This city of illusions proves itself as the weaver of magic and dreams during this time of the year like it never does at any other time. While walking outside on the strip might seem like you are in a time warp with nothing Christmas-y about the city, inside any one of the several hotels the scene is completely different. Artificial these winter wonderlands may be, but a lack of splendor and opulence wouldn’t be its fault. You can enjoy this city whether you plan ahead or make this a last minute trip, though if you are the former kind of tourist you are bound to enjoy much more for a much smaller hit on your pocket. Air tickets rates take a sharp upturn, hotel rates are higher the closer you are to the holiday season when making the booking. That being said, the list of things you can enjoy without paying a dime is pretty long.

Kids’ winter wonderland

Contrary to popular belief, Las Vegas is actually a great place to vacation with kids during Christmas. For one, it is the only place where all shops, all restaurants, everything is open during Christmas. If you can manage a room at Circus Circus then you might not even have to leave the hotel at all during your entire vacation. Such a Christmas playground this hotel turns into! There are beautifully decorated Christmas trees in every hotel, each outshining the other. Also a must is a trip to Henderson, Nevada, a short distance from the glitter of the Las Vegas strip. The Chocolate Wonderland put up every year at the Ethel M chocolate Factory is every kids’ dream come to life. Other than the half a million lights and more that light up the cactus garden, the decorations feature chocolate houses and chocolate sculptures. This is also one of the best places for a tête-à-tête with Santa Claus that is an essential Christmas ritual if you are the size that can fit on Santa’s lap.

For those who are kids only at heart

This city allows for varied romantic possibilities the way no other place can. Witness the fountains at Bellagio dancing to Christmas tunes or step into the Atrium there to see splendid decoration. Drift on a gondola, or hold hands and walk through the streets of Paris! This year is the special opening of the Aria Resort and Casino. The worlds’ greatest shopping experience receives another boost this holiday season with the opening of Crystals at City Center so go ahead and shop till you drop. The Winter Lights festival at the Springs Preserve is also an experience not to be missed. And please book ahead to see at least one of the several special holiday shows.

Prepare to have a wonderful holiday in  Las Vegas. Dress warm and dream big!

Top 5 Popular Las Vegas Hotels on Venere.com

• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
• Travelodge Ambassador Strip Inn
• Best Western Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino
• Hotel Emerald Suites
• Hotel Las Vegas Platinum Suites

Photo of Christmas tree on Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, by Roadsidepictures

Things to see: Christmas Shows and New York Sights

Just walking around the streets of New York during Christmas feels like a walk in a winter wonderland. The window displays at the various department stores turn the average walker into a theater audience. You must catch at least one of the major window displays during your trip. The largest displays are at Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Barneys and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The next on the list of must-see things have to be the Christmas Trees sprinkled all over New York. Of course, first on the Christmas tree tour has to be the one at Rockefeller Center. More than five miles of lights decorate this more than seventy feet tall tree. This year the lighting ceremony will take place on the 2nd of December. Another famous tree is the Origami tree at the American Museum of Natural History, decorated with a different theme each year. The tree is open for viewing from late November. The Chorus Tree at South Street Seaport is often referred to as the singing tree because of the carollers who highten the holiday feel of the city with their performances. Pass by the tree on Friday evenings or around 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays to hear them. Also a two and a half mile stretch between the 97th and the 48th street on Park Avenue comes alive with several Christmas trees making it a wonderful walk or drive.

Don’t want to walk outdoors in the cold? The show continues indoors too. Walk into department stores to see Christmas decorations and that grand old man of Christmas, Santa Claus sitting amidst them. Even if you are not a child yourself or don’t have one accompanying you, the sight of all the children standing in line waiting eagerly to meet Santa is bound to warm the cockles of your heart. And if you are tired of all the free stuff buy a ticket to one of the several Christmas shows like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular or The Nutcracker Ballet or anyone of the several shows. Be advised, however, that the tickets for these do sell out very fast.

New York Hotels near Rockefeller Center: Hotel Omni Berkshire Palace

Things to do in New York at Christmas

A visit to the Rockefeller Ice Skating rink is one of the essentials of a Christmas trip to New York even if you can’t skate yourself. Shopping is fun at anytime but the specialty Christmas markets and fairs make it even more special. The holiday shops at Bryant Park and in Union Square are great places to pick up handmade stuff. And the Grand Central Holiday fair held inside the Grand Central Terminal transforms a simple train ride into a unique Christmas experience. A slightly more expensive to-do is a dinner at one of the specialty restaurants that are open during Christmas, but a reservation is a must at these places.

New York Hotel near Grand Central Terminal: Hotel Dylan

Photo of Rockefeller Plaza at Christmas, New York, NY, by Thomas Hawk

Tracing its history back almost thirteen centuries Bulgaria is one of the few countries in Europe, and probably the world, whose tourism is based more in its villages than its cities. Discovering rural Bulgaria is an incredible experience for any tourist. So unique are the villages here that they seem to exist in some strange timelessness, as if nothing has changed in the last several centuries. People in the lowlands still concentrate on agriculture, and those on the mountains earn their livelihood from raising animals and gathering herbs and fruits.

The hospitality that the locals extend to all tourists is what has made discovering rural Bulgaria so beautiful. Several people open their homes up to serve as guesthouses and bed and breakfast places. While history, culture and warmth are common everywhere in Bulgaria, the villages in every region are different. Even the rural homes look different in different regions. The list of beautiful villages is endless and so here we will concentrate on mostly the mountaintop villages that will take every tourist’s breath away.

Villages in the Balkan Range

Some of the more popular regions in the Balkan range are Bozhentsi, Tryavna, Zheravna, Elena and Koprivshitsa. Bozhentsi is not just a village but also an architectural reserve in the central part of the Balkan Mountains. It is famous for its pre- National Revival Bulgarian architecture that has been very well preserved. UNESCO lists this Bulgarian village as one of its world cultural monuments. To preserve the look of the village, no building that does not fit with the general style of architecture of the village is allowed to be built here. Stone plate roofs, corner fireplaces, wood carved ceilings and verandas are all features of typical Bozhentsi architecture. All streets in this village are lined with cobblestone.

Across a Roman bridge at the east end of the village is a forest path that leads to our next destination—Tryavna. Tryavna is well known for its textile industry. It is home to a hundred and forty museums and cultural monuments. The town square of the village dates back to 1814. The clock tower and the Kivgireniyat bridge are popular tourist attractions. It is in Tryavna that one of the first secular schools of the country was established. The Daskalov house is the more popular of many museums of icon painting and art and wood carving in the region. It houses the famous wood carved suns. Its ceiling is a work of art in its own right made as a result of a bet between two famous wood carvers Ivan Bochukovetsa and Dimitar Oshanetsa. With modern hotels and restaurants Tryavna is the preferred destination for many tourists.

Just twenty kilometers away is Voneshta Voda, a resort known for its mineral springs. Tryavna homes have their own architectural peculiarities. While irregular forms make up the ground floors, wooden bow windows are the marked features of the upper floors. Well cut and neatly arranged rocks cover the roofs. The Central Balkan National Parks has the most vibrant ecosystems in Bulgaria and is accessible from all the villages around. Just north of the Balkans are several monasteries like the Ivanovo Rock Monastery which is under UNESCO protection. Close to Gaborvo is the Etara Architectural-Ethnographic complex which is an open air museum dedicated to Bulgarian customs and craftsmanship.

