Pier at Lautoka
Photo by: yuko ppp2501, Creative Commons

Lautoka is Fiji’s second biggest island, and probably one of the most laidback as well. The island itself is small enough to stroll around in. In fact, getting around by foot is a pleasant experience, thanks to its wide streets that are lined with lush trees, and the majestic view of Mt. Evans, locally called the Koroyanitu Range, humming in the background. All around, the island looks like one big park. One can spend endless afternoons drinking in the local colours, ogling at the yachts and cruise ships docked on the waterfront, or shopping for trinkets and souvenirs in the shops. If you need help getting around, the locals are sure to help.

Lautoka as a destination lies 33 kilometres north of the town of Nadi, and only 24 kilometres north of the Nadi airport. Tourists who are interested in doing as the Fijians do can take any of the local buses to and from Nadi and Lautoka. There is a bus that leaves every 15 minutes or so, so you don’t have to wait too long. The fare is only about $2, so it won’t have to make a dent in your pockets as well.

Because there is not much happening in Lautoka, tourists who go there for the action usually use Lautoka as a jump-off point to other Fiji destinations. For example, you can take a regular express bus, or ride a small truck or minibus to Suva, from the Kings and Queens Roads. Or you can go from Lautoka to Saweni beach via a 45-minute bus ride that costs a dollar. Or you can also ride any bus bound for Nadi, and have the driver drop you off before the turn to Nadi. From there, you can take a light stroll for the last two kilometres to Saweni Beach. There are, of course, taxi services available at the airport for those who would rather get there faster.

Within Lautoka, island-hopping is also a favorite tourist activity. You can hop on any of the cruise ships to check out Beachbomber Island and Treasure Island, or get a ticket to an interisland ferry that will take you to Vanua Levu.

Money is, of course, a big factor in your ability to enjoy Fiji to the hilt. In Lautoka, you will be delighted to know that there are a number of banks in downtown Lautoka where you can have your money or travellers checks changed.

Melbourne Night Lights
Photo by: Linh rOm, Creative Commons

There are two things that are notable about Melbourne, Australia: its cultural heritage as the city of gold, and its penchant for sporting events. These are the main reasons why it is one of the most visited cities in the world. Visit Melbourne for its wonderful mix of modern and Victorian architecture, its vast convention centers, its cultural and historical landmarks, its avant-garde festivals, and its exciting sporting events. Of course, a vacation would not be complete without the shopping and the food. Melbourne’s Federation Square and the New Quay could provide you with a welcome break from your city explorations.

As the cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne is home to a number of Australian cultural institutions. From Australian film and feature film to television, impressionist art, and dance, Melbourne is proud to be a cultural birthing place. The Australian music later caught on and taken root in this is cultural center. Melbourne was also recognized by UNESCO as a city of literature. All sorts of cultural events and festivals are scheduled in Melbourne throughout the year. No matter what time of year you decide to go on a Melbourne vacation, you will surely be able to catch one of their renowned cultural exhibitions. Don’t forget to visit important landmarks like the State Library of Victoria with its beautifully landscaped lawn leading up to the entry and the Shrine of Remembrance held so majestically by majestic columns. The National Gallery of Victoria is also a must-see, being the first and largest art gallery in Australia.

Take a day off to take in the scenery as you ply the Great Ocean Road. This is a two hundred mile route that takes you through Australia’s beautiful coastline. The view is as scenic as can be the whole year round. Tourists stop along the route to take a quick stroll on the coastline. There are several quaint local restaurants along the way. Lodging places are also available. For those who are more adventurous, camping spaces where you can pitch a tent and enjoy the outdoor air are also available. The Great Ocean Road route takes you west of Geelong right down to Portland. As the temperature in Melbourne could change from warm to cool, it would be a good idea to bring clothing that you can layer when it gets too cool and take off when it is too warm.

For the sports enthusiast, there is no other place in Australia that you can visit than Melbourne. This city is the sporting capital of Australia and home to the largest sports stadium in the country, the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This stadium is also considered to be the world’s largest cricket ground. The National Sports Museum of Australia is also located in Melbourne. Today, it stands in the Olympic Stand. There are three major international sporting events are held in Melbourne every year: tennis’ Australian Open, horse racing’s Melbourne Cup, and Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix.

Golden Bay Beach
Photo by: Glen Bowman, Creative Commons

A popular spot in Malta, the Ghajn Tuffieha is the location of golden sand bays that is considered the prettiest in the country. The two bays residing in this city are the Ghajn Tuffieha Bay and the Golden Bay. The two bays are considered sisters and is a host to many tourists that visit the area.

Ghajn Tuffieha is a place where history cannot be denied. The Ghajn Tuffieha Towers watches over the beach as a long standing witness of its history.

You shouldn’t miss the beach cafés of Ghajn Tuffieha. The fresh fruit salads offered in these bars are a must to taste while visiting.

There are all kinds of water sports that you can try in the beach. You can also enjoy sunbathing and watching the sunset in the sister bays. There are also several horse riding schools that you can visit if you get tired of the water and the sand.

