You miss so much travelling by plane and just visiting big cities, the slower you are travelling the better and I love cycling tours and hiking though with a car you can get around to a lot more places.

The important thing when driving around though is to be willing to stop: so build time into your schedule to stop and look around whether it be to take pictures of a scenic village or relax by a peaceful stream.

Though my travels have mostly been limited to Europe thus far I still feel well travelled as I’ve had time to take places in properly and seen more of the countries I’ve visited than most .

I have travelled my own country the UK much more than most people I know who are often sadly ignorant of the beauty England, Wales and Scotland have or the vibrant and historic cities there are to visit here apart form London.

I have also travelled a lot in France: as a child on family holidays, on my own and now with my wife.  France is a beautiful country with a lot of history and almost every town, city and village has something to see. A couple of years ago I headed down to Montpellier by car but avoiding all motorways, the road signs drove me to distraction but I took in a lot more of the country and saw the landscape, architecture and culture change as I headed south.

Montpelier

Montpellier is a great city and one of my favourites the heart of the city within the old city walls is packed with history and great food and drink too. Food and Drink are an important part of travelling for me and I love trying new dishes, not just national dishes but local specialties too and as for the drinks: wine, beer, liqueurs: they all seem to taste better when locally made.

arc d triomphe

If you think driving is a good way to see a country then cycling or even walking are even better, I cycled to Paris a little while ago, using a ferry a long the way, and not only did I take in more of the countryside, towns and villages I passed but I actually found my spoken French improving dramatically as I talked to people in many of the places I went through: this is also an advantage of travelling alone.

I have travelled alone and with other people and enjoy both in their own ways, lately holidays have mainly been with my wife and though I love the company I can’t wait to go cycling across Belgium on my own later in the summer. The freedom to go where you want with no limitations is great for your mind and wellbeing: not least if your life is usually controlled by work and family: whether you travel alone by bike, car or foot I would recommend it to anybody.

I have of course travelled by plane at times and by train, travelling by train has its own advantages as you meet people on the train itself though don’t expect to see much of what you are passing, especially if travelling by night; then again there are of course a lot more places you can stop off than if you were travelling by plane.

Parthenon - Greece

On one trip I flew out to Istanbul, another of my favourite cities, along with a friend, we then after a few days in the city backpacked travelling by train and by foot through Turkey and Greece to get to Athens: stopping along the way and getting the ferry out to a few Greek islands as to where we spent some time working. I then spent two months working in Athens and that really is something else if you want to get to know a place.

Sometimes when you first visit a place it can be hard to interact with people, the places in the guidebook are all tourist filled so where do you go to meet locals, and how do you communicate with them? Generally I find people in all of the countries I have visited are very welcoming and interested by people from other countries and so be it on public transport, in a café or in a bar you can just try and strike up a conversation, even if you start it off by asking them for some local information. Most of Europe speaks English but make an attempt first to speak their language, the French especially are receptive to this effort and may refuse to speak any English unless you make an effort first.

If you do like to have a few drinks of course then a bar is an ideal place to meet people, large groups especially are often easier to talk to than individuals or one or two people but I normally play it by ear. This part of a trip meeting new people is certainly one of my favourite parts of travelling and is actually easier when travelling alone or with one other person normally.

Prague

I have been on trips with larger groups as well mind you and though these were fun you don’t get to take in as much as you would like or at least not what you would like. Having said this in both Amsterdam and Prague with large groups me and one or two others broke off to take in some history and museums while others nursed their hangovers: so just because you are travelling with others doesn’t mean you are completely tied down, unless you are with one other person.

I like travelling with one other person but its important to choose carefully, they should have similar interests but you also need to be both willing to compromise and give and take a bit: travelling with another person on a road trip also means you can share the driving of course.

Although I do want to travel beyond Europe I ideally want to drive still; my next few trips I have planned though are in Europe and perhaps North Africa. As well as cycling in Belgium this year I hope to take in Denmark and Sweden for the first time as well as seeing more of Belgium, Holland and Germany on the way: this I will be doing by car rather than cycling though.

Talking of Germany I’m also looking forward to going to Munich for Oktoberfest this year, going to a major festival or event is also great for getting into a city or a country and finding opportunities to meet people: this can include music festivals, cultural festivals, food and drinks festivals and sports events. I’m personally a big Formula One fan and my cycle in Belgium will be taking me to Spa for the Belgian Grand Prix.

New York City has been listed as one of the best traveling destinations in the United States and once you take your first trip there you will understand why. There are so many things for you to experience outside of the obvious and by conversing with the locals you can find out some of the things to do that are not so filled with tourists.

When in New York City, however, you will want to make sure that you avoid the bad areas and stick to places that are densely populated with people as you would when traveling to any other destination so you do not find yourself in trouble. Make sure that you also check out some of the ideas that this article has shared with you such as free things to do in New York, romantic things to do in New York, and unique things to do in New York City.

Free Things to Do In New York City

Walking Tour - New York

Source - 21152976@N08

When people think about taking a trip to New York City they automatically start believing that they need to save up some money. However, this is not always the case because there are so many free things that can be done in the wonderful city of New York.

Crossroads of New York Walking Tour: Unless you have family who live in New York City this is an event that you may not be aware of. However, it takes place on Saturday’s and basically you just participate with the guides to find out informative information about Union Square and the surrounding areas.

Attend an art show: New York City may not seem as though they are a city that has a lot of art to offer tourists but you can be sure that they do. Many places have different events that take place on a daily basic and you pay nothing to come and feast your eyes upon appealing artwork.

Things to Do in New York City with Kids

Bronx Zoo

Source - ajagendorf25

Some people do not like to think of bringing their children to New York City until they have had the chance to explore for themselves because they feel as though there is nothing in the city for their children to do. However, what they are not realizing is there is a ton of things to do in New York City that are family friendly such as the ideas that are listed below:

Children’s Museum of Art: If you have children who just seem to love learning or you are visiting New York City during the summer and want to keep their minds fresh for the upcoming school year this museum is a must see. The best thing about this art museum is the fact that the art is made by kids for kids.

Bronx Zoo: Every child loves going to the zoo to see all of the different animals and the Bronx Zoo sure has a whole lot to offer. You can allow them to see polar bears and even animals from the rain forest just to name a few. Not to mention the fact that the zoo can be the perfect way to kill a few hours and children of any age are sure to enjoy themselves.

