Enjoying tourist spots of Edinburgh
A few days back a group of people were planning to take a trip to Edinburgh and one of the was proclaiming that it is located in the U.K. There are many others like him who confuse this city for being in the United Kingdom while the reality is that it is in Scotland. There are many things that tourists to Edinburgh can do and on the top of the list is visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse - HM, which is the official residence of the queen in Scotland. Linking the Palace of Holyroodhouse with the Castle is the famous Royal Mile. As you pass along the Royal Mile you will find several shops and museums. If you so like you take snacks or lunch in one of the numerous pubs and cafes. At the top of the Royal Mile lies Edinburgh Castle that is the number one tourist attraction of Scotland.
This castle is the home to the Crown Jewels of Scotland. The Camera Obscura lies beside the Edinburgh Castle and was built in 1853. During the old days this camera was used to spy on passers by who traveled in the streets below. One can use this to view some amazing panoramas of Edinburgh. Not for the faint hearted is the ghost tour. This is immensely popular with the tourists since it provides them with knowledge about the history of the place and provides them with entertainment too. If you are interested in the ghost tour, just ask anyone around the Old Town in the evening. They will tell you about the happenings about the Edinburgh characters whom they claim, visit the place as ghosts.
There are some tourists who prefer to travel in the cities they visit in the comfort of air-conditioned cars. These tourists, in all probabilities, will miss the fun associated with tourism. The same holds true for Edinburgh too. Enjoy the tour of this city by opting in for an open top bus tour. These buses do not have any cover on the top and one can view the entire city and its grandeur from atop the bus itself. The main advantage of your touring this way is that there are no restrictions and you can hop off the bus wherever you like. Apart from the, the buses provide a suitable link between attractions like the Holyrood Park, Old Town and also The Royal Yatch Britannia.
If you are tired of traveling, you can relax in one of the many gardens and super parks that abound in Edinburgh. You can also enjoy the spectacular sights of the city or climb up 250 meters to view an extinct volcano. While there, enjoy the view of the city from the top. You can enjoy coffee in one of the many coffee shops that line the city. Another way of touring Edinburgh is by bike and there are more than 128 kilometers of excellent bikeways. Those who do not have bicycles can rent the same in one of the bicycle rental shops of the city. Lots of Edinburgh hotels will offer bicycle rental to customers.
Hong Kong Travel Guide
Hong Kong is a major tourist destination in South East Asia - especially for the rich Chinese. However visitors to Hong Kong do come from far and wide. Although shrouded in controversy over its loyalties, Hong Kong is an important hub, globally speaking. The harbour city is divided into many contrasting districts. Around a seven million people make up the population of Hong Kong - a majority of whom are Chinese. However, there are people from other nationalities here too, making Hong Kong a cosmopolitan city. Spring or autumn would be the best time to visit Hong Kong, that is, either from January to March or between October and December.
Hong Kong has a comprehensive, well-developed public transit system. The fastest and most convenient way to travel is by using the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), which moves underground as well as above it. The city trams (double-decker) present a cheaper alternative for travel but buses are more of a versatile option - especially down south. The ferry (with the Star Ferry an attraction by itself) and clean, efficient taxis constitute major parts of the transport system. Renting a car is not common in Hong Kong, and not advisable due to the heavy traffic.
Hong Kong’s breathtaking skyline is counted among the best in the world. Visitors would also be stunned by the view of the Hong Kong Island from Victoria Peak. Horse racing is also extremely popular and worth a watch. Tourists can also visit the several traditional heritage locations spread around the territory. The Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas is an amazing temple which makes visitors feel they have been transported into a new world - it has a pagoda to climb and monkeys are usually spotted here. The Po Lin Monastery, Tien Tan Buddha Statue and Che Kung Temple are also worth a day’s trip. Apart from these sites, there are museums and parks - plus theme parks including the Hong Kong Disneyland. There are also loads of beaches in Hong Kong to unwind.
