World Travel

Mauritius

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:51:00 -0800

A hypnotic blend of Indian, Chinese, African, French and British influences, Mauritius is a dazzling Indian Ocean island that enchants nearly all who visit. But while its famous white sand beaches and luxurious hotels are its top attractions, Mauritius offers far more to do than most tropical islands, with superb hiking, mountain climbing, diving and ecotourism opportunities.

Off major shipping routes, Mauritius remained uninhabited until the 16th century, allowing it to develop into one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. It was favoured by pirates and occupied briefly by the Dutch before the French brought African slaves to work the sugar plantations. Captured by the British in 1810, Mauritius achieved independence in 1968.

Mauritius today is one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, a successful, multicultural society where the friendly co-existence of peoples and religions expresses itself in croissants for breakfast and curry for dinner, and brightly painted Indian temples sitting alongside French colonial mansions.

St Lucia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:49:00 -0800

With lush rainforests, undulating agricultural landscapes, unspoilt beaches and trade winds keeping temperatures on the right side of hot, St Lucia is a beautiful island. So far, so Caribbean. There are a host of natural wonders here, from the UNESCO heritage site of the Pitons, the rainforested twin peaks that herald visitors in the south, to the Qualibou volcano with its boiling sulphur springs, as well as tropical flower-lined roadsides. The gorgeous landscape and relatively low key vibe of the island is one of its major draws and makes St Lucia a popular spot with many travellers, honeymooners in particular.

Still, what sets St Lucia apart from most of the other Caribbean islands is the sheer range of activities on offer. Other islands may have the sand and the sea views but beach lovers beware, for you might find yourself tempted out of that sun lounger and into the ocean – St Lucia’s coastline boasts coral reefs and a plethora of marine life, making scuba diving and snorkelling popular things to do, and there are plenty of watersports such as kiteboarding and windsurfing on offer too.

Alternatively, head away from the sea completely and venture into the island’s interior instead. Go hiking through the lush mountains, ziplining through the rainforest canopy, and visit a volcano, all in a days’ work. And if you’ve still got the energy to go looking for some night life, there are also regular Friday night parties in the north of the island, where visitors can partake in the wonderful local cuisine, as well as the islanders’ friendliness, hospitality and leisurely lifestyle.

Surinam

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 09:00:00 -0800

An often overlooked country, Surinam is nonetheless filled with beautiful tropical wilderness, rare wildlife and a fascinating culture.

The 17th-century capital, Paramaribo, with its attractive colonial architecture, is a good starting point for any visitor. However, Surinam's main attraction is its tropical rainforest, which covers nearly 80% of the country and is home to a huge variety of wildlife.

Surinam is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Marowijne River, French Guiana and Brazil. By the time the Spanish arrived in the late 15th century, the Surinen (the original inhabitants of Surinam) had been driven out by other Amerindian groups.

Fierce resistance to colonisation deterred most would-be occupiers from Europe, although the territory formally changed hands many times between the Dutch, English and French, before finally being confirmed as a Dutch possession by the terms of the 1815 Treaty of Vienna.

In 1954, Surinam, with the Netherlands Antilles, became an autonomous region within the Kingdom of The Netherlands. Full independence was achieved in 1975.

Antarctica

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:59:00 -0800

Amidst the solitude of Antarctica, adventurous travellers can discover an ethereal landscape that lingers in the memory. Very few have ventured onto this appealingly inaccessible continent, but those who have rave about the privilege of gazing upon towering mountains, bulky glaciers and luminous, dreamlike icebergs. Perhaps more than anywhere else, Antarctica reminds those who visit it of the awesome (and savage) power of nature.

Antarctica is welcoming more tourist-orientated cruises and ferries to the region every year, and facilities are continually developing, with more accommodation, culinary and travel options available. There is now ample opportunity to ascend Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on Earth; to fly via helicopter or venture by boat to penguin colonies; and to really make the most of a terrain that teems with wildlife, with a multitude of birds, seals, albatrosses and enormous whales.

Some argue that Antarctica is changing, and by man-made causes rather than natural ones. Many regard the increasing focus on tourism as disconcerting and wish to preserve Antarctica in its elemental state to avoid any potential environmental damage. Antarctica is still a magical experience that most, given the chance, would find hard to resist. Those who do visit should be aware of their impact upon the landscape and do their utmost to limit the effect of their stay.

Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:57:00 -0800

Vietnam is an utter an assault on the senses; at once dizzying, frenetic and fascinating. Conical-hatted street vendors sell their wares on the pavements outside gleaming high-rises and exquisite temples are surrounded by streets buzzing with thousands of motorbikes.

Wherever you travel you can't fail to be intrigued by this frenetic, fascinating country. The capital Hanoi is the focus for arts in Vietnam and has been since its foundation in the year 1010 while in Ho Chi Minh City business is king. Hue is steeped in imperial history, Hoi An the place to soak up the atmosphere and the largely undeveloped coastline is the place to kick back.

Life in urban Vietnam is conducted on the streets. In bia hois (pavement pubs) men sup ice-cold beer and odours from makeshift food stalls fill the nostrils: see steaming pho, a noodle soup with various unidentifiable chunks of meat, or grilled chicken feet. Along nearly all the moped-clogged streets produce is sold. Tubs wriggle with live sturgeon, crabs and frogs (still a delicacy from French colonial days), baskets are top heavy with colourful and bizarre fruit, and every possible piece of a pig is on sale.

Rural Vietnam is entirely different. Just a short distance from the cities, water buffalo wallow in green rice paddies and elegant women wearing traditional conical headwear cycle along dusty paths.

Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:40:00 -0800

Bestowed with stunning beaches, dramatic mountains, pristine rainforests and a rich cultural heritage, Hawaii exceeds expectations as a tropical paradise.The island group of Hawaii lies 3,860km (2,400 miles) off mainland USA, comprised of 132 islands and atolls.

The state of Hawaii consists of eight islands, of which seven are inhabited and six allow visitors. Honolulu, the capital, sits on the southern shores of Oahu, the most commercialised island, but Hawaii is the largest island. Oahu has two diagonal mountain ranges and many beautiful waterfalls.

The islands support rainforest, green flatlands and 13 climatic regions.The tropical paradise of Hawaii is separated from mainland USA by around 3,700km (2,300 miles) of Pacific Ocean. It has an ethnically diverse population and a rich Polynesian heritage.

When Captain James Cook landed here in the 18th century, Oahu had been untouched by the west. It achieved prominence when the volume of Honolulu's commercial traffic increased and the US Navy acquired rights to Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941 marked the entry of the USA into WWII, when Japan bombed Pearl Harbour.

Guatemala

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:39:00 -0800

Antiquity is at the heart of Guatemala: the country incorporates many spectacular Mayan archaeological sites, and the pineforested hills of the highlands are home to Mayan communities that still wear traditional weavings. Guatemala has around 21 different ethnic groups, speaking some 23 languages.

Staggering Mayan monuments intensify a mystery that hangs in the air: the Mayan Civilisation dominated much of Central America from the fifth until the eighth centuries. The Spanish conquistador Cortés then overran Guatemala in the 17th century. The country enjoyed comparative stability after independence, but eventually slid into an exceptionally savage civil war between right-wing military governments and leftist guerrilla movements.

Even Guatemala's cities have been subject to cataclysm. Three attempts to establish a capital, before Guatemala City was founded in 1775, were thwarted by battles with indigenous warriors and repeated earthquakes. But nature has also formed astonishing sights, including volcanic peaks, subtropical forests and sulphurous lakes. Orchids spring out of soil, exotic creatures roam it and colourful birds soar above it.

Panama

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:38:00 -0800

Panama is a curious but exhilarating combination of cultural influence. It lies at the centre of the world, its isthmus constituting the last part of a natural land-bridge between the North and South American continents.

Its strategic position and glorious terrain - from wildlife-rich jungle to sun-soaked beach - suggests that it will remain an important country for a long time yet.

The country has been a pivotal trade route for 500 years, first under Spanish rule, then as part of independent Gran Colombia and modern Colombia, and in 20th century, as an independent nation. However, the Panama Canal Zone, completed in 1914, became an American Protectorate for many decades. It was only in 1977 that the Americans agreed to turn over the canal to full Panamanian control by 1999.

In the 1980s, the country was run by Head of the Armed Forces, Manuel Noriega, who was very unpopular in Washington. In 1989, after an unsuccessful coup (thought to have US backing), US President George Bush authorised an invasion to remove the troublesome dictator.

