Thika Sunset
Photo by: lensbug.chandru, Creative Commons

If you happen to visit the African continent and wish to have the ultimate getaway, then head on to Thika in central Province, Kenya.

Its relative proximity with Nairobi makes it a strategic location for trading. This is why it has been known as a market town – despite being elevated by 1531 meters. While it attracts quite a number of tourists each year, the town’s railway station still has limited passenger service – so planning your trip ahead is important. Or better yet. Look for other means of transportation. You can even hire a transport service from Nairobi or Garissa.

But it’s not the market that attracts visitors to this idyllic town. It’s the numerous tourist destinations within it. The district known as the prime pineapple-growing region of Kenya is also home to Thika and Chania Falls. On the outskirts of the town lies Fourteen Falls, a popular picnic site. There is also a national park in the south eastern part called Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park. For those who have a knack for anything flora would be thrilled to see a flame tree within the town. It is said that the tree turns reddish orange every June, depending on the rainfall. Others can go to the Mugumo Gardens, the site where legendary seer has prophesized the end of the British rule in Kenya.

This area, which was originally the dwelling place of the Akamba tribe, has gone a long way. The influx of British and Asian settlers has paved the way for this relatively small town to have thriving businesses even in the early times. A bustling nightlife Kenyan style awaits weary travelers while ultra modern recreation centers cater to guests within the day.

There are a lot of things to do when in Thika. It’s just a matter of fixing your schedule to go to the different destinations within the town that interests you.

Tori Path, Japan—The Entrance to Fumishi Inari Temple
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Kyoto is a prefecture in Japan where you can see temples, shrines, and historical buildings. Most of their shrines are constructed as tributes to their gods or leaders. Japan is a country that produces rice. The Japanese eat rice everyday. Because of this, thousands of their shrines are dedicated to Inari, the Rice God of Shinto. However, one shrine for Inari stands out among the rest, the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto because of its Tori Path.

Before you arrive at the shrine, you have to pass through a path made up of thousands of Tori gates. You will usually see a Tori Gate in Shinto shrines. This gate is made up of two vertical poles on either side topped by a horizontal pole called kasagi. Just below the top horizontal pole is another horizontal pole that they call nuki. The usual colour of Tori is vermillion.

In the Fumishi Inari Temple, the thousands of Tori gates lined up one after the other make up the Tori Path. And the path is long. You do not have any other option but to walk on the path for 2 hours, longer if you will stop to take pictures. You should wear something comfortable to make the walk easier and you should be physically fit before you decide to go there. After all, a two-hour trek is not an easy thing to do.

The fire red orange colour of the Tori gates is a great contrast against the lush green backdrop of the forest that surrounds the shrine. This is an experience that can only be seen in Japan.

Ostia Antica – one of the many fortifications in this vibrant city
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Ostia Antica is a 30–minute train ride away from Rome. During ancient times it functioned as a port or a harbor city for ancient Rome. It is where visitors can experience how ancient Romans lived.

The city’s name comes from the Latin word ostia meaning mouth because during ancient times, the city was located at the mouth of the River Tiber. Before archaeological excavations were made, the whole city was covered by mud and sand. This helped in preserving the city’s architecture and art works. Now, visitors can wander around the Roman Theater and if you visit during summer, you can watch plays held at the ancient theater! Marvel at the black and white mosaics on floors of the large bathhouses, like the Baths of Cesaii and the Bath of Neptune and walk through the forum- the market place or public square of an ancient Roman City.

Most of the buildings unearthed were preserved even up to the second floor. When visitors walked on the main street they can even observed the differences between a house of a workman and a sailor versus the richer classes. A workman and a sailor’s house are called an insule, which looks like the modern day flats. On the other hand, houses belonging to richer classes are decorated with ornate statues and mosaics and columns.

During Constantine I’s rule, from a port, Ostia became a holiday destination for Roman aristocrats. Unfortunately, when the Roman Empire fell, it started the decline of Ostia. It has always been a target for Arab pirates attacks forcing the locals even more to leave the city.

It is advised for visitor to visit the local museum. Some of the artifacts that were unearthed are stored on the Ostia Antica Museum for safekeeping. The museum is open every Tuesdays until Sundays, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon. It is also better to get in-depth information on the ancient city through city guide booklets.

Paros
Photo by: Eustaquio Santimano, Creative Commons

Are you still thinking of where to go for that ultimate vacation with your family? You need not look all over the world since there is just one place for you to go to and this is Greece. It has attracted millions of visitors every year to experience the grandeur and mystery of the cradle of civilization. So where shall you go? The list can go on and on since Greece has a lot of great places to visit but make sure you do get some time off from that hectic schedule and visit Paros.