There are two beaches in the area. The Golden Bay is frequented by most the visitors and the Ghajn Tuffieha Bay has fewer tourists and is said to be the prettier of the two.

Other places to go in Ghajn Tuffieha include…

The Hilltop Fort. This is the location of the Ghajn Tuffieha Tower, a watch tower built in the 17th century.

Twin Beaches. As mentioned earlier, the Golden Bay and the Ghajn Tuffieha Bay are the prettiest bays in the face of Malta. It features golden sands and beautiful sunsets. Of the two, the Golden Bay caters for more visitors. The warm weather requires you to bring umbrellas. The Ghajn Tuffieha Bay is the quieter of the two.

Zadar Channel
Photo by: jns001, Creative Commons

Zadar is a wonderful place in Croatia that is often visited by tourists, local and foreign alike. To get to Zadar, Croatia, you may take the plane and from the airport there will be buses and taxis that will take you to your hotel or to whatever destination you wish to explore.

A walk through the streets of the old town on the peninsula will give you a serene and warm feeling of being welcomed by the city. From there you may visit any of the 34 old churched of the peninsula and discover the colorful history that each of them has to tell. If you want to drop by the oldest of these churches first, then ask around for directions to the church of St. Simeon. After a quick tour of the oldest church you may now go to the other churches, such as the church of St. Donat, the Cathedral of St. Anastacia, and the church of St. Mary.

There are also ruins of old Roman forum situated around Zadar. You may ask your tour guide to take you to these forums and tell more about the history behind each. And speaking of history, you may also want to see the oldest university in Croatia and one of the oldest universities in Europe, which is the University of Zadar, which was founded in the year 1396. Zadar also has an Archaeological Museum if you want to take a more detailed look on the origin of the city.

Another unique feature that is visited by tourists in Zadar is the Sea Organ found on the city’s Riva. This man-made musical instrument produces otherworldly sounds to the delight of every listener.

After a tiring day of touring the city, you can relax at one of the cafes in Zadar or end your day with a nice swim on the pristine waters, while enjoying the sunset. Surely you will be relaxed and energized for your next day of adventure.
Zadar is certainly one place in Croatia that you will enjoy. So when you think of going on a holiday in this beautiful country, make sure that you have Zadar in your itinerary.

Oubangui River
Photo by: Wikipedia, Creative Commons

Located on the north-eastern part of Congo, Impfondo lies on the Oubangui River with only about 20,000 in population. The administrative center of the Impfondo District and the Region of Likoluala is also a favourite tourist spot among Europeans. Impfondo is a destination for the nature trippers and those who want to get away from the hectic schedule and suffocating city life. Although there’s barely any electricity in this city, people will enjoy the bright and sunny days as well as the dark, cool nights where the stars are just unbelievably visible.

Because Impfondo is situated on a large river, kayaking is one fun thing to do here. The people are interestingly very ethnocentric and introvert in nature, which they sometimes react when they see foreign people especially when they’re white. Children would often call foreigners M’della which means white people. Even then, Impfondo is a safe city to be in.

As a rural area, you will witness here many traditional African practices including people carrying around dead relatives on the road, wrapped in a blanket, whom they are preparing for burial. This would be a perfect place for photographers or sociological tourists who also want to learn the real African culture and get to know the African natives.

Food shortages and poverty have risen quite highly in Impfondo. Tourism is also one of the ways by which the city can get by in terms of income. And because a lot of people come to help, many natives here are educated better and have learned to further develop their natural attractions for tourists.

Maniitsoq
Photo by: Wikimedia, Creative Commons

Maniitsoq, meaning “the rugged place”, completely lives up to the name. The deep and constricted fjords and a number of the lofty mountains in the West Greenland are frequent in the vicinity. Maniitsoq is surrounded by a remarkable archipelago as well, where several of the municipality’s nearly 3000 residents have put up weekend and hunting cabins. A seafaring voyage on Hamborger Sound located north of the town is an overwhelming experience in a cosy sound where water is flat and smooth, which is quite the opposite to Maniitsoq’s rough mountain peaks.

In the vicinity about Maniitsoq, you could go angling in summer season; take a sailing trip or a hike to the glacier-packed Evighedsfjord, better known as The Fjord of Eternity, with its 6500-foot (2000 metres) high mountains. The vicinity about Maniitsoq is perfect for kayaking and for several years has been considered to be among Greenland’s most challenging and exciting skiing areas for both cross-country and alpine disciplines as well. The area presents wonderful chances for skiing on the broad glacial and mountainous areas east and north of Maniitsoq with the opportunity to try ski-touring which could be done any time of the year, and heli-skiing from the month of March until the end of May.

Archaeological relics show that the area about Maniitsoq has been occupied at different eras during the last 4000 years. The museum of Maniitsoq, which is consisted of four buildings of colonial periods, possesses a great exhibition of items.

Among the buildings of the museum consists wholly of exhibitions of handicrafts and arts from the Maniitsoq area: sculptures carved in whale tooth, soapstone and bone, paintings, and other arts and crafts as well.