Hong Kong is quite a major shopping destination - prices are more reasonable than most places in the world and shoppers in Hong Kong are not charged sales tax or value added tax. The choice and variety in shopping is tremendous in Hong Kong, with its great number of shopping malls and street markets. Haggling is also a profitable option and visitors are likely to get discounts on most products.
Before you leave Hong Kong, you should definitely samples some Hot Milk Tea along with traditional dim sum - there are restaurants which are dedicated completely to dim sum. With so much to do and watch, it is hardly surprising that Hong Kong is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Orlando, the city with Ripley’s Odditorium
There are many people who visit cities all round the world to check out the different tourist spots and then again there are a special bred of tourists who visit the city of Orlando, USA to check out a certain spot in a certain city. If you believe in the strange and the odd, you must have read Ripley’s Believe it or Not. This book is famous for its listing of some of the strange things of the world that might sound impossible to believe but are a reality. Many people visit the city of Orlando to check out the Ripley’s Odditorium. There are 25 such museums around the world and Orlando is the proud host of one of them. If you love the unusual and the odd facts of the world then do not fail to check out this museum which is situated along the international drive of Orlando.
The owners of this museum state that the same is sinking in to one of the infamous sink holes of Orlando. There is no doubt that Orlando is considered as one of the topmost hot spots for tourists and this region is famous with many tourists who perceive Orlando as an ideal vacation spot. Not all tourists are affluent and some of them who visit Orlando check out for reduction in the prices or see if they can find out any special discounts while they are touring the city of Orlando. Most tourists to Orlando know that whatever they save while marketing or sightseeing in the garb of discounts is their net gain. They can use that extra amount for seeing more tourist spots in Orlando.
For the uninitiated there are many bureaus and agencies that offer the tourists special discounts while they are vacationing in Orlando. Most of these discounts are available for car rentals, resorts and discounted hotel charges in the city of Orlando. It is advised that the tourists to the city of Orlando check out with these agencies to get the most bang for their buck. How about checking out the shooting of the latest movie when you are vacationing in Orlando? The famous Universal Studios are located in this city and one can get an arranged tour of the same. The lucky ones might even get a chance to be photographed with and take an autograph of their favorite stars.
The kids too have their special stars like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck and if you are visiting Orlando with your family, why not treat your children to a trip that they will never forget. One can check out with the various bureaus and agencies for more information about Disneyland. There are many special packages for visiting these places and one can get special discounts for off-season tours. Most of these agencies can be contacted online and hence you can plan your trip to Orlando from the comfort of you home. Pay a visit to Orlando with your family members and check out the unbelievable things at Ripleys.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, an alpha world city, is by far the largest city in the state of California and the second largest in the United States. The total area is about 500 square mils and an estimated population of about 4 million people. There are people from all over the world and speak more than 200 languages. The illustrious city was founded way back in 1781 by a Spanish Governor. It was a part of Mexico till 1848, after which both Los Angles were purchases as a part of the treaty signed between the US and the Mexican government.
The vast city of Los Angeles is one of the world’s centers of culture, media, technology, international trade and business. The city is also one of the most established economic engines within the United States. Los Angles is also very popular in the world of entertainment as it is home to many industrial houses in the fields of gaming, motion picture, recorded music and television. Moreover, a sizeable number of celebrities also reside in the posh areas of Los Angeles.
The city of Los Angeles is bisected by a huge mountain range. The city is also crisscrossed by numerous rivers and their tributaries. The main river is the Los Angeles River, which ultimately flows out into the Pacific Ocean.
Earthquakes are a major problem in this region. Being located in the Pacific Ring Of Fire and the presence of numerous fault lines both above and below the ground makes the city susceptible to devastating earthquakes. The Tsunamis, which are a regular phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean cause major disruption of life and considerable damage to property in this city.
The city enjoys a fine Mediterranean climate, with warm and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. Occasional rainfall occurs during the spring and the winters. Snowfall is very rare in this region, although the mountain slopes within the city receive snow each year.
The flora and fauna is Los Angeles is very popular all over the world. The plants in this region include the likes of poppy, toyon and oak. Some of them like the Los Angeles sunflower are very rare and are considered as an endangered species. Famous flowers like Bird of Paradise are abundant in Los Angeles.