There are villages called the Paros Naoussa village, which happens to be one of the favorite resorts of most visitors. There you can enjoy a massage while you listen to the waves crashing against the coast. Aside from the resort, its time to head to the beach and there is this super favorite among the visitors called the Paros Kolimbithres Beach. The sun is fierce in Greece so lather up on the sunscreen or you’d turn into a bronzed beauty.

Aren’t you getting more excited with your trip to Greece? Bring the anticipation one notch higher as you discover that the beaches in Paros are so great for windsurfing too. It is remarkable of a sight – waves crashing on you, beautiful tanned bodies passing you by, glasses and glasses of margarita on tow and all day and all night festive moods. Are you ready to pack your bags and visit the place where the party never stops? Don’t forget to bring those cool linen blouses and pants since the weather is tropical in nature and wearing something wooly would makes you sweat gallons of sea salt. Just bring your suit for moments you need to dress up real good especially when you visit theatres.

Hephaestus Temple
Photo by: Ian W Scott, Creative Commons

Traveling is indeed so much fun not to mention so expensive but if you have been saving for this trip, better get your pencils ready since Greece is the place to be! What is in store for you and your loved ones once you set foot in this beautiful place? The first would be the Hephaestus Temple. This is a place that is often earmarked by several tourists who find ancient ruins so beautiful. The temple is located at the north-western side of the Agora of Athens.

To add to nostalgia, did you know that in the 18th century this temple was the home of the Greek Orthodox? Built in a Doric concept, the Hephaestus Temple was named after the god of metal working. What is great about this scenic spot is that a lot of tourists would just go shutter-crazy with their cameras! It is indeed your chance to go back to the past and experience the sceneries as if you were alive during that time. This is also the most preserved temple from all the ruins you will be coming across in Greece.

You will definitely love the trip to the Hephaestus Temple since for you to find out that the architect who built this temple was also the same one who built the famous Parthenon! When you go through the pillars of the temple, you will be so amazed on the materials that were used – marble and limestone which during that time so very available.

The Hephaestus Temple is indeed a trip back to yesteryears when the world was so young and unharmed. You definitely would be seeing other tourists there too since this place is of course a crowd-drawer. Should you ask what you’ll benefit from such a place? The answer can be one word – Beauty.

York Minster York North Yorkshire England
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York Minster is a Gothic cathedral located in York, England. It is considered as the largest of its kind in Northern Europe along the side of Cologne Cathedral. The Archbishop of York sits in The Minster. This is the second highest office of the church in England.

This cathedral has a widely Decorated Gothic nave and chapter house. The south transept possesses the famous Rose window. The nave has the west window, which was constructed back in 1338, and the Lady Chapel is on the east side is the Great East window. This window was completed in 1408. The formal name or title of York Minster is The Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of St. Peter in York. The minster is sometimes called the high church of Anglo Catholicism.

Some of the stained glass in York Minster was said to be dated back to 12th century. The 76 feet tall great east window was created by John Thornton in the early fifteenth century. It is considered as the largest medieval stained glass in the world. Another special window is the rose window and the five sister’s window that measures around 50 foot tall.

The two west towers hold the bells and clock chimes. The northwest holds the six clock bells, which are known to weigh around 3 tons or more. The southwest tower holds the other 14 bells.

The fire back in 1829 destroyed the organ inside the Minster. The present organ or the new organ dates from 1832. Elliot and Hill constructed the new organ. The organ was reconstructed again by William Hill and Sons in 1859. The case of the organ remained intact but large pipework was done and introduced. After sometime in 1915, Harrison & Harrison did a small amount of work and the famous Tuba Mirabilis was added.

The quiet of Mount Etna at dusk
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If you and your friends are talking about active volcanoes in Europe, Mount Etna will definitely pop up in the conversation. Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in Europe. The last recorded eruption was just in 2006. Like any other volcanoes in the world, Mount Etna does not only bring mishaps to Italy. In fact, it has become one of the famous places in Italy, visited all year round even during winter.

According to Greek mythology, Mt. Etna is home of the god of fire, Vulcan. They say that, when the volcano erupts the god of fire is working on a weapon for Mars, the god of war. The mountain is located at the east coast of Sicily and is also known with the name Mongibello meaning mountains of mountains. Mount Etna is also known as the second highest mountain in Europe next to the Alps.

At the base of the mountain, visitors can enjoy the Etna National Park. About 59,000 ha. of land around the volcano was declared as a wildlife sanctuary. The lava ejected by the volcano becomes a rich and fertile soil where different species of plant get some nutrients. Different kinds of oak, pine, birch and beech trees occupy the mountain. You can also spot foxes, squirrels and a plethora of bird species flying over the forests. Visitors can ride a train to enjoy a tour within the National Park.