Maniitsoq is located on and island. The area is typified by one big archipelago and a huge amount of lengthy, deep fjords which means a lot of water activities. However, the area is famous for skiing as well. You will find a number of Denmark’s greatest fishing waters here, too.

Examples of fun activities:

Heli-skiing for the adventurous –
From mid-March until the start of June, it is the heli-skiing season. The scorching sun, powder sun and 900 square kilometres of skiing land make the place perfect for snowboarding and skiing.

The Eternity Fjord is located some trail from Maniitsoq. Green valley ravines compete with glaciers that nearly seem to fall out over mountainsides, and a remarkable bird cliff is passed on the way, too.

Ylistö Bridge in Jyväskylä, Finland
Photo by: wikipedia commons, Creative Commons

Jyvaskyla is considered the Athens of Finland because it is where the many educational innovations occur in the country. It is also known for its numerous buildings that were designed by Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto, a notable Finnish architect and designer who hailed from Jyvaskyla.

Jyvaskyla caters to almost every tourist with its vibrant urban center and its charming Finnish nature. One of the activities that visitors enjoy the most is cruising on the lakes around the city. Tourists can also learn about the rich culture of Finland by attending the art exhibitions, theater performances, concerts, and other events held in Jyvaskyla. The city is famous for its yearly Jyväskylä Arts Festival, which is the oldest of its kind in Finland.

For the musically inclined, there are lots of bands, choirs, and chamber orchestras to choose from. Performances range from classical and opera music to jazz and rock. Just like other Finnish cities, Jyvaskyla has its own variety of museums that are open for everyone.

Every year, various national and international trade fairs as well as conferences take place in Jyvaskyla. That is one reason for the influx of visitors from around the world to this lovely Finnish city. The events are usually held at the Congress and Trade Fair Center (Jyväskylä Paviljonki). The venue is strategically located at the center of the city and provides convenient access to a wide array of restaurants, hotels, and shops.

Indeed, Jyvaskyla caters to the different tastes and interests of its thousands of visitors.

Hungarian landscape
Photo by: txd, Creative Commons

Sulfur springs signal your trip to a relaxing town of Harkany. It is known as one of the spa destinations that most tourists have visited over the years. Just how effective is the sulfur in these waters? When you have a skin ailment like Psoriasis or just cracks and blisters, soaking in these thermal waters would give you ease and comfort.

Since Hungary is a place where temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius, it would be advisable for you to bring very warm clothes with you for this trip. You are going to be so surprised at their weather drops since it appears that it is cold for the whole year. Did you know that sometime in the 40s their climate dropped to as low as -35 degrees Celsius? Hoping that the levels wouldn’t repeat its cycle when you finally decided to embark on this journey to Harkany.

If you’re serious on trying their sulfur springs, it would be safe to head to their indoor pools first before you choose the outdoor ones. Your body has to adjust to the temperature as to not burn yourself with remarkable hot thermal water. The trick there is to wade feet first rather than jump head first into the pool. You will not like it at first but if you are accustomed with sauna baths, then the heat would not be a bother.

Hotel accommodations within Harkany are abundant and have prices ranging from cheap to expensive hotels. It’s up to you should you splurge more on the hotels when you’re always out sight-seeing or choose budget hotels just for eating and taking a shower plus having a place to secure your belongings whenever you’re out.

Food isn’t a problem or the water in Hungary. There are various places to go to sample their famous goulash as well as their sausages. You have to also sample their coffee and other beverages most especially their beer. Make your trip to this side of Hungary worthwhile so when you return to the US, you have a lot to share to your loved-ones.

Entrance to Tikal National Park
Photo by: mrgarin, Creative Commons

If you want to experience something different that will move your soul and spirit, you should consider visiting Tikal National Park. You can cover the whole national park in one or two days but the short experience will be forever etched in your memory.

Many people visit Tikal National Park because of the amazing ruins. The place was once a wealthy ancient metropolis with about a hundred thousand citizens. This is where the powerful Jaguar clan lords lived. The place was built by the ancient Maya a long time ago, around 600 B.C.

When you visit the place, you will be amazed by the ruins which include palaces, plazas, terraces, ball courts, avenues, ceremonial platforms, temples, and even steam baths. There are over 3,000 ruined structures in the park—proof that thousands of years ago, ancient people had lived in this area. This place is heaven for archaeology and history buffs.

Aside from the ruins, the place also has lush foliage and interesting animals that surround the ruins. You will hear squawking and screeching animals together with the swaying trees and whispering wind. The place is a cacophony of rich natural sounds. The place is surrounded by dense trees and you will find different animals like toucans, deer, macaws, parrots, coatimundis, and even a jaguar if you are really lucky.

Once you are done exploring Tikal National Park, you can take a rest in the town of Flores, a place with a scenic view and only a half hour drive from the national park.

China bound? Don’t pass up the chance to visit one of the cradles of ancient civilization, even if traveling for business. China is such a place that offers both urban charm with a rich history.

To understand China, you have to experience it first hand. Shenzhen, while offering modern attractions, interestingly offers a glimpse of China’s past.

