22 Sep 08 San Francisco Travel Guide
Counted among the most visited cities in the world, San Francisco is a major city of California in the United States of America. The city is situated on a small square of land (11 km x 11 km) at the tip of a peninsula, which lies between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Coast. San Francisco is made up of eleven districts including the famous Fisherman’s Wharf. The city has a population of eight hundred thousand and its largest industry is tourism, partly because of the mild weather throughout the year.
To get around San Francisco, walking is an interesting option but you should know what you are doing and where you are headed. The city also has a comprehensive public transport system – among the best in the country with a major chunk of public transit taken care of by the Municipal Railway or Muni, which consists of streetcars, buses, the metro and cable cars. Bicycles are also an alternative mode of transportation in the city, although the terrain is hilly and difficult to negotiate. Taxis are expensive and inefficient, and should be avoided– the same with cars.
San Francisco has a lot to offer by way of tourist spots – the most significant of the sights is the Golden Gate Bridge, the most recognisable of San Francisco’s landmarks. In fact, it is counted among the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Other attractions include the famous cable cars between Market Street and Fisherman’s Wharf, the Coit Tower, the tall Transamerica Pyramid, the twisty Lombard Street and the famous neighbourhoods of Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown. San Francisco also has museums, parks, a couple of good beaches and the San Francisco Zoo which are worth a visit. Taking a guided tour of the city will help visitors explore it completely.
There are a number of events and festivals held throughout the year in San Francisco and the sports teams of the city feature in the national leagues of baseball and football. Most of San Francisco still conforms to the old way of shopping, that is, through small businesses in the hands of local owners. The typical souvenir shops for tourists can be found at Fisherman’s Wharf, and Union Square has a few upscale retail stores and some shopping centres.
You can find every cuisine imaginable in San Francisco; however ‘sushi’ is the most popular dish. Restaurants are varied and prices range from low to expensive. The nightlife in San Francisco is pretty good, and there are a number of good Irish pubs in the city; reason enough for a visit to the city, you would think!
17 Sep 08 An evening in Hong Kong
With more and more people starting to travel more towards Asian countries, people are discovering some of the age old relics and mysteries that are associated with Hong Kong. For centuries people have always been awed by the mystery and magic that is associated with the Asian countries and Hong Kong in popular. There are those who want to know more about the country who martial arts have been made famous all over the world and some of these tourists also visit Hong Kong to know more about legends like Jacky Chan. The quaint market shops, the noodle shops, the hustle and bustle of the bazaars plus the opportunity to haggle over seemingly antique items mixed along with the latest in electronics is what makes Hong Kong a league apart from the other tourist spots.
Few people know that Hong Kong is one of the most popular tourist spots of Asia and the main reason for this is that people have a biased opinion about this city. They cannot imagine that such a small city can be so popular, but when they take a look at the city for themselves they are left wondering. With a night life that can be compared to many other cities and a culture and religion that is based on Buddhism, Hong Kong is a doorway to the East. If anyone is planning to visit Asia, they must include Honk Kong in their itinerary. The populations of Hong Kong are well versed in English and the English education of this country is second only to the Philippines and India in the Asian region.
This alone makes traveling in Hong Kong a great pleasure since the tourists do not face any communication problems. If you want to ask directions to any place or if you want to haggle over the price of any bric brac there are no problems since most of the natives are well versed in English. The Chinese culinary is a must for those who love Eastern foods and one will be amazed at the low rates that they have to pay for purchasing these foods from the roadside stalls. However, if you thought that Hong Kong is all about cheap stuff, you have missed out of some research. There are quite a number of luxury hotels in Hong Kong where you can lead the most luxurious of lives.
If you are a McDonald’s aficionado you can find them in Hong Kong and if you would rather prefer the local food then you might well try out Chinese specialties like fried whole trout, tong cho oysters, tofu dishes, Peking duck, soft shell crabs, stuffed scallops among many others. There are eateries that are dedicated to serving western food so that you will never be alienated. Check out the Buddhist Monasteries and the pagodas. Chant some Buddhist mantras like `Buddham Sharanam Gachchami’ (Buddha I bow my head to you in reverence) and feel the peace of heart in Hong Kong, a city where myth meets modernization.