Villages in the Pirin Mountains

Villages like Melnik and Dobarsko have been declared architectural reserves. Melnik has architecture from the National Revival and the Ottoman periods. One of the more famous wine growing areas of the country, Melnik is home to the famous Melnik wine. At the foot of Pirin Mountain is Bulgaria’s best ski resort, Bansko. But Bansko is not just a ski resort. It is a small town with buildings that date back to 100 BC. Here you can enjoy the annual Bansko Jazz Festival, Just about five kilometers away is the small village of Banya that is famous for its twenty seven thermal mineral springs.

Villages in the Rhodopes Mountains

The birthplace of Orpheus, Rhodopes is also known as the ‘Green Heart of Europe,’ so vast are the old pinewood forests here. Shiroka Laka is a quaint little village with architecturally authentic Rhodopean houses located on both banks of the local river. The houses are all two storey with a small yard that is closed in by thick white walls. All the yards are covered with slab and have a fountain in the middle. Every March, performers perform the Thracian ritual koukeri dance in a festival here. National Revival style architecture dominates the skyline of Dolen. Chepelare is a famous ski resort town on the Rhodopes Mountains. Other scenic villages include Zlatograd, Kovachevitsa and Boukata.

Villages in the Strandzha Mountains

Strandzha mountains has some of the most rare vegetation in the world. Just small treks from the lovely little villages on the mountain can take you to any of these botanically exciting trails. The pagan tradition of fire dancing is performed every June in the southern part of the mountain range. In Brashlyan mountain hiking and nature observation are included in the rural tourism package. Malko Tarnovo which literally means ‘Little Tarnovo’ is a small town just five kilometers from the Turkish border.

Go mountain hopping and discover rural Bulgaria for yourself. It promises to be unforgettable.

Top 3  Rural Holiday Accommodation in Bulgaria:

• Bio-Hotel Moravsko Village – Predela (Bansko)
• Holiday Villa Stresov – Borovets mountain resort (73 km from Sofia)
• Skaviva B&B – Madara (Shumen)

Photo of , Bulgaria, by Boby Dimitrov

Its summers benefit from this geography making them long and warm. As a result it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Switzerland. For all these reasons the rich and famous flock there garnering it the nickname the “Monte Carlo of Switzerland.”

1. Lake Lugano

The centerpiece of the city’s life is the fact that it is located on the edge of the romantic Lake Lugano. The lake is around 50 square kilometers in size so there is plenty of fun to be had doing whatever a water baby’s heart desires. There are many water taxis and boat rental possibilities as well as a great deal of hotels and restaurants to simply pull in and dock at for a long and lazy shore side meal.

2. Monte Brè

If you haven’t guessed, Lugano’s strong appeal is that it’s all about nature and outdoor activities. If the lake’s scenic views weren’t enough Lugano is surrounded by plush mountains. These mountains afford the largest network of mountain bike trails in the country as well as incredible scenic views and amazing hiking opportunities. One of these mountains is actually Switzerland’s sunniest spot. Monte Brè is tiny traditional village with only 300 inhabitants and well worth a visit. While here if artistically inclined you can visit Wilhem Schmidt Museum and see many examples of the famous Swiss Painter’s work.

3. The Alprose Chocolate Museum

If you have a sweet tooth then you’ve come to the right place. The Alprose Chocolate Museum follows the historical development of chocolate from its creation to present day. Of course, the highlight is the Swiss tradition of chocolate making and don’t worry there are plenty of chances to sample as you study!

4. Hermann Hesse Museum

After all the sun, music and chocolate you can handle why not have a bit of culture for dessert. The Hermann Hesse Museum is located just south off Lugano in Montagnola. The Noble Prize winning author lived half his life here, how could he not be inspired.

5. Summer Festivals

There are music festivals running all through the summer. The Lugano Festival is mainly dedicated to classical music and runs during April and May. It features over a dozen concerts with world renowned orchestras and soloist performing. The second part of the Festival focuses on the Argentinian pianist “Progetto Martha Argerich” in June. This where young and old guest musicians of the international music scene come together to play. Estival Jazz arrives in July and is the premiere Jazz event of Southern Switzerland. Everyone from Miles Davis to Dizzy Gillespie have played at this wonderful event. And if Jazz or Classical music isn’t your style, no worries, because the Blues-to-Bop Festival rolls into town in late August and early September turning the city into a bustling frenzy as thousands crowd the streets and piazzas for more free open-air concerts.

All in all Lugano is the ideal balance between northern Europe and the Mediterranean. It’s the perfect Swiss city with a dash of Mediterranean flair.

Top 5 Popular Hotels in Lugano

• Lugano Dante Swiss Quality Hotel – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: CHF 300
• Hotel Walter au Lac – 3-Star Hotel – Room Price: CHF 225
• Hotel Delfino – 3-Star Hotel – Room Price: CHF 225
• Parco Paradiso Suitenhotel – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: CHF 280
• Hotel Federale – 3-Star Hotel – Room Price: CHF 230

Panoramic view of Lugano, Switzerland, by Valser

New York at Halloween is an absolutely transformed place and you can’t help but wonder at all the things you can try out at this time of the year.

Fun Halloween events

New York gives you great options for some spooky fun. Here is a look at what you should check out:

The Village Halloween Parade features some of the most amazing Halloween costumes. You can dress up and take part in the parade or just watch it from any of the surrounding buildings. The parade starts in the evening at 6th Avenue and Spring Street and goes up 6th Avenue to 21st Street.

Halloween isn’t just a time for trick or treating. It’s also the time to explore the eerie parts of this city and the NYC Gotham City Ghost Tour let you do just this. This tour takes you around all the spooky and haunted places in Greenwich Village such as the Washington Square burial ground, the hanging elm, Edgar Allan Poe’s home and so on.

The New City Theatre comes alive every year during Halloween, by playing host to the Annual Halloween Festival and Costume. It’s the place to come for enjoying events such as costume contests, tarot card reading, dancing and much more.

Kids’ fun

Halloween is when kids usually get unusually creative in trying out the spookiest of things. Here are a few places that are bound to be a scary treat:

Visit St. John the Divine on Halloween morning to enjoy a reading of the Night of the Gargoyles and then move on to various workshop activities like making paper masks, gargoyles and much more. The American Museum of Natural History is just right for people who want to celebrate Halloween with their families. Everyone gets to have a great time participating in time honored Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and much more with many other families. And as the saying goes, the more, the merrier!

Costume couture

If you want to enjoy the best of the macabre fare in New York, you will definitely need a look that befits the occasion. There are many many many places to choose from. One interesting place is New York Costumes. This place has a wide selection of costumes and you can find movie-theme costumes, scary costumes, fun costumes and much more here for your costume ball. I also found the Abracadabra Superstore to be really impressive as it offers not only really flamboyant costumes, but also a wide range of accessories to enhance your preferred look. Those who are looking for a good costume rental store should try out Creative Costume. This store provides some of the best rental costumes and you will find their rates to be really reasonable.

This is just a bare bones guide. After all, we’re talking about New York! So get out there and discover the hair-raising magic of Halloween in NYC!

Photo of Jack ‘o lanterns in New York by Angela Rutherford

It’s a sure thing that you will be spoilt for choice! Where better to celebrate the outlandish and macabre than in one of the fun-est locales in the world? Here are some options I thought look interesting.

Hallowing Shopping

If you are seriously thinking of looking the part this year, here’s where to head to:

The Piedmont Boutique’s in-house creations will make it so easy for you to create a look that’s both lively and rare. If tramping around to innumerable stores, for Halloween costume, decorations and party essentials is not your thing, the One Stop Party Shop has all of it under one roof. If like me, you are always looking for a great deal at rock bottom prices, Thrift Town has costumes for less than $10. If you’d like to raise the bar a notch, add some professionally done make-up this year. Kryolan in SOMA will give you 20% off on its Fun Faze line. Kryolan is also taking Halloween makeup appointments for Oct 30 and 31st. So happy shopping!