Maldives

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:36:00 -0800

The Maldives is a by-word for luxury, romance and tropical bliss; a beautiful string of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean, and a paradise for diving enthusiasts and sun seekers alike.

The country's 26 natural atolls and over 1000 islands have uniformly perfect white sand beaches lapped by turquoise lagoons the temperature of bath water. Tourism only began in the 1970s, but it is now the Maldives’ most important industry. Tourism in the Maldives concentrates on the luxury market, meaning that the country is home to some of the world’s best hotels.

Yet even in paradise trouble can bubble beneath the surface. It is precisely because the Maldives is so low-lying (80% of the territory is less than 1m/3.3ft above sea level) that their very existence is threatened by global warming. As such, since the 2008 election of young reformer Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives have worked hard to become one of the most environmentally friendly countries on earth.

Qatar

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:32:00 -0800

Forget the 20th-century stereotype of a rich Arab Gulf state, of hastily thrown up tower blocks, chaotic streets and bafflingly tacky urban sculpture: Qatar - or at least the capital, Doha - has metamorphosed into a self-confident, elegant entrepôt that gives the UAE a run for its money.

Occupying a flat peninsula jutting into the oil-rich waters of The Gulf, Qatar is one of the richest per capita countries in the world - a wealth exhibited in high-profile projects, such as the new Museum of Islamic Art, built to house the largest such collection in the world.

Like its other Middle Eastern counterparts, Qatar is eager to make its mark on the world stage, and having now won the bid to host the 2022 World Cup games, the scene is set for the country to impress. As well as football fans due to flood the country, Qatar's tourism numbers are set to soar in the coming years as Qatar no doubt invests even more of its vast wealth into making sure it shines during its moment in the global spotlight.

With 50% of Qatar's population living in the capital, the country is a virtual city state. But for those not content with jogging around Doha's fine corniche, a string of beaches beckon for rest and recuperation, and the magnificent dunes of Khor al-Adaid help even up the odds between God and Mammon.

Solomon Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 9 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0800

The Solomon Islands archipelago is made up of nearly 1,000 tropical islands scattered across the southwestern Pacific, just to the east of Papua New Guinea. The remote location has kept the islands as an unspoilt gem of a travel destination, with a slowly developing tourist industry.

One of the main draws for holiday makers is the superb marine life - making the islands a diver's paradise. The main islands to visit are Guadalcanal, Malaita, Choiseul, New Georgia, San Cristobal and Santa Isabel. The capital of Honiara, on Guadalcanal, is also well worth some time, with a museum, botanical gardens and it's very own Chinatown. Villages and scenic drives are within easy reach of the capital, as are the popular WWII battlefield tours and carving villages on the islands of Rennell and Bellona.

Frankfurt

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 8 Dec 2011 23:59:00 -0800

Germany's fifth largest city, Frankfurt am Main is the nation's economic powerhouse, as well as being a highly regarded cultural centre.

Located in the middle of the highly productive Rhine-Main region, right at the centre of Europe, the city is the financial heart not only of Germany, but also of the European Union.

The modern skyscrapers of banks and big business in the central business district are potent symbols of Frankfurt's economic strength and create a skyline that is more North American than European in aspect – indeed, the city is often dubbed 'Mainhattan'.

Most of Frankfurt's visitors come for one of the numerous trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses. But Frankfurt has another side. As the birthplace of Germany's most revered writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), the city is at pains to impress with its cultural pedigree. Excellent museums, high-calibre performance groups and local festivals tempt too.

Manila

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 8 Dec 2011 23:57:00 -0800

Manila’s joie de vivre doesn’t radiate from crusty cultural heritage or iconic landmarks but from pulsating 24/7 energy reflecting Manileños’s love of fun, food and shopping.

First impressions of this mad megalopolis can be daunting. Snarling bumper-to-bumper traffic, ear-bashing street sounds and crumbling concrete edifices alongside shiny skyscraper suburbs. It leaves one wondering how Manila functions as a city?

But Metro Manila cannot be straightjacketed into a single entity. It’s actually a confederation of 17 different cities and municipalities. And like the Philippines’s hotchpotch national dessert halo-halo (shaved ice, sweet beans, fruit and leche flan), the sum of the parts should be enjoyed to appreciate the whole.

History buffs will sense the ghosts of Manila’s turbulent Spanish past within Intramuros’s 16th-century walls. Shoppers and bar-hoppers will adore trendy Makati’s air-con malls. Foodies will delight in Chinatown’s dim sum heaven.

