lobby you will be surprise to see the very weird (at least to someone) hall decoration like big old england dress drop down lamps, rose pedals hanging all around, evening grown and many other fairy tales related item. The mansion has total of 54 standard room and 15 suites, each of everyone is uniquely decorated with special furnitures. Check out for the impressive design on the hotel rooms design here.

Beijing Hotel G: A Night Out in Hollywood Pub
Average room rate: RMB 1088 on wards
Access information: Beijing San Li Tun

Hotel G @ Beijing is designed by Mark Lintott who is famous of designing happening pubs and discos in United States. Hotel G @ Beijing is his first attempt in designing Hotel with Hollywood night life style into one. From the moment you walk into the lobby you will find out a lot of weird setup statue with aluminium, green with gray color marble floor, pillars with Aston Martin leather design, the designer is trying to blend in the 60s Hollywood pop culture into this mysterious and glamorous layout. The rooms design are very special with famous 60s sexy actresses and singers photos, wall cover with rock stones, some even using the actual Hollywood shooting background as the theme of the rooms.

Taipei Wego: A Special Night Out with Girl Friend/s
Average room rate: NT$3500-5000
Access Information: Right next to Miramar Entertainment Park, take MRT/subway to JianTan station, get out from #1 exit, change free shuttle bus directly to Miramar, then walk for 3 minutes to reach Wego Motel.

Taipei Wego is one of the most high end Motel in Taiwan, the owner spend about NT$1 billion for the motel construction and decoration. Total has 96 rooms with 33 types of different decoration. The most authentic and famous one is the “Dream Out Your Way” which has 2 marry go round pony setup in the room which you and your partner can ride on it. There are other like iron steel bar setup in the room for sexy hot dancing, theme like “White Forest” uses Beijing Olympic stadium as the design, or you can select “Love LV” where the whole room is full of LV logo on the wall, furniture and even toilet! Another great facilities about this Wego Motel is the superb audio system with a wide range of musics to choose from.

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It is very easy to get access to Bayan Island, just touch down at Singapore and get on a board or ferry at Marina Bay Marine Center, within 55 minutes of boat ride you will reach the most beautiful Bintan Island.

The Bayan Tree Bintan
If you are going to enjoy the highest feel of independent Villa and highest SPA quality, it is no other option rather than – The Bayan Tree Bintan. Stay in such a 5 star world class of resort, there is no need to have a itinerary to plan ahead, just get what you wish to do at anytime and order the room attendant to plan it out for you.

Through out Bayan Tree, there is only 70 Villas which are isolated from each other to provide the most privacy and great feel for each of the resident. Everyone of this villa has the view of the ocean, beach, coconut trees and most important you can feel the fresh sea breeze and fresh air from the natural tropical forest.

SPA treatment here is very special, it is the mixture of Asia, Swiss, Lomi Lomi,  Indonesian, and  Thai styles. The SPA is taken place in a very Indonesian style of small little villa and some has the view of the oceans.

Another special arrangement is you can have couple of different theme of dinner setup for you. The “Dinner at 8″, arrangement setup at the number 8 holes of the Bintan Lake Golf Course, which is the best view hole in the course, you can enjoy watching the beautiful sunset scenery at the Southern China Sea. Another one called “Dinner of the Legend” which the dinner is setup on the white sandy beach, enjoy the dinner while watching the traditional Indonesian dances and the food served is the very authentic Rijstafel dinner. Or you can have the “Dinner on the Rocks” where you need to be a little bit adventures to hike over some rocky places and reach to a flat big rocks surrounded by the sea to have your romantic dinner.

The most recent introduced one is called “Reflection” where you are having your dinner on top of a floating platform above the villa swimming pool. The setup is so romantic as many candles light setup along the pools and the path way to the platform, and the platform is decorated with white transparent curtain, you can see the whole setup reflected on the surface of the pool.

Club Med @ Bintan
There is other famous resort like the Club Med Bintan which is full of Energy, Young, Sun Shine, Happy feel and energetic attraction, this is the power and uniqueness of Club Med. Also the expenses here is unique where 1 price for all (single package to cover all activities in the house). The biggest difference of Club Med Bintan are natural, simple, tranquil, surrounded with natural tropical rain forest and many activities for the whole family. Especially when the mum is out for SPA, the kids can hang out have fun in the outdoor games together with friends from around the world, there is no worries for the parents as it is taken good care with very professional Club Med activities coaches or more well knows as G.O (Game Officer) which know many languages.

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