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Archive for the ‘City Guides’ Category

Cork is among the most attractive of all the cities in Ireland. With a compact city centre, it is easily navigable on foot. The airport is a little way outside the city, and has a regular shuttle service to the city centre. Cork is about three hours from Dublin by train, or about 250 miles by road.

Whilst Dublin has the River Liffey at its core, so Cork has the lovely Lee. Visitors can cross one of the many bridges and get a good view of the whole city, with the river winding through it, from the top of the Church of St Anne Shandon, where you also get the chance to ring the eight bells.

The English Market on Patrick Street is famous for its fresh produce, fish and shellfish, fine quality meat, and lots of delicious fruit and vegetables. University College Cork was originally one of the four in Ireland named for the (English) Queen. It boasts a pleasant courtyard setting as part of the campus, the petite and delightful Honan Chapel, and the Boole Library, named for the renowned mathematician. Murphy’s Irish Stout is brewed in Cork and is the chief rival of Guinness.

Outside the city there are charming towns and villages. Crosshaven is the home of the Royal Cork Yacht Club and Kinsale is famous for its cuisine; host to an annual “Gourmet Festival”, it is dotted with exquisite restaurants and shops. There are many top quality hotels both within the city centre and in the surrounding countryside, and all provide the warm welcome for which Ireland is famous.

St. Petersburg is one of the most important cities in Europe, but for much of the twentieth century it was closed to travel from outside the Soviet Union.  Since the early 1990s however, this city, formerly called Leningrad, has been a popular tourist destination for residents of the U.K. 

Originally founded by Russian Tsar Peter the Great in 1703, St. Petersburg served as the capital of the Russian Empire until 1918 when the Bolshevik Revolution moved government operations to Moscow, where they remain to this day.  St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and home to the largest art museum in the entire world, the Hermitage.  In the Hermitage, visitors can see not only an enormous collection of art representing some of the finest artists in Europe and Russia, but also the interior decorations of the royal residences of the tsars, who were thrown from power in 1917 and remain deposed to this day.

In terms of culture, St. Petersburg has often been referred to as the most Westernized city in Russia.  Even though Russia itself bridges Europe and Asia, St. Petersburg strikes visitors as a typical European city with ornate buildings, public spaces and a high degree of attention to the visual and performing arts.  There are more than 200 museums in the city, including some that used to be the homes of famous residents of the city such as noted novelists Alexander Pushkin and Fyodor Dostoevsky.

The counter-culture city of the 1960s and 70s made an indelible impression on the world with its attitude and music, political liberalism and dynamic theatre, all to the backdrop of a stunning ocean seascape and mountain landscape. San Francisco, the ultimate West Coast city in the United States, is a destination of choice for hundreds of thousands of global tourists, providing high quality accommodation and restaurants at the top end and good, solid places to stay and eat for visitors on a tight budget.

The icon of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge, featured in countless movies and a backdrop to millions of photographs. Less well-known may be the Golden Gate Park, a vast and free family-friendly area with gardens and lakes, a children’s playground and a buffalo paddock among the attractions.

Few movies set in San Francisco are complete without a shot of the trams going up and down the switchback roads leading to the harbour, and no tourist will want to miss the experience. Down at the harbour is the famous Fisherman’s Wharf, packed with restaurants offering classic seafood and shops with a huge choice of clothing, souvenirs and food to buy.

Boat trips are popular, with the former prison on Alcatraz Island providing a fascinating glimpse into history, and there are many opportunities to travel from the city up the Pacific coast road to witness the contrast between the mountain range to the east and the rolling ocean waves to the west.

Cairo, Egypt’s capital, is a city with a long history dating back to antiquity. It is most popular for its sites related to ancient Egypt. There are also some impressive mosques. When visitors arrive, they will arrive at Cairo International Airport. Taxis are the most common way to get around, but buses are also popular. The city also has a modern, efficient metro system.

The sights that most visitors want to see are the pyramids, located in Giza, and the Sphinx. These are impressive testaments to ancient Egyptian history and culture. If travellers are especially interested in the artefacts that have been uncovered, a visit the Egyptian Museum is recommended. Ibn Tulun is widely considered the most beautiful mosque in Cairo, and it is worth a visit. Cairo also has a Coptic Christian minority. There is a Coptic Museum, and a related and lovely church, known as The Hanging Church.