Kids’ fun

If the young ‘uns are bored with tricking and treating and would rather skip it this year, here are some places that promise a great time:

The USS Hornet Museum in Alameda has a Monster Bash, which is sure to be a great hit for the more nautical minded youngster. The Yerba Buena Children’s Gardens has the annual costume walk for kids under 10. Parents are allowed too! Got an intellectual tyke? The Exploratorium’s annual Halloween extravaganza will teach junior about all the creepy creatures that make Halloween so fascinating. There’s also a chance to explore a haunted Victorian!

For the older ‘kids’

Halloween is one of San Francisco’s favorite holidays. So the party hotspots are not hard to find. Here are some I would check out:

The Halloween party with Buzzin’ Fly founder Ben Watt at 103 Harriet will definitely be time well spent. Mighty is celebrating Halloween with HALLONASTY. The event promises some nasty DJing and an open vodka Red Bull bar from 9pm-10pm. Not to be missed is the Ghoulish Gala at the Legion of Honor. Open bars, delicious food and a 2500-year-old Egyptian mummy who loves to party…such fun! Then there’s the SF Halloween Ball at City Hall which is advertised as the ‘largest upscale Halloween Costume Party in San Francisco.’ You would not want to miss that. The Haunted Ball finds Ana Mandara turned into a haunted mansion that has music by DONOVAN and a $1000 cash prize for the best costume. But hurry, because tickets always sell out early!

This is just a very select listing of the fun to be had. So use this as a start to plan your own festivities and Happy Halloween to all!!

Haunted Hotels in San Francisco

• Hotel Queen Anne – 3-star hotel  in Pacific Heights, San Francisco.
• Hotel Union Square – 3-star hotel close to Union Square, San Francisco.

Photo of Halloween pumpkins by KayVee.INC

The River Reuss divides this gorgeous city that is also nestled between the picturesque Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi in the Swiss Alps.

1. The Old Quarter

Lucerne’s Old Quarter is located to the north of the Reuss River. This part of the city is comprised of four main squares: Mühlenplatz, Weinmarkt, Hirschenplatz and Kornmarkt. These areas are full of beautiful old cobbled streets which lead you past cascading fountains and colorful medieval architecture.

2. The Picasso Gallery

The Picasso Gallery is located in Am Rhyn-Haus at Furrengasse 21. This is just a short stroll away from Kornmarkt and well worth a visit. The Gallery has four floors worth of Picasso paintings, sketches and photographs. Some of the highlights include La Coiffure (1954) and the very beautiful Femme et Chien Jouant (1953). The top floors are dedicated to an impressive collection of over 200 hundred intimate pictures of the artist that will give any Picasso fan a rare and personal insight into a brilliant life.

3. Richard Wagner Museum

The Richard Wagner Museum also happens to be the composer’s one time home, a charming country manor located just outside of Lucerne in Tribschen. The Museum is easily accessible by bus, train or even by boat as the home is located right on the shores of the lake. The Museum houses an exhibition that explores the life of the famous composer, as well as an impressive collection of historic musical instruments.

4. Mount Pilatus

If you are an outdoors person at heart and nature is your passion then Mount Pilatus is definitely for you. The mountain’s name may sound familiar to you; local legend has it that Pontius Pilate is buried here! If you want to make the most of this mountain adventure you must travel on the Pilatus Railway all the way to the summit, which also happens to be the highest rack railway in the world. The famous Golden Round Trip is another great way to see the mountain and should be added to your itinerary if you have the time to spare. The trip starts by boat, continues on the Pilatus Railway, back down the mountain on a cable car and back to Lucerne on a bus. But once you reach the top you might not want to leave! The mountain has loads of hiking trails to choose from and very good restaurants for the hungry walker to rest at and enjoy a hearty meal. The mountain also has the longest summer sledge run for all those kids at heart. All in all, it is a great family day out.

5. Carnival (Fasnacht)

The Carnival in Lucerne has a habit of taking over the town for much of the week leading up to Ash Wednesday and if you happen to be in town around this time then you should check it out. The Carnival is best known for its Guggemuusige which are famous for playing their instruments out of tune while heavily costumed, as well as playing jokes and mingling with the onlookers. The day’s merriment spills happily over into the evening’s masked balls where huge crowds gather to dance and drink the night away.

Top 5 Popular Lucerne Hotels on Venere.com:

• Hotel des Balances – 4-star Hotel – Double from €218
• Hotel Balm Meggen – 3-star Hotel – Double Room from €116
• Waldstätterhof Swiss Quality Hotel – 3-star Hotel – Double from €171
• Akzent Hotel Baslertor – 3-star Hotel – Double from €152
• Hotel Pension Rösli – Double Room from €69.5

Photo of Kapellbrücke bridge in Lucerne Switzerland, by PixelPlacebo

But that is where the confusion ends! Oslo has much to offer to any traveler willing to brave one of Europe’s most northern countries.

1. The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is the official home of the King and Queen of Norway and is one of the most famous buildings in Norway. The Palace is open to the public every summer and guided tours happen every 20 minutes and last about an hour. The Royal Palace was completely refurbished in 1999 and the tour takes in many of the most impressive rooms in the Palace, including the Council Chamber, the distinctive Bird Room and the splendid Great Hall (also known as the Ballroom).

2. The Ibsen Museum

The Ibsen Museum is located close to the Royal Palace and is worth popping into if you are at a loose end after your Palace tour. The Museum is the last home of the famous playwright Henrik Johan Ibsen, who is widely regarded as the “father of Modern Drama.” The Museum is divided into two major parts, one featuring Ibsen’s life and works and the other featuring a very authentic recreation of the playwright’s living quarters.

3. Vigeland Sculpture Park

The Vigeland Sculpture Park is located just outside the city centre in Frogner Park and is the home of 212 bronze and granite sculptures. The famous Norwegian sculptor, Gustav Vigeland created all of the works featured in the park and the remarkable contribution came about after Vigeland promised to donate all his artworks to the city in exchange for a studio. The most famous sculpture is The Monolith and is well worth a look. The Children’s Playground, the Bridge and the Main Gate are just some of the other sculptures that are worth seeing if you are in the neighborhood.

4. The Viking Ship Museum

The Viking Ship Museum is part of the Museum of Cultural History. The Museum houses the chief prehistoric and medieval archaeological collections in Norway including the Classical Antiquities Collection, the Ethnographic Collection and the wonderful Egyptian Mummies Collection. However, the most popular collection by far is the Viking Ship Museum. You can wander through the Museum and view the magnificent Oseberg Ship, the focal point of the Museum. It is recommended that you visit the public gallery that is located above the Oseberg Ship for a unique vantage point.

5. The Adventure Parxs Theme Park

The Adventure Parxs is located only 10 minutes from Oslo city centre. It is a fun day out for anyone who wants to experience a very different kind of city break. The Adventure Parxs offers events as diverse as camping to paintball. It is becoming quite popular with stag parties and the Park promises any daring adventurer a very enjoyable break from the usual holiday fare.

Top 5 Popular Oslo Hotels on Venere.com:

• Best Western Anker Hotel – 3-star Hotel – Double from €87
• Best Western Bondeheimen Hotel – 3-star Hotel – Double from €111
• Clarion Hotel Oslo Airport – 4-star Hotel – Double Room  €152
• Clarion Hotel Christiania – 4-star Hotel – Double Room €222
• Anker Hostel – Double Room from €63

The city is located on one of the longest rivers in Europe, the River Rhine and is a mix of old and new with baroque buildings blending in seamlessly with some of the best shopping streets in Germany.