Romantic Things to Do In New York City

Rockefeller Center

Source - acidpolly

When thinking about New York City in general it may not stroke you as one of the most romantic places on earth. However, there are a lot of different romantic things that couples can have a good time experiencing.

Rockefeller Center: The Rockefeller Center is the perfect place for couples to go for their first date. When there you can also experience ice skating which can be very romantic especially for couples who have never ice skated together before.

Spirit Cruises: If you and your significant other like to get out at night and have a fun time the spirit cruises are an excellent option. Food and entertainment can be provided while you also get to see very beautiful scenery.

Things to Do In New York City at Night

When it comes to the nightlife activities that are available for you to experience in New York City the possibilities are absolutely limitless. The examples that are listed below just do not do all the things that you can expect to indulge in if you choose to do so justice. Besides, they are known as the city that never sleeps for something, right?

Go To A Theater: One of the most popular things that tourists to the “Big Apple” like to experience at night is the theater experience. Usually, every night of the week there is some live show or performance taking place that will catch your attention. Sometimes if you check around online you will even find one that can be family friendly so the kids can join in on the fun as well.

Clubs: New York City is known for all of the clubs and bars that they have. Basically, they have so many different types of clubs available that no matter what your interests happen to be you are sure to be able to find one that will fit your personality perfect.

Cool Things to Do In New York City

If you are planning a trip to New York City you are probably already aware of the fact that they have so many cool things for you to do during your visit. Also, if you have been browsing around on the web you have probably heard some pretty amazing stories about the cool things that people have experienced while in the amazing city as well. However, the two things that are listed below are cool things that you will not want to miss out on.

New York City Night Lights Tour: New York City is known as “The City of Lights” and if you decide to experience this tour you will understand why it has this name. The tickets to the tour can be purchased for under $100 and you still are able to see it all. However, you must plan your trip between March and November to be able to do so.

Moonlight Ride in Central Park: No matter where you are from you have probably heard the tale of the “Headless horseman”. So, when you are in New York City wouldn’t it be nice if you were able to catch him out? Take a moonlight ride at night through Central Park and you may be amazed at what you see.

Fun Things to Do In New York City

Coney Island

Source - tomvu

When traveling it is common for you to want to have fun and this is exactly what New York City can provide you with – a fun time. Two of the fun things that you will want to experience while you are in town are listed below.

Coney Island: Cooney Island has been around for what seems like forever yet they are still one of the funniest places to visit while in the city. The best part is the kids can even come along to experience what Coney Island has to offer as well.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not: You have probably heard about Ripley’s Believe it or Not but more than likely you have not seen it other than on the television. So, while you are in New York City you will want to be sure to stop by and have a fun time seeing some things that you can’t believe are possible.

Unique Things to Do In New York City

When traveling to a place you have never been before it is not uncommon to want to experience something different that you cannot do in your own town. New York is the perfect place to do unique things such as the ideas that are listed below.

Learn How To Trapeze: Learning how to Trapeze is something that many people would never imagine being able to do. However, while in New York you can attend the classes and by the time your vacation is over you can be a pro.

Make Your Own Pizza: Obviously, everyone has made a pizza before but when in New York City you can make a New York style pizza which is something you can only experience in New York City. Why not take a class and learn how to make a New York style pizza from scratch and then when you go back home you can show off your new skill to all of your family and friends.

Things to Do Today in New York City

New York City Ballet

Source - roccocell

Are you visiting New York City just for today and need some ideas? Try out the two suggestions listed below and your day will be filled with joy.

Bronx Week – If you are going to be spending the day in New York City today you must see what Bronx week has to offer you. The celebration started on May 10^th and it will continue until May 20^th.

New York City Ballet – If you have a classical side you will just love attending the New York City Ballet. It is currently taking place until June 1^st.

Overall, New York City is such a diverse place in itself so you are sure to be able to find something fun to do during your visit. From reading this article you should have at least went “wow” about one event or activity and have planned it in your schedule. Once your visit is over there is no way that you will not have had a great time and have many memories to cherish. As a matter of fact, on your way back home you will be already looking forward to your next visit.

Life in Switzerland is in some ways regimented they value order and punctuality but this level of organisation and efficiency actually means the Swiss have plenty of time, and money, to enjoy life. Events such as the Montreux Jazz festival and Basel Carnival will dispel any ideas you might have about the Swiss being boring.

There is a lot to enjoy in Switzerland and wherever you go there will be beautiful scenery to take in at the same time.

Places to visit in Switzerland

Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva

Source - skandhurkat

On the river Rhone, Lake Geneva is one of West Europe’s largest lakes and many would argue its most beautiful: with its setting surrounded by towering mountains, which can be enjoyed from Switzerland’s best beaches. Lake Geneva is on the border with France and Switzerland but the three main settlements on the river are all in Switzerland being Geneva, Lausanne and Montreux.

As well as visiting the towns and cities around the lake you should spend some time on the lake itself: including a tour on one of the steam boats or perhaps hiring a sailing boat or canoe. On the lake sites of interest include the Lake Geneva beacon and the Jet d’Eau fountain that pumps 132 gallons of water 459 feet into the air every second.

Beyer Clock and Watch Museum, Zurich - The Clock and Watch museum in Zurich is run by Beyer, themselves watchmakers since 1760 the collection includes exhibits from their own brands including Rolex and Patek Philippe though it also includes exhibits from many of Switzerland’s other famous watch makers and of course clockmakers too.

Zermatt Ski resort

Zermatt Ski

Source - philiplarson

A great area for hiking in the summer Zermatt is still at its best in winter as a great Ski resort, with reliable snow falls each year. Zermatt is among many of the tallest mountains in the alps and close to the Italian border. The skiing itself is the highest skiing area in the alps but despite this it is well developed and offers great facilities.

You have a great choice of restaurants and hotels here, most are expensive but you can come here on a budget as well with some cheaper accommodation too. There’s a good choice of slopes and lifts as well with something for all difficulty levels. One important thing to remember is that cars aren’t allowed in the town, unless you have an electric powered car that is, therefore you will need to come in by train and then allow for the cost of getting around.

Montreux Jazz Festival

Montreux

Source - jacksim

Montreux is on the edge of the fantastic Lake Geneva but despite the idyllic setting it is the far from peaceful Jazz festival that Montreux is most famous for.

Montreux Jazz festival is in fact more of a general music festival with a focus on Jazz, in 2012 artists include Jazz Legends Herbie Hancock and Buddy Guy as well as the likes of Bob Dylan and contemporary performers like Jessie J.

