Volcan Baru in the background
Photo by: Ken Mayer, Creative Commons

David, Panama is the home of the two famous Davids in American Idol Season 9. Kidding aside, this city has the same number of the Davids fans – even greater. Being the capital of Chiriquí Province, David is also regarded as Panama’s third largest city.

About 40,000 meters away from the city rest the Fortuna Natural Reserve. Approximately 2.2 kilometers above sea level, this area is a place to different animals such as bats, birds and rodents. You can take pictures of the green scenery or build your campsite in the wild.

In the southern part of Chiriquí province, is David River with an incredible backdrop of the Volcán Barú, the tallest mountain of the country. From this out of this world site, comes the central park where different transactions are happening everyday. Even though raising cattle is the main livelihood, tropical fruits, cacaos and coffee are sold here as well. Vendors will shine your shoes out of the blue and invite you over a fresh drink as their way of welcoming tourists like you.

Around the month of July, the city celebrates Children’s Day Festival here. Your child will surely enjoy the festival’s entertainment for them. Another event where you are ought to be present is the country’s Feria Internacional de David. At this time, international companies gather here to promote and showcase to the community what they have to offer for the country’s betterment.

Since it serves as the main stop point when going to different districts of the country, it should be well preserved and cleaned for tourists. It may not be related to the two prominent singers of American idol but it will surely create a bang to your somnolent escapade.

Popa Taungkalat temple
Photo by: exfordy, Creative Commons

There is no other place for an all-year round tourist destination than Bagan, Myanmar. With the perfect climate and great destinations that never cease throughout the year, you can pick a good date to fly here in this place.

Once here, you will never run out of great places to see. With over 2000 pagodas as well as temples housed here in Bagan, you can experience a magnificent stay in this place. Standing there for over 1500 years already, the scene will give you the thought and feel of an ancient place. You can grab a car, a horse cart, or a bike to roam around the city and experience the beauty of the past.

To complete your experience in Bagan, you must get a trip to Mount Popa. This is a famous mountain with a monastery on top of it. For sure, you will not forget the 777 steps that you need to climb in this mountain just to get a good view of this landmark.

Besides this great monastery, you can be overwhelmed as to how this place has maintained its sacredness through the preservation of a lot of great temples here. More than these, there is a wide array of local themes that can grab the attention of tourists like you. This includes the art of Lacquer ware, fabrics, and bamboo works.

So here in Bagan, you don’t have to wait for the next summer season to experience the ancient ambiance this place has to offer. Come and be inspired by the antique landmarks anytime of the year.

Beachside at Negombo
Photo by: Yellow.Cat, Creative Commons

Negombo, Sri Lanka is more than just a trading port. When you are here you will not only discover how commercial trade takes place, but you will be amazed of the Dutch culture that continues to proliferate in every corner of the place. There are many tourist spots that await you here, and there are more things you need to discover and rediscover.

Aside from fishing and the tile industry, the locales boast the following tourist’s spots:

The Dutch Canal

This small body of water is both a form of scenery and a source of living. For tourists, this is a photo perfect site and a spot for some recreational activities. But for local residents here, it is a source of their daily food, and fishing is a fair game here.

Local Beaches

If you are looking for some tranquility, beaches in Negombo are the perfect spots. The white sand and blue waters are calming, and you will enjoy these beaches more because these are less crowded and you can surely enjoy your time alone or together with your family here. You can even indulge in diving, wind surfing, or snorkeling activities.

Kelaniya Buddhist Temple

If you want to learn more about religions in Negombo, this site is a must-see. You will admire how they built this magnificent place and be at awe with the paintings on the wall.

Dutch Fort Gate

A stroll in this historical site is a worthwhile experience, especially if you are very much attached to historical events that took place in this city. Huge pillars and creatively done arcs can spice your moment here.

Lake Ohrid under the moonlight.
Photo by: xJasonRogersx, Creative Commons

The city of Ohrid is the seventh biggest city in the country of Macedonia. This coastal city lies next to the tranquil waters of Lake Ohrid. This body of water is not only famous for its serene beauty but also for housing a vast underwater ecosystem. UNESCO declaring it as a world heritage site only proves the lake’s beautiful and pristine waters. A boat ride across Ohrid is one of the most spectacular features of visiting this city.

For people who prefer to move about on land, you can try Ohrid’s weekend tour packages. It is a 2-day tour for 4 people or more. There are many things that can be seen in Ohrid such as the process of washing basins under waterfalls. Also, you can come and visit a family whose line of business is in making the world-renowned Ohrid pearls. The native residents of Ohrid are also warm and accommodating so you are sure that you will enjoy touring their place before lunch is served. A group of 6 will pay more for this tour while a group of 15 to 19 will only pay considerably less for the whole duration of the tour.

Considering that the fee is already inclusive of lunch, refreshments, boat trips, hotel accommodations for half a day, and tour transportation, it is worth it. There is hardly a dull time when going around Ohrid since there are many beautiful places to be seen. Just make sure that you allot more time to tour the country on foot so as to better appreciate what Ohrid has to offer.

Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
Photo by: madmack66, Creative Commons

Tumatumari is a community located within the Potaro-Siparuni administrative region of Guyana. While its residents were originally mainly Amerindians of the Arawak tribe, at present the people who live there are a mix of many different races. A Guyana National Service center was established in the area in 1981 to train the local population in agricultural and technical skills so they could farm the fertile agricultural land in Tumatumari. At present, gold and diamond mining is the main industry in the area, apart from tourism from the nearby Potaro River and its waterfalls.

The main attraction in the area is the Kaieteur Falls, famous as one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world and which has a free fall height of over 700 feet. The waterfall is located within the Kaieteur National Park, one of the most bio-diverse spots on the globe and among the few places where you can still see many endangered species. The rare species visitors can find in the park include the Golden dart-poison frog, whose hide is adorned in bright colored patterns to warn potential predators of their toxins, the Scissors-Tailed Swift, which spends most of its waking hours eating insects and skimming across the Kaieteur Falls, and the Bush Dogs, which are notable for being able to run backwards very quickly while still keeping an eye on their enemies.

Visitors wishing to travel to the area have a choice of going by air from the country’s capital of Georgetown, or an overland trek to the base of the Kaieteur Falls that takes between three to five days.

One of Lalitpur’s temples.
Photo by: ♣ ℓ u m i è r e ♣, Creative Commons

Lalitpur is a major city located southwest of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. It is easy to travel here, being a few hours away from Kathmandu. Otherwise known as Patan, this city has been granted the status of World Heritage Site. Lalitpur means ‘City of Beauty’ and is known as the artistic and cultural focal point of Nepal. Temples, pagodas, sculptures can be seen here. The main attraction of Lalitpur is the Patan Durbar Square.

The Patan Durbar Square was once home to the Patan Royal Family. In it is a complex of nineteen monuments, all based on Newari architecture. There are three main courtyards that make up the Patan Durbar Square namely; the Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and the Keshan Narayan Chowk. Among these, the Mul Chowk is the oldest. One of the major attractions in Lalitpur is the Krishna Temple that was dedicated to Krishna, the Hindu Lord, and has twenty-one golden pinnacles.

Another famous temple is the Mahaboudha Temple that shows off exquisite terra cota work. The Lord Siva Temple, also known as Kumbeshwor, is another sight to behold in the Patan Durbar Square. It stands five storeys high and was built pagoda-style. A natural spring can be found inside, which is claimed to come from the famous glacial lake of Gosainkunda.

The Jagat Narayan Temple meanwhile is dedicated to Lord Vishnu which houses magnificent metal statues of Garuda and Hanuman that are related to Hindu mythology. Another major attraction is the Tusahity Royal Bath which can be seen in Sundari Chowk.

If you wish to bask in the rich culture and artistry of Nepal, then Lalitpur should be one of your target destinations.

Poltava central park
Photo by: Vlad & Marina Butsky, Creative Commons

Poltava is in between Kyiv and Kharkiv. The battle of the Cossacks in 1709 has had a great influence to this city. And perhaps, this event is the main reason for its popularity. Poltava, actually, has a museum that displays Czar Peter’s uniform, which is relatively large. There are also several monuments that depict the historical battle. Tourists and travelers may want to visit Zhovtneva Street, as well. This place is basically considered to be the heart of Poltava city. Lots of restaurants and shops, as well as, other attractions are found here.

Tourists could visit the Poltava Art Museum or the Poltava Local History Museum if they want to learn more about the city. History and local artworks are primarily the focus of the latter. They could also go to the place of Kotlyarevsky, a Ukrainian writer, if they want to see a house that has been turned into a museum. Church enthusiasts may visit some of Ukraine’s oldest churches too. The Spaska Church, for instance, was built in the eighteenth century. It was, probably, built around 1705 to 1706. Then, they could also visit the Uspenska Church. Well, this church is actually new, but its bell tower has been around since the seventeenth century. Another popular church in Poltava is the Spassky Church. It is really an outer covering that protects a very old wooden church within.

There are also restaurants and dining places that may interest hungry travelers and tourists. Halushky is a very popular local dish that is made from boiled dough. It is so popular that a monument was actually built in honor of it. Nevertheless, tourists may dine at the Arabeska restaurant. It is rather famous for the live animals that surround its customers. There is also the Ivana Hora restaurant, which is regarded as the most expensive in the city. And after a fulfilling meal, perhaps some sweets from Dominic Candy Store would suffice. In addition, shopaholics may visit Hudozhney Salon for some native Ukrainian crafts. Frunzey and Shevchenko also has numerous bazaars wherein food, clothing, toys, books, flowers, and lots of other things may be bought at really affordable prices. Soviet lore may also be bought here at much lower prices compared to those found in Kyiv. Tourists may also want to see the Column of Glory, the October Park, and the Gogol Theatre where affordable plays and classical concerts could be seen.

