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Breathtaking glacier valley attracts a majority of Italians looking for a cheerful atmosphere on and off the mountain. Affordable accommodation is a necessity and can be found within Val di Fiemme apartment rentals, guesthouses, pleasant hotels and chalets within the clusters of valley villages.
Inner enjoyment and relaxation continues at a Val di Fiemme hotel or wellness center. Saunas, steam baths and massages are just some of the luxuries offered in all corners of Val di Fiemme. Winter walks along preserved nature areas, shopping at Italian designer labels, peeking into old distilleries and tobogganing through the streets and art museums effortlessly emphasize the feeling of a Val di Fiemme winter wonderland. If you are an energetic monad, you can practise swimming, play tennis, paraglide, bowl or stick an ice-ax in mountaineering and breath fresh mountain air which feels like a balsam compared to stuffy city air.
Perhaps one of ski resort most satisfactory pleasures of off-hill enjoyment is the culinary pearl of Italian cuisine. Imagine perfect Italian pasta or tasty lasagne alla Bolognese. Restaurant and cafes carry local dishes like hearty meats, renowned mushrooms, strudels and famous Northern Italy cheeses. The latest addition of regional refreshments includes a brewery, operating since 2000.Nightlife in the valley begins during the joys of apres ski and continues into the pubs, performances and cultural events pulsating through the Charmy Valley. Live bands are common staples on wintery weekend nights, while typical bars turn into discos as visitors heat up dining areas turning into dance floors. With enough space and recreation for suit the needs of any winter sports enthusiast or dreamer, Italian snowy paradise with warm hospitality, flavorful character and immeasurable ski terrain is definitely worth considering.
Further information about Val di Fiemme ski resort is available on the website or can be obtained by direct contact via phone or e-mail. Highly appreciated visitors are also invited to check Val di Fiemme apartment accommodation offerings.
I can’t speak for most people, but I often build a big appetite when I visit my favorite museums in the NYC like the Met Art Museum or Museum of Modern Art. However, it’s often difficult to find the right place to eat that matches the mood and experience to accommodate my day at the museums. When deciding where to eat, I usually have four standards that I abide by: nice atmosphere, good food, great customer service, and good on prices. Luckily, there are some places that deserve a worth mention and will actually accompany a day spent at the museums.
Cafe 2 
The Museum of Modern Art
9 West 53rd Street, Second floor
New York, NY 10055
Hours:
Wed. – Mon.: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Closed Tues.
Fri.: 11:00am – 7:30pm
Espresso Bar Hours:
Wed. – Sun.: 10:30am – 3:30pm
Closed Tues.
Fri.: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
I often find myself eating here when I’m indecisive about where to eat. Don’t get me wrong, this place is bad; it’s the MoMA’s most casual option when eating with a great variety in food choice. Their Executive Chef, Lynn Bound, works hard to makes an assortment of paninis, pasta, salami, salads available to cafe visitors. The cafe is only open to people that visit the museum, since it’s on the 2nd floor of the MoMA. The atmosphere assumes the image of cafe-like settings; having customers pay at cashier counters and seating guests at communal tables. There are no reservartions; guests are served on a first come, first serve basis. Dishes are moderately priced between 10 to 22 dollars.
The Modern
11 West 53 Street
New York, NY 10019-5497
Lunch: Mon. – Fri. 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Dinner: Mon. -Thurs. 5:30 – 10:30 pm
Sat 5:30-11:30 pm
The Bar Room
Mon. -Thurs. 11:30 am–10:30 pm
Fri. – Sat. 11:30 am–11:00pm
Sun. 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
The Modern is regarded as one of New York’s finest, upscale restuarants; the restuarant won the 2006 James Beart Foundation Awards for “Best New Restaurant” and “Outstanding Restaurant Design.” It wouldn’t be where it is now if it weren’t for Executive Chef Gabriel Kreuther, who is largely appreciated for his famous style of French-American fusion cuisine, along with Pastry Chef, Marc Aumont, for his desserts. The Modern makes a Bar Room available for casual dining and for those looking for a place to enjoy their favorite alcoholic beverage. Moreover, there’s a street level entrance off of West 53rd Street, for guests to hang out and enjoy the restaurant’s food, past the MoMA’s hours. However, make sure you’re to spend a pretty penny at the Modern; entrees can run as high as 50 dollars!
American Wing Cafe 
1st Floor of Met Art Museum
1000 Fifth Ave,
New York, NY 10028-0198
Fri. and Sat.: 11:00 am – 8:30 pm
Sun., Tues – Thurs.: 11:00 am – 4:30 pm
Closed Mon.