1. The Altstadt

What would Germany be without its beer? The Altstadt (Düsseldorf Old Town) is more renowned for its 300 plus discos and bars than it is for typical old world sightseeing. The Altstadt is often referred to as “the longest bar in the world” in reference to the many bars crammed into a relatively small borough. The Altstadt is worth a trip and if bar hopping isn’t your thing then you will be pleased to read that there are other attractions in the area like the Basilica St. Lambertus and the old City Hall (Rathaus).

2. Shopping on Königsallee

Königsallee or Kö as it is known locally is a beautiful and exclusive part of the city. A canal divides the picturesque boulevard and leafy trees grow on either side of the waterway. Königsallee also has a plentiful supply of shops and huge department stores on either side of the canal. The shopping malls that are worth checking out include the KÖ-Galerie (with over 130 shops under its roof) and Sevens (famous for its glass roof). And it doesn’t end there! The shopping spills out onto the nearby Schadowstraße and into the Altstadt district. However, if your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Gucci and Chanel then don’t despair. There are plenty of great little pavement cafés where you can stop and just watch the world go by.

3. Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen

This international museum is actually two different establishments, the K20 Kunstsammlung and the K21 Kunstsammlung. More than just catchy names, they are both famous and world renowned for their exceptional collections of modern international art. The K20 is located at 5 Grabbeplatz and houses art of the 20th century. It has a very impressive collection of works by Paul Klee and some individual pieces by Picasso and Beuys. The K21 features international art from 1980 onwards and is located at 1 Ständehausstraße. The very chic K21 bar is also well worth a visit after a long day at the museum.

4. Deutsche Oper am Rhein

The famous opera company, Deutsche Oper am Rhein are based in Düsseldorf. The company performs in the Opernhaus Düsseldorf and is celebrated as a Classical Ballet and opera company. Operas for children are organized from time to time so it worth checking out their schedule before you travel to see if there is something on that grabs you.

5. Boat Tour on the Rhein

A great way to see Düsseldorf is by boat. Tours are frequent and usually last about an hour. Prices are very reasonable and for just a little more you can double your drift time to two hours. You will be cruised up and down the river, from Burgplatz where you will see what remains of a baroque palace, along the banks of the Altstadt and all the way down to the very modern Medienhafen harbour where world famous architects have created spectacular buildings.

Top-rated Düsseldorf Hotels on Venere.com:

• Hotel Golden Tulip – 4-star hotel in Düsseldorf Erkrath – Double from €59
• Hotel Arosa – 3-star hotel in Düsseldorf Kassel – Double from €109
• Hotel am Volskgarten – 3-star hotel near Düsseldorf train station – Double from e125

Picture of Medienhafen, Düsseldorf, Germany by Filippo.Salamone

Often referred to as ‘downtown Switzerland’ Zurich offers both the pristine landscape that Switzerland is known for and the regular hustle bustle of city life. Rolling green mountains come down to high class shops and bargain markets. Cobbled streets look up at skies bluer than any blue your eyes have seen before. However, for a first time tourist, here is a list of the top five reasons to go to Zurich.

3. Zurich Churches

The twin towers of Grossmünster rise above the smaller, quainter buildings of the city making it the most visible landmark of Zurich. The building, dating back to the twelfth century, sits near the river Limmat. Legend says that Charlemagne had this church built as a choristers’ cloister where he found the graves of Felix and Regula, the martyrs of the city. Huldrych Zwingli, the priest at Grossmünster until 1519 started the Swiss-German reformation from here. Perhaps for this reason, unlike its brethren churches in Europe, the Grossmünster is comparatively austere in décor. Don’t miss the Romanesque crypt, the Reformation museum in the cloister, the Bronze Doors by Munch and the choir window by Giacometti.

Directly across Limmat river stands Fraumünster. Fraumünster was founded by King Louis the German in 853. However, the present structure is from the thirteenth century. The tall slim steeple of the church is visible from far. To mark the founding of the church Paul Bodmer painted a series of frescoes in the cloister. Today Fraumünster is best known for its latest addition ─ the five large stained glass choir windows by Mark Chagall. Red is the Prophets window, Blue the Jacob window, Green is the Christ window, Yellow the Zion window and Blue is the Law window.

St. Peterskirche has a different claim to fame. Its clock face, with a diameter of almost nine meters, is the largest of any other church in Europe. It is Zurich’s oldest parish church. The mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles makes for lovely architecture.

2. Zurich Museums

Zurich has no less than forty five museums! Ever been to a museum that feels like a fairy castle. That is the Swiss National Museum. It is a sprawling museum dedicated to Swiss cultural history. It claims to cover all ages from the pre-historic times to the present. Especially worth viewing are the ancient wheels which were discovered in Zurich, probably the oldest such wheels discovered anywhere. Artifacts from the golden period of chivalry and carved wooden altars and statues make up the Middle Ages exhibit. There is also an impressive collection of Swiss-made arms like old crossbows and swords. The beautiful grounds are the ideal backdrop for several events and exhibitions. During winter they put a skating rink and Christmas trees creating a world truly out of some little girl’s fairy tales book.

Kunsthaus Zurich is the Museum for Modern Art in Zurich. In the official website of the Museum, its director Christoph Becker points to how they have paid special attention to achieving the optimum lighting for each painting that shows the work off at its best. And the results are so great that a visitor does not even notice the effort, only the brilliance of the painting. The museum features some of the best works of the 19th and 20th century art. Rodin, Picasso, Chagall, Monet are all prominent displays. A special place has been given to Alberto Giacometti who was a native Swiss.

Museum Rietberg is dedicated to art from countries outside Europe. There are collections of paintings and graphic art from India, China, Japan, Tibet, Africa and the rest of South East Asia.

The Zurich Toy Museum has on display toys from all over Europe beginning from the eighteenth century to the early twentieth century. In this display you can almost see life in Europe thrugh the two and a half centuries, albeit in miniature. There is everything from doll houses, dolls, trains and steam engines.

3. Zurich Gardens

In a country that can so easily be called a garden on earth can there be any dearth of gardens?

The Botanical Garden houses more than fifteen thousand varieties of plants from all over the world belonging to all different climates. It is affiliated to the University of Zurich.

The Zoological Garden is home to almost 260 species of animals. While most of the landscape is kept as natural as possible there is a very special space within the zoo. Want to experience Madagascar in Switzerland? There is the tropical rain forest hall completely authentic in temperature, plant life and animal life.

4. Zurich Streets and views

To view the city inside out, walk the streets or stand further away to create proper perspective. The cobbled streets of Old Town with all its quaint shops and restaurants seem to be out of another era. Bahnhofstrasse is probably the worlds’ richest street with big banks, expensive boutiques, and high end restaurants. Lake Zurich offers numerous boat rides that start from Burkliplatz and from Uetilberg you can catch a birds’ eye view of the city.

5. Zurich Food

In the home of cheese and chocolate can food not be one of the five reasons to go to Zurich? In terms of stars awarded to restaurants per capita the 2005 the Michelin Guide rates Switzerland second in the world. Eat at the restaurants, go chocolate tasting at the Lindt factory, eat dessert at the several Sprungli stores and remember life doesn’t get any better.

Popular Zurich Hotels on Venere.com:

• Swiss Quality Hotel Ambassador
• Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
• Helmhaus Swiss Quality Hotel

Photo of sky and house in Zurich Old Town by Swisscan

Its forests and reserves are home to some of the rarest plants, flowers and animals in the world. With dense woodlands, like the Laurissilva Forest, on the one hand and the rocky, arid environment of the Ponta de São Lourenço or the Desertas Islands on the other, this archipelago has a uniquely diverse bio-cultural heritage.