Near the border from Hong Kong, in southern Guangdong province, Shenzhen is actually a special economic zone. One of the riveting attractions within the city is the Splendid China museum. Splendid China is a 30-hectare miniature park that’s one of the world’s largest. You’ll find much of China’s famous landmarks, ancient architecture & art, and a depiction of customs and other aspects of the Chinese cultural heritage attractions in one place.

A guided tour of Shenzhen will reveal some of the destination’s best gems. Soak in the historic sites in the E. District of Longgang, including the Hakka Folk Customs Museum and Enclosures, characterized by numerous concentric circular homes built inside a peripheral wall. Inside are age-old Hakka residences, a few of which still have items that are remnants from the Qing Dynasty. There are also temples, shops, and courtyards that look just as they did hundreds of years ago Also a must-see is the centuries-old Dapeng Fortress which reflects the Ming Dynasty. It was erected long ago as a form of resistance to Japanese pirates who marched into Guangdong’s southern coastal areas. It is also the spot forces invaded China in 1839, sparking the Opium Wars.

Shenzhen’s nearness to Hong Kong and Macau make it a natural domestic and international transportation hub. Visitors flock to it not only for business & shopping but also for sightseeing. The city has a pleasant year-round weather. Summer’s long while winter tends to be short but the climate does not get extreme.

Shenzhen offers fantastic scenery and well-cared for greenery. It’s therefore not surprising for it to be adjudged as the “International Garden City” in 2000. Celebrations abound sometime August until October.

Among Shenzhen’s myriad of attractions, one of the most popular is the Windows to the World, a theme park filled with miniature tourist scenic spots around the world. These include Eiffel Tower in Paris, The Leaning Tower of Piza, Niagara Falls in Ontario Canada, the Taj Mahal in Delhi, the ancient pyramids of Egypt, and others. Natural landscapes, folk dwellings and customs are likewise showcased.

Leisure travelers visiting China with their families will also be delighted with the amusement rides at Happy Valley, which also has a 4-D cinema and interesting cultural themes.

Skyline of Cotonou
Photo by: ~MVI~, Creative Commons

Cotonou, Benin is considered to be the most important place in Africa even though the capital is at Porto Novo. All due to the fact that in Cotonou, a lot of tourists are simply bustling in the place. The center of economic activity makes it the nest place for tourists to hang out and unwind after miles of walking and exploring the vast lands of Africa.

One place to go to is the museum where you can experience the centuries of royalty. Better head to the ancient capital if you want older remnants of Africa’s past but if you want to be in the middle of a thriving place, Cotonou in Benin is your best choice.

Another place to check out is the Ganvie which to the local and other tourists who have visited Cotonou, Benin, it is treated as Africa’s Venice since it is a small village that was built on stakes in the middle of the lake. This is a few miles away from Cotonou.

If you are not much of a sight-seer for places that bring out too much history and the past, you could head to the Boulevard St. Michel. This place is highly recommended by tourists too since it is so much like busy Paris at night. Bring a lot of money for this trip since you might not be able to resist the Dan Topka market wherein they sell all sorts of souvenirs and hard to find artifacts.

It’s very humid so pack lightly!

Kosice – a view of the city
Photo by: Jiri Brozovsky, Creative Commons

If you are wondering whether to include Kosice on your tour to Slovakia, juts go ahead and do it. It will definitely be worth your time and money as you get to see the beautiful spots and sceneries at the center of East Slovakia. This is the second largest city with a backdrop of a very rich and colorful history.

At the center of town you will see the Cathedral of St. Elizabeth, which boasts off its magnificent Gothic influence. You need not go far and be amazed at other structures with great architectures such as the Urban Tower, the Chapel of St. Michael and the Neo-Baroque State Theatre. The latter is famous because this is the venue where popular orchestras usually hold their shows. For more historical overview and amazement, you must pass by the Katova Citadel and the Mlynska Citadel. These have been through times during the ancient traditions of fortifications to protect the city from its enemies.

There are more to see in the city, so make sure that you have a lot of memory in your cameras. For destinations with historical impact, you should visit the old University, Captain’s Palace, the old Town Hall Liberation Square, the East Slovak Museum and other same buildings with various galleries. You can take a breather at the Municipal Park to relax a bit from your journey, which can be found at an area within the center of the city.

With so many places to go and visit within the area, you have to be equipped with a list to make the most out of the time that you will allot on this trip.

Port Dickson beach resort
Photo by: Tinglestan, Creative Commons

Port Dickson is a hot spot for holiday vacations. It has a lot of beautiful beach resorts where water-skiing, swimming, wind surfing, canoeing, and snorkeling may be done. Visitors who are fond of sailing may avail of a temporary membership from the Yacht Club, as well. And for those who love to fish, they may use the kelong or a boat. They may also catch an Ikan Sembilang. There is also the Blue Lagoon, which is a great area for swimming and boating. Then, visitors and travelers may find the Cape Rachardo interesting too. It is a lighthouse that was built by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century. A museum called the Muzium Tentera Darat is also another tourist attraction. Several old vehicles and aircrafts of the Royal Malaysian Army are displayed here. Other famous attractions are Fort Lukut and Fort Kempas.

