Brisbane City Guide – Overview

Queensland’s vibrant capital city, Brisbane, is a laid-back city, no doubt something to do with its subtropical climate. Great year-round weather means residents are happy (Brisbane regularly comes top of surveys for quality of life) and the city has a wealth of green spaces, alfresco dining venues, and even outdoor cinemas.

Things haven’t always been so relaxed, though. The city (named after the Governor of New South Wales turned astronomer, Sir Thomas Brisbane) was built on the site of an old convict colony (Redcliffe), which was originally established in 1823 as a settlement, deliberately distant from Sydney, to which re-offending convicts could be sent as punishment. It soon gained a reputation for being one of the harshest penal settlements in the country.

Private settlement near the area was forbidden for many years, and as the inflow of new convicts decreased steadily, the population began to decline. The area was finally opened up for free settlement in 1842, and settlers took advantage of the abundance of timber in the area. Grazing and farming took hold quickly on the fertile land of the coastal plain, but the convict colony was eventually closed.

Queensland was formally established as a colony separate from New South Wales in 1859 and became self-governing, with Brisbane declared its capital. Severe flooding in the 1890s devastated the city and destroyed the first of several versions of the Victoria Bridge. Even though gold was discovered north of Brisbane, attracting thousands of Europeans and Chinese during the ensuing years, most of the proceeds went south to Sydney and Melbourne. The city remained an underdeveloped, regional outpost, with comparatively little of the grandiose Victorian architecture evident in the southern cities.

The city has come a long way since then, and its hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 1982 and the World Expo in 1988 definitely helped put Brisbane on the map. Today Brisbane enjoys a vibrant economy, and tourism plays an important part in it, as the city is an exciting destination in its own right but also an ideal gateway to other areas of Queensland.

The Central Business District (CBD) is nestled in a bend of the Brisbane River as it lazily meanders to the sea at Moreton Bay. The city itself is a happy mix of the past and the future with lower, older heritage buildings such as the Town Hall and Customs House interspersed with modern skyscrapers towering above them.

Queensland is the fastest growing state in Australia, with 900 people moving to the state a week, and Brisbane, with 1.8 million inhabitants, is the third most populous urban area in Australia, behind Sydney and Melbourne (although it is set to overtake Melbourne in the next few years).

Brisbane has a subtropical climate, with hot, moist summers (from Nov to Apr) and mild, dry winters.

Source : www.worldtravelguide.net

Adelaide City Guide – Overview

For as long as anyone can remember, Adelaide has been nicknamed ‘The City of Churches’. Though the catchphrase plays on one aspect of this genteel city, there is far more to the South Australian capital than church spires, cricket, and cucumber sandwiches. For one thing, unhurried Adelaide (with its obvious English leanings) houses both some wonderful museums, and residents who really know their wines.

Adelaide was settled by the British in 1836 and named in honour of Queen Adelaide, the wife of King William IV. From the start the city was planned, rather than allowed to grow haphazardly. The Surveyor-General of the colony of South Australia, Colonel William Light, was given the task of finding a site for the colony’s capital.

The Torrens River meant a good water supply, and the fertile land on either bank was fertile and well drained. The river would separate the city of Adelaide itself from North Adelaide, while parkland would surround the settlements, and be created along the riverbanks.

Migrants were carefully screened before being allowed to sail for South Australia. Unlike elsewhere in Australia, where convicts made up a large percentage of the population, anyone with a criminal record was barred.

Many of the British settlers decided to recreate old England, while others were keen to leave aspects of their former lives behind. Many were Presbyterians, Baptists, Congregationalists, Methodists and Unitarians, who suffered unfavourable conditions back home because their beliefs conflicted with those of the Church of England. The result was an unusual number of churches dotted around the city.

Adelaide sidles up to an inlet of the Southern Ocean, and onto some of Australia’s most important winery regions. It’s also terribly close to some of the most forbidding countryside in the world – namely the Nullarbor Plain and the Great Victorian Desert. Hence the high temperatures and dusty air you might encounter in summer.

Generally though, Adelaide is a green and pleasant place, sporting plenty of parks, a delightful river, and a city centre laid-out in a grid with airy squares. The official town centre is Victoria Square, while the happening eat streets are Hindley Street, Gouger Street, and Rundle Street (the latter running into the shopping strip of Rundle Mall).

North Terrace, which is lined with galleries and museums and leads to the Botanic Gardens, borders the city to the north. Meanwhile, just north of the city heart, on the banks of the River Torrens, is the Riverside Precinct, the home of the Festival Centre and its performing arts.