Frankfurt Opera House
Photo by: tinyfroglet, Creative Commons

Frankfurt, officially known as Frankfurt am Main, is the fifth biggest city in the whole of Germany and the largest city in the state of Hessen. Frankfurt is nestled along the Main River, and is touted as the hub of the German financial and transportation industries. It houses the Federal Bank of Germany, the European Central Bank, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the Frankfurt Trade Fair.

Visitors are greeted by a busy airport, which also happens to be the biggest employer in the region. Frankfurt Airport is, in fact, the second largest airport in Europe, with traffic reaching up to 50 million people annually. The Frankfurt Central Station, on the other hand, is among the biggest major stations in Europe. Finally, the Frankfurter Kreuz is considered as a major artery that winds into continental Europe.

Among other German cities, it is Frankfurt that is undoubtedly modern and the most business-like. It is lined with skyscrapers filled with expatriates and Germans alike that come to Frankfurt to pursue their businesses or their careers. But not all that happens in Frankfurt has something to do with business. Frankfurt is also home to major events such as book fairs, consumer goods expos, and musical instrument fairs that happen annually. Frankfurt showcases its rich culture, history and tradition via its many museums. To balance out the old school charm, modernism comes alive at night, via Frankfurt’s lively clubbing scene.

If you want to experience Frankfurt the way most tourists do, you can schedule your visit at around the same time as the festivals. But beyond the festivals, Frankfurt—when it’s quiet—is also a great place to unwind for a break from the city or for a vacation that is longer than a weekend.

For tourists who feel like seeing the sights of Frankfurt, a good place to start is the Main Tower. The 200-meter tall Main Tower is the city’s highest view deck. You can drink in the breathtaking view of the city below from this spot, while enjoying dinner and cocktails in the resto-bar on the 53rd bar. From there, you can choose what you want to do: relax in a botanical garden, hit the museums, check out the 14th-century architectural wonders, or experience local color in one of the bohemian villages.

Anything is possible in Frankfurt. All you need is a steady supply of wanderlust, an open mind, and tireless feet and you can see the different worlds within this city that is bursting at the seams.

Rhino and Zebra feed in Nakuru
Photo by: Paul Mannix, Creative Commons

The Rift Valley Province is the richest of all Kenya, when it comes to geography and topography. For the adventurous and for those who are keen to learning more about history and nature: Nakuru is the place for you.

Nakuru is the capital and fourth largest town of the Rift Valley Province. Its rainy tropical climate supports the coffee and tea farms of its highlands. Temperature levels vary from 21 to 31 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

Many visitors worldwide come yearly to marvel at the town’s natural beauty and anthropologically rich spots. Want to see some 400 bird species? Come to Nakuru Lake, a part of the Lake Nakuru National Park. This area is best for game viewing those elusive white and black rhinos. Heading further north will take you to the Bogoria National Park. The lakes here are quite pink, because of its two million flamingoes.

Menengai Crater, a dormant volcano, is also another major attraction. It is the second largest existing crater of a dormant volcano. People will have to walk or take a ride 8 kilometers away from the main road to Menengai. There, they can marvel at the 480 meter depth of this crater. Visitors can also go to Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site. Artifacts from the Iron and Neolithic Ages are displayed here.

There are also first class hotels in the town’s heart, where people can relax and have a taste of exquisite Kenyan cuisine. Then they can visit the Rift Valley Sports Club and watch cricket to their content.

Tarta
Photo by: purpaboo, Creative Commons

One of the regions of the world that is rarely visited is Turkmenistan. It is a country in Central Asia that is mostly identified by its arid climate and surrounding deserts. Because of the hot climate, not many people would think that this is one of the cultural melting pots of the region.

Historically, this was a republic of the Soviet Union until its independence in 1991. When in this country, try visiting the city of Tarta and explore the architectures there in. A distinct characteristic of this city and the country as well, are lighthouses. A lighthouse located in this city stands at about 17 meters tall. Although inactive, it is still open to the viewing public. Its stone square base provides for a strong foundation and holds up the hexagonal columns. There are also lighthouses in Karaada, Bekdash, Kizyl-Su and Celeken.

There are also historical sites like mosques and museums to entice the culturally curios tourists. Although it might be a hot visit, because the weather can reach up to a scorching 50°C, the city is perfect for street tours and store hopping.

The culture of the country can also be seen in the embellished carpets exhibited in the shops in various regions. Persian rugs even have their own showcase and stores just because there is a wide variety to choose from.

It is always a good idea to have Turkmenistan Manat on hand because they have recently changed currency. In the olden times, a Manat would be equivalent to 500 rubles.

Universal Temple
Photo by: k i r a n, Creative Commons

If tourists prefer an educational tour, then Chennai would be one of the places that they should consider visiting. Besides being the fourth largest city in India in terms of the number of people who reside in it, Chennai is also considered as the cultural capital since it has the most interesting and deep stories with regards to the history and tradition that make up the area.