The city has been subdivided into many neighborhoods, which include Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Hollywood and many more. They are connected by well maintained bus and train routes. Hotels in Los Angeles can be found in most of these regions.
The entire area is rich in culture and heritage. There are innumerable museums like “The MOCA” and “AMPASC” which draw a large number of crowds each year. You can always pay a visit to the Hollywood to come close to the world you usually see in the cinemas. You can even visit some of the well known studios.
So, come out of your home and make the trip to the fantasyland. Enjoy the fresh smell of the lovely cuisine, have the chance to come face to face with your favorite stars, have a relaxing holiday, amidst the lap of luxury.
Dublin is the capital of Ireland. It is also the largest city of that region. It is the place of brave Vikings. This city has a great historical value. Dublin was first revealed in history in AD140. This place is surrounded by Liffey River. The water of this river looks like peat coloured. That means dark waters. Dublin also means Dark water. This city has grown very rapidly in 16th century. That was the time when this place became one of the top cities in industrial growth. Dublin is a place of culture. Dublin is the main focal point of Irish art and culture. Dublin hotels can be very busy at certain times of the year for this reason.
The climate here is fantastic. Dublin enjoys a marine climate. Cool summers and mild winter. It never faces extreme temperatures. And that is also another reason of this place becoming famous as a tourist spot.
While visiting Dublin you must not forget to visit the castles here. Ashtown castle, Clontarf castle, Dublin castle and sword castle are among them. The designing and planning of each of them is so very different from each others. These castles prove the richness of the dynasty of Dublin.
Dublin is so very historical and that is why you can find many museums here. Among them national museum of Ireland, Irish Jewish museum, national wax museum and national history museum are very famous. You can also visit National library and gallery of Ireland.
Also visit the main catholic church of Dublin. The name of the church is St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral. This church is very beautiful and one of the most visited places of Dublin.
Dublin’s most attractive square is Merrion Square here you can find many signs on the house which indicate famous ancient times residents. You can find names from Oscar Wilde’s father to Yeats and George Russell.
If you are interested about wild life you must visit Phoenix Park. This is one of the biggest parks of Dublin. Previously large herds of wild deer, sheep, and cows used to graze here. Unfortunately today, there are only a few of the deer left.
Dublin is the core or Ireland’s road network. Dublin is also surrounded by an inner and outer ring road route. The inner ring road route runs approximately around the heart of the Georgian city and the outer ring road route runs largely along the natural circle formed by Dublin’s two canals, the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal, also the North and South Circular Roads.
The Dublin Suburban Rail network is a five rail lines system which serves mainly in the Greater Dublin Area. Also two-line tram network is there. This is called Luas.
From every part Dublin is a very wealthy place and the best thing is to do is to travel the city by availing their transport. You can enjoy the real Dublin if you travel by bus, train or tram. Surely you will not be disappointed after visiting this great place called Dublin.
Amsterdam - A traveler’s guide
Despite being an old city in Western Europe, Amsterdam is one of the hip and happening cities you will come across. The capital of Netherlands flaunts an amalgamation of ancient indigenous culture as well the modern day cool funkiness which makes it an absolute must for tourists from the world over to visit. Getting its name from the dam at Amstel this city vaunts rich architecture, beautiful picturesque sceneries, ravishing canals which decussate the city, great restaurants serving delectable food, cool pubs and nightclubs as well as amicable and hospitable people.
Getting in Amsterdam is not an issue. You can reach by air, water, rail or road. The famous Schiphol airport is of great service for all the tourists. The not-so-big city is a treat to watch just by walking or maybe cycling around. The hub is Central Station where tram, bus, train and metro lines meet.
Although you can visit Amsterdam any time of the year, the best time to put your bet would be the summer when you would just be enthralled to see the ‘host of golden daffodils’ in full bloom. The city is always much busier at this time, so Amsterdam hotels will be much busier. The great weather tempts you to take a relaxing stroll around the Damsquare, Vondelpark or Leidseplein or Rembrandtplein which are just some of the focal points of the city. The four canals Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht encircle the horse shoe shaped city center.