The Levadas or irrigation channels that were started with the earliest occupation of the island are Madeira’s greatest tourist attraction. A vast network of more than thirteen hundred miles of channels with about twenty five miles of the network being tunnels, they bring water and electricity to all the people of the island. Along these snaking channels are also some of the most beautiful walking trails. Together, the natural sites and the manmade Levadas, provide the lover of hikes and trails with the best walking holidays in Madeira.

• Vereda do Areeiro

The Vereda do Areeiro trail links the two highest peak of the island. Starting at Pico de Areeiro and crossing the Central Mountain Massif to reach the Pico Ruivo, a hiker would have to negotiate some steep and comparatively difficult areas of climb. This is the only known place in the world where the Zino’s petrel breeds. More typical Macaronesian islands birds, like the Madeira Rock Sparrow and the Firecrest can also be seen here. A high-altitude heath, the trail is also home to several plants that are native to the Madeira Islands such as the Rock Orchid and the Madeira Violet. Closer to the end of the trail at Pico Ruivo is the natural basal rock formation known as the Standing Man.

• Levadas das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco

Levadas das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco are parallel trails, though at different levels. Both offer a spectacular water views. Levada do Risco, at thousand meters above sea level, is a challenging hike. It reveals a magnificent waterfall which creates a ridge in the rock as it falls horizontally. Levadas das 25 Fontes is the lower trail. It ends at a lagoon that seems to appear magically from behind a rock wall. The upper trail has mostly moorland vegetation including Madeiran Whortleberry while lower down is the much rarer Mountain Mocano. This trail is also the nesting place of the Trocaz pigeon, exclusive to the Madeira Island.

• Levada dos Cedros

Levada dos Cedros is an easier trail and originates on the only plateau in Madeira. It crosses a small volcanic hollow of Fanal which has been deemed an Area of Rest and Peace. Passing through the primitive Laurissilva Forest, this trail encounters several endemic trees in their full splendor.

Madeira celebrates its gorgeous trails climbing up the mountains and going down to the sea with the Madeira Walking Festival. Waterfalls and lakes that seem to appear out of no where, exotic plants and flowers that gather around the channels, and rare avian and marine life make a walking holiday in Madeira an unforgettable experience.

Where to stay in Madeira

• Hotel Estalagem do Vale, São Vicente
• Bed and Breakfast Os Manos, Santana
• Hotel Moniz Sol, Porto Moniz

Photo of Pico Ruivo mountain trail in Madeira, Portugal, by Watz

The city’s name has become all the more famous recently ever since the football team FC Barcelona won the Champion’s League trophy in May 2009 defeating the very highly regarded Manchester United.

1. FC Barcelona

Did you know that the player to whom the fans gave all the credit for the win was Lionel Messi and he is from Argentina?

The nickname of the team is” blaugrana’, based on the blue and maroon colors that the football team wears for all its games. The same colors are worn by all the teams that represent FC Barcelona in other games like basketball, handball and hockey.

2. Traffic in Barcelona.

Drivers in Barcelona are considered among the worst in the world, with accidents occurring in the city every nineteen seconds! This can go up to ten accidents every second on weekends, which makes it safer to walk than to drive.

A majority of Barcelonans therefore prefer to be pedestrians and at any given time most roads are thronged with people on foot. Barcelona is said to have large portions of the city devoted exclusively to pedestrians, the total area of 130 hectares which is equivalent to about 260 football fields. So if you are in Barcelona you might want to start loving to walk!

3. Gaudi

Antoni Gaudi is considered one of the great architects who vastly influenced buildings in the city. His La Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic Church was begun in 1882 and is still under construction many years after his death.

He chose to take the donkey of a woman selling sand as a model for the main entrance to this church.

4. Beaches in Barcelona

The sea side in Barcelona was completely run over by industries and there existed no beach for the use of the city’s populace. This was changed in 1992 when the city was chosen to host the Olympic Games. The authorities shifted the industries and converted the sea side area into one for leisure, with lots of hotels, restaurants, bars and of course, new beaches!

5. The founding of Barcelona

There is a dispute about the founding of Barcelona. There is one camp which claims that Hercules founded the city about 400 years before the building of Rome. The other side believes that Barcelona was built by Hamilcar Barca, the father of Hannibal. The name Barcelona comes from the Barca family of Carthage who ruled the area in the 3rd century before Christ.

6. St Georges Day

Saint Georges Day is the national feast day in the region and on this day it is a tradition to present your near and dear ones with roses and books. This was the inspiration for the UNESCO to declare April 23rd as the International Day of Books.

7. Barcelona’s Ramblas

Las Ramblas is a 2 kilometer long boulevard where it is customary to walk and take in the sights of the street artists, enjoy a cup of coffee or buy flowers. This street is busy throughout the day and night and is a famous meeting point for tourists.

8. The Barri Gotic

The Barri Gotic is the centre of old Barcelona and some of the buildings go back even to the Roman era. Medieval architecture is quite common here and the attraction of these buildings brings in over a million tourists to Barcelona every week.

9. The Most Walked Street in Spain

Walk down the Portal de l’Àngel if you want to walk down the most walked down street in Spain and you will be one among approximately 3500 others who throng the street every hour!

So that is a quick glimpse at breathtaking Barcelona. Definitely worth visiting and discovering even more secrets for yourself!

Top rated hotels in Barcelona Ramblas area:

• Royal Ramblas Hotel
• Hotel Silken Ramblas
• Hotel Ramblas Barcelona

Photo of FC Barcelona jersey by Pietroizzo

It is located on the river Manzanares, which winds its way through the center of the country. If you are considering Spain and Madrid in particular, as a holiday destination, here are a few interesting facts that will make it a whole lot easier to make up your mind.

1. Magerit

Madrid gets its name from the Arabic “magerit” which means ‘place of many streams.’

2. Madrid’s official symbol

Madrid’s official symbol is a bear rearing up on its hind legs and feasting on berries from the madroño tree. The symbol is a metaphor for Madrid’s growth and represents the possession and importance of wood which is essential to build a country.

3. Madrid Aquasur

For the water babies out there, Madrid has an amazing open-air pool, the Aquasur, with five giant slides and summertime will find youngsters thronging here!

Hotel near Aquasur: Hotel Egidio Las Provincias, Fuenlabrada.

4. Madrid’s Bullfighting Museum

If non-aquatic sports are more your thing, the Bullfighting Museum (Museo Taurino) is a great place to get an insight into the sport – its history and changing trends in dressing style. Something that very few people know is that, among its many exhibits, it also has on display the costume worn by Manolete who was gored to death at a young age in Linares’ bullring.

5. Real Madrid

Ever wondered which is the world’s most successful football club of the 20th century? Well, according to FIFA it is Real Madrid FC. Their stadium is called Bernabéu, and it is in Chamartín, in the North of Madrid. No worries about finding a place to sit, this stadium can hold 85,000 spectators.

Hotel near Santiago Barnabeu stadium: Hotel Rafael Orense, Madrid.

6. Warner Brothers Movie World

If you have a sudden longing to visit Disney Land while in Spain, the Warner Brothers Movie World at Madrid comes pretty close. It is open for six months in summer and has five themed parts – Old West Territory, Hollywood, DC Super Heroes, Cartoon Village, and Warner Bros. Studios.

Hotel near Warner Bros Movie World: Hotel Sercotel Pincesa de Eboli, Pinto.