The great range of different music is part of the attraction of course but It is perhaps the atmosphere as much as the music people visit for.

Zurich’s shopping areas

Shopping Zurich

Source - zurichtourism

Switzerland’s biggest city also has its best shopping; you can buy Swiss Chocolate, Watches and take out a Swiss Bank account here but Zurich also offers fabulous shopping for high fashion clothing and top of the range electronics. Bahnhofstrasse (Station Street)  is the main and most famous Zurich shopping street with many of the most expensive shops, though most of the shops in Zurich seem to be fairly expensive. The old town is also good for shopping with plenty of great bars and restaurants mixed in.

Basel Carnival - One of the World’s best Carnivals it may totally shatter the views you have of the Swiss it is just as loud, bright and exciting as Carnivals in Rio, London and Bali. It does however have a Swiss flavour including the fact it starts at 4’O Clock precisely, on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, and lasts for exactly 72 hours and not a minute more or less.

Interlaken for Adventure Sports

Interlaken - Switzerland

Source - trialsanderrors

A small city high in the Alps Interlaken is a popular destination for the Swiss and tourists from outside the country. The small city is between two stunning alpine lakes, hence the name, and many of the sports on offer make use of them.

Get out on to the lake for canoeing, kayaking sailing, windsurfing and in summer jump in for swimming in the fantastic clear and fresh waters. Off of the lakes Interlaken is a popular base for hiking and cycling: especially mountain biking, though if you aren’t used to steeper hills you will want to get in some training before your trip.

Hike to see the sunrise at Mt Pilatus

Mt Pilatus - Switzerland

Source - 89649959@N00

You actually don’t have to hike to the 2128 metre summit of Mount Pilatus as a cog-wheeled railway can take you up, but hiking is far more rewarding. The view is certainly worthwhile and at sunrise tourists flock here; you may also spot the dragon that is reputed to live on the mountain as well: and all of this from the warmth and comfort of the restaurant located just below the summit if you wish.

International hill in Geneva - Geneva has a peaceful aura about it and so it may be no surprise that many of the UN’s departments as well as the Red Cross are based here. These are based on one hill, sometimes known as International Hill, in the centre of the city and include the Museum of the Red cross and Red crescent organisation documenting their previous and current work.

Take in the tranquility of Lugano and its valley setting

Lugano valley - Switzerland

Source - npobre

Lugano is in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland: sandwiched in a valley between two mountains it is most famous for its frescoes including 16th century frescoes at the Cathedral San Lorenzo and the huge Crucifixion fresco at the Church of Santa Maria of Angluli.

Basel, probably the World’s most international city: straddling three countries - Basel is in west Switzerland at the point where the borders of Switzerland, France and Germany meet; mainly in Switzerland the city has three main stations one for each country; the international airport serving the city is actually in France, which has led to some administrative issues in the past.

Basel is well off for architecture and art in its several museums and galleries with influences from all three countries, spanning many centuries of history. This architecture includes the bridges that cross the Rhine into France and the grand Romanesque Cathedral

St Martin’s Tower, Basel - St Martin’s Tower at the Munster Cathedral gives views not just of Basel itself but of the surrounding mountains of Switzerland and France and of the Black Forest across in Germany: one of the most stunning vistas the world has to offer.

Palais des Nations, Zurich - The second largest building complex in Europe the Palace was originally built as the home of the Ill-fated League of Nations. The UN now has many offices here for several of their departments as well as this serving as the UN’s European Headquarters. You can however still tour much of the site including the Assembly Hall and Council Chamber.

Bern’s Old Town

Berns Old Town

Source - 25108545@N08

Bern is actually Switzerland’s capital though by no means its largest or most important city: it is certainly though a cultured city with a lot of history to take in.

Bern’s Old Town dates from the Middle Ages and remains unspoilt; it is now a UNESCO world heritage site and features some four miles of arcades featuring a variety of shops including those selling traditional local and Swiss goods as well as shops from international brands.

Zurich Zoo

Zurich Zoo

Source - tambako

Zurich has a very good quality zoo; located on the Zurichberg hill with lots of new modern enclosures for the animals including a new Lion’s den development. Other popular animals on show include Tigers and, Gorillas.

England’s parks also include some of the world’s oldest Urban parks in London but also in many of England’s industrial cities: often built during the 19^th century industrial revolution by wealthy philanthropists or through subscription.

The National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens in England has a total of around 1,500 sites but these are some of the best and most famous.

Famous Parks in England

Hyde Park, West Central London

Hyde Park - West Central London

Source – 42135512@N02

Hyde Park in London, along with the land beside it known as Kensington Gardens, basically part of the same park, it is one of the UK’s largest Urban Parks at 253 hectares.

Hyde Park was originally owned by Henry VIII as a hunting park, bought in 1536, and then opened to the public 101 years later in 1637 by Charles I . William III became resident at Kensington Palace at the West end of the Park in 1689 and since then the area has been strongly associated with the Royal Family, with Buckingham Palace being close by.

Hyde Park Corner is one of the Park’s most famous features with several monuments including Wellington’s arch, once the grand entrance to the city, and several important war memorials.

While Hyde Park Corner is in the South East Speakers’ corner is to the North East close to Marble Arch and is famous for open air speakers coming here to air their views and debate and discuss with the public. The park is also famous for many demonstrations including the Suffragettes and more recently Anti-War protests.

Richmond Park, South-West London

Richmond Park - South-West London

Source – epcprince

Deep in Richmond Park you wouldn’t know you were in London not least though when you see a herd of deer passing by, although from certain points you can get a great view of St Paul’s and other central London landmarks. Richmond Park is home to Red Deer and Fallow Deer though they are no longer hunted here.

Richmond Park is another of London’s Royal Parks, and in fact its largest; originally a hunting park public access was confirmed following legal action in 1758 and the park is now accessible on foot as well as by car and by bike with extensive cycle lanes.

Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex

Seven Sisters Country Park - East Sussex

Source – roshnii

From Seven Sister’s Country Park you can enjoy some of the English South Coast’s most famous views along the famous white cliffs and along to Beachy head.

The name of the park is perhaps not as famous as the images of the cliffs, which will be forever associated with the Battle of Britain during World War Two when brave pilots of the RAF and German Luftwaffe took each other on over the cliffs.