Amsterdam has a kaleidoscope of things to watch out for, be it the sleazy red light area, or the chic of the spectacular churches or the grandeur of the architecture, the Albert Cuypmarkt, the Allard Pierson museum, Amstelkerk, Beurs Van Barlage, the Eastern Docklands, the Van Gogh museum, the Anne frank house, the Artis Zoo, the Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum, Royal Palace etc are just some of the places you cannot afford to miss.
Some of the great places to shop at would be at Nieuwendijk, Kalverstraat, Heiligeweg, Leidsestraat and also The Nine Streets, De Beeldenwinkel Sculpture Gallery, Jordaan etc.
For you people who have to manage their finances well you can try out the street markets at Ten Cate Market, Dappermarkt, Spui, Lindengracht etc.
You also the get to enjoy the serene and beautiful beach stretch at Zandvoort or the temporary artificial beach at Blijburg. So the water lovers also have some great places to enjoy at.
You have many agencies to arrange tours for sightseeing for you. Communication is easier because most people understand English.
Don’t worry at all about the cuisine. Amsterdam offers everything you want to have. Albert Heijn supermarkets serve you easy available cheap food while you get expensive restaurants like the Damsteeg, Greetje, Proust, Restaurant Dosa, La Margarita and a host of others.
Here you have a city with ancient as well as trendy culture offering you great sights, canals, architectural classics, and even the red light areas if that appeals to you. So, your Europe expedition is absolutely incomplete without the tour of this great city.
Vienna travel guide
The picturesque city of Vienna is the capital of Austria and also one of the nine major cities of Austria. The serene city of Vienna is located in the eastern fringes of Austria. Temperate climate prevails in this region with warm summers and cold winters. The entire city is again subdivided into 23 districts.
Vienna boasts of a fantastic culture of its own. The multitudes of theaters, operas, fine arts, and classical music have maintained the long tradition which has been prevalent from the yester years. The Burg Theater, located in the heart of the city, is often considered to be one of the very best theaters in the world. Other notable names include the likes of Volks Theater Wien, Theater in der Josefstadt and many other smaller theaters which are caters to less mainstream arts like experimental plays or cabaret.
One of the best aspects of the Vienna culture is its exquisite balls. There are numerous balls all over the year, featuring live orchestras, with the main venue being the Hofburg Palace at Heldenplatz. Vienna is also one of the main centers for education in Austria and has a plethora of reputed colleges and universities strewn all over the city. Most of these balls are held in hotels in Vienna.
The city is divided into two halves by the mighty river Danube. The city administration has set up an impressive 12 bridges across the river to facilitate transportation. Vienna boasts of the third largest tram network in the world. The city remains connected throughout the day via excellent bus, tram and train services at frequent intervals.
Vienna attracts a huge number of tourists for its famous tourist locations of exquisite beauty. The food and the drinks, which can soothe you after a long and hectic day, are also a big hit in this city. The imperial palaces of Hofburg, Schonbrunn and the Riesanrad constitute the major tourist attractions in this city. Apart from the mighty castles, there are scores of art galleries for different people with varied tastes. The most popular ones are Albertina, Belvedere, and Leopold Museum in the Museumsquartier, KunstHausWien, BA-CA Kunstforum, the twin Kunsthistorisches Museum and Naturhistorisches Museum, and the Technisches Museum Wien, each of which receives over a two hundred thousand visitors per year.
Vienna is renowned for Wiener schnitzel, a cutlet of veal that is pounded flat, coated in flour, egg and breadcrumbs, and fried in clarified butter. It is available in almost every restaurant in Vienna. The city has a long tradition of cakes and desserts, which include Apfelstrudel (hot apple strudel), Knödel (dumplings) and Palatschinken (sweet pancakes), often filled with fruit such as apricots (Marillenknödel).
So, if you want to visit those elegant palaces, grand hotels, feast your eyes on exquisite scenery, as well as enjoy a pristine and celestial holiday amidst peace and tranquility, Vienna is the ideal place for you. Book your tickets today and get ready for a unique travel experience in your life.