The city is also regarded as the one which makes India truly a culturally diverse country despite its national unity. Within its 350 years of existence, Chennai has become a city of many activities, majority of these pertaining to financial matters. The city is also very open to many developments, regardless of these being technological or agricultural, as long as the people in the area will not experience famine. Still, they were able to preserve their attractive spots, mainly because they do not forget to prioritize it while pursuing other endeavors.

What makes Chennai a good place to visit is that it is situated near the beautiful Bay of Bengal, which was the main trading port of the British people who had ruled the area before. In the area is also one of the best features of Chennai – the Marina Beach. Regarded as the second longest beach worldwide, this beach offers more than just that. With its clear waters connected to the white sands become a golden view during the evenings.

St. George Fort is also one of most sought after spots in Chennai. Influenced by the arts of the British, this spot has a deep background and story rooting back to the British rule.

In addition, Chennai is also the home of the National Art Gallery. This spot has a large display of paintings and sculptures that have been maintained by the people who are in charge of the gallery. Tourists who are interested to know more about the history and colorful culture of Chennai should never miss this place out.

The Theosophical Society is another tourist attraction of Chennai. People may opt to relax at the shrines and gardens in the place, not to mention that they can also take pictures of the sculptures that are build here.

Chennai definitely has a lot of things to offer to the tourists. It is a nice thing that they were able to preserve such attractions despite becoming a modernized city.

Ozakajō Osaka castle
Photo by: JoopDorresteijn, Creative Commons

Characterized by a large region of land territory, Osaka is also known as Japan’s third biggest city. Thus, the city offers one of the widest varieties of must-see tourist destinations all over the country. Well-known for its skyscrapers, the city possesses not only commercial value but thriving nature spots as well. Certainly, Osaka got an ideal fusion of modern and ancient wonders inside its boundaries.

Osaka’s Historical Heritage
Osaka rose to be one of the centers of Japanese commerce in the 5th century, as it once served as the entrance of traders from neighboring countries like China and Korea. One evident effect of the exchange of goods and knowledge between these countries is the spread of Buddhism over Japan. Buddhist temples were then constructed all around the country.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a warlord of the 16th century built Osaka Castle, which served as his residence and war base at the same time. During this period, maritime areas around the city were expanded to improve its capability to protect the people from enemies.

All these historical background and economic advancement make Osaka an even more interesting destination.

As mentioned, Osaka contains extensive tourist spots waiting to be unraveled. The following places are just so irresistible that even the city’s natives can’t help but admire them:
Tempozan
With a lavish historical value, Tempozan was once a bay port in front of the Aji River. Recently, it was converted into a resort area composed of several rides, a museum, and gourmet shops. Visitors can also watch swimming whale sharks along the bay.

Kaiyukan
Also known as Osaka Aquarium, Kaiyukan allows guests enter the world of marine life through its giant manmade aquarium. Once you step inside the aquarium, you’ll see all the small and huge fishes swim around you, with the manta ray and mackerel’s faces clear and distinguishable. The aquarium gives its visitors the “feel” like they were in the middle of the animals and they’re swimming with them. That’s really a one of a kind experience.

Ame-mura, Festival Gate Amusement park, Expoland and Universal Studios Japan are just a few of the various amusement parks and commercial areas present in Osaka.

Minami
Minami is the most popular shopping area in Osaka and is the venue for numerous souvenir shops, department stores, arcades and restaurants. Shopping for souvenirs and gift items, joining in Osaka’s busy nightlife, or just sightseeing, Minami is the perfect place for you! Along the stores are arcade games and restaurants for those hungry tummies.

Speaking of Food!

Welcome to the gourmet capital of Japan, Osaka! True to its name, Osaka presents its visitors the widest selection of gourmet treats that will satisfy everyone’s cravings. Among the city’s unique specialty are Tecchiri, a dish perfect for the cold season, Shabu-Shabu, which actually originated in Osaka, and kushi-katsu, another Osaka creation, which are bite-sized breaded pork in sticks.

Baobab Tree on Tarangire Naational Park
Photo by: Noel Feans, Creative Commons

Wildlife, sceneries, nature itself—these are the things offered by Tarangire National Park. It is a popular wildlife national park of Tanzania. After Mkomazi, Katavi, Mikumi, Serengeti and Ruaha, Tarangire is the sixth largest. It is home to several game species like elephants and lions. It is also perfect for bird watching. It has more than 550 species of birds—the most number in one place compared to all other regions in the world.

The Tarangire National Park is about 2,850 square kilometers wide. It is can be reached by 75 mile trip, southwest from Arusha city. People can experience on-foot Safari exploration with expert guides. Other than wildlife, visitors can also explore the culture and arts of Barabaig and Maasai tribes. The place is also rich anthropologically, with plenty of ancient rock paintings.

