World Tourism

Contemporary luxuries abound. Rustic surprises await.

Though small in size, Brunei-Muara is of great importance to the nation as the district housing Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. As such, it is usually the first stop of any visitor to Brunei — and one of the most memorable. Outside the capital lie some of the nation’s most world-renowned attractions.

The golden spires adorning Istana Nurul Iman, home of the nation’s revered monarch, His Majesty The Sultan, form a striking backdrop for a spectacular Bruneian sunset. The lavish residence has achieved legendary status as the largest palace in the world and features a unique blend of contemporary and traditional Islamic architecture. But there is nothing traditional — or expected — about Brunei Muara’s other famous attraction, Jerudong Park Playground, the state-of-the-art amusement park that was once the playground of royalty.

Title: A Couple Enjoying the Sunset over the Great Salt Lake
Posted by: Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sitting at the foot of the rugged Wasatch Mountains and extending to the south shore of the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City has some of the best scenery in the country. The interface between city and nature draws residents and visitors alike to the Salt Lake Valley. There are few other places where you can enjoy urban pleasures and, within 20 minutes, hike a mountain trail or rest by a rushing stream.
The world headquarters of the conservative Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (you can hardly visit Salt Lake City without at least passing by Temple Square), Salt Lake City is surprisingly cosmopolitan, with the state's most diverse -- and most politically liberal -- population.
Contrary to what you might have heard, Salt Lake City has a thriving nightlife scene and yes, you can get a drink. There's an active arts community and no dearth of good restaurants. And if you're a spectating sports enthusiast you'll have no problem finding a game: Salt Lake City is home to major basketball, hockey, baseball, and soccer clubs. Utah's largest newspapers and television stations originate here, and a significant feather in this city's cap was its terrific success as host to the world during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

The Berlinale - not only the city's largest cultural event, but also one of the most important dates on the international film industry's calendar. With more than 20,000 film professionals from 120 countries, including 4000 journalists the Berlin International Film Festival is among the top-events of the industry. On top of that it is the world's biggest public festival which shows films of all genres, lengths and formats. Among them are many world and European premieres. Seven international stars and film experts decide who can take home the golden bear and the silver bears. The Scottish actress and Oscar winner Tilda Swinton presides over the jury this year.
At the 59th International Film Festival visitors can expect lots of exciting films in the sections Competition, Panorama, forum, Generation, Perspective German Cinema, Berlinale Shots, Retrospective and Hommage. Interesting special series and the Berlinale Talent Campus complement the programme.

This year Tom Tykwer's "The International", a high-profile action thriller starring Clive Owen and Naomi Watts opens the festival. A Berlinale special series is dedicated to the End of the Cold War 20 years ago. "After Winter Comes Spring - Films Presaging the Fall of the Wall" Initiated by the German Federal Cultural Foundation and the Deutsche Kinemathek the series presents German and East-European films of the last decade before the Reunification. They presage in varied manners the upcoming, profound change.
The Retrospektive is all about the film format "70 mm". Under the title "Bigger than Life" it celebrates the stunning and powerful visuals as well as excellent sound of wide-gauge films which were emphasized from the mid 1950s in the big cinema palaces. It features amongst others "Lawrence of Arabia", "The Sound of Music" and the "West Side Story".
Food connoisseurs can indulge with all their senses in the successful film and event series "Eat, Drink, See Movies - Culinary Cinema". The films with corresponding food to enjoy deal with culinary topics. Discussion forums of film makers, food connoisseurs and food experts talk about film, food and ecology. The series opens on February 8th with the documentary "Food Inc.".

This year's Hommage is dedicated to the French, repeatedly Oscar-winning film composer Maurice Jarre. He is awarded the golden bear for his lifework as one of the most important and most popular composers. His musical influence can be enjoyed in films such as "Doctor Schiwago" or "The Tin Drum".
Children and youths will enjoy the Berlinale section Generation. More than 1000 films have been proposed for the competition - a record. The German contribution "Lippels Traum" by Lars Büchel has its world premiere at the Festival.
Just like every year the International Film Festival is accompanied by numerous receptions, parties, panels, discussion forums, workshops and art performances.
59th International Film Festival Berlin, February 5th - 15th, 2009

Contact and further Information:
Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin
Potsdamer Straße 5
10785 Berlin
Tel. +49 (0)30 259200
Fax. +49 (0)30 259 20 299
The programme is available at www.berlinale.de from January 27th, 2009.
Advance Tickets can be booked from February 2nd, 2009.

India’s capital city, Delhi is the second most widely used entry point into the country, being on the route of most major airlines. It is well linked by rail, air and road to all parts of the country. The remains of seven distinctive capital cities – among them Shahjahanabad and Qutab Minar – can be seen. Here, museums, art galleries and cultural centers attract the finest exhibitions and performances from India and abroad. Shopping encompasses virtually everything that can be bought in the country; hotels range from the deluxe to the more modest. Most fascinating of all is the character of Delhi which varies from the 13th century mausoleum of the Lodi kings set in a sprawling park to ultra modern chrome and glass skyscrapers; and from imperial India’s Parliament House and the President’s Palace to the never ending bustle of the walled city surrounding Jama Masjid. Delhi also makes the ideal base for a series of short excursions to neighbouring places, all connected by road.
The capital of India, Delhi blends an historic past and a vibrant present. The Imperial city planned for the British by Lutyens is set in parks and shaded avenues. Legend has it that Delhi, then called Indraprastha, was originally founded around 1200 B.C. by the Pandavas, the august heroesof the epic Mahabharata. Present day Delhi is built around the ruins of seven ancient cities.