Yet what really knits everything together is the Manileños who ensure this is Asia’s most gregarious capital. Their openness and love of conversation, alongside never-say-die endeavour, is something to behold and enjoy.

Manila is not the easiest place to spend days sightseeing as many of key attractions are spread across a city slow to navigate nor easy to explore on foot. Better to divide the city’s sights into blocks and spend a day of slow travel around them: such as a day in Chinatown and the Chinese Cemetery.

Munich

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 8 Dec 2011 23:52:00 -0800

Located in southern Germany north of the Bavarian Alps, on the River Isar, Munich is Germany's third largest city, its most visited after Berlin, and a city that seems to revel in its contradictions.

Munich perpetuates the folklore of the ‘jolly Germany’ – rosy-cheeked, lederhosen-wearing men singing over their super-sized beer tankards, ginger-bread architecture fresh from fairy-tale illustrations, and Gemütlichkeit (cosy, hearty hospitality). The flip side is a city that displays all the trappings of 21st-century world prosperity – gleaming BMWs (the manufacturers’ base is here), flashy boutiques and glitzy nightclubs.

In reality, Munich’s citizens encapsulate all of this, demonstrating a cosmopolitan refinement as well as genuine passion for the region's many traditions. Tourists flock to the city for the world-famous Oktoberfest, indulging in vast quantities of beer and sausage in an orgy of Bavarian revelry.

However, there's more to Munich than this stereotypical image, thanks to its strong cultural scene, richly endowed art collections, romantic palaces and excellent shopping. Indeed, from balmy summers in the beer gardens to the glittering Christmas markets during snowy winters, Munich is a popular destination all year round.

Brussels

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 6 Dec 2011 09:55:00 -0800

From its breathtaking medieval centre to its 21st-century temple to Surrealism, the new Magritte Museum, Brussels offers the visitor a great deal more than just beer and chocolate.

Brussels's compact city centre is clustered with bars, restaurants and museums set along cobbled streets which open suddenly into the Grand-Place. With its ornate guild houses, impressive Town Hall and buzzing atmosphere, it would be difficult to find a more beautiful square in the whole of Europe.

Léopold II's Parisian-style boulevards (Belliard and La Loi) are lined with embassies, banks and grand apartment buildings, while Sainte Cathérine, the Art Nouveau district of St-Gilles and Ixelles draw an arty crowd with their cool shops and restaurants.

The Bruxellois take pride in their self-effacing, intellectual sense of humour, underpinned by a strong appreciation of the bizarre. The city has a long-running love affair with the Surrealist art movement, pioneered by René Magritte, and with classic comic strips, epitomised by Hergé's boy hero, Tintin. There's a telling irony in the fact that the city's best-known landmark is the Manneken-Pis, a tiny statuette of a urinating boy.

Denmark

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 6 Dec 2011 09:52:00 -0800

Denmark is a secret utopia of tidy cities, picturesque countryside, efficient infrastructure and commendable public services, and is a country whose only fault is lack of winter sunshine.

In terms of entertainment, museums, festivals, architecture and shopping will easily distract the most enthusiastic of visitors and for those looking to take it easy, the outdoors offer endless opportunities for country walks and seaside breaks.

Ideal for family vacationers, Denmark is of course home to every kid's dream, Legoland, but there are also several highly rated interactive museums and activity centres geared to keep little ones amused.

Denmark's capital Copenhagen is a remarkable city with well preserved medieval streets, renowned art galleries, Michelin starred restaurants and a healthy business centre. Finding something to do is never a problem and if all else fails, just admiring the streets with a pølsevogn (hotdog) in hand is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

Finland

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 6 Dec 2011 09:48:00 -0800

Finland is the big surprise of the Nordic countries, a natural wonderland with more trees than people and more islands than any other nation in the world. With endless miles of wilderness and 188,000 lakes on their doorstep, the Finns are uniquely in tune with their surroundings. Even committed urbanites retreat to wooden cottages in the country during the brief, warm summers to swim and fish in the lakes and gather wild berries and mushrooms in the woods, before unwinding with a sauna and a glass of kossu (Finnish vodka).