The Seven Sisters is in fact the name of the 7 peaks along the cliff top which provide a fantastic walk and fantastic views, you can then continue east to Beachy Head: Britain’s highest chalk cliff that then descends down into the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne.

Studley Royal Park, North Yorkshire – Designated a World Heritage site Studley is a 323 hectare site, mainly developed during the 18^th century.

Close to Ripon in Yorkshire Studley Royal Park was originally the site of an Abbey, until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII. It was only in 1718 though that development begun with a landscaped garden and water garden: the main features of which still remain today. The Georgian water garden is the most famous and popular feature of the park today, still amazing visitors with the interweaving of waterways, falls and fountains into the natural surroundings.

Kew Gardens, South West London

Kew Gardens - South West London

Source – fjordaan

Close to Richmond Park The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, to give them their full name, are not only public gardens but a publically run centre for botanical research. As such Kew gardens has many very interesting and rare plants both inside and outside.

Outside the Orchid Garden and Rose garden are not to be missed but buildings at Kew also include the Water Lily House, Palm House and the Temperate House  as well as several large conservatories. Perhaps even more impressive though is the treetop walk, great fun whether you have children with you or not

Birkenhead Park

Birkenhead Park

Source – jimwelsh

Britain’s first publically funded Civic Park is Birkenhead Park, at Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula close to Liverpool. Birkenhead Park was built in the early 19^th century and opened in 1847; Central Park in New York was in fact influenced by Birkenhead after Central Park’s designer Ferdinand Law Olmsteads visited Birkenhead in 1850.

Recently renovated to restore it to its Victorian Splendour the park, though relatively small, has a lot to see including the Boathouse, Grand Entrance and famous Swiss, covered bridge.

Sheffield Park Garden, East Sussex

Sheffield Park Garden - East Sussex

Source – ugardener

Another park that was originally a Deer Park, Sheffield Park Garden is located a little way south of London. The garden has been developed overtime but with an Arboretum planted in the late 19^th century and then further developments in the early 20^th century it is now at its best with its trees and shrubs having just come to maturity giving a beautiful vista over the central pond especially.

Princes Park, Liverpool

Princes Park - Liverpool

Source – 39185101@N05

In the Toxteth suburb of Liverpool this park was originally a private gardens: redesigned and opened to the public in 1842. It has influenced many of the UK’s and the world’s public parks having been designed by Joseph Paxton: Britain’s foremost Park architect and landscaper in the middle of the 19^th century. The main features of Princes Park are the Serpentine Lake, which though once for boating now has a good stock of fish.

Regent’s Park, Central London

Regent’s Park - Central London

Source – neilsingapore

In central London and surrounded by grand terraced town houses Regent’s Park was developed on the orders of the Prince Regent, later to become George the IV.

The Park designed with an outer and an inner ring of walkways today offers the opportunity for a pleasant stroll: during which you can take in the lake, with its famous Herons, and other famous sites in the park including the Open Air Theatre and the Mosque. The most famous attraction within the park though you will need to pay to enter as this is London Zoo, located to the north of the Park.

Peel Park, Salford

Peel Park - Salford

Source – salford_ian

Paid for by public subscription, prior to Peel Park’s opening there were few green spaces in industrial Salford and adjacent Manchester, at least not that the working classes could freely enjoy. The park was built as a clean, green, open space for the workers in factories and mills to enjoy, especially on a Sunday evening. This and two other nearby parks opened in 1846 and Artist L.S Lowry later made five famous sketches of the parks and those who enjoyed them.

Today the park is still enjoyed by locals as well as visitors from further afield and is famous for it’s carpet flowerbeds and the Flood Obelisk, showing the height the flood here in 1866 reached.

Sutton Park, Birmingham

Sutton Park - Birmingham

Source – srboisvert

The UK’s largest urban park, Birmingham’s Sutton Park is a massive 970 hectares and is so extensive it takes in several different habitat types as well as many other facilities.

Local residents visiting the park regularly will struggle to get bored: with areas including ancient woodlands, heath, marshes and wetlands.  The park even has its own railway line to get around.

The park has seven lakes in total and several date from long before this was a public park; more recent facilities though include the park’s two golf courses -one private one municipal-, many restaurants and various sports facilities: all enjoyed by the parks two million visitors each year.

Most of Britain’s towns and cities have great parks often home to local events and festivals so check out where you can visit locally before visiting anywhere and bear in mind that some of the best parks are not in the centre of towns and cities but may be a little way out or even in the countryside nearby.

Aside from the growing Business Process Outsourcing industry in the country that started during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, there are also other things that people should know about the Philippines, which is more convincing than just taking hearsay or rumors all over cyberspace.

Things You Don’t Know About the Philippines

Philippines - Sugar Beach - Bantayan Island

Source – debacker

The Extent of Filipino’s Hospitality – The caring, and friendly attitude of Filipino citizens are seen whenever visitors are coming to their homes. In fact, they are preparing bounteous meals (along with the new eating utensils, which are kept in the cabinets) in order to make their guests feel that they are welcomed. In fact, if their visitors have to stay overnight, they would give not just their best room but new things like beddings and pillowcases.

The Extreme and Economical Transportation – Aside from the cheapest transportation that you ride in the Philippines like jeepneys, tricycles (in various styles and forms based in regions); there is also the popular habal-habal, a famous motorcycle ride found in Mindanao. Believe it or not, it is just a simple motorbike that could offer seats up to 8 people. How is this possible? It has extensions on both sides made of a large, sturdy plank, which serves as its wings. Hence, the simple type of which, that has no wings could carry up to 5 people with a straight wood extension to the back.

The Haggle Power of Filipinos – Despite of the cheapest products that can be found in stalls, malls, and marketplaces, Filipinos are known for its distinct way of meeting their budget, especially those families who are earning a minimal type of income. Filipinos are known for being self-reliant, especially in meeting the financial demands in life.

The Bayanihan Spirit – The “bayanihan” term actually symbolizes unity among Filipinos. It is actually historical in nature wherein natives have reflected a kind of union when transporting a hut to another place. It has been a great tradition and attribute that Filipinos value the most.

The Religious Affiliations – Filipinos are religious and it can be seen on the number of activities, events, and especially “fiestas” or feasts that they are celebrating and observing in behalf of canonized saints. Catholicism is the primary sect, which is followed by Islam, and other Christian beliefs. However, there are more than 100 religions found in the country, which were also rooted from other major religious affiliations.