Morocco Travel Guide – Overview

As you relax in your hammam (steam bath), tuck into your tagine (stew), bargain in the souks or slide into your comfy caftan (ankle-length gown) – Moroccan trends much copied elsewhere but never equal to the originals – you may be surprised how easily you slip into another culture and another century. In these small signature moments of pleasure, Morocco warps all sense of time and place as surely as a desert mirage.

To get your bearings, just look to the horizon. You will notice refined minarets and rugged mud-brick ksour (fortifications), sparkling coastline with silken sand and striped canyons carved out of the High Atlas Mountains. Morocco has been staunchly independent throughout its history yet remained open to ideas, creating a heady mix of cultures, religions and languages with ancient roots and a strikingly modern outlook. The influence of Romans, Arabs and Europeans is spotted in monuments throughout the country. Though you will hear French spoken in city boulevards – a vestige of the 50-year French Protectorate – a half-dozen Berber languages and Moroccan Arabic are still widely spoken. So is Morocco Mediterranean, African, Arab or Berber? Correct answer: all of the above.

For centuries travellers have crossed shifting sands and braved mountain passes in search of mythic Morocco, expecting to be dazzled by its royal palaces, unexpected oases, distinctive handicrafts and spectacular feats of hospitality. Modern-day Morocco doesn’t disappoint. Whether you’ve come to relax in family-style riads (guest houses) or stretch your imagination on treks to distant Berber villages, you’ll meet Moroccans who go out of their way to exceed your expectations. The people who have called Morocco home for millennia have proved themselves adaptable to Sahara Desert silences and chatty market-day medinas (old towns), mingling in Tuareg trading posts and ancient mellahs (Jewish quarters). The greeting that reaches your ears today echoes across the centuries: Ahlanwasahlan, you are welcome in Morocco.

Source : www.worldtravelguide.net

Madagascar Travel Guide – Overview

Discover Nashville

Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is one of the South’s most dynamic and distinctive cities. Thanks to its mild weather, acres of green space, sense of history, and dynamic business climate, Nashville offers an ideal environment for living, learning and leisure. With a population of nearly one million, and a location within 600 miles of half of the population of the continental United States, Nashville is extremely well situated. Besides being geographically centered, the city is a business center for banking, finance, health care, publishing, automobile manufacturing, and insurance. Nashville is home base for many national and international corporations including Nortel, Genesco, HCA the Healthcare Company, Aladdin Industries, Gaylord Entertainment, Pirelli, and Saturn.

Museums and History

Long known as “The Athens of the South,” Nashville is rightfully proud of its strong and varied cultural life and history. The Parthenon in Centennial Park, a full-scale replica of the original Athenian structure, houses an art and history museum. Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Fine Arts Center, the Hermitage (home of President Andrew Jackson), the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Carter House (at the site of the Civil War Battle of Franklin), the Tennessee State Museum and Archives, and many other museums and historic sites offer the chance for exciting adventures and exploration.

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, which opened in Nashville in April, 2001, is a 125,000-square-foot exhibition facility with more than 24,000 square feet of gallery space. The Center is located in Nashville’s historic main post office, a city landmark that was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The Frist Center presents outstanding visual art from local, regional, U.S. and international sources.

World Class Performing Arts

The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) is home to four professional companies – the Nashville Opera Association, Tennessee Repertory Theatre, and Nashville Ballet — and a community theatre group. TPAC welcomes a wide variety of touring Broadway productions and artists, and acts as a nexus of performing arts energy in the city.

The Schermerhorn Symphony Center, named in honor of the late Maestro Kenneth Schermerhorn who led the Nashville Symphony for 22 years, opened in September of 2006 and is home to the critically acclaimed Nashville Symphony. The Nashville Symphony perform more than 100 classical, pops and special concert events each season and will present recitals, choral concerts, cabaret, jazz and world music events.

Music City, USA

Over the last half-century, Nashville has nurtured its identity as “Music City, USA,” a prime tourist destination that welcomes eight million visitors annually. At Opryland USA, you’ll find the Opry House, home of Nashville’s world-famous Grand Ole Opry. Broadcast live every Saturday night for more than 60 years, the Opry sprang from Appalachia’s bluegrass/gospel heritage and grew into a mecca for country-music fans and performers alike. Music Row is home to recording studios, music publishers, and major record labels such as Warner Bros., RCA, Sony, and Arista.

On May 17, 2001, Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame opened in its new location in the heart of downtown Nashville. Originally located on Nashville’s Music Row, the Hall of Fame and Museum has been the home of America’s music since 1967. The colossal new $37 million structure is a world-class facility that honors the cultural significance of the music and the heroic achievements of those who form its membership.