The culture of the Finns has been shaped by the historic tug-of-war between Sweden and Russia, a story written large in the language and customs of Karelia and the Swedish-speaking regions of Åland and Ostrobothnia. Even the Finnish language is something of an anomaly, more closely related to Hungarian than to any other language. In the far north, Lapland is dominated by the hardy culture of the Sámi, rugged reindeer herders who have been following a semi-nomadic existence for thousands of years. Finland's most famous contribution to world culture is the sauna - the country has a staggering 1.6 million of them.

Around 10% of Finland is covered by water and 69% of the country is covered by forests, providing a natural adventure playground for trekkers, mountain-bikers, cross-country skiers, fishermen and watersports enthusiasts. Around 8,000 sq km (3,088 sq miles) are protected by Finland's 35 national parks, providing fantastic opportunities to spot birds, reindeer, elks and bears.

Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 2 Dec 2011 07:33:00 -0800

Drenched in sunshine and glowing with affable charisma, Australia is an enticing land of vast beaches, pulsating cities and reams and reams of bushland. One of the country's greatest lures is its sense of space; a beach, patch of tropical forest or piece of sandy desert all to oneself is an easy reality. This, the world's largest island, encompasses a range of stunning landscapes, from barren deserts to tropical rainforests and rugged mountains.

Australia has an abundance of unique animal life - cuddly koalas, bounding kangaroos and wallabies, darting dingoes, and ungainly emus - while the hulking form of Uluru (Ayers Rock) soaking up the reds and oranges of the outback's fiery sun, is the country's most iconic image.

Glossy Sydney and arty Melbourne provide much for the city-lover; Brisbane is gateway to the tropical northeast with sandy stretches including Surfer's Paradise further south; restful Adelaide is perfect for a few days' rejuvenation, while Perth is young, brash and alluring; and Cairns is the stop-off point for one of Australia's top attractions, the Great Barrier Reef.

Cuba

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 2 Dec 2011 07:31:00 -0800

With countless pristine beaches, mountainous forests and vibrant cities all waiting to be explored, Cuba is much more than a generic Caribbean island getaway. The cocktails may surpass the food, and being the largest island in the Caribbean, getting around might be slightly more difficult, but what it lacks in polish it more than makes up for in captivating history, laid back charm and swinging salsa rhythms.

Time warped by its revolution, it feels like this is a sunny isle of contrasts. Historic Havana and Trinidad have undergone painstaking restoration and preservation; walking around them is like a trip back in time. At night, these and other cities like Santiago de Cuba, explode into a music- and rum-fuelled fiesta. Staying at a casa particular (a private home with rooms to rent) gives the traveller a glimpse at life for the average Cubano, and opens up parts of the country (but more importantly the local psyche) that were once off-limits.

Pure island indulgence lies at many of the gleaming resorts punctuating Cuba's glorious coastline, and, across the island, party-hungry travellers can delve head first into the music, dance and cocktails for which the country is internationally renowned.

Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 2 Dec 2011 07:30:00 -0800

Rightly considered one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations, Italy manages to be many things – a vision of golden countryside, a mass of seething cityscapes, a repository for ancient culture, a mecca for fashion – whilst never being anything less than resolutely Italian.

Its many faces are a big part of its appeal. From the scooter-honk of Naples to the bosomy hills of Tuscany, and from the Renaissance splendour of Florence to the football crowds of Turin, it’s somewhere that draws you in repeatedly. Trying to take the country in on one trip is akin to settling down to read an entire library – far better to concentrate on one or two of its numberless highlights and immerse yourself in the mix of hospitality, style and volatility that makes Italy so intoxicating. Oh, and did we mention the food?

Cameroon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 2 Dec 2011 07:29:00 -0800

While referring to Cameroon as 'Africa in miniature' has become a bit of a cliché, this statement certainly rings true: everything you would expect from the African continent seems to be consolidated in this diverse slice of land. The south boasts tropical rainforests and deserted golden beaches; the northern parts are awash with great expanses of desert, lakes and savannah; volcanic mountains dominate the southwest and northwest, and game-viewing areas scattered throughout the country offer ample opportunity to observe impressive wildlife, including elephants and lions.

Poverty blights much of Cameroon's infrastructure, meaning transport and accommodation are underdeveloped. Outstanding border disputes with Cameroon's powerful neighbour Nigeria (linked in part with control of the oil-rich Niger delta) mean relations are somewhat awkward. While a key dispute, involving the Bakassi Peninsula, has been officially resolved, the border region is still considered unsafe. The areas bordering Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR) are also unstable.