The Number of Dialects Being Spoken Aside from Tagalog – Tagalog is not just the official or native tongue being spoken in the Philippines. In reality, there are about 175 dialects being used in different regions and places. Other prominent dialects include Cebuano, Ilocano, Waray, and Ilonggo, among many others. As you move from place to place, you will discover the kind of communication that one has to learn, wherein travelers from other places are amazed for this gift of tongues.

The Traditional Cooking Method of Filipinos – Filipinos are really conservative not just in values and morals, but even in their way of life. Amidst the modern evolution that can be found in the worldwide scene, which is wrought by advancing civilization, there are still groups, communities, and families that still settle on the traditional way of cooking their meals. Even before rice cookers and microwave ovens have invaded the kitchen, chopped wood, piles of stones, and even a clay pot is used to achieve a unique taste.

The Cheapest Buys in the Philippines – People in the Philippines love to shop despite of the meager income that most of the local employees are earning, whether they are skilled or rank and file workers. It’s commonplace that a dollar or two could buy you a decent shirt, a pair of shorts, and even chic footwear. Some of the known places that actually sell affordable stuff are Divisoria, Baclaran, and other bazaars that can be found in malls or stalls.

The Beaches that You Don’t want to Miss – One of the reasons why there is an increased ratio of people visiting the Philippines during the summer is because of the beaches situated in various regions of the country. Some of the famous ones are Boracay in Visayas, Puerto Gallera, Pagudpud, Dakak, Camiguin, Siargao, Mactan Island, El Nido, and other untouched shores.

The 7,107 Islands – For most people who have studied the Philippines, they are already aware that the enchanted archipelago in Asia is composed of 7,107 islands, which is indeed many. However, there is something wondrous in this info as the said number is just one part of the story. The quantity of the islands has been counted during high tide. There is a certain island in Camiguin, which is called the Sand Bar, that disappears when the tide lowers.

There are lots of things to be explored and discovered in the Philippines aside from the wonderful traits that majority of the citizens of the nation possesses. Those are just interesting things that an individual from afar or from other countries could know in order to get better insights and impressions about the Pearl of the Orient. It is rich in wonderful and natural resources that could truly capture the hearts of nature lovers.

Nonetheless, those are priceless details that unveil the secrets and the kind of fun that travelers and visitors can experience and witness. Those are testimonies and affirmations that people have seen and developed, where some of which are innate to the people of the Philippines. Amidst the negative political and economical news being circulated about the country, there are things that are worth discussing, which give the real value about the nation and its people.

Indeed, it is more fun in the Philippines. With the vast uniqueness of culture, ways, and traditions being observed by the locals and natives in various regions, you can experience fun as many as the islands it possesses. Your kind of fun here can never be encountered anywhere else in the world.

The sun, the sand and the sound of the crashing waves. For many, this is more than a heavenly match for your most important day of life. The outdoor wedding concept provides with a lot of freedom, compare it to a traditional church wedding where there will be so much of restriction, you can’t even choose a casual wedding theme. When it comes to beach wedding, there are just no rules, do it your way, wear what you like. It is your day after all.

Nice and romantic evening, on a backdrop of a setting beach sun, and there you are, getting married! To bring this amazing thought into reality, we present you with some of the best beach wedding venues.

Best Beach Wedding Destinations

Beach Wedding

Source – oldpatterns

Maui, Hawaii – Aloha, to all you Hawaii fans. Maui is the 2nd largest island in the Hawaii group of islands that offers various beaches for a perfect beach wedding. Exotic beaches, empty and quite beaches, whatever be the requirement, Maui has it all.

When it comes to organizing a wedding, sand and coconuts are just not enough, you will need a parking lot, bathrooms etc. So make sure to research those things in your target beach location. Molokai Island in Maui has the best beaches for a wedding and is far less crowded than others.

Bali, Indonesia – Another island, but this time from the Indonesia with the total population of just over three million, Bali is the biggest tourist destination for the country. Most beach resorts in Bali provide wedding facilities and take care of all the arrangements that are required. The Nusa Dua beach and the Kuta beach are the top locations.

Goa, India – If there was one place in India that deserved to be put on this list, it is Goa. Private beaches, churches, and all other arrangements are in place, with Goa as your destination, beach wedding goes to a whole new level.

Fiji – The next on our list is none other than the popular Fiji. The Taveuni Island is of particular interest to many travelers as it is one of those places in Fiji which has got everything. From stunning beaches that are ideal for beach weddings, to volcanoes and rainforests. It is just the place for the ultimate nature lover.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Fort Lauderdale is a major tourist attraction, overlooking the Atlantic coast, it is a city that is home to over 5 million residents. Blessed with a number of popular beaches, Fort Lauderdale is a great place for beach wedding.

Trinidad and Tobago – Can’t keep the Caribbean out, especially when beaches matters. Trinidad and Tobago has great beaches, lush green forests, amazing sunsets and everything else that you need, when it comes to an excellent beach wedding.

Sydney, Australia – The beaches in and around Sydney are Australia’s best spots for beach weddings. With buildings such as the opera house, Sydney is surely a great place to visit and if you are planning on an after wedding travel, then Sydney can offer you everything that you need.

Dominican Republic – Another island nation and the great thing about an island nation is that there is no dearth of beaches. For our needs, since we are looking for the best beach wedding locations, DR is yet another good place. However, English is not widely spoken here, so language barrier might be a cause for concern here.

Maldives – Wedding on a tropical island, overlooking an excellent sandy beach and the clean ocean waters, what else can be more heavenly than this. However, please note that you can only do a vows renual, not the actual wedding, due to the laws of the land.

Langkawi, Malaysia – Another Far East Asia country with lots of beaches and excellent tropical weather. Getting married in the beaches of Malaysia is surely a great option.

Few things to take care of, in the case of a beach wedding:

1) Keep an eye on the weather forecast. You don’t want the rain to spoil the fun.

2) Some priests don’t like the idea of an outdoor wedding, so make sure to discuss it beforehand.

3) While mostly cheaper compared to a traditional church wedding, beach wedding can cost a bit as well. Certain beaches charges some money, per person or otherwise. Make sure to research it over.

Many who come to Rome expect a city where the Roman remains are the only things to be seen alongside the Vatican City.

Rome though has been an important city ever since roman times too and the Renaissance and other eras, including the Fascist era, have left interesting attractions as well.