There is also a very colorful night market in Port Dickson. During Saturday evenings, fresh vegetables, fruits, and fishes are sold here. Other items such as shirts and shoes are sold here, as well. And for visitors who crave for a taste of the local menu, hot and spicy foods are ubiquitously. Cili padi and fish in really thick coconut milk gravy will certainly satisfy their cravings. They can also order lemang, which is sticky rice boiled inside a bamboo, and rendang, which is cooked beef and coconut milk. Additionally, there are several trendy restaurants that visitors will like. Seaview and Curry House are alongside Jalan Pantai. Restaurant SN Mohhamad is another popular restaurant here in Port Dickson. And the nasi lemak is a certified must-try in Wak Rahman. Homemade putu mayam from the Bismi Putu Mayam is another local delicacy that must be tried, as well.

And for those who want western foods, El Cactus is just the place to go. It serves excellent Mexican cuisine. Nachos, fajitas, burritos, and quesadillas are its best-sellers. It also serves pasta, pizza, and frozen margaritas. Moreover, there are also many resort hotels, bungalows, and villas that accommodate tourists. Laguna Condo Resort, Corus Paradise, and Felda Residence are a few examples.

Multan
Photo by: Wikimedia, Creative Commons

If you wish to go on a pilgrimage, visiting the city of saints in Pakistan will be a rewarding adventure for you. Multan, which is located in southern area of the Punjab Province, is located almost at the center of Pakistan.

Multan is a city that is ideal for agriculture and known for its many citrus and mango farms. The climate of Multan can be very hot during the summers. Dust storms are also common in the city.

Multan is a commercial and industrial center that is connected to the country via railways and airport. It is importantly considered in Pakistan as an agricultural, industrial, and tourist center.

Visiting Multan makes it necessary for you to view its prime attractions. The main attractions that you have to visit in this city are the Mausoleums of the Sufi Saints. Aside from these, Multan also has a generous number of mosques which are referred to in the past as jewels of the city.

You can also drop by the Multan Museum in order to see the city’s coin collection, medals, and postage stamps which came from the old State of Bahawalpur. The museum also contains old manuscripts, inscriptions, wood carvings, and other relics related to the Islamic and Pre-Islamic Periods.

One thing that is quite amazing about the people of Multan is their fascination for Cricket. In fact, their city government constructed a multi-purpose stadium in order to accommodate several national sports that include hockey, badminton, football, and of course, cricket. The stadium is the home of the Multan Cricket Association.

The place of mangoes and saints is definitely worth seeing. Go ahead and see Multan for yourself and get ready to be amazed by its beautiful attractions and tasty mangoes.

Arequipa – Plaza de Armas
Photo by: Ivan Mlinaric, Creative Commons

Arequipa is known as the ‘White City’, because of the city’s numerous magnificent white buildings and architecture. It got its name from ‘la ciudad blanca’, in Spanish, for the buildings are built of sillar which is a white stone. Arequipa is overwhelmingly beautiful, combining the green countryside with the presence of volcanoes and snowfall. This picturesque city is the 2nd most important city after Lima, as well as the 2nd most popular among tourists after Cuzco.

Arequipa is part of the ‘Southern Peru Tourist Corridor’, along with Nazca, Puno and Cuzco. The city is a perfect example of Spanish and mestizo culture in Peru. In fact, there are no Inca artifacts or ruins found in the city. Examples of Spanish colonial architecture are found all over the city. Catholic churches all over the center of the city. There are a number of ancient houses called ‘Tambos’ that serve as living museums. It is declared as a UNESCO Human Heritage Site.

Climate
The city of Arequipa actually has one of the most excellent climates, receiving 300 days of bright sunshine and blue skies. The temperatures during the winter are even warmer than in the summer.

Arequipa Tourist Sights and Attractions

• Plaza de Armas – the main square of the city surrounded by white buildings made of sillar (white volcanic stone). Nearby are churches such as San Francisco, La Compania, La Merced and the Cathedral. At least 250 Spanish colonial buildings and churches are declared as Human Heritage Sites by UNESCO so strolling around this area feels like visiting a living museum.
• Convento de Santa Catalina – this is the most popular place from the Spanish era. The building is a beautiful place filled with colors, flowers and tiny streets, a place where you are transported back in time.
• San Camilo Market – the oldest market located in the center of the city, three blocks away from Plaza de Armas.
• Convento de Santa Teresa – you can find some interesting artefacts and stunning paintings here.
• Museo Santuarios Andinos – the museum that features frozen bodies of sacrificial victims found in volcanoes.
• Puente Fierro – this iron bridge was designed by the renowned Eiffel. The bridge is still in service up to now. Another beautiful bridge is the Puente Bolognesi, which is also worth visiting.
• Molino de Sabandia – a 300 year old water mill located in the old Arequipa countryside.

Semien Mountains
Photo by: Wikimedia, Creative Commons

Goba is a small town in the Oromia Region, Ethiopia. It is located in the south central part of the country approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa. It was the former capital of Bale Province which was abolished with the adoption of the 1995 constitution.