If you are the adventurer type, you can try first trekking a short rail at the south part of the volcano which is free for everyone to use, but if that doesn’t suit you there’s another option. You can also hire local guides that can help you traverse up to the summit and have a good look at the volcano’s crater. The hike is not that easy because of the black sandy soil and the steepness of the mountain. During winter, there are also ski lodges on the mountain.

Sanjusangendo Hall
Photo by: AlbertoCarrasco, Creative Commons

Most structures have elaborate and complex designs on the outside, but this is not the case with Sanjusangendo Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Outside the temple, you will see a very simple and modest deign, as if it is just an ordinary wooden structure. But what makes it a main attraction in Japan is the interior part or the Sanjusangendo Hall.

This austere and simple structure was built a long time ago in 1164 by Goshirakawa, the then emperor of Japan. However, the building has to be reconstructed in 1266 after the original one was completely destroyed by fire. What you can see today is the building that has been reconstructed in 1266.

This is the longest building in Japan that is made of wood, with a length of 394 feet (120 meters). The outside is not so impressive, except for the length. But when you go inside, your eyes should be ready with what you will see. The Sanjusangendo Hall houses 1,001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy in Buddhism.

The focal point s the main statue of Kannon, that stands at 6 feet in height. In Buddhism, Kannon has 1000 arms and 11 faces. Her statue in Sanjusangendo Hall is considered as a National Treasure. The Kannon statues are masterpieces of a well-known sculptor in Japan, Tankei.

The other Kannon statues are life-sized, smaller than the major Kannon statue, and they have 40 arms each. It was said that each arm can save 25 different worlds. It was also believed that the goddess of mercy can transform into a total of 33 different shapes, and the architects of the temple based the number of hall’s pillars on this number, which means the temple also has 33 pillars.

Whether you are a Buddhist or not, you will still be amazed by the rows and rows of Kannon statues inside the longest wooden structure in Japan.

Piazza del Duomo
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Piazza del Duomo in Pisa is the most stunning of all piazzas in Italy. Imagine a clear blue sky, in contrast with the green grass and four white great architectures. Unlike many piazzas or squares in Italy, which are covered in pavement, the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa is situated on a vast land covered with green grass.

Also known as Piazza dei Miracoli or Piazza of Miracles, it is the center of ecclesiastical activity in Pisa. Upon getting to the piazza, many tourists tend to flock around the bell tower; more popularly called the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Located just behind the cathedral, it functions as the belfry. Its construction started in 1173 by Bonanno. The construction stopped when they noticed that the third floor began tilting. However, an artist by the name of Tommaso Andrea di Pisano, still finished the project during the 2nd half of the 14th century; he added the succeeding three floors and the belfry. Inside the tower there is a spiral staircase, which tourists can access to go to the top of the tower, it consists of two hundred ninety four steps. The tilting of the tower is attributed to the soft soil where the tower was built on.

The Duomo or the Cathedral of Pisa right in front the tower, is a fusion of Romanesque, Islamic, Byzantine and trans-Alpine architectural influence. The mix is bought about by the Crusades. On the façade of the cathedral there are inscriptions telling the history and the events when the cathedral was being built. The interior of the cathedral is as interesting as its façade. Inside you can see the lamp Galileo Galilee used, hanging in the apse of the cathedral.

Competing with the elegance of the Duomo is the baptistery right in front of it. Another interesting site to visit is the Campo Santo or the cemetery. It is where Pisa’s elite during medieval times where buried. On the cemetery, you could see different medieval works of art including frescoes by Florentine artists.

With just one look at Pisa’s piazza del Duomo, you won’t have to think twice to include it in your top 10 list of famous places in Italy. However, the soft soil where the piazza is built on requires continued reconstruction of the architectures. In 1987, the Piazza dei Miracoli has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ancient Agora
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The Ancient Agora of Athens is not difficult to find since it can be found northwest of the Acropolis – this is the place where the beautiful events and gathering of almost every in the city is. It is such a place to see other tourists who, just like you, have been enamored with the mystery of Greece.

Did you know that the Agora used to be a sacred site? Several sanctuaries were scattered around it which allowed the Greek Archaeological Society to tag it for their archeological diggings. You will definitely be enveloped with unexplainable joy when you visit the Agora.