If shopping at a mall is on the itinerary, go to Citystars, which has a number of internationally known shops and restaurants. To experience the excitement of a traditional Arab bazaar, go to Khan El-Khalili. For visitors looking to buy the most authentic local goods, visit Fair Trade Cairo. The Zamalek neighbourhood surrounding Fair Trade Cairo has a number of good shops.

Cairo’s restaurants offer something for all tastes. Kushari Tahrir, a popular chain, sells freshly made Egyptian specialties. Another popular chain is Dar Al-Qamar, which mostly prepares Lebanese-style food. Cedars is a more upscale Lebanese restaurant with terrace dining. If having a burger is the meal of choice, visit the American-owned Lucille’s.

Cambodia’s capital is an exciting and dynamic mix of old meets new, and east meets fading colonial west.  It is a burgeoning metropolis, the face of which is changing at warp speed.  However, the city’s streets are still filled with ‘cyclos’ and ‘motos’, and the city still retains its traditional warmth.  This is mainly down to the Khmer people themselves, whose friendly faces will make even the weariest traveller feel right at home.

The main tourist attraction in the city is the Royal Palace.  A lush display of fine, grand Khmer architecture nestled right by the riverside, and the main residence of the royal family, the Royal Palace houses the Silver Pagoda which features 5,000-plus silver tiles adorning the floor.  Sadly, many of these are covered up to protect them, but it is still worth a visit to see the many beautiful statues of Buddha that this building contains.

The recent history of Phnom Penh (and Cambodia as a whole) serves to provide a number of the main must-see destinations when visiting this city.  As macabre and sobering as it is, you really can’t visit this city without taking a trip to Tuol Sleng Prison, otherwise known as S-21, and the Choung Ek Killing Fields just outside the city.  These are the grim reminders of the rule of the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979, which saw nearly 25% of the population of Cambodia fall victim to one of the worst genocides in the history of man.  Learning about the terrible events which took place in Cambodia during this time will elevate your appreciation of this truly amazing country and the resilience and kindness of its people. 

Phnom Penh is one destination that should not be missed.

The fall of the Iron Curtain has meant that the half of Europe previously closed to tourism now avidly welcomes visitors.  Prague, the largest city in the Czech Republic, is among the cities that have become popular tourist destinations now that travel is freely permitted.  In fact, Prague is visited more than any other city in Eastern Europe.

Part of Prague’s attraction lies in the way World War II unfolded; the city was then a part of Czechoslovakia; it sustained significantly less damage than many other areas of the nation.  As a consequence, much of the architecture of the 1930s and earlier has been preserved in Prague, which makes the city akin to a living museum.  From Art Nouveau to Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic, Neo-Classical and even Cubist, Prague provides visitors with a dizzying array of architectural styles undamaged by the war.

One of the most popular attractions in Prague is the local Prague Castle, which is the largest castle in the world and features a cathedral of its own.  Old Town provides a pleasant day’s walk through the most historic area of the city.  Here, visitors can view the Astronomical Clock in the square.  Other sites not to be missed include the “Old New Synagogue”, which dates from the late 1200s and features a vaulted Gothic roof and the Museum of Decorative Arts, which contains an enormous collection of not just textiles and furniture, but also toys and glass ornaments.

Brussels is Belgium’s capital, as well as a major centre for the European Union.  Several distinct districts are found in the city, each with its own distinct flavour.  Both Dutch and French are recognised as official languages, although English is understood by many.  The best times to visit are spring, summer and early autumn.  Travellers can reach Brussels most easily via air.  Rail connections are also available through the Antwerp Airport.

Attractions

Visitors can easily see the Arc de Triomphe-Triomfboog which features a terrace open to the public and offers great views.  One place most visitors make it a point to visit is the Atomium, a structure built for the World Fair of 1958.  Several museums are available including an art museum, a history museum and a military museum.  The European Parliament building is open to guided tours.

Shopping

Brussels has a number of local stores dedicated to items such as beer, chocolate and lace.  Match carries a number of more unusual beers.  Maison Renardy carries Belgian chocolates that can be purchased by the box and serves coffee.  If you are looking for lace, stop by the Grand’ Place-Grote Markt.  For a shopping mall with a variety of shops to choose from, visit Galeries Saint Hubert-Sint Hubertusgalerijen.

