Destination Archives - Page 20 of 44

June 25, 2014 by jfalbelda

Little Known Attractions in London

If you’re considering a city break in Britain’s capital this summer, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking things to do. The wealth of activities and events means that you’ll never be at a loose end and you can even treat yourself to a stay in a luxury boutique hotel like those available from Chic Retreats. If you’re interested in avoiding the major tourist traps, it’s definitely worth looking into the more unusual attractions that London has to offer. They may not be as well-known, but you’ll avoid the crowds and have a holiday to remember.

The Cat Café

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is London’s very first Cat Café. The idea of a relaxation space where urban-dwellers can pet and play with animals is common in Japan and the same premise has been replicated in London. Café visitors pay a £5 entrance fee that allows them two hours with the cats. The space is modelled as an old English tea room, with adjacent rooms where patrons can simply play with the cats and the cats can play and sleep.

St Katherine Docks

Take the tube to Tower Hill and discover one of London’s best kept secrets. St. Katherine Docks are usually bypassed by tourists on their way to the Tower of London, but this pocket of tranquillity gives a view of the main marina and the city’s collection of luxury yacht moorings.

Temple Church

Those interested in history and theology shouldn’t miss the 12th century Temple Church. It was built by the Knights Templar and was featured in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. The architecture was constructed to resemble Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre and is known for its effigy tombs and circular nave.

Primrose Hill

For some of the best scenic views in London, you should visit Primrose Hill. This green space is located on the north side of Regent’s Park and is the perfect spot for a picnic, particularly in the summer. You will be treated to uninterrupted views of central London and this space should be much less busy than better known greens like Hyde Park. Below Primrose Hill, in Queen Mary’s Gardens in Regent’s Park is home to one of the world’s finest floral displays.

London Wetland Centre

Bird-lovers will be pleased to know that London has its own Wetland Centre, which covers more than 100 acres of land, previously occupied by several small reservoirs. It is home to sparrow-hawks, bats, great crested grebes and ring-necked parakeets among others, and there are plenty of activities appropriate for children.

Don’t forget about the “normal” tourist attractions in London as well!

June 24, 2014 by Jeremy

Unveiling The Top Tourist Attractions In Saudi Arabia

Belonging to a “forbidden kingdom”, the top tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia are unsurprisingly mysterious to a Westerner. Not much is known about the country save for a few stories they heard or read about. But little too do they know that it is also home to some of the most magical places on earth. That alone makes it one of the most sought after destinations on the planet.

Saudi Arabia is part of the Middle East and known to be the region’s largest Arab state. It occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula and is also the world’s second largest Arab nation next to Algeria. Around its borders are Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen.

Madain Saleh

It is the one place you shouldn’t miss during your trip to Saudi Arabia. The ancient site was built by the Nabataeans, the same people who carved Petra in Jordan, and was considered their second city. While the tombs here are less impressive than those found in Petra, the sandy landscape and rock formations still make it an exceptional attraction. There are over about 131 tombs in Madain Saleh and 45 of them contain late Aramaic scripts.

National Museum

Situated in Riyadh, the National Museum isn’t just one of the top tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia. It’s also one of the best museums in the Middle East. The whole eight storeys of the National Museum showcases Arabian history, culture, and art. It is an ideal starting point for travelers who wish to know more about Saudi Arabia in the quickest way possible.

Al-Faisaliah Tower

It was built and designed by British architect Norman Foster in 2000. Although modern, it was the first building to rise above the Riyadh skyline. Towards the tip, the Al-Faisaliah Tower has a globe made with more with 655 glass panels and measuring 24 meters in diameter. The very tip which has a crescent rises nearly 270 meters above the ground. The Kingdom Tower which soars 302 meters into the sky is another must-see landmark in Riyadh.

Souq Al-Alawi

The souq is also included in the top tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia. It is the biggest and most extensive traditional souq within the kingdom. Traders from all over the country come here to sell their goods in market stalls. Souq Al-Alawi may feel more like a modern souq but it still buzzes with the same traditional activities from the old days.

Naseef House

It is a beautifully restored coral house in Jeddah that once belonged to one of the most influential trading families in the city. It is characteristic of the architecture in Jeddah but unlike many of the old homes in the city, it looks much more like its original state.

June 19, 2014 by jfalbelda

World Cup Fans Flock to Copacabana Beach, Brazil!

With the football World Cup in Brazil between now and the middle of June, fans from around the globe have descended on the South American country to experience the event, and no place has proved more popular than the famous Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. As well as the 12 host venues across the country, fans are also able to enjoy the action from one of a number of fan parks around the 12 host cities – the most popular being on Copacabana Beach.