If you decide to spend a few nights in this exciting place, hotels are categorized into different categories to meet your budget. There are the 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 stars but be assured that they are affordable and reasonably priced. While you are visiting this part of Greece, Agora is indeed one of the top destinations to visit. Not only is it the center of ancient Greece, you can easily spot a secluded portion in the digs where you can just snap away with your trusty camera.

This is not like those museums where taking photos is prohibited. The grandeur of Greece, together with the breathtaking view of the Mediterranean, your trip to this part of the world would surely be as memorable as possible since you have walked upon the same road the 18th century has seen and walked upon.

Athens Famous Landmarks

Epidaurus Amphitheatre
Photo by: *clairity*, Creative Commons

Argolis Prefecture, Peloponnese – this is the way you should find in order for you to visit the Ancient Epidaurus Little Theatre. This place is definitely swarming with a lot of tourists since it so easy to visit by just taking the bus but as early as possible, you have to know the schedule of the buses should you decide to stay on a little bit after the performance. There’s no more way back home to Athens after the final time of the night’s performance.

If you have rented a car then it would be no problem for you to get back to your hotels just keep in mind that there is still a roughly ten-minute hike to the site itself. Aside form this, parking slots are quite limited so it’s up to you to be within the area of the Epidaurus at a much earlier time for you to secure a slot.

During your stay in Greece, be ready with your camera since there are so many sites for you to immortalize your trip. This is the same reason why tourists keep on coming back to Greece. Just by the Mediterranean winds that are kissing your cheeks to the lovely colors that seem to sprout anywhere you look, Greece is indeed a photographer’s haven.

Speaking of the golden rules in any new place you visit, there are some things you need to observe when you reach the Epidaurus. Just like in any play or performance, it is rude and prohibited to enter the place in the middle of the scene so they allow latecomers to enter during intervals. Noisy kids are not allowed inside and they can’t appreciate the performance anyway. You are not allowed to take shots while the play is on going so reserve those moments later on.

The British Parliament and Big Ben in the early evening
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The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, is home of the British Government for over 900 years. This Gothic inspired collection of buildings covers approximately 8 acres of land and has 1100 rooms, 11 courtyards and 100 staircases. The House of Lords occupy the Southern wing and the House of Commons is located at the North wing.

The scheduled open hours for the House of Commons are from 2:30 pm – 7:30 pm during Mondays and Tuesdays. On Wednesdays it is from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, Thursdays 11:30 am – 7:30 pm and 9:30 am- 3 pm during Fridays. The House of Commons on the other hand opens from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm during Mondays thru Wednesdays, 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursdays and from 11:00 am to 7:30 pm on Fridays. This schedule is important to take note of, so you can plan which time is perfect for you to visit. For UK citizens who would want to attend the PMQ or Prime Minister’s Question Time held at the House of Commons, they need to get in touch with their local MP in advance to avoid the queue at St. Stephen’s entrance.

For those who would want pictures of the House of Parliament in full view, the Parliament Square would be the best place to be at. Other distinguished offices or departments inside would be The Crypt Church, the Common’s Library, Peers Library, the Members’ Lobbies and of course the Westminster Hall. Aside from these, perhaps the most recognized part of the assemblage of structures of the House of Parliament would be the clock tower, Big Ben.

So if you want to revisit the past and the present of the British government, then the House of Parliament could provide you with answers to all your questions.

London Famous Landmarks

The grand, the imposing, Milan Cathedral
Photo by: Francisco Antunes, Creative Commons

Milan Cathedral or Duomo di Milano is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world and is often compared to the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Cathedral of Seville in Spain.

Aside from being one of the Gothic architecture in Italy, one of the main characteristic of the cathedral is the presence of thousand’s of spires. The cathedral has about 135 spires, each mounted with a statue depicting important people in Milan’s history and different characters in the bible. The highest spire and the tallest part of the cathedral measures up to 357 foot tall and holds the most important symbol of Milan the Madonina or Little Madonna. It’s a golden statue that is so important that by law no any other building should pass the height of it.

It took five centuries to complete the cathedral, from 1386 until the 19th century when Napoleon Bonaparte ordered to finish the cathedral’s façade. You can just imagine all the European artists who were attracted to the project and participated in doing it. There are thousands of statues inside the cathedral, beautiful stained glasses and relics.

Unlike other European churches the Milan cathedral has no campanille or bell tower. For music lovers, you might also want to attend a mass on the Milan Cathedral. The cathedral is the home to one of the oldest musical symbol in Milan since 1402, the Capella Musicale. The choir accompanies mass every Sunday and on special occasions. They sing Italian and Latin classic compositions.