People can visit the national park anytime in the year. However, it is best to have a safari trip from June to September. These are the dry months. The number of species is highest in this time of the year. The animals gather at the most abundant water source during dry time, the Tarangire River.

Bird watchers will enjoy the huge number of game species in Tarangire. On grounds farther from the river, there are ostriches and Kori bustards, the heaviest flying bird. One can also see tree climbing lions and huge pythons coiled on the trees as well. There are herds of about 300 elephants too.

Inside the National park, there are hotels known for their good services and delicious food. Some of them are the Tarangire Sopa Lodge, the Swala Camp and the Tarangire Safari Lodge.

Senate building of the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria
Photo by: Wikimedia, Creative Commons

Zaria is a big city in the state of Kaduna in Northern Nigeria. Formerly called Zazzau, it was among the seven original Hausa city-states.

History of Zaria
Zaria was the capital city of the Zazzau’s Hasau Kingdom as well. In the later years of 1490s, Islam religion entered Zaria through its Habe sister cities, Katsina and Kano. Together with Islam religion, trade also prospered between cities as dealers brought with them camel caravans full of salt in trade for grain and slaves. The kingdom developed to be a tributary state of Songhai Empire between the 15th and 16th century. During the Fulani Jihad in the year 1805, it was seized by the Fulani. The city was taken by British armies headed by Frederick Lugard in the year 1901.

Geography
Originally, the older area of Zaria was enclosed by walls, though these have currently largely subsided. In the Tudun Wadan neighborhood and the old part of the city, nearby inhabitants generally live in the usual mud-brick compounds.

Economy and Transport
The economy of Zaria is chiefly agricultural. Staples include millet and guinea corn, and cash crops are tobacco, groundnuts and cotton. Zaria is believed by several to be the main hub of Hausa agriculture.

Since Zaria is located north of Kaduna’s rail junction, it has equal rail admission to the seaports at the Port Harcourt and Lagos.

Education
The Zaria city is home to the Nigeria’s biggest university and the 2nd biggest in Africa, the Ahmuadu Bello University. This university is outstanding in Science, Agriculture, Finance, Law and Medicine.

Novgorod
Photo by: Marywhotravels, Creative Commons

When going to new places, especially out of the country, one of the things you look for really is beauty, and not just the comfortable sensation of being away from the office or your home. You want to walk through parks at night and zoos and gardens during the day. You wish to visit museums and gaze at historical artifacts, if those interest you, or simply appreciate paintings, sculptures and other forms of art in an art gallery. When visiting Russia, your eyes cannot leave the place unsatisfied, especially if it’s Novgorod you step into.

Novgorod, also known as Veliky Novgorod (literally “The Great/Big New City”), is North-Western Russia’s foremost historic city. It is the heart of the Novgorod Oblast’s administration. Its current population is over 200,000.

Novgorod is unlike other Russian or Ukrainian cities in terms of medieval monuments. The best-preserved of the eleventh century churches is the St. Sophia Cathedral, constructed between 1045 and 1050 under Vladimir Yaroslavich (son of Yaroslav the Wise)’s patronage, likely the oldest structure in Russia which is still in use, and the first one to represent Russian architecture’s original features. Traditionally referred to as the Detinets, the Novgorod Kremlin houses the oldest palace in Russia (the Chamber of the Facets), the oldest bell tower and clock tower in Russia.

Three large churches stand outside the Kremlin walls. The St. Nicholas Cathedral contains frescoes of Mstislav the Great’s family and graces the former chief square of Novgorod, Yaroslav’s Court. The Yuriev Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in the country. A three-domed cathedral similar to that contained in the Yuriev Monastery was built in the Antoniev Monastery on the orders of its founder, Antonii. Some fifty other medieval and early modern churches are scattered about the city. The greatest early Novgorod architecture masterpiece is the Savior Church situated at Nereditsa.

Traveling to and around Novgorod isn’t complicated as it has many connections to the country’s two largest cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, via the federal highway M10. You can take the railway route or ride a trolleybus or bus to your other in-city destinations.

Basilica of Our Lady of Africa, in Algiers (Algeria).
Photo by: Rudolf Stricker, Wikimedia by Damien Boilley

Finding an exotic place to visit for a vacation is never too hard considering that there are several countries in the world which beautifully deviate from what is normal. But if you want something more than just exotic, say North African tourism for example, Algiers, Algeria is definitely the place to go to. Known as Al Djazair in Arabic, and Alger in France, Algiers is the Algeria’s capital city which lies on the Mediterranean coast. Although emerging from a troubled past, this modern African city hold both old and new attractions to welcome the travellers.

Algeria is bordered by Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali Mauritania and Morocco. It was primarily occupied by the native population called the Berbers. By 200 B.C. it was controlled by the Byzantine Empire up until the Arabs and the religion Islam arrived. The coastal area of Algeria is hilly and there are a few natural harbours. What’s interesting about its geography is that further down south of it is already the famous Sahara desert. Its capital city Algiers is the center of business and commerce.

