Hall Of Fame – Vienna City Hall

he ambitious program of architectural improvements to Vienna introduced by Emperor Franz Joseph I, including the Ringstraße, the Rathauspark (City Hall Park), and the Opera. Friedrich von Schmidt, who had been one of the architects working on Cologne Cathedral, designed and built the Vienna City Hall between 1872 and 1883. It is the most significant secular building in the neo-Gothic style in the city.

As Vienna is Austria’s federal capital as well as a federal province in its own right, it is the seat of the mayor and governor
of Vienna – two posts held by the same person. The Provincial Assembly is composed of 100 members and elected for a term of five years.

The huge chandelier in the historicist style is the most striking feature of the 14-metre-high Council Chamber where the members of the Assembly convene. It has a diameter of five meters and 213 lights. It was cast in one piece, weighs 3,200 kg and can be entered by maintenance personnel to change the lamps. The coffered ceiling of high-grade larch and spruce wood is decorated with 22-carat gold-leaf rosettes. Directly below the ceiling, a series of frescoes depicts events from the history of Austria and Vienna. The section situated on the right hand of the central visitors’ gallery shows scenes from the 13th to 16th centuries; one can see Duke Rudolf IV laying the foundation-stone for the southern spire of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the institution of Vienna University, the world’s oldest university where students are taught in the German language.

The left-hand side takes one into the 17th to 19th centuries. Empress Maria Theresa is surrounded by famous exponents of the politics, arts and sciences of her era. Most of the pointed-arch windows with stained lead glazing facing the gallery were reconstructed after the Second World War on the basis of the original plans. The back wall of the central visitors’ gallery depicts the tasks of Vienna’s municipal administration in symbolic form.

Another attractive feature is the Senate Chamber which serves as the meeting-room of the City Senate. This is one of the most impressive rooms of the City Hall. A special sight is the beautiful majolica fireplace – a present by the Guild of Stove and Fireplace Makers dating from 1885 – on the wall facing the entrance to the hall. The walls are covered with green silk damask. The ceiling featuring inlay work and gilt elements is intricately and richly decorated.

The Arkadenhof is one of the biggest inner courtyards in Europe having a surface of 2,804 square meters, and can be compared to the courtyard of the Doge’s Palace in Venice. A choir-type oriel along its western wall is a reminder of the original project to build a chapel in the City Hall. Lined by five-meter-wide, pointed-arch arcades, the courtyard offers a fascinating setting for a wide variety of events. A folding roof designed by the architect Silja Tillner is a new addition to protect visitors against wind and rain. It also houses the Municipal and State Libraries and Archives which hold many key documents of Vienna’s history and a large collection of local memorabilia.

Hall Of Fame – Vienna City Hall / Anil Gupta

Anil Gupta recommends that you visit http://www.bookings.be/city/at/vienna.html?aid=305255 for more information on Vienna hotels.

Purchasing Property in Mexico – FAQs

Does the Mexican government own my land if I purchase land in Mexico?
Due to recent trade agreements made between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, called the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and bank trusts, called Fideicomiso, foreigners are allowed to purchase land in Mexico. American Title companies are also involved in the purchasing process, allowing for secure transactions.

What is the North American Free Trade Agreement?
In 1994, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United, States, Canada, and Mexico was formed as the world’s largest free trade area, allowing for purchasing land safely in Mexico. The agreement allows for economic growth
and rising standards of living in these three countries, while establishing a strong foundation for future growth and setting an example of the benefits of trade liberalization.

Today, nearly 1.5 million Americans own property in Mexico. As a foreigner, the buyer can obtain all the rights of ownership by setting up a bank trust, similar to a US family trust, known as a Fideicomiso.

What is a Fideicomiso?
A Fideicomiso makes a buyer the beneficiary of the purchased property, allowing the buyer to use, lease, sell, will, improve or encumber the purchased property. The Trust does not give direct ownership to the foreign beneficiary. Instead, it establishes the legal basis by which the bank holds the legal title to the property in order to act on the foreigner’s behalf.

The Foreign Investment Law, which was amended in 1993, allows the trust to be established for a term of 50 years and is renewable anytime during its existence. The beneficiary can instruct the bank to sell or lease the property at any time. The bank (trustee) holds the trust deed for the person who purchases the property (beneficiary). The property is not part of the bank’s assets and cannot be liened or attached for any other obligations.

Why was a trust system established?
The Mexican government established the trust system as a protection for foreigners interested in owning property in Mexico. By making ownership pass through the trust process, the bank is required to check ownership, insurance, and liens against the property. There would be an automatic review of the transaction, thus ensuring valid ownership and no outstanding indebtedness of the property

When is a bank trust issued?
Bank trusts are established by a Mexican Notario (Notary), following the receipt of a permit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This procedure is routine due to the large number of foreign property owners. The forms are standardized and the entire process is usually completed by the notary as part of the closing procedure

How does First American Title Company ensure property purchased in Mexico?
First American Title Company works to ensure that any claims will be handled in the U.S. without the buyer having to go through the Mexican court system. That means that the title agency will stand by the buyer in response to a challenge to the buyer’s title in Mexico.

First American was the first U.S. Company to issue title insurance policies on Mexican land and it is the most used agency. Its agents are experts in Mexican law, property ownership and transfer system. First American Title Company has been facilitating complex commercial, industrial and residential real estate transactions throughout the country for over twenty -five years. The agency is directly involved with property purchasing for The Pointe de las Conchas.

Purchasing Property in Mexico – FAQs / Jose Nunez

The Pointe de Las Conchas – Condos & Beach Houses.
Your Rocky Point Real State in Puerto Penasco, Mexico.
Find out more today at http://www.thepointemex.com/

London Sightseeing and Hotels

London
is a world class city that has a long and prosperous history. It is a city which is known for its entertainment and attractions, and is a mixture of both new and old. If you are looking for an older city which offers many sites and sounds, this is the city for you.

London is the capital city of the United Kingdom, and produces approximately 17% of the nation’s gross domestic product. It is a major political, business, and cultural city, and along with New York, Tokyo, and Paris, is a city of global proportions. Over 300 languages are spoken in the city, and residents are known as “Londoners.”

It was founded by the Romans around AD 43, and they called it “Londinium.” The language originally spoken in London was Latin with a nice blend of Greek. Since that time, it has become one of the largest cities in the European Union, with a population of over 7 million.

When it comes to tourism, London is a city which is great to travel to year round. Tourist attractions do not close their doors in winter, though summer is generally the best time to go. If you enjoy riding on boats, you can hire a boat and travel on the Serpentine near Hyde park for a couple of hours.

Cycling is great in London, though you may want to avoid riding with traffic. Cycling is excellent when riding through parks. If you enjoy horseback riding, you can have a taste of nobility by riding horses through Hyde park. Horses can be hired by the hour.

When it comes to hotels, if you’re looking for top of the line you could stay at the Blakes Hotel in South Kensington. If you’re on a budget, you may want to stay at the Hampstead Village Guesthouse, which is a nice Victorian house.

When traveling to this city, it is best to bring lots of money. London is known for being extremely expensive, and will put a drain on your bank account. If you stay at a hotel and eat meals in restaurants expect to spend at least 65 Euros a day.

All transactions can be made using credit cards or pounds. Most restaurants add a service charge to your bill, and those that don’t expect you to pay at least 10 to 15% tips. The same is true for taxi cab drivers. Travelers cheques can easily be changed into pounds at the many banks in the city.

London Sightseeing and Hotels / Rohit Goel

Rohit Goel is an avid traveller and likes to visit cities around the world. More information about London can be found at London Hotels