You can get a good view of the spires, the city and the Alps by taking the terrace tour of the cathedral. You’ll have to buy the ticket at the Duomo Info Point to get access; you’ll have the option to take the stairs or the elevator. The terrace tour is only offered during the first week of July until the end of September and you might also have to wait for about 15 minutes before your turn because they limit the number of people who goes up. You might want to use those time to prep yourself up or to stretch if you’re taking the stairs.

Aside from the terrace tour you can also visit an archaeological site of a pre-existing basilica of Early Christian baptistery, the mausoleum of Gian Giacomo De Medici and the Cathedral’s treasury and museum, which houses different relics and tells the story of how the cathedral was built.

The Milan cathedral is a celebrated landmark for architecture, the arts, and for music lovers, name it the cathedral has everything to offer. It easily places itself as one of the famous places in Italy.

Mount Nantai near Nikkō National Park
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Japan is a country known for its high technology and fashion. It also known for its well-preserved historical and religious structures built hundreds of years ago. Not only that but this country also has some great natural sights to visit. One town in particular, Nikkō, Japan, is the gateway of the famous Nikkō National Park and awe-inspiring shrines and temples. If you want to see waterfalls, mausoleums, temples, shrines, the old Imperial house, mountains, a lake, and a marshland, a botanical garden, and many more, you should visit the town of Nikkō.

In the central town, you will see the world famous Toshogu Shrine, an elaborately decorated complex that houses several buildings for Shinto and Buddhist followers. This shrine is actually a mausoleum where Tokugawa Ieyasu’s tomb is kept. Ieyasu was the founder of the famous Tokugawa shogunate. Aside from its historical buildings, you will also see a vast expanse of trees because this shrine is situated in an amazing forest.

If you walk farther for about half an hour or if you ride a bus for 10 minutes, you will see another mausoleum. It looks very similar to the Toshogu shrine, though this one is more modest. This is the mausoleum of Ieyasu’s grandson, Iemitsu. The name of the shrine is Taiyunbyo and you can also enjoy looking at a lavishly decorated structure.

There is another structure in the central town of Nikke which is called Rinnoji Temple. This temple is an important part of the history of Nikkō because it was built by the Buddhist monk named Shodo Shonin who first brought Buddhism to the town of Nikkō thousands of years ago. It is very near the Toshogu Shrine, which makes it easy for tourists to visit both.

If you like to see nature, you should visit Okunikko, the National Park in Nikkō, where you can see one of the most famous and amazing waterfalls in Japan. Mount Nantai is also located in this area. At the foot of this mountain, you will see a very large and clear lake. The view is breathtaking, as if you are in paradise.

Paestum
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Paestum is known for its well preserved Greco-Roman architecture and archaeological sites. It is under the municipality of Capaccio in the southern part of Italy and is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.

Greeks from Sybaris founded the city in 600 B.C. They had called it Poseidonia in tribute to the Greek god Poseidon, but the dominant deity of the city was Hera, the goddess of fertility because of the lush fertile plain. In fact, Paestum is well known for its roses that grow wild to this day. Then, Poseidonia was passed on to the Lucania, a local Italian Samnite tribe and called it Paistom. Then came the Romans and called it Paestum, Latin for Paistom. During the 9th century, the city was abandoned due to widespread malaria brought about by deforestation and increasing marshes created by the river Salso. Archaeologists say that this event brought about the well-preserved ancient structures that are found in the city today.

Visitors often visit the three of the well most preserved Doric Greek temples in this ancient city. The temples are roped around the perimeters to prevent access by visitors inside the structure. If you have no idea what a Doric Greek temple is mean think about the Parthenon of Greece. The Temple of Hera, the oldest temple, was built about 550 B.C. It is sometimes called the Basilica because earlier archaeologists mistook it as a Roman building. Other notable temples are the Temple of Neptune the most complete of the three and the Temple of Ceres which has a transitional architecture between Ionic and early Doric.

The archaeological sites are open to the public. Aside from the Doric temples that place Paestum on the map as one of the most famous places in Italy, you could also visit other Roman structures: a forum, an amphitheater and a gymnasium swimming pool. Paestum also has a museum, displaying artifacts like the Tomba del tuffatore, a painting that deviates from the usual theme of Greek paintings.

After a tour of the ancient city, don’t forget to try a delicious delicacy of the city, the mozzarella di bufula. There is a stretch of stores and cafés near the archaeological site, where you can sit outside, enjoy the sun and talk to the locals or you could also enjoy the nearby beach. Paestum is a like a time capsule that opens itself for you and bring you back to ancient times.

Lindos
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Greece is the best place for you to catch up on ruins, archeological sites, and not to mention a rich history that you only read about in books. Now is the time for you to pack your bags and head to that entrancing place with your family or should you want to experience this journey alone, then there is one place in Greece you should not forget to visit.