Restaurants

Belgium has several favourite foods that most tourists take interest in: fries, mussels and waffles, with the latter served as a dessert.  La Friterie de la Barrière serves some of the better fries, or frites, in Brussels.  Au Pré Salé serves mussels that are sold by the kilo, with several recipes available.  If you would like good seafood in a bistro setting, visit Restaurant Vismet.

Florence, located in Italy’s Tuscany region, is known for being a major artistic and cultural attraction.  It was heavily influenced by the Italian Renaissance and some of the best artwork in Italy is still there.  This city was also where opera music was originally started.  The Cathedral has a famous dome, known as the Duomo.  Visitors arriving from the UK usually fly into the airport in Florence or the one in Pisa.

Attractions

Most visitors are interested in the museums, with the Galleria degli Uffizi being the most famous with its vast collection of Renaissance paintings.  The Accademia Gallery is home to the famous David statue.  The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo has sculptures from Michelangelo and Donatello, as well as the world-famous Dome.  If you want to see some of Galileo’s original instruments, stop by the Institute and Museum of the History of Science.

Shopping

Several shops are devoted to souvenirs and gifts for art lovers, especially journals made with Florentine paper.  Beaded Lily Beads & Designer Jewelry offers a nice selection of beads for serious beaders, as well as finished jewellery.  If you visit the Italian Glass Collection, you can find beaded items made from Murano glass.  Visit Creature Diverse for designer clothing.

Restaurants

Many restaurants serve t-bone steaks with pasta.  Gelato, a type of local ice cream, is a popular dessert.  If you are a vegetarian, you will find good food at Il Vegetariano.  Trattoria Le Mossacce is a good place to eat freshly made pasta and Florentine steak.  Il Latini” Restaurant offers family-style seating and very attentive service, along with good local food.  Palle d’Oro offers fixed-price meals with the restaurant’s own wine.

Marseille is the principal city in France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur area.  It also has the largest port in the Mediterranean and is the second-largest city in France.  It has a long history, and a diverse population that includes many immigrants.  The easiest way to access the city is by air.  Travellers are assured of being in for a real treat when they visit the city.

Attractions

One of the area’s top attractions is the calaques, or fjords, that are located just outside the city.  Inside the city, you’ll find several cultural attractions including festivals that occur throughout the summer.  A site of historic value is the Mazargues War Cemetry, which is the resting place of Allied troops from both World Wars.  Notre Dame de la Garde is the church where boats have historically been blessed and has several interesting boat models on display.

Shopping

Marseille has several neighbourhoods that offer a variety of shops.  The area around le Cours Julien and la plaine has a market that offers outstanding bargains.  This area is also home to several book stores.  Unité d’Habitation offers an unusual combination of a shopping area, housing, a school and a church under one roof.  The Noailles neighbourhood has unique Indian, Chinese and Arab markets.

Restaurants

Seafood is the most popular type of cuisine, especially a fish stew called bouillabaisse that is served with garlic bread.  Chez Toinou is known for its seafood and also serves as a fish market.  Le Petit Nice Passédat is a world-famous restaurant that is quite up-scale.  Those who are interested in baked goods, especially Navette biscuits, should visit Four des Navettes.

Kiev is the largest city in Ukraine as well as its capital.  Located along the Dnieper River in Eastern Europe, Kiev has a fascinating history that makes it an ideal travel destination for those who would like to know more about the people and cultures that make up Europe. 

The city has existed since at least the fifth century A.D., when it was the home of a Slavic settlement for traders voyaging between Constantinople and Scandinavia.  It first became a capital city about 400 years later when the Varangians seized it and established an East Slavic state.  This nation, known as Rus, lasted until the Mongol invasions of the mid-1200s, but Kiev rose to prominence again when it became a key city of the Russian Empire and later, the Soviet Union. 

Tourists visiting Kiev today can meet people who lived under Soviet rule and see monuments that were erected during this time.  The Museum of the Great Patriotic War, for example, is a memorial to the bravery and suffering endured by citizens of Ukraine during World War II.  Opened in 1981 by Brezhnev, the leader of the Soviet Union, today the museum is one of the largest in the nation and contains over 300,000 exhibits and receives over 20 million visitors each year.

Another popular tourist attraction is the Kiev Fortress, which was built by Russian forces in the 19th century.  Parts of the fortress are today a museum, while other portions have been converted for use as a modern military installation.