Goba is famous for its market of honey, exquisite basketry, and cotton shawls. The nearest airport is at the neighboring city of Robe with daily domestic flights to Addis Ababa.

The Bale Mountains National Park, which is a big tourist attraction, is only 10 kilometers from the city. It is a park of high altitude broken occasionally with spectacular volcanic peaks and alpine lakes that adorns the whole area. The water from the lakes creates magnificent streams that descend into rocky gorges on its way down. At various some times of the year, the mountains blossom with colorful flowers that decorate the whole mountains. This flowering season is admired and waited for by various visitors around the world.

It is also an unsurpassed destination for those who aim for horse riding and mountain trekking, and the rare chance to view Ethiopia’s endemic animals. The Mountain Nyala and the Semien Fox abound in the mountains together with endemic birds such as the thick-billed raven, blue-winged goose, and the wattled ibis.

Visit Goba for an entirely different vacation experience. Commune with nature or just relax in their rich culture or endow yourself in majestic items from their marketplace. Whatever you plan to do, Goba city is a destination you should visit.

Bouake Building
Photo by: Wikimedia, Creative Commons

Boauke is the second largest city of Cote d’Ivoire which lies in Vallee du Bandama Region. Its economy is mostly dependent on the cotton industry and the city is known for crafts. The Baoule people are the main residents here. Bouake also produces tobacco products, building materials, textile and rice. It’s also rich in mineral resources as gold, mercury and manganese are found nearby.

Currently, French and United Nations peacekeepers are residing in the city as part of a ceasefire enforced between the government and rebels in the northern part of the city. Before it became and administrative city in 1914, Bouake was an important slave market.

The city’s tourist sites include a school of forestry, government livestock, veterinary and meteorological stations as well as a cotton-textile institute. Bouake, like other cities in Ivory Coast is also known for a popular festival: the Bouake Carnival. It starts at the end of March and runs through the beginning of April. Another great site in Bouake is the St. Michaels’ Cathedral and the University of Bouake. As small as it may be for a city, Boauke is actually a center for education in Cote d’Ivoire. Other than its great university, it also has about 11 public colleges, and four private ones. The rest are private and public secondary schools and primary schools.

The city’s people, the Baoule tribe, are very independent and strong. When it comes to art, they are sophisticated and stylistically diverse. They are known for their mask figures, which represented ritual spirits.

Skaftafell National Park – Highway thru Kirkjubaejarklaustur.
Photo by: plassen, Creative Commons

In 1973, Mt. Laki erupted. It was catastrophic; lava came down from the mountains and destroyed farms and bridges. However, for some reason, the lava flow unexpectedly stopped at site near a small church. The locals believed that it is their faith that saved them, and named the town Kirkjubaejarklaustur, which, when translated roughly, means “church farm cloister”. To this day, the edge of that flow can still be sighted in the nearby village.

One of the attractions in Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Iceland is the Steingrímsson memorial chapel, which was named after the pastor whose sermon was believed to be the reason why the town was spared. Another is the Kirkjugólf, a hexagonal formation of basalt rocks which looks like a platform or a foundation of some sort.

Just outside Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Iceland is the Systrafoss, a waterfall and Systrastapi (the Sisters’ Pillar), where two nuns were burned at the stake and was buried, or so, the story goes. You would also get a view of quaint farms and villages.

Most tourists drop by Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Iceland as part of their itinerary when visiting the Laki craters – the very same craters that resulted from the 1783 eruption. If you want to really go “deep”, you need to use a four-wheel drive for transportation because the road is rather rough. Not very far from the site of the craters is the Fjarðrargljúfur canyon, which can be accessed by a smaller vehicle. Seen from above, the view of rock formations is a treat to the eyes.

Iceland has a lot to offer – a rich culture, an active night life, great fishing spots, whale-watching and bird watching sites. However, it’s the breathtaking natural beauty that draws people from all over. If you visit Kirkjubaejarklaustur, you will see a see a slice of heaven that is Iceland.

An oasis in Timimoun
Photo by: Angeoun, Creative Commons

For a clear view of wide salt lakes and massive sand dunes, a visit to Timimoun Algeria is all that you need. Whether you live in a luxurious hotel, a shower-less bungalow or a small hut, you’ll have a wondrous sight of an oasis, and much more. Located on the Midwest of Algeria, Timimoun is known for its infrastructures inspired by Sudanese architecture, where houses are built out of red mud. These houses are built in such a way that they are placed one over the other to get as high in altitude as possible. Even with a climate comparable to the hardest summer, it is fun to visit the palmerie of Timimoun for shade and to catch a glimpse of properties which are marked by man high mud walls. The people of Timimoun, although of different backgrounds, are very friendly. They are made up of Black Africans, Cha’amba Arabs, Zenete Berbers and the Haratines.

Coming to Timimoun Algeria is possible with flight from the capital city Algiers, Bechar, or Ghardala. Getting by around town is easy through taxi cabs, bus and even hitch-hiking. Hotels in Timimoun commonly have great restaurants too. But what would tickle your interest more is paying a visit to the Grand Erg Occidental. An erg is a phenomenon where the desert sands become really endless and soft, and free of hard rocks. And the Grand Occidental Erg is one of the two dominating ergs of Algeria. Timimoun is one of only four cities that make excursions and visits to ergs possible. Being one of the best oases of Algeria, Timimoun will surely let you appreciate desert sands like you never have before.