Considered as one of the favorites of visitors, it is town on the island of Rhodes, on the east coast. You can’t miss Rhodes, which is famous for its beach and fishing villages as well as a little resort. This Acropolis of Lindos is a citadel or fortress that according to history was designed to defend and protect a place against external attacks. These citadels are constructed on hills since the view is better and easier to see if someone or a group is fast approaching.

The Acropolis of Lindos hampered archeological operations. Because of the rich architectural wonders, archeologists had to work around these. They learned that the surrounding places have traces of artifacts, such as gold coins.

When visitors find themselves mesmerized with the Acropolis of Lindos, they continue their quest to find that one place to capture and immortalize moments under the Greecian sun. You will be able to share the same sentiments when you visit the temples, artifacts and even sculptures that takes you back as early as 180 B.C. You will also notice that the Acropolis of Lindos is within the confines of a wall called the Hellenistic Wall. Yes, Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman and most powerful in her time.

Samaria Gorge
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Your trip to Greece will be more memorable if you go to the island of Crete and visit the Samaria Gorge. There are so many things to say about the gorge which a lot of visitors often say when asked what is there to see? For starters, the Samaria Gorge is within the National Park itself so from the likes of it locals work night and day to preserve it. Since wherever you go in Greece has a fee, well they need that for the upkeep of the place and besides it does not cost much. Here in the Samaria Gorge, you will cough up around 5 Euro.

What is in the Samaria Gorge? Rocks may just fall on you if you do not pay attention to the visitor guide. You can take photos of the Gorge with you in it and hiking would really be needed here although the gorge has a narrow passage way, just imagine the slow steps you would be making if you happen to visit the Samaria Gorge with the rest of the 3,000 normal visitors to the place too.

Samaria Gorge attracts a lot of visitors so if you want some peace and quiet, you should spend the night at one of the hotels near it since everything stops at noon. The reason behind it is that the gorge does not have lights and it is well visited during the day. If you schedule your trip to Greece during the summer, you will be met with the heat. If you do insist, then go ahead but bring lots of water with you so that you would not get dehydrated during the trip.

Tsukiji Fish Market
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Japan is famous for its cuisine. Their foods have a distinct taste in addition to being healthy for those who consume them. Did you know that Japanese have the longest life span in the whole world? It is because of the food they eat. For instance, they are known for eating raw dishes such as sushi and sashimi. And you cannot make these delicious raw fish dishes if you do not have a fresh supply of fish.

In Japan’s case, they do not have any problem with fish supply because the country is an island country, surrounded by water on all sides. They have an abundance of quality fish. When in Japan, visit their fish markets, and when you do, you should go to Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, Japan.

Tips

• Even though the place is open for tourists to see the products and the auctions, the place is still a market, a business place where people earn money. You should be smart enough not to intervene or distract ingoing sales transactions.

• They have the famous tuna auction everyday, but you can only witness the thrill and anticipation of the participants between 5:00 am to 6:15 am. You have to wake up early if you do not want to miss the exciting auction. They have made this policy after several frictions between the tourist and the marketers. You should always behave yourself and know your place as a tourist and spectator of the event. And please do not use your flash camera.

• You will see different kinds of fish there—tuna, salmon, and other local Japanese fish. Now you know where they get their ingredients when they prepare delectable and mouth-watering sushi!

Tokyo Famous Landmarks

On the grounds of the Imperial War Museum
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The Imperial War museum displays remnants and remembrances of the past wars England has been involved in, full-size tanks, letters written by prisoners, ammunitions, etc. This museum takes you back in time during the war that shaped the country’s history.

This gallery has five branches throughout UK, three of which are in London. It was established in 1917 during the First World War. It was designed to display the struggle of the Empire. Today however, its mission is to keep people informed and provide understanding regarding modern war and show its influence and effect to the individuals and society. It became open to public in 1920. When the Second World War came, the collection flourished. Its expansion in the number of collection also meant an increase in the number of its branches. In 2005, the fifth branch opened in Trafford, Greater Manchester.

Aside form ammunitions, aircraft, military vehicles and other artifacts; the collections also include official documents, film, video, photographs and a wide-ranging library. Admission is free for two of its branches namely the Imperial War Museum (IWR) London and IWR North. Tourists won’t be confused since the museum is maintained and sub-divided into different departments or sections.

One of the major attractions of the gallery is the Holocaust Exhibition. It is a wondrous and captivating display and portrayal of what it’s like during these traumatic eras. The museum is also known for enchanting the visitors with its full-scale restoration of an air-raid bomb shelter and a front line trench.