7.  Madrid Tapas

For the foodies among us, Madrid’s tapas are a must-try. There is some interesting history attached to them, dating back to the 13th century. Stagecoach drivers would stop off at a tavern to take a break with a glass of wine after completing another long and often dangerous leg of their journey. After many such stops, they would get so drunk and eventually become such a menace to other travelers, that the government actually passed a law forcing them to eat something along with their drink. This snack would usually be a piece of bread and ham placed on top of their glass. These tapas (tops or lids) have now evolved into a delicious edible tradition that can be enjoyed even now.

Of the extraordinary variety available, two of the most popular tapas are boquerones en vinagre (marinated anchovies) and empanada (pastry filled with tuna and tomato), which is definitely a winner. If you cannot stomach that much food you can split raciones (larger versions of tapas) which usually consist of chorizo (sausage), jamón serrano (cured ham), tortilla de patata (potato omelette), and champiñones con ajos y jamón (mushrooms with garlic and ham), among a group of your friends.

8. Madrid Restaurants

A relaxed approach to life and work then, is just an extension of such refined culinary traditions. Spaniards and especially the good citizens of Madrid are quite happy not being limited by the rigid timetables followed so religiously in other cultures. So don’t be too surprised if you walk into a restaurant at 3 in the afternoon, expecting to find it empty, and find a cheery local family settling down to a three-course lunch complete with wine and coffee!

9. Madrid Taxis

Getting around Madrid by taxi is quite an interesting experience. Downtown Madrid has them aplenty, as long as the sun is shining. But if you are trying to get a taxi in a downpour, you may not succeed easily. Madrid’s taxicab drivers apparently have no great faith in their vehicles ability to protect from the rain and therefore will promptly vanish from the streets!

So many reasons to head off to Madrid, come summer. I’m quite sure you will not be happy with just one visit!

Photo of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, by Kozumel

The island lies at almost the exact same distance between Barcelona on the Spanish mainland, and Algiers on the North African coast. It’s certainly not for any insignificant reason that Ibiza has become one of the worlds most sought after tourist destinations. It is a land primarily made up of exquisite beaches, green expanses and of course an abundance of sunshine. In recent times there has been some concern about the environmental effects of the tourist-friendliness of the island. But Ibiza is still a great vacation spot to get away from it all. Here are some factual tidbits to whet your interest.

1. An intriguing name

If you have ever wondered about the name of this place and found it intriguing, here’s something to make it more so. When Ibiza city was founded, in 654 BC, it was called IBSM (Ibosim). How’s that for exotic?

2. Santa Eulalia and San Carlos

Ibiza has many municipalities and each of these is a charming world unto itself. To experience the true magic and energy of Ibiza, you will need to break away from the well trodden tourist paths and embark on discoveries for yourself. One enchanting discovery will be Santa Eulalia, which has a lovely miniature town, and at its highest point stands the Puig de Missa, a beautiful church. This is a must-see both for the building’s own charm and the amazing views from it. Another secret that Santa Eulalia holds is the village of San Carlos, the last hippy bastion in Ibiza .

3. Local Specialties

Since Ibiza caters so much to tourists from far flung parts of the world, its cuisine too reflects this quality. Western style food is available everywhere, but if you suddenly want a taste of even Argentina or Mexico, you just need to head over to eat outs such as La Vaca Argentina or Tijuana and fill up to your heart’s desire. However, having said all that, it would be a great loss to leave Ibiza without trying out one of the island’s own specialty dishes such as the bullit de peix, an inspired fish dish, or the borrida de rajada. And for dessert, you simply must try the flaó (cream tart with fresh cheese, eggs, and mint). You’ll be glad you did!

4. Festa del Vi Payés

A wonderful event that features both on the culinary and social calendars of Ibiza is the Festa del Vi Payés in honor of Bacchus, the god of wine. What’s even better is that, in addition to the excellent wines that flow generously, sobrasadas (a heavily spiced sausage) and butifarras from the pig slaughter that just precedes this festival are grilled outdoors over wood fires. A perfect accompaniment for the wines. The Festa del Vi Payés (Country Wine Festival) was the brainchild of the enterprising small scale wine producers of the region who realized that bottled wine was beginning to take over the market, leaving little or no room for authentic indigenous wines. Over time, their efforts have paid off not only with increased sales of local wines, but also with the creation of a social event which attracts over five thousand people, to a village with a population numbering less than 400. You tell me if you would like to miss that!

5. Ibiza Nightlife

The greatest attraction of Ibiza is the nightlife and the fact that on the island the party never stops! The nightlife hotspots are concentrated in the Puerto de Ibiza (Port of Ibiza), also called La Marina and the West End of San Antonio. La Marina is chock full of bars and each of them is well worth a visit. A good place to refine your bar hopping skills. They are also a lot more inexpensive than the clubs. The hippie flea market which is just a little way off adds to the very local charm of this place. If you’d like to shake a leg at a disco, the island’s three premier haunts, Privilege, Amnesia and Space will not disappoint. So when you hear Ibiza calling, pack your bags and go! The island will bewitch your senses and weave its spell around you. It promises to be the holiday of a lifetime. Photo of Sunset at Cafe del Mar, San Antnio, Ibiza, by ST33VO

1. A city of many names

San Francisco was originally called Yearba Buena, a Spanish name meaning “good herb” or “good grass.” “Baghdad by the Bay” coined by columnist Herb Caen, and “The City that Knows How” are among the common nicknames of the city.

2. The city of billionaires

Did you know that San Francisco is one of the richest cities in the world? It ranks fourth in the world, after New York, Moscow and London, in terms of the numbers of billionaires that call it home. This is despite the fact that it has less than 10% of the population of the other three cities. San Francisco is also known for having the largest Chinese community in the world, outside of China.

3. The bridge that is too long to paint

An important tourist spot in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. Established in 1937, it is the world’s second longest single span. It links San Francisco with Marin County and the Redwood Empire. The Golden Gate Bridge is continuously painted and repainted all the time, because the bridge is so long that by the time the paint crew gets from one end to the other, it’s time to start over again.

4. More facts you never thought you didn’t know

Muir Woods, an unspoiled and remarkably scenic stand of giant redwoods, is located just across the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco is the birthplace of many things that are our today. The Chinese Fortune Cookie was invented at the Japanese Tea Garden by Makato Hagiwara. Chop Suey was created in 1878 during a banquet. Denim Jeans were also invented in San Francisco. It was primarily for the use of the Gold Rush miners because they needed rough clothes that were comfortable at the same time.

5. Where there is a coffee shop for everyone

San Francisco is known for its coffee shops, of which there are over three hundred within its boundaries. It is here that the famous Irish coffee was invented. Caffe Trieste is the first coffee shop in San Francisco that was established in 1956. It is said that large portions of the famous The Godfather Trilogy script was written here by Francis Ford Coppola.

6. Of crooked streets and notorious places

Lombard Street is not the crookedest street, as is popularly thought to be. It is Vermont Avenue. The notorious Alcatraz federal prison island is located in San Francisco Bay, where Al Capone spent five years. It was closed in 1963.

7. The eccentric mayor who liked to bathe

The Sutro Baths is an extravagant public bathhouse built by the eccentric former mayor, Adolph Sutro, who is also known for building the Cliff House. The Sutro Baths is located at Ocean Beach where a massive crowd of 7000 people gathered on the occasion of its official opening.

8. Motels, star treks and plagiarizing poets

The Motel Inn on Monterey Street is the first motel in existence. It opened up in 1925 in San Luis Obispo. The name Monterey Jack Cheese is a tribute to David Jacks, who spent much of his adult life trying to sell his cheese.