Although Islam is the predominant religion here, the top tourist attraction in Algiers is the Notre Dame d’Afrique (Our Lady of Africa), A Roman Catholic church that stands as the basilica of Algiers. It’s one of the most outstanding monuments and it is accessible by one cable car. The Ketchaoua mosque is another historical monument that is stunningly eye-catching. It became the Saint-Philippe Cathedral during colonization and then became a mosque once again.

The very reason why one should visit Algiers is because of its local architecture. Buildings such as Cosmopolitan Algiers, The Monument of the Martyrs, Grand Post Office and the Ministry of Finances of Algeria are too beautiful to not get any attention. All these architectures including the rest of the attractions are like a masterpiece on its own, just like the city itself.

Baby Elephant in Chobe National Park
Photo by: Wikipedia, Creative Commons

If you want to experience the wildlife of Africa in just one destination, Chobe National Park is the perfect destination. Being the second largest conservation area in Botswana, it offers you a good site of the largest collection of wild animals including elephants, antelopes, buffalo, lions, hyenas and more.

However, this place is more famous for the large concentration of elephants. In fact, there is an estimated 120,000 elephants that are seeking refuge in this national park. Moreover, aside from this wildlife, you can see various kinds of migratory birds visiting this sanctuary from November to March.

Another reason why Chobe National Park is a must see is because you can experience four different ecosystems in this one place. There is one with dense forests and lush plains in the Northeast side, which is called Serondela. There is also the Savuti Marsh just in the western part and the Linyati Swamps in the Northwest. Lastly, there is a dry hinterland in between the other ecosystems.

Of all these ecosystems, Savuti is the most famous not only here in Chobe but as well as the whole of Africa. This is because you can find a good number of wildlife animals here all throughout the year. In fact, if you give yourself three to four days to experience this place, you can see all what Africa wildlife has to offer.

So, do you wish to experience the ultimate safari getaway? Well, the Chobe National Park has everything covered for you. From harmless animals such as giraffes and elephants to the mighty lions and hyenas, you have it all here.

Kingston aerial view
Photo by: dubdem sound system, Creative Commons

Kingston is the capital city of Jamaica and is known originally as an agricultural land. In 1962, it became the shelter of the refugees and survivors of the earthquake that destroyed Port Royal.

In 1716, Kingston became the center of trade in Jamaica.

Majority of the Kingston population is African. Although the East Indians and Chinese who have come to Kingston as servants now play an integral role in the Jamaican economy because of their wide presence in the retail market in Kingston.

It has a tropical climate. From May to November, Kingston experiences rains and in December to April, it enjoys the sun.

Food and Dining

As a cosmopolitan city, you can find a number of restaurants in Kingston which allows you to experience the most wonderful varieties of food from plain to exotic.

Activities

You can enjoy a variety of water sports while in Kingston. Go swimming, diving, snorkeling, sailing, cruising, or fishing. Enjoy the beauty of nature or stroll the streets of Kingston. Go hiking and picnicking or explore the sights in the area. You will be amazed at the many things you can do in Kingston that you may even run out of time to do them all.

Attractions

Kingston is the location of the Blue Mountains particularly, its famous coffee, the Blue Mountains coffee. It is considered as one of the best gourmet coffees in the world and can be found at the cultural, financial, and industrial capital of Jamaica, Kingston. Not only is it the home of one of the best coffees in the world, it is also the center of cultural activities and financial institutions in Jamaica.

Blue Mountains. It is a large mountain range that overlooks the parishes of Saint Ann and St. Andrew. Its name was attributed to the bluish color of the mountains which is caused by the mists that envelop it. It is a spectacular natural attraction that will hold you in captivation for its great beauty.

The Bob Marley Museum. A museum dedicated to the world famous reggae icon, Bob Marley. It was the icon’s former residence and was the place of a failed assassination plot against him.

Port Royal. It is the pirate capital and the wickedest city in the world. It is also the richest and was known as a pirate refuge during the 17th century. However, in 1962, it met a tragic fate during an earthquake which devastated its flourishing state. Today, the artifacts buried in the old city are being recovered. It is the location of the historic Fort Charles and the Maritime Museum.

Old man and the iceberg at Ilulissat
Photo by: BortaBra.se, Creative Commons

In Greenlandic language, the meaning of Ilulissat is icebergs. Ilulissat has an attractive place at the opening of the 56-kilometre-long ice fjord which is packed with huge icebergs from Sermeq Kujalleq, which is the northern hemisphere’s most dynamic glacier.

The largest icebergs finish up getting stuck at a deepness of 225 to 250 metres at the opening of the ice fjord, and they don’t work free till the tide is adequately high or till they’re so worn down that the centre of gravity of the iceberg is modified. In the year 2004, the Ilulissat Icefjord was included into UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Just a few kilometres from the town Ilulissat is the peaceful Sermermiut which lies out onto the ice fjord. In the year 1727, the valley was Greenland’s largest dwelling and abode to more than 250 individuals. Mines have consequently that the attractive valler has at different times been an abode to all the cultures that have resided along Greenland’s west coast for thousands of years.