Beach in Rio

Nearly a million people watched Brazil open the tournament with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Croatia, creating one of the most colourful and exciting atmospheres in the history of the World Cup. Since then, though, Copacabana hasn’t been a place for just Brazilian fans to watch the games on the big screens, and visitors from all corners of the world have used the beach as their first option to experience the tournament.

While the beach is a cocktail of world flags, ranging from England, Australia, Korea and Ghana, the most commonly seen flags are that of some people’s favourites for the tournament, Argentina. Tens of thousands of Argentines have made the relatively short journey north to follow their team in Brazil over the next month, and those fans were rewarded after seeing their team open up with a 2-1 victory over Bosnia.

England fans always travel in numbers to support their team, and this World Cup in Brazil has been no different. While the inflated prices won’t go down well with the majority of England fans looking to enjoy a beer or Caipirinha as they watch the action, the picturesque surroundings will act as a decent consolation when their team make their inevitable early exit from the tournament over the next couple of weeks.

This has already been an extremely exciting World Cup thus far, and we can’t wait to see how the rest of the tournament turns out!

June 18, 2014 by jfalbelda

The Best Spots to Go Glamping in The USA

For many people, there is no better way to experience the spirit of America than to take to the outdoors. For these folks, this not only includes outdoor activities such as hiking, but also camping, where this group of people spend a night in this environment with little other than a thin layer of nylon separating them from the elements.

For those that are well attuned to the outdoors, this may not be a problem, but for those that take exception to sleeping on the ground with nothing but a sleeping bag between them and chilly evening air, these realities have long driven them away from spending time deep within some of America’s best natural environments. Read More »

June 13, 2014 by jfalbelda

Five Amazing Day Trips from Melbourne

It’s highly unlikely that visitors to Melbourne will run out of things to do within the city, with its charming cafes and chic art galleries. You can easily spend a full day in the National Gallery of Victoria alone! Yet if you have more time on your hands, it’s well worth getting out of town to explore the city’s picturesque surroundings. Wine tasting, surfing, and mountain hiking are just a few activities to enjoy outside of town, yet you’ll still be back in Melbourne by sundown to enjoy its buzzing nightlife.

Phillip Island

Have you already gone to see the koalas at the Melbourne Zoo? Venture out to Phillip Island for more animal adventures. This destination draws over 3 million visitors per year, with the highlight for most being the famous penguin parade. There’s a charming boardwalk path called the Nobbies which takes you around the Phillip Island Nature Park, where you can spot a wide variety of sea birds and natural gardens. There’s also a koala conservation centre and a botanic gardens, along with spectacular sea views.

Flinders

The Mornington Peninsula is known for its outstanding natural beauty and pristine beaches. Flinders is a historic town located 86 kilometres away from Melbourne, making it a prime day trip option to explore this scenic nook of Australia’s coast. Stroll down the main drag and admire the heritage architecture, sample the local pinot noir, and watch the fishermen hard at work on the Flinders pier. You can go surfing at Point Leo or drive up to the fragrant Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens, which is home to the oldest hedge maze in Australia.

Mount Dandenong

Only a brief half-hour drive outside of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges offer a wide range of outdoor adventure and splendid views. Take a ride on the historic Puffing Billy stream train, enjoy a picnic in the lush National Rhododendron Gardens, or take a nature walk through the mountain forests. Breathe in the scent of eucalyptus as you visit the William Ricketts Sanctuary, with its fanciful ceramic sculptures built into the natural landscape. The highlight is the summit of Mount Dandenong, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Melbourne below.

Lorne

There’s nothing better than a scenic drive down the coastline, and it’s hard to top the views of the Great Ocean Road. Use local sites like motoring.com.au to read car reviews and find a stylish vehicle to go cruising in on your day trip to Lorne, which is small in size but big in personality. Take a walk along the cliffs, laze on the beach, or taste the catch of the day in a seaside restaurant.

The Yarra Valley

Australia now ranks up there as one of the world’s primary wine producers. Although you can sample the local products in any of Melbourne’s restaurants, it’s fun to go straight to the source with a visit to the Yarra Valley. Quaint Healesville is a popular destination for visitors to this region, home to the Healesville Sanctuary with its curious Australian wildlife. You can also take a journey on the historic Yarra Valley Tourist Railway, or pair your wine with some hand-made cheese at the Yarra Valley Dairy. Pick up some goodies for a sunset picnic back in Melbourne.

There’s a wide variety of options to choose from if you’re itching to get out of town, from coast to mountains and the valleys in between, if you have any other great suggestions for day trips from Melbourne, please share them in the comments below!