Aside from certain no-go areas, Cameroon offers a wealth of activities and beautiful destinations to keep the adventurous traveller enthralled. From its verdant rainforests to its powerful creatures, this country is bursting with life; go, before it becomes 'discovered'.

Brazil

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 2 Dec 2011 07:26:00 -0800

From the jungle calls of the Amazon to the curves of Copacabana’s thong-clad crowds, Brazil is a heady celebration of the big, the bold and the beautiful. Brazil’s vast coastline is fringed with sandy beaches and island getaways, while buzzing Rio de Janeiro and stylish São Paulo offer nightlife and culture galore – as well as an annual dose of Carnival fever.

With the World Cup due to take over Brazilian stadia in 2014, and the Olympics coming to Rio in 2016, the largest country in South America is gearing up to take centre stage – and whether strolling down orderly São Paulo streets, or kicking back in the spotless coastal resort of Buzios, it seems Brazil is confidently rising to the challenge.

Prices are steadily increasing, so even the simplest Brazilian holidays don’t come cheap. Crime does happen, especially in the cities, but those who keep their wits about them and avoid certain areas are highly likely to have an incident-free trip.

Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:01:00 -0700

Paris is the greatest city on earth – who would argue? Londoners and New Yorkers put up a fight, but in terms of architectural beauty, art history, gastronomy and sheer extravagance, it’s Paris that wins. And that is reflected in its visitors – there are more than any other city.

It’s more than the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre of course. Spending a few days in Paris can serve as a crash course in how to live. When you walk along the River Seine or take a seat in a corner café, it’s evident the finer things in life are appreciated. People don’t rush lunch. Children are doted upon. Hairdressers are always busy. And although you can’t take Paris with you, when you return home, that sense of pride will linger.

You can’t come to Paris and not indulge in culinary ecstasy. From light and flaky croissants in the morning to a rich slab of foie gras in the evening, Parisians love food. From the neighbourhood bistro to the Michelin-starred restaurant, dining out in Paris is a joy.

Saudi Arabia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:59:00 -0700

No other country in the world is as misunderstood as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and perhaps no other country – rich with culture, heritage, and natural beauty – is as worthy of a first visit. It is more than a harsh desert (though the sands it does boast include the Empty Quarter, a beautiful expanse of undulating dunes unlike anywhere in the world), it is a country with many areas of beautiful oases and dramatic mountain-tops, beaches and rivers.

There are also the untamed stretches of Red Sea coast in the west of the country, southwestern mountain towns such as Taif, plus the ancient history in the north, where the town of Al Ula serves as the gateway to Medain Saleh, a collection of stone dwellings as magnificent as Petra.

Then there are the cosmopolitan city centres of Jeddah, the Red Sea port; Riyadh, the throbbing central capital; and Gulf-side Dammam, the large city in the east. All feature chic cafés and top-notch restaurants. There are shops galore, from traditional souks to glittering malls with all the latest fashions. Hotels are being built at a rapid clip, and each seems to feature a chef of ever-increasing pedigree.

For the tourist interested in religion, few other countries are as rich in historical sites as Saudi Arabia. As the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, Saudi Arabia is home the two holiest sites in Islam: The Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina (although these are off-limits to non-Muslims). The Saudis take pride in protecting the integrity of this holy land and Islamic laws are strictly enforced by the mutawwa (religious police).

Istanbul

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:58:00 -0700

Istanbul owes its historic importance and its amazing cultural and architectural heritage to its perfect strategic location, straddling the Bosphorus straits which separate Europe and Asia Minor.

Through most of its 2,500-year-long history, the city (first known as Byzantium, then as Constantinople and since 1930 as Istanbul) was a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of more than 13 million is almost exclusively Turkish, and many of its people are recent migrants from provincial Turkey, lured by the promise of jobs and careers in this vibrant, fast-growing city.

Istanbul is no longer the nation's capital, but is Turkey's economic and cultural powerhouse - a status underlined by its role as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the award of UNESCO World Heritage listing to many of its most important landmarks, which range from stunning Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs to the columns of Hellenistic temples and the remains of massive medieval city walls.

But there's more to Istanbul than Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A fast-growing economy contributed to a flourishing arts and music scene, with a plethora of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants and designer fashion outlets.