In the north of Ilulissat, the settlement of Rodebay or Oqaatsut is situated, where a number of the dated edifices from colonial eras are now fitted out as huts or restaurants available for lease. Another few hours via boat to the north is Eqi glacier, wherein you are able to spend a number days in a hut.

Southwards of the Ilulissat Icefjord is a different charming dwelling called Ilimanaq, Qhich is among the most dated dwellings in Greenland. A lot of Ilulissat’s tourist offices plan these tours.

In Ilulissat town, which is also called Jakobshavn, 4500 individuals and at least 3500 sled dogs are currently living, which emphasizes the significance of the dog sled as a way of transportation even in a big modern municipality. The harbour is packed with fishing trawlers and boats that denotes the huge significance of Ilulissat’s fishing. Tourism is an essential business for the municipality as well, and a good assortment of tours is offered wherein the emphasis is on the culture and nature.

How would one arrive to Ilulissat? The air Greenland offers flights to the town everyday from Kangerlussuaq’s international airport. A number of departures into Ilulissat include stopping by in other municipalities located on the coast. You can also travel by water to these destinations via the Arctic Line’s ships if you desire to stop by in other municipalities on the coast from the town of Ilulissat.

Resting by the Merowe Dam
Photo by: attawayji, Creative Commons

Merowe, Sudan is home to the famous sand hills and the intently guarded Merowe necropolis, and ancient burial ground or cemetery that has such an interesting history it’s often referred to as city of the dead. Merowe is another very important tourist destination in Sudan, located in the eastern bank of the Nile River, and 200 kilometres from Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.

The railways are the most important mode of transportation to this city, and buses and Lorries are often used by tourists to get around town.

Other than the historic and intriguing necropolis, the major of attractions of this place are the Temple of the God of Amun, and the Great Enclosure of Pyramids. Currently, the Merowe Dam is getting a lot of attention as well. It’s a US$1.8 billion project being built on the Nile of Sudan. It’s bound to produce hydropower for the area and it’s a controversial project because it will be displacing about 5000 people from near the Nile, to arid desert areas.

Merowe is dotted with about 200 very magnificent looking pyramids. Most people link pyramids with ancient Egypt, but those huge rock piles are actually copies of the original pyramids in Merowe, Sudan. The pyramids here are much smaller, as if designed to contain only one dead body per structure.

Merowe is home to some of the friendliest and most hospitable people on earth called the Nubians. They’re great to tour Merowe with, especially when going to see the great pyramids. An old temple and infinite sand also encompass the pyramid area and the great burial grounds of Merowe.

Moorea – not so quiet beach
Photo by: LOLO FROM TAHITI, Creative Commons

The South Pacific Islands has a lot of great travel deals to offer. Aside from the romantic island of Bora-Bora, the magical island of Moorea shares the same limelight as well. With the clear blue waters and white sand beaches, there is nothing more to describe this place but the word paradise.

The picturesque landscape alone of this great island is already a feast to every tourist’s eyes. The vertical mountains that soar to the sky surrounded with the fresh blue waters of the lagoon are a magical scene. However, your trip to this island will not be complete if you do not take part into certain island activities and enjoy the scenery of the nature.

For your visit in Moorea, do not forget to miss great activities that you can only experience in this island. First, you can devote one day discovering the roads of this island. Along the way, you can see fruit-tasting shops, quiet beaches, local shops, green valleys, and pineapple fields. Moreover, you can give a day to explore some of the historic sites in the island. This includes the hunt of sites and small villages hidden in the forests.

Of course, you must not forget the well-known water activities in Moorea. You can feel free to experience snorkeling, canoeing, diving, and jet skiing in the warm waters of the lagoon.

Also, you can get closer to nature by swimming with the dolphins. The Moorea Dolphin Center allows great activities in where you can swim side by side with the dolphins. If you have kids with you, they can enjoy wading in the waters with dolphins. You can also grab a chance to see the dolphins in their natural habitat by joining dolphin-watching boat tours.

Other sites that you must not miss to see and experience in this island are Papetoil Village, Cook’s Bay Fruit Juice Factory Tastings, Belvedere Overlook, Tiki Theatre Village, Paopao and Opunohu Valley, and Le Petit Village. Other activities you can enjoy here are shark and ray feeding, whale watching, deep sea fishing, hiking trips, and a lot more other activities.

If these words do not convince you yet of the magic of Moorea, come and take a visit to this island. For sure, from the time you set foot to this place, you will already feel the greatness and magic this island offers. More importantly, you will surely find it hard when it’s time for you to leave the place.