Tags: Food, Hong Kong, Tourist Guide
15 Sep 08 Oslo the green city
Unknown to many people and tourists, the city of Oslo has been the capital of Norway ever since 1814. Those who visit the city of Oslo do so to know more about the history of the Norwegians and also to se some of its famous sights like the fjords. This city of Oslo houses both the parliament and government buildings and even the royal palace of Norway is located in the city of Oslo. Surrounded by hilly forests, Oslo is a famous tourist spot for those who love nature and the outdoors and also for those who love outdoor activities. There are countless parks all over the city of Oslo and regardless of your location in Oslo, you shall be able to locate a park within a few blocks.
If one is interested to se the famous beaches that are located in Oslo Fjord islands, they have to take a 10 minute boat ride from the city center. The city of Oslo is also famous for its 8 ski centers. At a time when most of the cities around the world are trying to become green in an order to avoid global warning, Oslo has already taken up the initiative a long time back. In the year 2007 Oslo was declared as the world’s second greenest and one of the most livable cities of the world by Reader’s Digest magazine. You can find whatever you expect from any other capital in Oslo too.
Apart from a thriving cultural life one can also find great quantity of attractions like restaurants and shopping centers that are not available anywhere else in Scandinavia. The snow cloaked winter forests of Oslo make it a favorite haunt for tourists who are interested in winter sports. Have you ever experienced a dogsleigh ride? If not, check out for the same in Oslo during the winter season. Once you have enjoyed this ride, you might end up the day by dining out in one of the multi starred restaurants of Oslo. There are countless tourist spots that one can see when they are visiting Oslo and one of them is the famous 13th century castle, Akershus Castle that was built by King Hakon V.
Important functions of Norway along with government events are conducted in the entrance room of this castle. This old structure was later converted during the Christian IV era into a renaissance castle. Tourists who visit Oslo are recommended to check out various aspects of this castle, especially its chapel and the tomb of the founder, Hakon V. Lovers of art can find paintings of world renowned artists like Edvard Munch and they can be viewed at the Munch Meuseum. One visiting Oslo can also find the paintings of Edvard Munch displayed at the National Gallery too where one can also check out another world renowned painting, `The Scream’. Apart from that one can also find paintings from most renowned Norwegian painters in the National Gallery. Though this gallery hosts paintings that were made prior to 1945, those who are visiting Oslo and are interested in recent paintings are recommended to visit the national Museum of Contemporary Arts.
13 Sep 08 Vienna Travel Guide
The capital of Austria and the tenth most populated city in the European Union, Vienna has a very high quality of live. Playing host to a number of international organisations, Vienna lies on the River Danube. The people of Vienna make the visitors feel as if they belong to the city and with the way the city is laid out it is also extremely convenient for travellers. Summer in Vienna is warm and ideal for visitors, whereas winter gets cold and windy.
Vienna’s public transport system, which includes the underground, tram, buses and the commuter rail, is comprehensive and useful for transit within the city. Most hotels in Vienna will have full information on the public transport options. The tram and the rail operate for the best part of the day, and tickets at a discount are available for children. The bus service is also extremely efficient but taxis are not a wise option and are generally expensive, plus the taxi drivers are not always on your side. Driving a car is also not a reasonable alternative - the streets are mostly narrow and one-way. Cycling is a viable alternative since the size of Vienna is quite compact. There are also many paths demarcated for bicycles. Walking on foot through the city is a pleasant experience, and very common.
The sights and sounds of Vienna are of varied interest. There are a number of museums to look up - the Museum of Fine Arts in Vienna (Kunsthistorisches Museum) is one of the finest art museums in the world. Other museums include the Imperial Treasury, the New Palace, the famous Belvedere Museum, the Liechtenstein Museum and Vienna House of the Arts, and a few more. The Opera House is one of the biggest landmarks of Vienna and a fine example of Viennese art. The impressive Schloss Sconbrunn and Hofburg Palace provide the visitors with a chance to experience the heritage of Vienna. Other attractions in the city include the Austrian National Library, the Parliament, the Haus des Meeres Aquarium Zoo, the Secession Building and the Gasometer.
Shopping in Vienna is all about malls (such as the massive Shopping City Sud) and flea markets. Unique to Vienna is the concept of Christmas markets - not a lot to do with shopping, but more to do with gathering for a drink of mulled wine. Restaurants in Vienna generally name their dishes from a confusing variety of terms, but the food is delicious. New wine is usually enjoyed in Vienna and white is more common than red.
It is no wonder, then, that Vienna is such an important tourist destination.