Did you know that the Star Fleet Headquarters in Star Trek is located just north of San Francisco? The computer mouse was invented in Silicon Valley and the picture of a rolling hill against a blue sky which is the default wallpaper in Windows XP was shot in the Napa Valley.

Those were just a few of the many charms and secrets that San Francisco has to offer the discerning traveler.

Photo of the Golden Gate, San Francisco, CA by Julie, Dave & Family

So if you are looking for a fun filled few days head to the state of Nevada and Las Vegas in particular. You will not regret it. But remember to take a pocketful of dollars before you go there.

1. Paul Anka

Casinos in Las Vegas will allow you entry only if you are over 21 years old. So if you are one of those persons that look much younger than their real age, better carry some ID or you may be shown the door. Did you know that when Paul Anka the famous singer first performed at Las Vegas, he was below the legal age? Wonder how they smuggled him in!

2. The Flamingo

Benjamin Siegel well known as Bugsy Siegel, the mobster, was largely responsible for setting up Las Vegas as a gambling paradise. His venture into the hotel business however was a disaster and he spent lavishly on furnishing the almost 100 bed hotel which he named the Flamingo, inspired by the long legs on his girlfriend who was a showgirl.

3. Shrimp cocktails

Over 60000 pounds of shrimps are consumed in Las Vegas every day, almost as much as in the whole United States. They are eaten mainly as hors d’oeuvres in the form of shrimp cocktail. Probably it is the high price of these that keeps gamblers asking for them and hence the huge consumption.

4. Shooting your neighbor’s dog

If your neighbor’s dog is keeping you awake at night and annoys you no end, you better not shoot him if he is in his own yard, and you are living in Las Vegas. (Wait till he comes out before you take your revenge.) This precaution is necessary, because in that state, your neighbor can legally hang you if you have made the mistake of shooting the dog when he is in his owner’s yard. So better buy those ear muffs, or change your house. You will escape the temptation of shooting the dog and risking your own life.

5. Get married in Las Vegas

At least 150 couples each day make their way to Las Vegas so that they can get married. All that you need is to be over 16 years old, have valid identification and a SSN (Social Security Number). Then there are the fifty dollar fees for the license and finding a wedding chapel. Most of these work round the clock. And the nearby city of Reno will give you an equally quick divorce if things do not work out in the first place.

6. Howard Hughes

Do you know how Howard Hughes bought his first hotel in Las Vegas? He went to stay at the Desert Inn in 1966 and stayed on for two years, before his eccentricities and demands became too much for the management who then asked him to leave. He retaliated by buying the hotel and continued to stay there.

7. Quirky laws

If you are in Las Vegas, you are not allowed to buy drinks for more than three persons besides yourself at any one given time. So if you are in a large group, spread out the job of ordering drinks or you may find yourself being denied the company of more than three of your friends at a time.

8. The biggest neon sign

The world’s biggest mechanical neon sign is that of the cowboy in Las Vegas. They say it is so big that it can be seen from outer space. That is something that I cannot vouch for having never gone out in to space. But when you drive in to Las Vegas in the night you can see it from miles and miles away and it remains such a fixture in the night sky that you wonder whether you are ever going to reach Las Vegas.

So that is Las Vegas. Make note of these points and enjoy finding your way around when you get there. Place your bets, eat those shrimp cocktails or get married! It can be a whole load of fun. And maybe you will also come home much richer.

Photo of  “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” neon by biskuit

This UNESCO World Natural Heritage location has everything from the ocean to waterfalls and mountain springs, from golden sand beaches to black sand and pebble beaches, from the densest of forests to the most arid landscape, and mountains to volcanic hollows and sea shore. Home to several rare flora and fauna species, Madeira is one of the most sought after eco-tourism destinations. While walking and hiking are generally more popular ways of exploring the region, giving the tourist ample opportunity to pause and see Mother Nature up close, there is much for the more adventurous too. Madeira’s thrill rides via helicopter, cable car, toboggan and hot air balloon are great ways of catching breathtaking views of this island paradise.

Madeira Helicopter Tours

Every tourist agency in Madeira offers a helicopter ride. It is probably the best way to catch a bird’s eye view of this region. Viewed at their actual scale, the magnificence of the rocky terrain often descending steeply to the coast becomes more evident. A helicopter ride over Funchal, Madeira’s capital city is a great way to see the fabulous port of Funchal. The merging of the blue of the ocean and the green of the mountains is best seen from a helicopter. This helicopter tour also reveals the evolution of Madeiran architecture in the city. Other tours include a flight to the Porto Santo Island and either a semi or complete island tour.

Funchal Cable Car

The steam engine puffing its way up from Funchal has disappeared. In its place is the most modern of cable cars that allow a tourist to glide over this extraordinary island, just high enough to feel like flying and yet low enough that the abundant nature below seems within touching distance. This fifteen minute ride starts at the Almirante Reis Park and ends at the Monte Station near Monte Palace Tropical Garden. As the cable car moves the scenery changes from the urban landscape of the Old Town and the seaside city to the green vegetation of the mountain side with the azure ocean in the background.

Funchal Toboggan  Ride

If the slow ride up the mountain is nice and all, but not your style, why not try the Toboggan ride down from Monte to Funchal. Reaching speeds of almost fifty kilometers per hour, the journey in a wicker sledge is safe but heart pounding. Narrow winding streets whiz past as this ten minute ride comes to its end in the capital city.

Hot Air Ballooning in Madeira

Rise up to a hundred and fifty meters and be suspended above the most beautiful landscape possible in a slow moving hot air balloon for another panoramic view of the bay, the city and the surrounding mountains.

Whether high up in the air or midway between land and sky or kissing the ground at breakneck speed Madeira’s thrill rides via helicopter, cable car, toboggan and hot air balloon will make every tourist’s trip here unforgettable.

Rising from the ocean crust in the Jurassic period these volcanic islands rose to the surface over the next many eras. The seven major islands together are a part of the Macaronesia eco-region so while vacationing in the Canary Islands; you can view some of the most unique geo-biography anywhere in the world.

From the thrill of watching exotic birds and plants to experiencing a, very rare in modern Europe, camel ride through the sand dunes a vacation here will be truly memorable. The islands do not only offer the exotic and the atypical though. There are beautiful beaches, great hiking trails, golf resorts, the best sea food restaurants that serve authentic Canarian cuisine and just so much more. With every island so different from the other this is definitely a vacation for every member of the family, irrespective of their personality and their likes and dislikes.

Tenerife

In this one island alone you can enjoy two completely diverse climates. The North of the mountain range that almost perfectly bisects the island, feels like a tropical paradise. Palm trees sway in the cool breeze as the smell of banana trees permeate everything. The southern half is an arid desert. Mount Teide with its volcanic crater is the highest volcano in the world outside of Hawaii. A cable car ride to the top of this crater and across offers a breathtaking sight. From the ‘Noses of Teide’ which are lava formations on Mount Teide to volcanic sand beaches to the man-made golden beach of Playa de Las Teresitas the things to see are many. Though more for those really comfortable in their walking shoes, a unique geographical feature is, what is known as, Paisaje Lunar or the lunar landscape.

When you have had enough of nature, though that is very difficult here, head to the capital city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife for some great architectural examples, be it homes, offices or churches. The step Pyramids at Güimar had been dismissed by many but are now accepted as authentic pyramids built along the same principles as their more famous counterparts.