Port-Etienne
Photo by: elrentaplats, Creative Commons

Every year thousands of tourists head off to embark on their great adventure outside their comfort zones. This time, it is your turn visit where they have so enjoyed – being part of nature as well as being part of a once-water world that now became a sweating desert. This is Africa’s Port-Etienne, Mauritania.

It is unbelievable once you get to land at Port-Etienne, Mauritania since you will be greeted by sand. Did you know that it used to have green lush vegetation? Even though you’d be caught out of breath at the occasional sandstorms, you will be delighted to find out that there is so much to do at Port-Etienne, Mauritania. Nouadhibou is the new name of Port-Etienne and is believed to be the city’s commercial center.

Off you go to the tourist hotspots like the Table Remarquable and don’t forget to pass by the Mediterranean Monk Seals. It’s such a photographer’s haven since they sights and sounds of the place would definitely spark up that perfect concept shot. Since this is a highly commercial place, you will be able to visit different markets that offer a variety of products which you would be able to bring home as a souvenir. Even though they are a little huge and heavy like rugs, it will definitely conclude your stay there. Test your patience when you ride the 2.5 mile long train ride. It will be stuffy inside since there is one door with a thousand people trying to go inside it.

Camels on the beach in Mombasa
Photo by: Bev Trayner, Creative Commons

To those who love white sand beaches, warm people and a cocktail of interesting cultures, cuisines and traditions, this is the right place for you. Mombasa is a paradise in Kenya, in the coastal region of Africa.

It is a city ideal for vacation. Its tropical climate will surely be enjoyed by anyone. Temperatures range from 70 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit. The main tourist attraction is Mombasa’s long white sand beaches, which are labeled ones of the best in the world. This part of the Indian Ocean has warm, soothing waters. This is perfect for swimming, playing and fishing. One can go sailing and diving too, with expert guides and trainers.

People can savor the night’s breeze aboard the boats, under moonlight. And in the morning, they can relish the sea breeze with the golden sun’s rising. There are numerous hotels in front of the beach. There is no need to worry where to stay.

Mombasa offers more than beaches. It has lots of places worth visiting. The architecture of the city’s structures reflects its long history. After all, their arts and culture were deeply influenced by long Portuguese, Arab and British settlement. Their world class cuisines include British, Italian and Chinese foods. Of course, the traditional Kenyan cooking is worth trying, especially their fresh sea foods.

Tourists can visit the “Fort Jesus” which is at the Old Town’s coastline. It was built in the 1600s by the Portuguese settlers. Another interesting spot is the Gedi Ruins at the city’s north. It is Mombasa’s most historic ruins, a small village of rock architecture. It is a place for beach lovers and those who care for history and architecture too.

Khaju Bridge
Photo by: Hamed Saber, Creative Commons

Isfahan, Iran is an architectural mecca. Here you can find many great and inspiring ancient architectural works. This is what Isfahan is known for. Sites here are real echoes of the past, as most of them were built between the 11th and 19th century. What is most amazing is that amidst their age, these structures still stand firmly and are still being used today.
Of all the monuments in this great province, there is one that is considered as one of the greatest Islamic architectural works of art. Naqsh-e Jahan Square, also known as Imam or Shah Square, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a large complex that houses many religious and cultural Islamic structures. All of these are made with the utmost style and thought. The square is a must-see for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Isfahan is situated right at the heart of the Iranian map. The weather here is moderate, as it is found at the foot of the Zagros Mountain Range. The area is kept cold by the nearby Zayandeh River. Days are generally warm in the Isfahan province, but it can be cold here at night.

Other things worth seeing in Isfahan would be their Grand Bazaar. Not only is this a place and event where you can find great item to score, but you can also be part of a great Iranian tradition. This is because the bazaar has been ongoing since the 11th Century. Isfahan is a real must-see.

Asau is one of Samoa’s tropical places in the country. Situated on the northwest coast of Savii islands, Asau is Vaisigano’s political district village. It serves as focal point for business centre and is widely known for its tropical beaches. The city of Asau is also known for its timber industry. Upon entering the harbor of Asau, a giant coral reef can be spotted as the ferry boat closes by where it can be seen blocking the opening of the harbor. This coral reef is very well glued in its place, in fact it was so tough not even New Zealand’s bombs work against it. Locals believe that their god aitu doesn’t want it removed. Today, this harbor is now being seldom used.

If you are looking for nice place to visit in Asau, you might want to consider the Tanu Beach Fales situated in the northern section of Savii Island in Manase Village. Beach Fale resort is actually part of a whole strip of beach resorts that can be located in this area. There are actually 5-7 beach resorts that are located here, but Tanu Beach Fales offers the cheapest and the largest beach resort in the area. All of these beach resorts include free breakfast and dinner when you lodge with them. The beach here is very beautiful and the sand is very fine and white.

If you’re thinking of traveling to Samoa, then you might want to consider Asau as one of the places to visit. If tropical beauty and adventure is what you’re looking for, then this place is perfect for you.