Local Talent

While Nashville is renowned primarily for country and gospel, the city’s entire music scene is bustling and alive. Whether you prefer acoustic sound in intimate coffee shops or festivals at Riverfront Park, you can satisfy your musical palate somewhere in Nashville. Almost every night, Nashville’s music clubs host nationally known performers, acclaimed local artists, songwriters’ nights and “open mic” shows for the aspiring artists who gravitate to the city. (Celebrities often drop in to catch each other’s shows.) In addition to country music performers, many jazz, fusion, R&B, rock, and classical artists make their homes and their music in Nashville and often perform at local venues.

Recreation

In the area surrounding Nashville, opportunities abound for outdoor recreation, from hiking and spelunking to canoeing, sailing, swimming, fishing, golf, tennis, horseback riding and bicycling. The Great Smoky Mountains are only three hours east of Nashville by car; Chattanooga, with Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee Aquarium, is just two hours away.

Sports

Nashville is now a major sports city, too. The NFL Tennessee Titans played its first season in its new Nashville Stadium in the fall of 1999, and since the opening of the Sommet Center in 1998, the Nashville Predators have been breaking NHL expansion team attendance records. The Nashville Sounds (AAA baseball) play great baseball and are summertime favorites. Nashville is also a stop on the Senior PGA and LPGA tours.

Shopping

If your interests are shopping and dining, you may wish to take advantage of Nashville’s eclectic restaurants and distinctive retail establishments. You’ll find Indian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, French, Cajun, German, Mexican, Korean, kosher-style, Italian, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern restaurants. Others serve our regional delicacies: barbecue, catfish, and “meat-and-three.” You can plunge into an enormous shopping mall or outlet center or poke around intimate specialty shops. Bookstores range from huge and general to small and specific, selling new books or used. Antique stores abound, as well as galleries that feature striking works by local artists.

Source : www.aquinascollege.edu

Sunny Days in San Diego

Discover San Diego and experience one of the world’s all-around great vacation destinations. The climate is sunny and mild and the coastline is gorgeous. In addition to its natural beauty, San Diego is filled with fun things to see and do.

When it comes to San Diego attractions, the San Diego Zoo is by far the biggest draw. It is recognized as one of the world’s best animal parks showing off more than 4,000 animal species. Whether you’re studying the gorillas or ogling at the panda bears, you’re sure to have a wildly exciting experience. While you’re in the area enjoy the landscaping and museums of Balboa Park. It’s the largest urban park in the United States.

If you’re a museum junkie, San Diego is sure to suit you. There are more than 20 different museums to appeal to every taste. Explore the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, Automotive Museum or Aerospace Museum. Kids will love the hands-on exhibits at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

To enjoy San Diego natural beauty, check out the coastline at Torrey Pines State Reserve. You can get a picture of what Southern California was like before the settlers came.

When it comes to shopping and dining experiences, San Diego won’t be outdone. San Diego restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and shops run the gamut from department stores to boutiques. The Gaslamp Quarter is a historic district filled with unique shops and restaurants. Seaport Village on the water is a complete shopping, dining and entertainment complex. Fashion Valley Center is the most upscale of San Diego malls.

Things to Do in San Diego

• Balboa Park – Visit this all-encompassing park that is home to 15 museums, the San Diego Zoo, beautiful gardens and a playground.
• Belmont Park – Take a spin on the historic wooden roller coaster at this amusement park.
• Gaslamp Quarter – Enjoy 16 blocks of restaurant, shops and pubs in this national historic district.
• Mission Beach – This golden beach is a great place for sun worshippers.
• Reuben H. Fleet Science Center – Young and old alike will enjoy the hands-on exhibits and Omnimax Theater.
• San Diego Aircraft Museum – Learn about the workings of the Midway aircraft carrier.
• San Diego Zoo – See everything from giant pandas to polar bears at this world-famous animal park.
• Seaport Village – Shop the boutiques and grab a bite to eat at this 14 acre waterfront complex.
• SeaWorld® San Diego – Watch the splash-filled shows of Shamu and the rest of the sea creatures.
• Torrey Pines State Reserve – Explore the unspoiled Southern California coastline of this nature reserve.

Source : www.wyndhamtrips.com

Seoul

Seoul is incredibly full of different attractions.

One of the most popular areas for visitors to explore is Insa-dong, filled with antique shops, art galleries, traditional teahouses, restaurants and bookshops.
Mount Namsan, the mountain that stands sentinel in the centre of Seoul, is a popular recreational feature in the city. On the summit there are several attractions to enjoy, including the Maritime Aquarium, botanical gardens, fountains and the charming Seoul Tower.