Certainly, this museum never fails to leave an impression and educate its guests. Besides, most tourist go to see tourist hot spots due to these reasons, to be amazed, to have fun and of course to learn. So if you’re one of those, visit the Imperial War Museum.

London Famous Landmarks

A Garden along Lake Como
Photo by: ezioman, Creative Commons

The Snow capped Alps is what would lure you to visit the Italian Lake District. You are set to get the vacation of your life since the place is where different forms of trade converge. You can simply take the public transportation to get to the Italian Lake District that are known to have the most romantic villages Italy is so known for.

The Italian Lake District happen to be one of the hot visitor destinations mainly due to its amazing bodies of water like the Lake Maggiore, Como, d’Orta, Lugano and the Garda. When you reach Lake Como, that little district is one of the favorite of visitor since it has this friendly comfort place to catch some winks as compared with the more modern side of Italy.

If you want a place with a touch of the Mediterranean as well as the intricate past of Rome with all those pictures of their gods, what a great place to unwind and experience the beauty of Rome with the remarkable Italian Lake District. There are also several hotels and inns across the Italian Lake District and are offered at good rates especially during off-season as well peak season in Italy.

No vacation would be complete without seeing the panoramic view of several bodies of water in this district. Communing with nature is of course every visitor’s dreams so here at the Italian Lake District, nature comes more alive and worth your while. Do remember to pack some swimming suits since several visitors really take time to enjoy the water recreations in the area. While you are at it, dream away with the milky snowcaps of the Alps, which is a few breaths away from this heavenly part of the town — Switzerland and Italy in one big view.

Ise Shrine
Photo by: ajari, Creative Commons

The Ise Shrine located in the Mie prefecture of Japan is an enchanting Shinto shrine built in the honor of the goddess Amaterasu-omikami. Also called as the Jingu, its complex is composed of two main shrines namely the Naiku and Geku which are surrounded by hundreds of other Shinto temples. Naiku or the Inner Shrine can be found in the south of middle Ise City, in a town called Uji-tachi. Primarily, this is the temple that is dedicated to the worshipping of Amaterasu-omikami because Geku or the Outer Shrine is built in honor of Toyouke no omikami, the goddess of industry and agriculture. There are other 123 shrines in the city with 91 belonging to Naiku and 32 to Geku.

Naiku is a very valuable place not only for the people living in the city of Ise but for all the citizens of Japan because of a national treasure it holds upon its shrine walls. The Naiku is the home of the Sacred Mirror making the shrine as one of the most important and sacred sites in the whole of Japan. The official guardian of the Ise shrine is also very important because the post of the High Priest or Priestess can only be filled by someone coming from the Imperial Family. The first Priestess said to have watched over the temple was princess Okunihime-miko, during the Asuka period of ancient Japan.

The architectural style used in the Ise shrine, Shinmeizukuri, is unique and is not allowed to be mimicked by any other temple in any part of Japan. The shrines are rebuilt every 20 years as a ritual to make them constantly ancient yet new at the same time. The current shrines are last built on 1993 and are the 61st iteration at present. The next schedule of the rebuilding will be on 2013.

Catherine’s Palace in St. Peterburg
Photo by: jimg944, Creative Commons

Catherine Palace is in the city of Tsarskoye Selo which is about 25 km from St. Petersburg, Russia. The palace was built in the 17th century by the Empress Catherine I and later on the palace served as the official residence for the Tsars of Russia.

Catherine’s Place was built in 1773 as a summer residence for the empress. It was designed by Johann-Friedrich Braunstein and the palace was expanded by Andrei Kvasov and Mikhail Zemtsov. The exterior of the palace contains over 100 kilograms of gold according to the dying wishes of Empress Elizabeth.

The interior of the palace was built in Neo-Classical style and the wing was built in Neo-Palladian style. The palace also featured a number of personal residences for the empress. The rooms are linked with Cold Baths, Hanging Gardens and Cameron Gallery that houses the collection of bronze statues.

The entry into the palace is through the Hall of Lights that features a number of ornamented rooms and painted ceiling. This hall was designed by Bartolomeo Rastrelli and it was built in a Russian baroque style. The hall measures about 1000 square meters and it features 15 chandeliers and 696 lamps that are being lit in the evening which is one of the major attractions here.

The dining room in the palace was designed by Rastrelli and it was built in a baroque style. The hall is ornamented with stylized flowers and the hall features a number of windows with mirrors that provides brightness to the hall. The dining hall was used for the evening meals and formal meals by the emperors and the entry into the dining room is through the main staircase.