Nha Trang boats await passengers.
Photo by: wirralwater (where to next?), Creative Commons

Nha Trang has been a famous tourist destination for a lot of people because of its spectacular beach. The Nha Trang Bay is home to rich marine life with its deep blue water and white sand. For this reason, scuba diving and backpacking has been popular tourist activities. The six kilometer beach shoreline is also a good spot for sunbathing and swimming, however, you cannot enjoy it if you visit the beach during rainy seasons. The rainy season lasts from November up to January, so it is advisable to visit Nha Trang before these rainy months.

Activities that you can enjoy along with the magnificent beach are scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, kite boarding and island hopping. There are trips offered in the shoreline that will take you to the little islands surrounding Nha Trang Bay. There are several resorts at these islands where you can choose to stay. Other than the beach, you can also roam around Nha Trang and enjoy touring all over the place. The Alexandre Yersin Museum houses various mementos of Alexandre Yersin, a Swiss-French scientist. He has contributed a lot in Nha Trang as he spent his life in this town. The White Buddha is also a great landmark, which seated on a hillside located in the northwestern part of the town.

In terms of food and souvenir items, the Cho Dam Market is the right place to visit. You can purchase a lot of merchandises here. You can also find restaurants here selling authentic Vietnamese cuisines. The most famous are seafood meals, grilled pork wrapped in rice paper and bird’s nest soup. Bird’s nest soup is Nha Trang’s pride cuisine as it is rarely found in other towns. The soup is offered in various soup houses around the place; having the soup after a trip in the beach is the best way of rewarding yourself with a delicious treat!

Market in Sokoto
Photo by: Wikimedia, Creative Commons

The Sokoto State, which was formed in the year 1976, is located in Northwestern Nigeria. Since its formation as a state from the divergence of the previous North-western State into Niger and Sokoto states, Sokoto has been run by governors who succeeded each other at short time periods.

As a region, Sokoto has a long history. During the sovereignty of Fulani Empire in the nineteenth century, it was a significant Fula state. Sokoto, which took in the whole Nigerian northwest area, became a region of the British territory of Nigeria from 1900 with the conquest of British armies.

In the year 1967, not too long following Nigerian liberty from the British, Sokoto came to be considered as the North-western State. In 1976, the territory was divided into Niger State and Sokoto State. And later on, the Kebbi State and Zamfara State separated from the Sokoto State.

Demographics
The state of Sokoto is chiefly populated by the Hausa people. Majority of the Sokoto State inhabitants are Sunni Muslims.

Climate
The state of Sokoto is in the arid Sahel, enclosed by remote hills and sandy savannah. With 23.8 degrees Celsius as a yearly average temperature, Sokoto is generally an extremely hot place. But, highest day temperatures are generally lower than 40 degrees Celsius for most of the year and the aridity makes the high temperature just bearable. The hottest months are from February to April when day temperatures can go beyond 45 degrees. The wet season would be from June until October when showers are an everyday occurrence.

Vineyard in St Tropez
Photo by: Michael Gwyther-Jones, Creative Commons

St. Tropez is located in south eastern France on the French Riviera. This city is a wildly popular place, often visited by models and celebrities in hopes of getting away from the limelight to enjoy the sun, sand and the beach. In fact, this city has been described as the famous travel destination of the beautiful people.

St. Tropez can be visited anytime of the year. The busiest time for the city is summer time, when the beaches and hotels are full to the brim with visitors. During autumn, the atmosphere is calmer and quieter making it the perfect place to sit back and relax. In winter, St. Tropez is filled with twinkling lights and even features their very own skating rink.

There are numerous beaches in St. Tropez which is why finding one will not be a problem. Most beaches are often crowded and loud, but there are some that are quite secluded. The Pampelonne beach is the biggest and most popular beach in St. Tropez. Behind the beaches and lines of cafes and restaurants lies monuments and museums that is full of awe-inspiring history.

The major attraction in St. Tropez includes:

The Citadel and the Three Towers is an elegant fortress that is home to the Naval Museum that houses spectacular Greek artworks. Soaring high above the port, there are three seaside towers to be seen; Guillaume Tower, Potaret Tower and Jarlier tower.

The Place aux Herbes is another popular visitor spot in the city. It is said to be the busiest square thanks to the numerous restaurants scattered around and the big trees that forms a shady canopy. Meals are very important to the French which is why around this time, shops close so people can enjoy a relaxed lunch with friends and family.

The coastal footpath, on the other hand, is a hiking path that runs from the Portalet Tower to the Pampelonne beach. It is 12 km long and passes the Canoubiers Bay, Les Salins Beach, Tahiti Beach and Cap St. Tropez. Although it may seem like a long walk, you will enjoy the breathtaking scenery; the yachts, fishing boats and magnificent coastline.