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is another one of the Canary Islands that is again a continent in miniature. From snow capped peaks to sunny beaches. Its capital Las Palmas is the most vibrant city in the Islands. History, architecture and shopping are all at their best here. Columbus’ house before his exploration of the New World is now a museum and a great place to visit. There is also a vibrant restaurant and night life. From bustling capital to the idyllic Canarian city of Teror, this is the best place to relax any jagged nerves. With a church dating back to the eighteenth century, typical wooden balconies everywhere and a Sunday market that almost brings the entire island to this city No tourist should miss a visit here. The Cruz de Tejeda is another popular tourist destination.

Photo of beach in Gran Canaria, Spain, by Dan Kamminga

Located in the north western region of the country this rural area stretches around thirty four miles across. Numerous eras of glaciations has created this unique geography that has been immortalized in the poems of the Lake Poets, the most famous of whom were William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey. U-shaped valleys that were carved by ice are now lakes bordered by mountains. Its beauty had attracted visitors for ever but organized tourism really began with A Guide to the Lakes by Father Thomas West that was published in 1778 where the Father lists vista points that best showcased the landscape. William Wordsworth’s Guide to the Lakes [later editions were called A Guide through the District of the Lakes in the North of England] published a little more than three decades later made the region even more popular.

Official estimation is that about fourteen million visitors visit the Lake District of England every year, so much so that tourism has become the main contributor to the local economy. The most used guide today, however, is Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. There is an unofficial competition among tourists to see who manages to visit the complete list mentioned in Wainwright’s guide. Everywhere you look it is like a living picture postcard. Scenic beauty, abundant and extraordinary wildlife, a rich cultural heritage and numerous small towns are all reasons why the Lake District is the most visited tourist site in the country.

Scenic beauty

A mix of lakes, mountains, forests, woodlands, and farms give this region a diverse landscape. Each valley, with its own distinct visual, has its own unique way of making the tourist’s trip memorable. The Lake District National Park is the largest National Park in England. It includes England’s highest point which is the Scafell Pike mountain and the country’s deepest point in Westwater Lake. Because of its geography the National Park, and in fact the whole Lake District, is high in humidity. This encourages the growth of Atlantic mosses, ferns and lichen. The green of the pastures here is unmatchable. The hills mirrored in the stillness of the lake waters are a sight to behold. The National Park not only has enough to please the eyes but it has so much for the thrill seeker in the tourists. There are great opportunities for trekking and mountaineering. A plethora of guides offer mapped routes through the district along with an elaborate web of public rights of way. The more adventurous tourist can, with unrestricted access to the forests and fells, make their own expeditions. A swim in the lakes isn’t off the list of things to do either. If a dip is not on your cards, how about sailing or fishing? Windermere Lake Steamer rides have become one of the most popular charged rides in England. Dunnerdale or Duddon Valley in the Lake District National Park was Wordsworth’s favorite place.

Flora and Fauna

The Lake District is home to some species which are not found anywhere else in England. The red squirrel, an omnivorous tree rodent, is common here, in spite of its decreasing numbers all over England. Sundew and Butterworth are two carnivorous plants that exist in large colonies here. The Vendace, the Schelly and the Arctic Charr are three species of fish that are on the rare and endangered list. Limestone pavements, mires, lakeshore wetlands, estuaries and dunes are all key habitats.

Cultural Tourism

With so many artists and littérateurs enthralled with the Lake District cultural tourism is the new trend here. People come to visit the place that strengthened Wordsorth’s Nature philosophy, his idea of the one spirit running through man, nature and God. The daffodils blooming on the shores of the lake Ullswater inspired his famous ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’. The poet’s childhood home in Penrith and his last resting place in the Grasmere churchyard are both important stops in the tourist’s route. Coleridge’s son is also buried nearby. John Ruskin spent his last years in a home in Brantwood. Beatrix Potter lived at Hill Top Farm and used her home and its surroundings as the setting for her famous children’s books, the Peter Rabbit series. Some theories even suggest that the Arthurian legends’ Grail kingdom of Listeneise was also actually the Lake District.

Towns in the Lake District

It isn’t just the mountains and lakes and fells, the quaint little towns in the Lake District of England are great tourist attractions too. Ambleside has some great place to stay in and eat at. Appleby is a great base for a trip to the Eden Valley. The Bewcastle Cross in Bewcastle is a seventh century artifact. Bowness was a site of the Roman army camp and is closest to Hadrian’s Wall’s western end. Keswick with some of the most beautiful landscapes in the whole district is called the Queen of the Lake District. Kendal is often referred to as the Gateway to the Lake District. An ancient market town, Kendal is located in the heart of Cumbria and has several attractions like the Church of Holy Trinity from the thirteenth century and the twelfth century Kendal Castle ruins. With a charming downtown that has shops, restaurants and pubs and also important museums of the Lake District, Kendal is the ideal vacation spot for the wearied tourist.

So whether you are looking for history or literature or just heavenly peace and quiet, this is your place to be.

Photo of Wastwater Lake, Cumbria, UK, by Ennor

Drinking in an English Bar

1. In England, in pubs or bars, you can have drinks but you are not allowed to get drunk; and in Scotland you are on the wrong side of the law if you are drunk and in possession of a cow.

The “Tube”

2. In London the tube route from Leicester Square to Covenant Garden is the most popular tube route for tourists despite the fact that it is actually quicker to cover this distance on foot!

3. The tube system, despite being the first and the largest underground system in the world, is also the most unreliable and the costliest.

4. The 409 escalators in the London subway cover a distance every week which is approximately equivalent to several trips around the globe!

Royal Eccentrics

5. Not surprisingly, it is considered one of the strangest historical facts that Berengaria of Navarre, who was married to King Richard of England, had never once stepped on English soil!

6. Did you know that the Windsor Castle is the oldest royal residence in the world that is still being used by the royal family and that the Buckingham Palace was built in 1702 on the site of an infamous brothel!

7. It is also believed to be haunted by many ghosts including those of Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, King George, and Charles I.

8. The Queen of England, who once enjoyed extensive powers and authority over almost the whole world, and despite all her present majesty and glory, is not allowed to enter the House of Commons simply because she is not its member!

9. And in medieval England even animals were tried in royal courts and punished for damages they inflicted on people or their properties!

Tea Drinking

10. The English are tea addicts: an Englishman drinks more tea than any person of any other nation (over twenty times more than Americans!).

Big Ben is not a clock

11. Contrary to popular belief that Big Ben refers to the world famous clock, it is actually the name of the thirteen ton bell. The tower itself is known as St. Stephen’s Tower.

Where do they come from?

12. That London is one of the cities with the high cultural diversity in the world, can be gauged from the fact that about 25% of the inhabitants of London were born outside of England!

London, London

13. One of the most well-known theatres of The United Kingdom is the Theatre Royal Bristol that has been continuously staging “Cats” since 1766!

14. Did you know that London has had many names in the past? It was called Londonium during the Roman Invasion, Ludenwic in Saxon times, and Ludenburg during the kingdom of Alfred the Great.

15. The London Eye is the tallest observation wheel in the world and each rotation takes about 30 minutes.

16. In the Great Fire of London that wreaked havoc on the city and necessitated massive reconstruction work, the casualty count was only eight!

17. The treasures contained in the British Museum span two million years of world civilization.

The bridge that fell down 1000 years ago

18. You must have heard the “London Bridge is falling down” nursery rhyme. Did you know that this rhyme might be over a thousand years old? The Saxons destroyed London Bridge using boats and ropes to tear it down. People think that is how the rhyme originated.

19. Did you know that the river Thames, which flows through London, has over 200 bridges and 20 tunnels?

What an amazing and endearing part of our exciting world!

Photo of London by harshilshah100