13 Sep 08 Venice Travel Guide
Perhaps the most beautiful of all places in the world, Venice in Italy has a romantic charm about it that transcends all. Venice is essentially a sanctuary on a lagoon, and retains most of the character that it had at the time of its foundation. Venice is a monument to the days of the Renaissance in all its glory. The historic culture of the city is rich and proud. In fact, Venice is such a popular destination that tourists outnumber the residents. The best time to visit Venice is in the spring or autumn, but you’ll have to book early as most Venice hotels are usually full. Visitors need to be careful about Acqua alta, or high water, which is a part of life in Venice - the lagoon water floods the streets several times a year.
Another feature that separates Venice from other cities is the fact that cars are completely absent - Venice is a pedestrian city (which makes it understandably unique) and the distances are all easily covered on foot - walking around is quite an experience for tourists, taking in the beautiful sights. There are also a number of water buses (called the vaporetti) and water taxis if you’re in a hurry. A gondola ride is a romantic alternative to travel. If a gondola ride appears to be a little expensive, the alternative is to cross the Grand Canal by traghetto, which is more of a gondola which has seen the light of day.
While the beauty of Venice is in its uniqueness, there are a few tourist spots which are simply not worth missing. The church of St. Mark’s Basilica (or the San Marco) is a work of art and you need to be appropriately dressed to enter the church. Other churches include San Giovanni e Paolo, St. Maria and so on. There are also museums which merit a nice day trip - the Doge’s Palace and Correr Museum are prominent among them.
The Rialto Market and Rialto Bridge (also known as Ponte di Rialto) are quite easily recognisable as symbols of Venice and have a history of over eight hundred years. Shopping is quite a hit in Venice and there are stores on every corner - you can find nearly everything you need in Venice. Venice is home to plenty of exquisite restaurants and they mainly feature the cuisine of the Veneto. Tourists must sample Venice’s trademark dish, which would be cuttlefish. There are also a number of fantastic bars in the city and visitors should try the famous Veneto Grappa.
Venice is the perfect romantic spot for tourists and it’s no wonder that so many tourists head to the city throughout the year.
12 Sep 08 Rome Travel Guide
The capital city of Italy, Rome does not need too many words by way of introduction. Swathed in history and tradition, Rome is also known as the ‘Eternal City’. Once the administrative capital of the all-conquering Roman Empire, Rome is a metropolitan city and has a population of over three million people. The city is one of the traditionally romantic destinations for tourists all around the globe and the weather remains good throughout the year; there is no distinctive tourist season, although most of the city’s inhabitants take a holiday for a couple of weeks in August meanining it is ideal if you’re looking for a quiet time in Rome.
To get around the city, taxis are often expensive but worth it for the sake of convenience and time. Strolling through the streets of Rome on foot is quite an experience, and romantic to boot. The buses in Rome don’t always run on schedule but they’re a great way to get about the city if you have time to spare. The tram and metro also provide alternatives and have stops located at all the right places; near the Vatican, the Colosseum and other attractions. Hotels in Rome are often very beautiful, but can be expensive if you don’t shop around.
Rome is a city full of landmarks – archaeological, historical or otherwise. In fact, there is a week, called ‘La settimana dei beni culturali’, set aside in mid-May wherein every landmark, museum or archaeological site is accessible free of charge. One of the biggest landmarks of the city is the Colosseum – it is advisable to take a guided tour so that you don’t miss out on any part of its rich history. The Pantheon is another marvel of ancient architecture which lies in Rome – it is still functioning as a church, centuries after it was built. The Roman Forum is another must-visit landmark – the centre of the ancient Roman Empire. Other places worth a visit include the fascinating Castel Sant’Angelo, the famous Circus Maximus, Palatine Hill, the Catacombs, public squares, several museums, and of course, the Roman Catholic churches – rich and decorated. The Pope resides in the finest of the churches - St. Peter’s.
The major shopping centres include Via del Corso and Via Condotti, and there are fine designer stores in the area as well. Moving on to cuisine, some food items which you should definitely sample in Rome include the artichokes, chicory salad, panini, pasta, spaghetti, lamb chops, pizza and cornetti with cappuccino. Restaurants in the city are exquisite and the nightlife is good.
It actually goes without saying that Rome is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world.
