Auckland, New Zealand: The City of Sails

The city of Auckland, which lies in the heart of New Zealand is the spot that adventure seekers and water lovers go to get their fill of excitement! Auckland is nicknamed “The City of Sails” due to the many harbors that can be found there as well as the endless beaches and waterfronts that always have boats bobbing in the water and sails gliding across seamlessly. Auckland has a very unique lifestyle and it is perhaps because of this that is the largest city visited in New Zealand year after year.

The water is clear and plentiful in Auckland and it is just waiting for recreational fun! You may want to start your trip with a tour of the waters where you will see many different islands and sea life along with many other great sights. The Tallship Soren Larsen is a ship that has guided tours and sails just like the pirates have! This masterpiece will take you through Auckland Harbor and give you a chance to look at some wonderful attractions. For a truly great sight, you may want to swim with the dolphins, another fabulous opportunity that Auckland has to offer! This beautiful city has many of these same types of cruises and if you prefer to get off the boat and into the fine crystal blue yourself, there are also many snorkeling, diving, tubing, water skiing, and other water sports to experience while you are there!

If you’d rather be above the water than in it, there are plenty of activities for you as well! New Zealanders are known for their sense of adventure and you can get a taste of this during your stay by using a day to jump out of a plane with one of a few great skydiving companies or you can climb up, around and in the Auckland Bridge. Once on top, suit up and get ready for the bungee jump of your life! If these are all a bit extreme, also check out the many cycling, hiking and rock climbing places that are continuously being created all around the town! In Auckland, you can even experience what it’s like to be in the Olympics as you zip through the Auckland Luge.

For those that prefer the shopping scene, Auckland has some of the finest shopping centers in the world. Spend some time in Aotea Square Markets where you will find fun and spirited pieces unlike anything you’ve ever seen before or choose to head over to Chancery, an area that is known for more contemporary items and things for sale. And where else would you go to sample some of New Zealand’s finest chocolate but Chocolate Boutique Café? A whole shop dedicated to chocolate, there’s nothing wrong with that! When you have shopped until you have about dropped, rest your bags and your feet in one of the many fine Auckland cafes and restaurants.

There is an entire world waiting to be discovered in Auckland, New Zealand! Whether you are looking for sun and sand or some time checking out museums and shopping areas, Auckland is sure to have something you will keep coming back for!

Panama City: The City of Abundance

There is not one element of Panama City that is not incredibly exciting! Where else in the world can you see a city’s skyline from far out into the Pacific Ocean? This is because this is the one place where the skyscrapers quite literally meet the waves of the ocean as the high buildings line the beautiful beaches. Although you can visit the Panama Canal to get to just about anywhere you want to go in the world, it’s worthwhile to take some time exploring Panama itself. It’s a beautiful city full of history and culture!

If it’s history you’re interested in seeing, Old Panama is the place you want to go! Just two miles outside of modern-day downtown Panama City, it is here that remains of the original capital still lie. A park that is open to the public serves as the perfect setting for the ruins of walls and archways that are perfectly reminiscent of 1519, which is when this old city was first established. It’s interesting to know when you are visiting that this old city was once a known looting place of pirates and during the time of Henry Morgan’s vicious pillaging, the governor of Panama demanded that the entire powder magazine be burned. This caused the entire city to burn and a new Panama needed to be built. This was developed two miles west and it is here that modern day Panama sits today. Some of the most fantastic sights of Old Panama that you don’t want to miss are the cathedral, the huge bell-tower, and the Bishop’s House. Also enjoy some fine native shops and a quaint restaurant while you are touring Old Panama City.

Walk or take a quick cab ride to modern day Panama City where you will find some of the most distinguished financial institutions in the world. Some of the finest shopping establishments are also here and you can spend hours or days visiting all of the stores and boutiques. The two shopping areas that are most visited by tourists are Via Espana and Avenida Central. It is within these two districts that you can walk the twenty blocks of stores and shops. Because of the easy access to obtaining shipments and the large volumes that are constantly coming into the area, prices in Panama are some of the lowest in Central America, which is already considered to be quite cheap! Also in this modern day downtown you can find great nightlife and listen to any kind of music you desire while you rock it out on the dance floor or simply enjoy casual conversation with friends.

During your stay you can also visit a huge rainforest that lies on the border of Panama City. Here you will see wildlife like you won’t ever see again including toucans, parakeets, orioles, sloths, Titi monkeys, orchids, and many others! Also be sure to check out the Amador Causeway where you can travel down palm tree-lined roads to visit six different aquariums, look through telescopes at the many different ships entering the harbor and you can actually touch displays of starfish, sea urchins, coral, seashells and much, much more!