The Portrait Hall in the palace is another major attraction that measures about 100 meters. This hall features a number of paintings of the Empress Catherine I, Empress Elizabeth and Natalya Alexeyevna.

The Drawing Room in the palace was one of the formal rooms of the Emperor Alexander I and the walls here are wrapped with Chinese silk. The other interiors in the palace include the waiter’s room, Chippendale card-tables, Carrara marble chimneys and silk wallpapers.

The palace is one of the major tourist spots; it is also visited by Bill Clinton, Sting, Naomi Campbell and Tina Turner. In addition Elton John’s concert was also held here in the year 2001.

Equestrian statue of Ferdinando I de’ Medici on the
piazza Santissima Annunziata in Florence, Italy.
Photo by: Simone Ramella, Creative Commons

Be sure that your next stop in your Italian adventure is the Medici Chapel. This is indeed one of the favorite destinations of visitors like you so better take out your travel guide. The Medici Chapel is a well known mausoleum built in the 14th century. It is the final resting place of Giovanni di Bicci and his wife Piccarda.

There is one name that would surely make the hairs at the back of your nape stand up when you hear it – Michelangelo. Indeed, the moment you step inside the Medici Chapel the first sight that you see will make your heart leap, the intricate designs on the plastered all over the place. Dating back surely beyond your time, awe and mystery engulfs the place as you walk through it.

Looking at your travel guide you would come to see an Italian name such as the Cappelle Medici. Look for that and you will be directed to this solemn place. It is indeed a visitor’s haven since the moment you see the works of this revered sculptor, you wouldn’t be lost in translation since it speaks of the level of spirituality as perceived and believed by Michelangelo.

Did you know that the real Madonna and Child rendition was done at the Medici Chapel? Do snap away to your hearts content since the only place that prohibits the use of any form of photography either it be in stills or through film is the art gallery. If you are gifted with the talent of drawing or sketching, this is the best place to be, as you immerse yourself with all the art designs that have so placed Italy in the heart of art.

When in Italy, this is one place a visitor must see.

Outer fortress of Old Town Rhodes
Photo by: Bracketing Life, Creative Commons

There is one part of Greece where you could simply loose yourself in admiration for the ruins and anything Greek and you could also loose your way too since there is a place called Rhodes Old Town where some of the 200 streets is has well, all have the same name – street with no name. You may need to bring your compass if you are so serious in finding yourself the right direction. Most tourists just laugh and say what the heck and get lost in the streets. They can easily ask some locals for their way home to the hotels so there is nothing to worry.

Did you know that the Rhodes Old Town is perhaps one of the oldest dwellings in Europe? It has artifacts that dates back to 3 B.C. and that makes you think “there were people already during that time?” While you are in Rhodes Old Town, the best place to go to is the Municipal Art Gallery. There are so many rare maps, ceramics and even chunks of walls where there were images carved on it. It is not for free and would just cost you a few dollars for entrance. Now don’t think that is too much since you will be able to enter not just the museum but different places like the Palace of the Knights.

The Rhodes Old Town is open during the day and there is a reason behind this. According to folklore, the old town used to be seized by the Turks when they took over Greece. So naturally they set up their camp their and pushed out all the Greeks living in town. These Greeks were allowed during daytime and those who did not follow and were found lurking around after the sun has set shall be beheaded.

Bluewater of Mykonos
Photo by: We-Present: Travel-UggBoy-The-Photo grapher!, Creative Commons

Now that you are in Greece, there are places for you to visit and enjoy and when the mighty Greek sun grows a little sleepy and tags the sultry Moon to rise above the sea, there is a place that will come to life– Mykonos. This place happens to be one of the popular visitor spots that have invited thousands to millions of trendy visitors every year. This locale has a history in it and as the story goest, Mykonos is believed to have been named after the grandson of Apollo, Mykons. According to Geography as well as Mythology, Mykonos is where Zeus and Titan fought.

Mykonos is not hard to find since it is just around a couple of kilometers away from Delos, which a lot of visitors often visit as well. It is true that the music never sleeps in Mykonos. All due to the fact that nightlife is very much the happening thing most especially to visitors even locals. What happens is, there are parties scattered around the coast, which are often found near the hotels and at midday, people start to drink and have fun until the night comes and hovers a lunar glimmer. Since Mykonos has one of the beautiful beaches, there is quite a free-spirited crowd that rules over the place. Gender issues are not much of a problem here since they welcome the gay community with open arms.

There are several sites to visit like the windmills that are indeed the famous landmark in Mykonos since it has been there since the 16th Century. There is also this romantic place called the Little Venice where the houses or villas seem to be built hanging over the waters perched on rock formations.