Places to Visit in Rome

The Colosseum

Source – trialsanderrors

The Colosseum – The Colosseum in Rome is perhaps Rome’s most famous building and the Roman’s most famous legacy. Found in the Colloseo district along with many other roman buildings and remains the Colosseum is far bigger than you would expect from having seen photos and the scale of something so old will take a few moments to come to terms with as you first approach it.

The Colloseum is open to visitors with tours inside that show off much of the clever design ands technology used in the Colosseum

The Roman Forum, – Though the Colosseum is more famous and more photogenic the Roman Forum is more interesting. The seat of Government for most of the Roman Kingdom and Republic’s history the site is large and with various remains from different eras.

The Forum itself is actually the plaza in the centre but the ruins of important buildings surround it including the records office, Senate building, prison and the Regia; the Regia is from the time when Rome was a kingdom whose Kings had their residence here. There are also remains of temples with the earliest being the Temple of Castor and Pollux from the 5^th century BC. The arches of Sepotimus Severus and Titus are some of the best preserved and most impressive buildings to see here.

The Forum of Augustus, – One of the Forums of Imperial Rome built at the command of the first roman emperor Augustus, who also had the Temple to Mars built here remains of which you can still visit. This forum was not a replacement for the Roman Forum but was to allow extra space for government functions that could not be accommodated at the Roman Forum.

The Forum and Markets of Trajan, – The Forum of Trajan dedicated in 112 includes Trajan’s column which still stands and is the most interesting part of the ruins though the centre of where the piazza would have been ahs been excavated and the remains are on show in what is a public space now. Beside this you can also see the preserved markets built shortly after the forum that became known as the markets of Trajan.

The Capitoline Hill and Capitoline Museums – The Capitoline Hill was the centre of the city for the earliest Romans whose own Acropolis was here. The widest variety of ruins any where in Rome are here going back to the beginning of Rome and stretching through to Renaissance Rome and beyond.

Many of the city’s museums are here in splendid renaissance buildings such as the Palazzo dei Conservatori which itself contains mainly sculptures from ancient Rome as well as Ancient Egypt and Greece.

Villa Borghese, and Galleria Borghese – The Borghese one of Rome’s most famous families who have had close ties to the Vatican since Pope Paul the V of the Borghese family was elected, had this impressive Villa as their residence. The 17^th century villa is now a museum though and houses the famous collections of art, including Roman sculptures, that the family had collected. The villa itself is a beautiful and interesting building but is overwhelmed by the beauty of its contents. The Villa’s gardens are also worth spending some time walking and relaxing in with a number of small Romanesque temples, lakes and fine avenues of trees.

The Spanish Steps, – The idea of going and walking up some steps for fun may seem a little odd but this 18^th century stairway is impressive in its size and width as it climbs the steep slope from Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinita del Monti giving great photo opportunities from the top.

Piazza Navona. – Built on the site of the Roman Stadium of Domatian it covers a similar area and shape and now includes a number of monuments such as the fountain of the four rivers complete with Egyptian Obelisk. If you visit in the run up to Christmas there is a traditional Italian Christmas Market here that is well worth a visit.

The Pantheon, – Probably the most complete Roman building the Pantheon is impressive not just for its age but also the engineering that went into it. The circular building fronted by Corinthian columns and pediment has been a Catholic Church since the 7^th century meaning it has always been in use, hence the reason for its preservation and escape from use as a quarry. Originally the Pantheon was a temple to the Pantheon of Roman Gods, and its original domed roof is even now the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Monte Verde Vecchio – Literally the old green mountain, visit here to eat if you want authentic Italian cuisine at an affordable price. The Trattorias here in this residential neighbourhood are frequented by the locals to eat and though the view here (from Rome’s highest point) is beautiful you won’t be paying for it as you will in many of Rome’s famous piazzas where you will only be paying for the view often and too frequently not for good food.

Trevi fountain – The Trevi fountain would be great for taking photos of if you could get a clear shot but in summer this is unlikely and you may be better off buying a postcard but the fantastic Baroque fountain still should be visited and a coin thrown in of course.

San Lorenzo – San Lorenzo is where the city comes to party including many of the students from the city, there is a wide variety of bars and clubs here and the atmosphere is very relaxed and laid back, as you would expect from the Italians.

St Peter’s Basilica – St Peter’s Basilica is in Rome but not Italy, to visit this famous site you will have to enter the Vatican City. This church has the largest interior space of any church in the world and though as a Roman Catholic this is one of the holiest sites you can visit for those who aren’t Roman Catholic it is still a beautiful and fascinating place to take in as well as St Peter’s square outside.

With so much to see you may not get to go inside every building or visit every attraction for long and a walk around the city shouldn’t be missed to take in Rome as a whole where almost every street in the old city or the old Roman part of the city is filled with fantastic historical buildings and monuments.

The romantic charm you would expect from Venice comes not from a few major landmarks but more from the city as a whole that is mainly late Middle Ages and Renaissance built and has barely changed for 400-600 years. What stops Venice being as romantic as it could be is the crowds in summer, it may therefore seem more magical outside of the high season: with May or September good times to go, prices for Gondolas, food and hotels may all be lower as well.

Places to Visit in Venice

Venice

Source – 63540087@N07

Basilica di San Marco – St Marks Basillica, the City’s best known church on St Mark’s square: a beautiful example of Byzantine architecture resulting from the close trading relationship the Viennese had with the Byzantine empire in the 13^th and 14^th century. The Cathedral Church includes fantastic Golden Mosaics that themselves make a visit a must but if you have even a passing interest in architecture the structure and design will tantalize.

Bell tower of St. Mark – The bell tower of the St Mark’s Basillica is often used as a symbol for the city as one of its most unique features. Originally built in 1514 this early brick tower collapsed in 1902 and was rebuilt in 1912. This is the tower where Galileo Galilei demonstrated his telescope to the then Doge of Venice Antonio Priuli. Now you can visit the tower to get great views of the city as well, from what is and long has been one of its highest buildings.

The Doge’s Palace – The city state of Venice was independent for some 700 years and the Doge’s palace is where the elected head of the city would reside, himself a part of a council of ten who were part of the senate of up to 300 men.

Constructed primarily in the 14^th century the Doge’s Palace is in a gothic style marking it out from the rest of Venice perhaps but with such a hotch potch of styles it still feels an integral part of the city’s fabric.