Rio De Janeiro - much more than carnival and beaches

Nestled in Brazil, South America’s largest country, is Rio de Janeiro, one of the top tourist spots every year. When considering travelling to Rio de Janeiro, most people often think of the vast rain forests and the carnivals and while these are both worthwhile reasons to visit this city that is rich in culture, art, and history, there are many more sites to see when visiting this city that more than six million people call home.

The Copacabana Beach is one of the main attractions as it combines one of the most popular beaches in the world with one of the most popular festivals in the world. The beach itself is an area filled with miles of white sand and calm waters and every New Year’s Eve sees the start of a wonderful celebration that can only be done Rio de Janeiro style! The New Year’s Celebration holds amazing firework displays, and white is the common color as it symbolizes good luck. Most of the two million people that come are dressed in white and white flowers are also given to Yemenja, the Goddess of the Sea. Carnival in Rio is another festival that can’t be missed. At this carnival there are some of the most colorful and vibrant costumes that can’t be found anywhere else as well as some spectacular entertainment such as music and everyone dancing right in the streets!

There are also many sights that this wonderful city has to offer and one that should never be missed is the Christ the Redeemer statue that stands atop Corcovado has just been named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and it’s no wonder why. The statue has been standing since the middle of the 1850s and its area is impressive, standing tall at 130 feet and weighing approximately 700 tons. Mount Corcovado is located within the Tijuca Forest National Park and standing on top of the mountain is a sight in itself as you can view almost the entire city in all its astounding glory! The statue was constructed when Brazil wanted to celebrate one hundred years as an independent country.

The hill of Sugar Loaf is another site that must be seen in one’s lifetime and although it is a very large hill, it’s easy to get atop of as there are two cable cars that take passengers to the top every half hour. From the top of Sugar Loaf you can see Fort Santa Cruz da Barra, another must-see when staying in the city. The fort was constructed to provide security to the entrance of Guanabara Bay, another site you can view from the top of Sugar Loaf. The Fort has architecture that is hard to find anywhere in today’s modern world and makes for a truly unique experience!

And if you’re looking for a day filled with just a little bit of everything, you will surely want to stop at Banco do Brasil Cultural Center. It is here that you can see the library that is fully computerized, an auditorium that holds different shows, two theaters also holding a variety of shows, multiple displays of all kinds in the four different exhibition halls, and a tea room. There is something for everyone in Rio de Janeiro. It’s a city of contrasts and many fun things to do, no matter what you fancy!

Moscow - massive in size and culture

Many people choose to visit an exotic location on their vacations where they can lounge on the beaches all day and night. However, if you’re looking to come back from your vacation with more than just a suntan and swimmer’s ear, than Moscow may be the place you want to go this year. Not only is this country’s capital massive in size and houses approximately thirteen million people, it is also rich in culture, has some of the best architecture and has an abundance of history that cannot go unacknowledged.

If you’re interested in the history and main sites of this beautiful city, there are many attractions that you won’t want to miss. The Red Square is one of the main attractions of the city although the cobblestone that the square is comprised of is actually black. It is here that you can see St. Basil’s Cathedral, the State History Museum, and Lenin’s Mausoleum. It is at Lenin’s Mausoleum that you can view the body of Lenin that has been embalmed and join in the debate of whether it is actually him or not. Be prepared to leave all camera and recording equipment behind though. You have to actually be there to enjoy this historic site.

The Kremlin is one of the largest sites in Moscow and if you’re in the area, you absolutely must make this one of your stops. Inside the Kremlin lie many different wonderful sites to see. The first is the Diamond Collection, which you can view inside The Armoury. The Conference Center also holds matinee ballets that are all truly beautiful and there are also many churches within the Kremlin. There are actually too many to enjoy all within one day so pick the two or three that seem the most interesting to you and then sit in the garden and study the wonderful architecture of the others.

To see the type of art that originates in Russia, visit the Tretyakov Gallery, which houses some of Moscow’s finest art. You may also want to make Pushkin Museum one of your stops. This museum has mainly Western art with an annex filled with art from both Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. For a museum of a different kind, you may want to visit the Novodevichy Convent, which is not only an actual convent but a fortress as well.

There is plenty of shopping in Moscow specifically, Old Arbat Street. On this famous street you can watch artists, pick up souvenirs, sip on coffee from one of the cafes, or enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the many restaurants. It may be helpful to learn a few key Russian phrases if you plan on shopping here as the vendors are likely to bargain with you if you can speak their mother tongue. New Arbat Street is very close to the Old and if you’re feeling rich or simply want to see what the rich life is like in Moscow, you will definitely want to stop here. Visit nightclubs and fancy restaurants and taste what the good life here is all about. While you’re in the area, you may also want to check out the McDonald’s on Tverskaya Street but be prepared for a line. This is not only the first McDonald’s in Russia but it is also the busiest restaurant of its kind in the world.