10 Sep 08 Vienna the beauty queen of cities
If you are on the wrong side of 40 then there are chances that you might have heard the song from the movie `The Sound of Music‘ which goes as `Doe a deer a female deer’. Though some of you might have even seen the movie, how many of you know that it was shot in Vienna? There are few people who have not heard about Vienna, the capital of Austria. Vienna is so beautiful that it seems that it has been specially chosen by the Lord and has received his blessings. You will be surprised if you go through the history on Vienna and there are few people apart from those who take an active interest in music who know that Vienna is the birth place of waltz.
Tourists who visit Vienna for the first time candidly confess that they feel love and romance hanging in the air. Such is the beauty of the city of Vienna that many people prefer to spend their honeymoon over there. Apart from just its unrivalled beauty, Vienna is also famous for its history of music. True lovers of music know what Venice has offered to the history of classical music. It is not without reason that the movie `The sound of music’ was shot in Vienna (a part of the movie was shot in Venice but the major portions were shot in Salzburg, another city of Austria).
Try to walk idly in the street covered with cobblestones near the city center and you might be surprised to hear some famous composition. No it is not in your dreams. Many of the walking areas on Vienna are lined with a number of orchestral ensembles who keep on playing throughout the evening adding a music to the evening life of Vienna. There are some artists, unique to Vienna, who dress up is historical clothes and then stand still like a statue for hours on end. Where else on earth except Vienna can you find such things? If there is only one disadvantage about Vienna, it is the costs. The city and its lifestyles are extremely costly. Hence be prepared before you embark on a long sojourn of Vienna. There are many people who have seen other European cities and have thought them as the most romantic place on earth.
It can be said with confidence that these people have not been to Vienna and once they visit this city they will know what the true meaning of romance is. Apart from the romantic angle Vienna also offers the tourists lots of historical and cultural views too. Marvelous architectural pieces line the streets of Vienna and the cobbled streets are flanked by the famous coffee houses. You can check out the famous Austrian fruit tea and some of the well known pastries of the city of Vienna. The city of Vienna has got everything that anyone could want. Food, romance, nature, history, museums, restaurants etc., you name it and you can be rest assured that you will find them in Vienna, the city where the sound of music never stops.
10 Sep 08 Madrid
Madrid is a historic city. It is the capital city of Spain situated almost at the centre of the country. Spain itself was once a great maritime power. It was one of the two great imperial powers that ruled the waves. The other one was Portugal. There are several places of interest in Madrid. The city’s bullfighting and bull chase are famous all over the world. Actually these sports highlight the daring nature of the people. The people are very warm hearted. Very good hotels and restaurants are available there.
The city has some of the finest structures in Europe. The Opera House, Orient Square, the building housing the Bank of Spain headquarters and the Telecommunication building are landmarks of the city. The city has many museums. The city is said to have more than fifty museums, perhaps more than any other city in Europe. Madrid is known for its art galleries. The city is a great cultural centre.
Madrid is famous for its bullfighting. The Spaniards are mad after this sport. Even though people from other countries also love to watch it, it is only the natives of this country take part in this sport, generally. The city has two bull rings. Bullfighting is only during the months of May to October. It takes place only in the evening on all Sundays during this period. Bullfighting is the specialty of Spaniards. Madrid is one of the two places of Spain where bullfighting takes place. The other place is Andalusia. Ticket for the bullrings can be purchased on-line.
Madrid has many parks, garden and conference centers. The parks and gardens are large and beautiful. The great spreads of green inside the city is a feast to your eye and comforting to your soul.
Madrid has many universities, private and public. Perhaps the University of Madrid has the largest number of students in the world. It has over a hundred thousand students. It is staffed by more than ten thousand people.
There is an international airport in Madrid. It is one of the busiest in Europe. Madrid has an efficient railway system. It is connected to all other cities of Spain and Europe by rail. The system is known for its efficiency.
Another site to be seen in Madrid is the Madrid City Walls. It is said to be built in the nineth century. Later the invading Muslim armies also built new city walls. The Christians too had their turn in building their own walls. For a time, Spain was bombarded, conquered and occupied by the Muslim armies of the Arabs in the 10th century. They ruled Spain for a short while. Then it was recaptured by the Europeans. The culture of Spain was very much influenced by the invading armies.
Flamenco dancing in restaurants and taverns of Madrid in the evening is also famous. The diners and visitors are entertained by these dancers. A very cheap way of seeing the city is buying an open air bus ticket for one day.