Beaches on the Lagoon – Venice is in the middle of a large Lagoon onb an island but around the rest of the lagoon are a number of beaches, mostly small, secluded and often only reachable by water. A day on the beach is ideal as a break from sightseeing, especially if you are in Venice for a week or longer when constantly walking round sites can leave you with tired feet and a desire to get away from the crowds for a little while, which you won’t get on the Lido beaches.

Gondola ride – A Gondola ride is very expensive and you may choose to go for another option for taking to the water such as water bus or water taxi: these are more for getting around though whereas a gondola ride is more to let you take in the city and perhaps as a very romantic trip, depending on who you are with. If you do go for a Gondola ride don’t be worried about negotiating a better price and you may be able to pay much less if you are willing to take a shorter trip.

Rialto Bridge – A beautiful bridge and another of Venice’s most recognizable structures; spanning the Grand Canal it is one of four bridges to do so but also the oldest, it was completed in its current form in 1591. With two steep ramps on either side to get across, larger boats can fit underneath and of course Gondoliers don’t risk bumping their heads.

Alongside the bridge is an area with a few expensive restaurants but generally restaurants that also serve good traditional Viennese food. Don’t make the mistake of going for what you may think of as traditional Italian dishes but go for Viennese specialties such as Polenta, and Rice based dishes like Risotto; Cuttle fish is also a local delicacy with the ink as a sauce.

Rialto market – The Rialto markets have been a fundamental part of Venice for over a thousand years and still operates today. Markets include fruit and vegetable markets, fish markets and other wholesale markets but there are also plenty of opportunities for shopping here as a tourist: especially if you are self-catering and want some fresh ingredients.

Piazza San Marco – Saint Mark’s square in front of the Cathedral and the location of the tower deserves its own mention; it is Venice’s main public square and will be instantly recognizable from dozens of films as well as a location in novels and poetry. An important meeting place for centuries the square is surrounded on three sides by arcades mainly from around the 16^th century.

Zattere – A walk along the Zatere is probably the second best way to take in Venice, if you are on a budget it is certainly more affordable than a Gondola. The walk goes along the Canale della Giudecca one of Venice’s two most important Canals and takes in many of the cities must luxurious and historic residences.

Correr Museum – The Correr museum is off of St Mark’s square and houses one of the city’s best and most varied collections including a library hall an Archaeological department with Roman pieces, a picture gallery and a marvellous collection of globes for something you won’t see anywhere else.

Galleria dell’Accademia di Venezia – Venice’s most important art museum and also one of the best in Italy, the museum houses paintings mainly by Venetian masters and all pre 19^th century including paintings by Lotto and Da Vinci among others.

Pasticceria Tonolo – A famous Italian Patisserie that if you have a remotely sweet tooth you should visit during your stay in Venice. Apple Pastries, Chocolate Croissants and Beignets are among the specialties.

Lido di Venezia – Not a lido like the swimming pools in the UK but a sand bar, this 11km long island is a residential area but also has great, but busy, beaches to visit and is home of the Venice Film Festival. The Lido is only just across from the main island where the centre of Venice is built and can be reached by water bus or water taxi.

What many people don’t realize is that Milan is the financial capital of Italy and as such there is a lot of money here and the shops, bars and restaurants reflect this. As a modern city though Milan hasn’t lost its history though there are new modern buildings including skyscrapers here as well; in fact it is World War two bombing that is most to blame for the loss of any historic sites; thankfully though Milan’s most famous and celebrated buildings came off mainly unscathed.

Places to visit in Milan

Milan

Source – obliot

Duomo di Milano and Piazza del Duomo – The Duomo di Milano, Cathedral of Milan, is a stunning Gothic Cathedral: Italy’s largest and the fourth largest in the world it took four centuries to complete. The Cathedral is at the heart of the old Roman city with main streets radiating from it and circling around it. As well as taking a walk around the Cathedral to take in the architecture and going inside to enjoy the interior you may want to go up to the roof of the Cathedral for fantastic views of Milan, and even the alps in the distance on a clear day.

In front of the Cathedral is the Piazza del Duomo, which is Milan’s main square, many historic buildings line the square including the Royal palace.

Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology – This museum’s dedication is to Leonardo da Vinci and it includes a section on the great man’s work but is not purely about him but is in fact the national Science and Technology museum of Italy. It tracks the history of science in areas including energy, transport and communication and has some excellent exhibits. These include in the transport section important historical trains, aeroplanes and boats, primarily from Italy, plus the command bridge of a transatlantic liner and a cold war submarine.

The Sforzesco Castle – An impressive medieval castle it actually houses several museums with several important collections.

One of the largest citadels in Europe it was the seat of the Duchy of Milan; having been started in the 14^th century and finished in the 15^th. The castle itself is well worth seeing and it is a considerable size and certainly not a ruin, within one room you will also find ceiling paintings by Leonardo da Vinci.

The castle is free entry but the museums themselves are not, they include though the Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Archaeological museum including a Prehistoric and Egyptian section.

Santa Maria delle Grazie, Saint Mary of the Graces church – An impressive 15^th century church and convent in a truly Italian style it is famous for housing the famous Last Supper mural by Leonardo da Vinci. To visit though you will need to reserve tickets a long time in advance, especially in summer though you may be lucky and get a ticket from a cancellation. If you can’t get a ticket to go inside you may still want to take in the architecture from outside.

Saint Maurice – Milan has a lot of beautiful churches and we could fill up the entire list with them but the church of Saint Maurice is among the most beautiful and a must see for fans of art and architecture. Built in a Lombard renaissance style the inside is covered everywhere you look with fantastic frescoes’ by Bernado Luini.

La Scala Theatre – A night at the Opera, if you have never been to the opera before Milan may be the best place in the world to do it at one of the best and most beautiful opera houses in the world who also have one of the most renowned Opera companies and ballet companies resident.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele – This late 19^th century shopping arcade with its beautiful vaulted cast iron arches covered in glass is worth visiting even if you have no intention to shop. With so many fantastic shops though you could easily spend a day or even a weekend shopping here.

Via della Spiga – This is a famous shopping street and here though the area is attractive it is the shops that are the main attraction. Milan’s most prestigious shopping street, and therefore one of the most prestigious in the world, all of Italy’s most fashionable labels have shops here as well as the best that fashion has to offer from around the world.

Piazza Mercanti – Another of Milan’s main squares it was the heart of the city in the middle ages:          including for traders hence the name literally meaning merchant’s square. Buildings on the square include 13^th century city headquarters building, the Notary’s Palace and the Giureconsulti Palace.