Newly reopened in May 2009 in the Charles Engelhard Court, this cafeteria style cafe is great for a quick bite. They’re well known for their traditional America cuisine, soups, salads, and sandwiches.
There is also a spectacular view of Central Park and adjacent to the cafe, is the Grand Pavilion which houses beautiful sculptures and stained glass art.
Click Sample Menu to see some good eats they offer and additional contact information.
[Thanks NYPost.com, MoMA.org, Technically.us, MoMACafes.com, TheModernNYC.com, MetMuseum.org!]
The MET (Manhattan Ensemble Theater) had a great 7 year run, as a non-profit organization, on Broadway and in the SoHo district of Manhattan. The MET was founded by Dave Fishelson, who established it as a writers’ theater dedicated to art, theater, and creativity. It featured international, domestic, and specifically New York-based premiers as well. Unfortunately, The MET, also known as “Manhattan Ensemble Theater,” has been sold and is now officially owned by the award-winning theater company “The Culture Project.”
Although The MET featured true art productions, it still touched the lives of many worldwide, whether they be New Yorkers or those just visiting the Big Apple. Many of the MET’s featured films, such as Death in Venice, Golda’s Balcony, and The Castle have not only won numerous awards, but have left a large impact on those it touched. Always remain true to the Art!
It was inevitable: nudity in the art genre of opera? Although “Salome” was first performed in Dresden in December 1905, originally written by Oscar Wilde as a play, the re-enactment of the play has changed quite a bit. Salome had always been an erotic tale. It was first banned in London in 1907 as a result of its true erotic nature, and was later modified for its viewers.
Times have definitely changed quite a bit since 1905, to say the least. When Salome was featured at the Metropolitan Opera (aka the MET) beginning in 
2004, opera was on the verge of breaking new ground in the arts, and the MET was assisting in that process indefinitely. When Karina Mattila performed “Dance of the Seven Veils” in Salome in 2008 at the MET, she stripped down to absolutely no clothing and definitely received some attention.
Nudity in opera has come a long way. The MET hadn’t fighting for nudity and eroticism to be portrayed more in the art of opera. Stage directors, artists, actors, singers, and general managers have been trying to push that envelope for quite some time now, for art is a form of creative expression. Opera indefinitely falls into that category with theater, film, and dance.
Why such uproar? Many feel that opera is expressed via vocal talents, and one’s vocal talents have nothing to do with risqué attire or nakedness. Others feel that opera may become tarnished as the film industry has. Amongst opera buffs, this controversy is not over. I say, let actors express themselves and the roles they are playing with taste and freedom
On a recent business trip of mine, I stayed at The Met, in Leeds. I must say that this hotel was quite remarkable. The rooms were clean and comfortable. The staff was very friendly. The conference room was perfect. The décor was breathtaking. In addition, the location was quite lovely and in the city centre. If you are interested in experiencing art in its dramatic form, you can see what is playing at The Yorkshire Playhouse. Another art related venue is the World Famous City Varieties Theatre. There are numerous restaurants, bars, and shopping in and around The Met. Overall, I recommend The Met in Leeds.
Originally I was told not to stay at The Met. A colleague of mine stayed there once and told me of an incident in which someone nude showed up inside in his hotel room, with the correct key. Can you believe that? OK, I may be over exaggerating a bit, but they were somewhat naked from what I understand. All I know is that somehow this individual tried entering their own room with their key, but accidentally thought that his room was theirs. Either way, the room key worked. He was quite startled. He complained to the hotel stating that they weren’t using variations in key codes, etc. Why this individual was nude, we will never know. Were they returning from another room? Who knows? Either way, my colleague definitely had an experience that quite frankly traumatized him.
On my recent visit to NYC, I decided to visit the world renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art (aka the MET). If you have not been to the old MET, you won’t truly appreciate how beautiful this place is now. I try to visit the MET every time that I am visiting NYC.
One of the current featured art exhibits is called “American Stories: Paintings of Everyday Life, 1765 – 1916” and it was amazing. It is running through January 24, 2010, so I recommend you go and check it out during your holiday break if you get a chance. The exhibition features 100+ American pieces of art work from everyday life tasks. This exhibit takes you through the everchanging American culture via the Revolutionary War, immigration, poverty, American heroes, industrialization, etc. The exhibition is arranged chronologically into four themes: “Inventing American Stories, 1765-1830,” “Stories for the Public, 1830-1860,” “Stories of War and Reconciliation, 1860-1877″ and “Cosmopolitan and Candid Stories, 1877-1915.”
What can I say? I truly never get disappointed when I visit the MET on my NYC trips. I hope you can appreciate MET art as much as I do.