Barcelona Travel Guide
Renowned all over the world, and in no small part to its lucrative football club and a top class racing track, Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The second largest city of Spain, Barcelona is divided into several districts; the ones of interest to visitors include the old town of Ciutat Vella, the modernist Eixample, the distinctively Catalan Gracia and Barceloneta with all its sandy beaches, restaurants and cafes.
To travel around in Barcelona, the public bus service is apt as it not only links all the tourist sites in the city, but is also quite reasonable on the pocket. Most Barcelona Hotels will have a bus stop nearby, which makes it even more convenient. There is also a metro and a tram service, and the best thing is the same ticket is valid for all the public modes of transportation. Hiring a car to move around the city is not advised as parking spaces are not easy to find, and it would be a wiser option to rent a scooter or a bicycle if renting were necessary.
The people of Barcelona are more likely to respond animatedly in either Spanish or Catalan to any of your queries, but they are not averse to the use of the English language. Places worth a visit include the La Rambla - the famous boulevard, the Placa d’Espanya- the fountain which was earlier used for public hangings, the Montjuic Castle, the winding streets and squares of the Barri Gotic, and cathedrals, churches, museums and zoos. Also worth a visit is the Nou Camp, the famous football stadium of FC Barcelona.
Barcelona is marked by a spate of festivals and carnivals throughout the year - the chief annual festival being the Festes de la Merce, wherein the revellers can partake in a variety of festivities such as live music shows, formations of high human towers, breathtaking fireworks on display and so on.
Major shopping areas in the city include El Corte Ingles and Fnac, where you can find anything and everything you could think of. A visit to Barcelona would not be complete without Cava, the national drink of Barcelona. Moving over to food and eateries, the Catalan cuisine is particularly exquisite and the seafood is delicious. A tiny treat in the form of waffles can be bought off street stands. The famous Chocolate Factory of Barcelona is a must-visit for chocolate lovers.
The best time to visit Barcelona would be the month of August as a majority of the Spaniards are on vacation at the time, and it is a lot easier to find reasonable accommodation. In particular, those looking for some tranquillity will find that quite pleasing. Also, more than a couple of Barcelona’s festivals are held annually in August.
Liverpool travel guide
Sitting proudly on the banks of the River Mersey, the historical city of Liverpool is one of the largest cities in England and has been afforded the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture for 2008.
Historically, the city can trace its roots back to the first century A.D. and for many centuries following its foundation remained a relatively small, inconsequential settlement. By the eighteenth century the tiny settlement was well on its way to becoming one of the country’s leading trade centres as well as a troop transit port, with Ireland the destination.
With such a notable history, the city offers all visitors the chance to enjoy a wonderful stay with many things to do and discover. For a start, Liverpool’s impressive waterfront has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of only three cities in the UK to hold this prestigious title.
Probably the most famous attraction in the whole of Liverpool is the Albert Docks which are home to such places as the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the Tate Liverpool and also The Beatles Story Experience. The Docks also include some of the best shops as well as restaurants and bars in the whole of Liverpool, ensuring a great time will be had by all.
With other attractions including the Royal Liver Building, the World Museum and a plethora of old churches and cathedrals, Liverpool offers all guests a myriad of choices when it comes to discovering and exploring the city.
There are many ways to start the journey of discovery through the city, including a range of guided tours. These include coach tours, guided walk tours, open top bus tours as well as a Magical Mystery Tour which caters for all Beatles fans on a pilgrimage!
During any one year, Liverpool plays host to an assortment of concerts, events and festivals, with many of them world renowned; including the Grand National Steeplechase held every April at Aintree. The city also happens to be home to one of the most successful and world-famous English football teams, Liverpool FC, whose stadium is located at Anfield.
The city definitely has something to offer all types of visitor, so if it’s a jaunt down memory lane to re-visit one of the most famous music bands in the world, a journey through hundreds of years of history or even just passing through for a football match, The European Capital of Culture for 2008 will more than welcome one and all!