The Place des Lices is a delightful place where people go to for casual dining, entertainment and shopping. It is a large area that is also filled with trees that form a shady canopy making it an ideal place to take a picnic or a stroll with your loved ones.

Rovaniemi – View from a hill
Photo by: jeaneeem, Creative Commons

Rovaniemi serves as Finland’s entry point to the Lapland region, which is frequented by many visitors who want to experience a unique kind of living. This explains why the city of Rovaniemi attracts numerous tourists as well every year.

The highlight of any trip to Rovaniemi is trying on the exotic local delicacies of Finland such as moose, reindeer, whitefish, and black crowberries. Many hotels in Rovaniemi offer some of the best food favorites in the Lapland region.

Also a notable aspect of tourism in Rovaniemi is its wide variety of wildlife. In the Lapland region, you can find bears, lemmings, reindeers, foxes, elk, wolves, wolverines, and other rare kinds of animals.

Before you get your body moving with all the exciting things a Rovaniemi trip has to offer, you may consider visiting first the Arktikum museum. This museum gives visitors a clear overview of the Lapland culture and the Sami people who are the natives of the region. Arktikum is also well known for its restaurant that serves sautéed reindeer steaks and sumptuous lunch buffets.

A Rovaniemi vacation is not complete without enjoying outdoor activities. Since the city is located between two rivers, water activities are a hit among natives and tourists alike. Among the top summer activities for tourists in this Finnish city are hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, and cruising on the rivers. In winter, the most popular tourist activities include skiing, sledding safaris, and snowmobiling. In Rovaniemi, you will never run out of exciting activities to enjoy.

Kaliningrad on a rainy day
Photo by: acidka, Creative Commons

Kaliningrad, though separated from Russia, is a part of the nation. It is a seaport, the heart of the administration of Kaliningrad Oblast. Founded in 1255, the town was named Königsberg originally (Russian: Kyonisberg). World War II destroyed a large part of Kaliningrad. The Soviet Army occupied its ruins in 1945, and in the following year it was renamed to its present name to honor Mikhail Kalinin. The current population is more than 430,000, almost 80% of it Russian, and the rest Belarusians, Ukrainians, Lithuanians, Germans, and Poles.

Kaliningrad is teeming with museums, examples of which are the Immanuel Kant museum (Kant resided in the city in his living years) on Kneiphof island; the Amber Museum in the Dohna Tower close to Rossgarten Gate; the Museum of History and Arts; and, the Museum of the World’s Oceans, which is located on Wityaz, a former research vessel afloat on the Pregel river shore, and displays the most innovative sea research technologies and, of course, the diverse flora and fauna of the oceans of the world.

Going around the world and taking a look at churches of different architectural styles is always a wonderful experience, and the city offers the Königsberg Cathedral for exactly that pleasure. There is also the former Catholic Church of the Holy Family, built in 1907, destroyed during World War II, but later on rebuilt, reopened in 1980, and now accommodates the Kaliningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. If you have a love for acting or are fond of watching plays, visit the former Königsberg Theater, whose front entrance colonnade was modeled after Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater. The Kaliningrad Puppet Theatre, regionally known and seated in the neo-romantic-styled Queen Louise Remembrance Church, is also a magnificent place to tour.

Other places worth seeing in Kaliningrad are the pre-war city center on the former Königsberg Castle site (it houses the grave of Immanuel Kant); the new city center which surrounds Victory Square where the Cathedral of Christ the Savior stands; Gate of the Friedrichsburg Castle; Brandenburg Gate; King’s Gate; the former Königsberg Stock Exchange; the Cosmonaut monument, which gives honor to Kaliningrad cosmonauts Yuri Romanenko, Alexei Leonov, and Alexander Viktorenko; and, of course, Immanual Kant’s monument.

Black River
Photo by: alfredmoya, Creative Commons

Mandeville is the chief town of the parish of Manchester. It was established in 1816 and the old buildings can still be seen in the area up until today.

It was once an inactive town but has lots of activity nowadays because of the rich resources of alumina found in the land. Ecotourism has also grazed Mandeville as more and more people come to visit the resorts of the town.

It has strong British influences which is the main reason it is regarded as the English town of Jamaica.

Today, it is considered as one of the top destinations in Jamaica.

Food and Dining

There are a number of restaurants that you can enjoy in the area. You can visit the Mandeville Restaurant which is located at the Mandeville Hotel. It serves simple homemade meals that are surely delectable.

Then, there is The Den, an old fashioned restaurant serving the best Jamaican dishes accompanied with nice live music to soothe your ears. You can also try the Bamboo Village Restaurant for some Authentic Chinese cuisine.

Attractions

There are some important spots that you can visit while in town. Enjoy the sights and the surrounding of the beautiful Mandeville area.

Black River. It is known as the largest river in Jamaica. Its name is widely attributed to the rotting vegetation which caused the darkness in its river bed.

Manchester Country Club. You can enjoy a nice round of golf in Jamaica’s oldest golf course.

Y.S. Falls. The waterfall that runs down the Y.S. River. It cascades towards the tropical forest and is a spectacular sight with clear waters and ferns.