08 Sep 08 Prague and its nightlife
There are many tourist spots in the world and each country has some specific things that make them either stand apart from the rest or belong to a special group that only few cities can boast of. Prague is one such city that has a special attraction for tourists that are not found in all tourist destinations around the globe. There are certain tourists who visit certain cities for certain things that they like and likewise there are some tourists who visit for a specific reason. Apart from being the capital of Czechoslovakia, Prague is famous for its night life. Most of the tourists who visit Prague check out its tourist attractions during the day time and during the night they visit the many night clubs that Prague is famous for.
The city of Prague was founded in the ninth century and Prague remains one of the hottest tourist spots in Europe. Though Prague had been ravaged by war long ago, there are still some works of art and old buildings that have survived the war and tourists visit Prague to see these relics. The architecture of the buildings of Prague are a treat to the eye. Those who are visiting the capital of Czechoslovakia need to keep in mind the weather conditions of the city prior to visiting it. One can experience extremely harsh winters in Prague and it is recommended that they check up with the travel agencies and keep themselves well equipped with warm clothing prior to their visit.
One of the rare cities to have escaped the onslaught of the world wars, Prague is famous all over the world for its night life. The fast, vibrant and colorful nightlife of this city attracts tourists from all over the world. One can find many whisky lounges, elegant cocktail bars apart from the rocking DJ bars that pull in tourists from all parts of the world to Prague. The night spots of Prague have different price ranges and there are ones that are suitable for each and every tourist, from the low cost ones to the extravagantly priced ones. While the wealthy night spots are generally visited by wealthy tourists and locals, the cheaper ones are visited by expatriates, backpackers and young tourists who travel to Prague in groups.
Knowledgeable visitors can also find economical night spots if they hunt around a bit in Prague. The bars of the city of Prague remain open till quite late plus the clubs remain open till the wee hours of the morning. This can be annoying if you are trying to sleep, but most Prague hotels are away from the main streets with nightclubs. The strip shows of Prague are famous with the tourists many of whom visit this city just for seeing the strippers. While there is no restriction for anyone to visit the night clubs of Prague one needs to be 18 years or above of age to consume alcohol in these night spots. If you like to play a game or two in the casino, you can find quite a number of them in Prague. One needs to be attired in proper evening dress in order to enter these casinos.
04 Sep 08 Milan Travel Guide
Prominent among the fashion capitals of the world, Milan is well known for its opera, shopping places and nightlife. Milan is said to represent the new face of Italy and it is of great financial significance to the country. Blessed with a rich heritage, Milan keeps Italian history intact, although in a way much different from Rome. Nowadays, apart from its designer labels and long line of fashion fanatics, Milan is also well known because of its two football clubs - Inter Milan and AC Milan, both of whom are among the top clubs in Europe.
To get around the city, you have plenty of options at hand - chief among them being the Azienda Transporti Milanesi which consists of an efficient network for public transport. The tickets for this network can be used on buses, streetcars, suburban trains and underground lines with the streetcars or trams more convenient for travelling shorter distances within the city. Taxis make for an expensive and often non-viable option and cars in Milan are not advisable for visitors as the hassles of traffic and parking cannot be avoided in cars. Walking makes for an excellent way to roam the city, not least because there are a number of good places to sit and relax in Milan.
Sightseeing in Milan starts with the museums, which are abundant and different, especially the art museums because of Italian Renaissance. Churches are also prominent here; Milan boasts of housing the oldest churches in Italy, even older than the Roman ones. Some of the historic monuments in Milan are the Castello Sforzesco, the La Scala Theatre, the Climitero Monumentale, and the Chiaravalle Abbey. Other sights in the city include Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (a shopping mall set in a 19th century palace), Via della Spiga, Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense (a library established in the 18th century) and the San Siro Stadium, also known as the Meazza Stadium.
A visitor to Milan should try and watch a football match at the San Siro, the stadium shared by both AC Milan and FC Internazionale. There are also a number of exhibitions held throughout the year in the city. Moving to food and drinks - Italian dishes, such as risotto are delectable. In the city you can also find cuisines such as Chinese, French, Mexican et al. Pizza is an all-time favourite in Milan, while Appertivo or Happy Hour is celebrated in Milan every day from 7-9 pm.
To sum it up, Milan is more than worth a visit on your travels because of its high fashion quotient combined with the city’s rich heritage and fine dining.
