The Most Unique Buildings in the World

Living in this modern society with easy access to all sorts of modern technologies, creative designers are no longer finding it tough to give shapes and stretch structures according to their choices. With more options available to them, there is always a chance of exploring the best creative alternatives. Here are a few examples of some of the most outrageous modern buildings of the world.

The Basket - Newark, Ohio

Longaberger is synonymous with making beautiful hand woven baskets. Their most famous product was certainly the inspiration for the seven story headquarters, they had built nearly ten years ago. The building is mainly in the shape of giant yellow basket, complete with 150-ton handles. It’s certainly a sight to behold!

The Giant Shoe - Hellum, Pennsylvania

Mahlon N. Haines, of Hellum, Pennsylvania, the owner of the great shoe empire in post war United States, intended to celebrate his success with a house built to replicate a giant shoe. For years, the house was used as a guesthouse, but now the house serves as a museum in an attempt to educate others on the life of the house’s creator.

iPad - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

What better way to celebrate the latest craze in musical entertainment than to construct a building and name it the ‘I pad’. With I pods gaining huge popularity within the gadget friendly generations, Dubai’s I pod shaped tower is amongst the other insanely large buildings that had earned huge appreciation worldwide. The I pad is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2009.

The Dancing House - Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is home to what is known as the dancing house. It is a large house designed by a well-known Californian architect. The house is created to look as if it is dancing, making it curved and large at the bottom, small in the center and then curved outward at the top. It looks more like it was hit on both sides by an asteroid.

The Toilet - Suweon, Korea

The initiative was taken by World toilet Association. To commemorate their occasion in the most logical fashion, they decided to build a giant toilet shaped house, complete with four bedrooms with adjacent four bathrooms. It’s certainly a sight to behold, and for only one dollar, you can look around and learn to appreciate these granted porcelain beauties.

The Robot - Bangkok, Thailand

This giant building gradually grows smaller towards the top to show the legs, body and square head of a robot - it is actually home to a large bank. The robotic shape is meant to symbolize the modernization of the banking industry.

Best Travel Tips for Summer

Alexandria, VA - With the Memorial Day holiday weekend–and the unofficial start of the summer holiday travel season–rapidly approaching, ASTA offers advice for travelers heading into the busy summer travel season.
“Many travel hassles can be avoided by using an experienced travel professional and with some smart planning,” said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo. “The summer season is always a busy time, but it doesn’t have to be frustrating. Travel agents provide good value and sound advice, saving the passenger time and aggravation.”

As part of ASTA’s ongoing commitment to provide customers with useful travel tips, below are recommendations from its consumer Web site, TravelSense.org, to take the hassle out of summer travel:

Car Travel Tips

Plan itineraries and arrange accommodations well in advance. Reservations for hotels, restaurants and rental cars get booked quickly during peak travel times. Your travel agent can help you get the lowest rate and make sure your rental car has room for your family, luggage and whatever souvenirs you bring home.

Get a tune up. Before any long-distance drive, make sure to have your oil changed and your brakes, fluids and tire pressure checked. The slightest deficiency in air pressure significantly reduces your car’s gas mileage

Get an early start to avoid holiday gridlock. Traveling during late night/early morning hours helps. The worst times to travel are after meals since most travelers postpone leaving until they’ve eaten with their families.

Choose public transportation. Many U.S. cities now offer public transportation. Chances are, if you are visiting a city this summer, it will be your fastest and most convenient bet for getting around your destination quickly and at low cost. Plus, it’s a positive step for the environment. Ask your ASTA travel agent about transportation options available at your destination.

Buckle up. Make sure all children weighing less than 80 lbs. are properly restrained in child safety seats at all times. Child seats should be placed in the back seat, and never in front of an airbag. If possible, get a qualified person to check whether your car seat has been properly installed–in many areas local police and trained nurses will check it for free.

Don’t forget Fido. Those who are traveling with pets should contact their local ASTA agent for pet-friendly hotels along the way. Pet owners should also be reminded never to leave pets waiting in parked cars– temperatures can soar quickly during the sizzling summer months.

Air Travel Tips:

Book your ticket ASAP. If you must book last minute, remember the key to securing the best deal is flexibility in travel dates–ask your ASTA travel agent to check into fares or consider flying into an alternate airport and renting a car. If your holiday vacation includes international travel, make sure you have appropriate travel documents. Travel agents can advise you on the new rules.

Arrive early. Difficult airport parking, long lines at security checkpoints and the possibility of the airline overselling the flight and bumping passengers, should all be considered when deciding what time to arrive at the airport. Give yourself plenty of extra time. Need some incentive? Keep in mind that those who arrive earliest for an overbooked flight stand the greatest chance of staying onboard.

Keep a close eye on all your belongings. Just as airports are extremely crowded during the peak period with travelers, they can also be fraught with thieves working the airports. Be aware of your surroundings and maintain a close watch over tickets, wallets, purses, and other belongings at all times.

Avoid getting bumped. 1) Get an advance seat assignment. Passengers with seat assignments are typically only bumped if they arrive late and their seat assignment is released. 2) Check-in online. Most airlines allow you to do so within 24 hours of departure. Seat assignments that were not available at the time of ticketing may be available when checking in online. 3) Don’t be late. If all else fails, get to the airport early.

Remember 3-1-1. Regulations limit the amount of gels and liquids passengers can take through security in their carry-on luggage to travel-size toiletries of three (3) ounces or less that fit comfortably in one (1) quart-size, clear plastic zip-top bag and the one (1) bag per passenger must be placed in the screening bin.

Know your limits. Pack light and know baggage limits. You cannot carry sports equipment that could be used as a weapon, such as golf clubs and baseball bats. All electronic items are subject to additional screening. Be prepared to remove your laptop from its travel case to be X-rayed separately.

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

Source: www.travmedia.com