Cario, the Jewel of Egypt

Cairo, Egypt is perhaps one of the most exotic and beautiful places one could ever see in a lifetime. One of the oldest cities in the world, Cairo is the capital of Egypt and is home to over sixteen million people. Because it is so large and things seem to happen at such a fast pace, it’s easy to become confused and wonder where you should be going and what the top sites to see are. This travel guide will explain the main sights to see, how to get around, and everything else that this wonderful city has to offer!

If it’s mainly the history of the city that interests you, you will have to go to Old Cairo, an area of the city that has housed many different civilizations for over two thousand years. Not only are there many churches to explore that are centered around Coptic Christianity including the Hanging Church but there are also intriguing remains of Babylon. Walk along the charming cobbled streets and feel as though you have been transported back in time!

For those that would rather shop than tour mosques and churches, Cairo definitely has some unique shopping experiences that are nothing like anything else you will ever find! Forget about malls for this shopping experience, you will have to head on over to the many different bazaars that are offered where you can find everything from camels to veils to carpets. The Khan Al-Khalili is one of the oldest bazaars in the entire world but that’s not the only reason that this bazaar ranks among the top for a lot of visitors. Practice your bartering skills and collect some great treasures that will forever be a wonderful reminder of your trip! Also be sure to enjoy a cup of tea with any of the shop owners that offer it. It’s a nice custom and does not mean that you are required to buy anything.

It would be a real shame to travel to Egypt and not even catch a glimpse of the pyramids so be sure to make visiting these world wonders a priority. Just outside of Cairo if Giza and it is here that thousands of people flock to every year to experience the three main pyramids that have been around for over five thousand years. Ride on the back of a camel to the pyramid and when it’s time to explore the inside, you can choose to walk or continue on the back of you new four-legged friend. The pyramids inside are extremely steep and narrow so prepare yourself if you don’t like cramped quarters.

When travelling to all of the wonderful sites within Cairo, you can usually get their by foot but because it is such a large city, you may want to give your soles a break once in a while. For an experience that you will never forget, you can choose a donkey-drawn carriage or a taxi. A taxi ride in Cairo is much different than it is in other parts of the world as the meters don’t run, stops are made along the way, and the driver tries to keep up with the pace of the traffic.

Bangkok - Bustling in Culture

As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is becoming more popular as a tourist destination every day. This city is the perfect combination of culture, history, and the modern world. This is the perfect city to visit for just about anyone as it offers many things to do on your vacation. Whether you are looking to have a true Bangkok shopping experience, want to be pampered, learn Thai cooking, or just want to take a ride on a tuk-tuk, it is sure to have something for everyone!

The first thing you may want to do is to visit the Grand Palace, the city’s most loved tourist attraction. This palace has many temples within it including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This palace is one of the oldest temples in the world and is definitely the oldest within Bangkok. Religion is very important in Bangkok and most people make a stop at a temple every day to pay their respects to Buddha and to say a prayer. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the customs at these places of worship before you go or you could be asked to leave or not even allowed in! Proper dress requires long sleeves, trousers, and skirts and certain customs, such as never pointing your feet at Buddha, are strictly adhered to. For more religious experiences within Bangkok, you can also visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha where the forty-five foot high statue sits in all his glory. Both of these churches are absolutely stunning and are sure to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen before!

However, this city proves just how versatile it is as you can step out of a temple and immerse yourself with the vast entertainment and nightlife that Bangkok offers. The city is bustling with exciting nightlife and you can choose to experience a go-go show, many different bars, concerts, or the theater. For a truly different nightlife experience, visit the Gold Class movie theater. You will watch your show in ultimate comfort as these movie houses provide huge chairs to lounge in socks to keep your tootsies comfy! However you choose to spend your nights, there’s sure to be something for everyone as Bangkok proves that New York isn’t the only city that never sleeps.

Just about everyone knows that the ancient practices of acupuncture and reflexology began in Asia centuries before it ever found its way over to the Western world. This is because it is here that there is a focus on health and well-being like nowhere else. For this reason, Bangkok is the perfect place when you need a little bit of pampering. Visit a spa such as The Orientist Spa for an herbal treatment, facial or body wrap, or a simple massage and you will know why this is one of the best places on earth to treat yourself to something really special! You can also visit Bangkok to receive alternative treatment through acupuncture or Tantric mediation classes to fully rejuvenate your mind and your spirit! After this vacation, you won’t feel exhausted and overspent but instead you will be able to find the true refreshment that vacation should bring in.