Torre Velasca – Much later architecture than that of the medieval and middle ages can be enjoyed in the city as well including the Pirelli building and also the Torre Velasca. The Velasca Tower in English is a 1950s skyscraper but built in such a style it feels very much a part of Milan and takes influence from buildings such as the Cathedral.

I Navigli – The canals of Milan, used for navigation and originally also irrigation, they were important to the city for centuries but became neglected and dilapidated before being restored late in the 20^th century. The canals now are pleasant to walk along or take a tour upon but also many of the city’s best nightclubs are on boats upon the wider canals too.

Leonardo’s Horse – A sculpture designed by Leonardo Di Vinci but actually made in 1997 this cast iron statue is located at the Hippodrome of San Siro.

Corso Buenos Aires. – This major street in the north east of Milan is another important shopping street but you can probably afford to actually buy things here. Primarily clothes shops the 350 shops here offer a wide variety of men’s and women’s clothes and other fashion items, still made with Italian style but more suited to the pockets of most people. As well as shopping many of the cities best restaurants and cafes are along this street and as they cater to locals as well as tourists you can expect them to be really good.

Often forgotten in favor of visits to Rome or Venice, Milan is a very beautiful city first and foremost and that goes for the buildings but also the people who seem to be elegantly dressed without exception. There is so much to see and so much shopping to do that you mustn’t forget to find time to enjoy the food and drink as well, which is if course also excellent.

Milan is a popular weekend city break but you may find you need much longer than this to take in everything in the city; many people come here to shop but come back again to take in the history.

There has been a settlement of some type on the banks of the Bospheros where Europe and Asia meet since Neolithic times. Istanbul has been an important city since around 660 BC when it was settled by Greeks from the city of Megara under king Byzas who gave his name to the city Byzantium.

The city was later known as Constantinople and then Istanbul but the number of names it has had is nothing compared to the number of empires it has been a part of many times as capital. A Greek city, a Roman city and capital of the Eastern Roman Empire; the Byzantine empire came out of the Eastern Roman Empire and later came the Latin empire briefly, a return to the Byzantines and then the Ottoman empire. In an effort to move on from its Ottoman past The Republic of Turkey made Ankara the capital but Istanbul is still the cultural, and business capital and by far the largest city in Turkey.

Places to Visit in Istanbul

Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia

Source – chanc

Some prefer the Blue Mosque and some prefer the Hagia Sophia, both are magnificent buildings and either alone make a visit to Istanbul worthwhile.

The Hagia Sophia is now a museum while the Blue Mosque is in daily use as a Mosque. The Hagia Sophia as a result allows you to explore a lot more and has a lot more to offer a tourist than the Blue Mosque.

The Hagia Sophia was originally a church or rather a Cathedral from 360 until 1453 both under the Byzantine empire and the Latin Empire, therefore a Roman Catholic Cathedral from 1204 until 1261. The Hagia Sophia became a mosque though when the city was converted to Islam following the siege and fall of Constantinople and the beginning of the Ottoman era. It was Kemal Ataturk himself who had the Mosque converted into a museum in 1935 and much of the original features and decorations were put on show again.

Today you can see the original Christian frescoes and mosaics as well as damage from the pillage of the city in 1453.  As a museum it primarily tracks the building’s own history using the decorations on show and building work from different eras.

The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque

Source – modenadude

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque to give it its real name this beautiful structure was built between 1609 and 1616; if it has some similarities to the Hagia Sophia this is because it was designed using Byzantine influences and influences directly from the far older Hagia Sophia mosque which it faces as well as elements of Ottoman building design.

You will want to take in the exterior of the Mosque both during the day when the colours sparkle in the sun and you can see the magnificent detail but also when it is lit up at night looking in some ways even more imposing and impressive. Tourists are able to visit the interior of the mosque but must dress appropriately and can then only visit at certain times; you will come through the courtyard first where you can see more of the exterior design before going inside and through the main prayer area of the mosque, decorations are in a traditional Ottoman style and the main dome rises above you painted with the most brilliant detail.

The Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar

Source – exfordy

The Grand Bazaar is an interesting structure from an architectural point of view but it is the contents that are maybe most interesting. The shops in here offer a wide range of goods both new and second hand. There are some stalls selling tourist souvenirs but most sell to the people who live in the city and goods include antiques, jewellery, clothes, and the wares of many fantastic Artisans: all these and more available from the 3,000 shops that line the 61 internal avenues, if you think that this an impressive sized shopping centre then consider that this covered market was built back in 1455-1456.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace

Source – ctsnow

For most of the reign of the Ottoman sultans they were based from Istanbul in the Topkapi Palace. To give you some idea of the size of the complex at one point 4,000 people lived here, the main palace is based around four courtyards and there are many smaller buildings spread around the palace complex.

Open to tourists you can explore most of the vast area and buildings that included the Mint and Imperial treasury and a major Imperial Armoury, all of which can be visited and contain many artefacts of the Ottoman period.

You can also visit the palace’s own mosque, a range of different gardens and the terrace overlooking the Bosphorus and almost every other part of the palace including rooms for state occasions and living quarters, all well preserved.

The Galata Tower

The Galata Tower

Source – davidjlull

Built by Genoese traders living in the city the medieval Galata stone tower was erected in 1348 and today is a popular attraction and great place to take in a view of the historic part of Istanbul, though the area around the tower has a much more European feel than much of the rest of the old city.

The tower is a total of nine stories, but much higher than the buildings around and on a high point as well. From the restaurant and café on the upper floors you can enjoy the view taking in much of the Bosphorus while having some lunch or dinner.

Bosphorus Cruise

Bosphorus Cruise

Source – tambako

A Bosphorus cruise will let you skirt between Europe and Asia and take in the vista of the Asian and European city, sites clearly visible from the river include the Topkapi Palace, Maiden Tower and other parks and palaces. Further along see the impressive Villas of rich Turks, many originally built in Ottoman times, along the shore surrounded by parks and woodland. On the waters of Bosphorus itself you will pass by fishing boats, tankers and a wide variety of other shipping passing through this busy waterway making it seem not a division through the middle of the city as much as a living, breathing part of the city.

There is much more to see and do in Istanbul and by walking between these sites whenever possible you will get the chance to take in the feel of the city and come across many charming streets and of course shops, cafes and restaurants to enjoy and take in the unique Istanbul culture from.