The Chongmyo Shrine, built in the early 15th century by the founder of the Chosun Dynasty (Tae-jo).
In December 1995, the Chongmyo Shrine was designated a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.
The Children’s Grand Park is one of the largest children’s parks in Asia. It includes a zoo, a botanical garden, an amusement park, outdoor concert stages and physical training facilities.
Other great attractions of Seoul include the Kyongbokkung Palace, the Toksugung Palace, the Changdokkung Palace and it’s Secret Garden, the 63 Building with IMAX theatre and aquarium, the night market at Dong-Dae Moon, the Achasanseong Fortress and the Thirteenth-century watchtower Dongshipjagak.
Lotte World, Seoul Dream Land and Everland are popular amusement parks located nearby Seoul city.

Source : www.placesonline.com

Discover Paris

Paris is the Louvre, the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre, Pigalle, the Latin area, St. Germain, Boulevard St. Michel, where French history, culture and traditions are and still live!

Not far from such an extraordinary city Fontainebleau, Versailles and its magnificent palace of Louis XIV, Vaux-le-Vicomte well deserve a visit which can be enjoyed in just one day time!

Many interesting places where to go and visits are all around this dreaming city. The palaces of Versailles and, not far, Fontainebleau are true attractions of any trip to France.

Disneyland Paris is an attraction too, but of a different nature!

Worth a visit are also: Rueil-Malmaison, Bussy, Athis-Mons and Athis-Mons.

Food is one of the main attractions in the whole France.

Restaurants are nearly everywhere and they range from the highly luxurious to the simple cheap ones in the Quartier Latin. There are also many fast foods, take-away restaurants and Mac Donald’s.

Source : www.placesonline.com

Tourist Guide Taipei

Taipei is really full with great famous attractions and charming sights ready to be visited and discovered.
The National Palace Museum, which contains an extensive collection of 700,000 items that illustrate the culture and tradition of China.
The Snake Alley, a vibrant and fascinating night market.

Shin Kong Life Tower, the second tallest building in Taipei with an observatory on the 46th floor, offers an incredible view of the city and is a real must for everyone who visits the city.
Many are the beautiful temples deserving a visit in Taipei, like the Taipei Chingshan Temple, the Taipei Chingshui Temple (also known as the Divine Progenitors Temple), the Taipei Confucius Temple, the Taipei Xingtian Temple and the Taipei Tzuyu Temple.

The Presidential Building where, on National Day, large crowds gather to admire the military parades and view the unforgettable display of fireworks and lights leading up during this time.
On the city’s outskirts, the Yangmingshan National Park has unique volcanic terrain, a rich variety of forest vegetation, and an extensive network of hiking trails.

Source : www.placesonline.com

India Travel Guide, Overview

India is a mystical land that presents the traveler with a bamboozling array of unforgettable experiences. Hinduism, the prominent religion, is intimately woven into the fabric of everyday life, reflected in an extraordinary range of time-honoured traditions. Apart from its ancient spiritual framework, India’s vastness also challenges the imagination, being home to one sixth of the world’s population.

Its intoxicatingly rich history can be traced back to at least 2500BC when the first known civilization settled along the Indus River. There was an influx of Mughals in the 1520s from Central Asia, who maintained effective control of the north until the mid-18th century. At the end of that century, as the Mughal Empire declined, the British took control of the whole subcontinent, and India was administered by a single alien power.

The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, but made little progress on independence until Mahatma Gandhi began the policy of non-violent non-cooperation with the British. But the Congress itself was later split on the issue of Hindus and Muslims. The Muslims, under Mohammad Ali Jinnah, claimed a separate homeland and in August 1947 the independent states of India and Pakistan came into being. Since this time, India has been a democratic republic.

Such a rich history has spawned an incredible number of exquisite palaces, temples and monuments. The most frequently visited part of India is the Golden Triangle, comprised of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Meanwhile, the people-packed cities of Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta) have a bustling, colourful charm, while the holy city of Varanasi and the awe-inspiring temples of Tamil Nadu are rewarding places of pilgrimage. For those in search of tropical bliss, there are the palm-fringed beaches of Goa and Kerala. And for fresh air and serenity, India ripples with pristine mountains and hills, from the towering beauty of the mighty Himalayas to a bevy of beautiful pine forests, orchards and babbling streams.

One of the greatest fascinations of India is the startling juxtaposition of old and new; centuries of history rubbing shoulders with the trappings of modern-day living, from slick Internet cafes and fancy fast-food eateries, to swanky bars and chichi boutiques.

Source : www.worldtravelguide.net