Tourist Attractions in Barcelona

May 18, 2015
Chris
Destinations
3 Comments

Barcelona is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions upon millions of visitors each year. So why is it so popular? Well, it has almost everything any holidaymaker would desire. Easy access, favorable weather conditions, attractive beaches and surrounding mountains, a buzzing nightlife, tasty local cuisine and it’s steeped in culture and history. It’s also a sight-seeing wonderland, housing many recognizable monuments. Variety’s the word with Barcelona and the city has something for everyone; families, couples and singletons alike. There are the tourist attractions in Barcelona travelers shouldn’t miss if they ever decide to visit the Catalan capital:

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La Rambla

This is probably the city’s most famous street and is a bustling hive of activity. It is often called Las Ramblas, because it is actually a series of several different streets that all have a distinct feel. Located just off Plaza Catalunya and leading right down towards the port and beach, visitors will find street performers, lots of bars and restaurants and the fabulous Boquería Market, a true feast for the eyes.

Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia is the most popular attractions in Barcelona, attracting nearly 2.8 million visitors each year. It is a large and intricate basilica designed by Antoni Gaudi. Construction began in 1882 and continues to this day. The building is predicted to be completed within the next 30 years. Visitors will be captivated by the design elements and the religious symbolism built into all the spaces of the church. A glorious exterior and interior make La Sagrada Familia truly unmissable.

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Barceloneta

Out of Barcelona’s seven different beaches, stretching over 4.5 km (2.8 miles) of coastline, Barceloneta probably tops them all. It is one of the most popular and is closest to the city center. Along the 1,100 meter (3,600 feet) sandy beach runs a walkway popular with joggers and cyclist. Not surprisingly this place can get crowded, especially during the summer months when the beach bars open up and the beach quickly fills up with locals and tourist.

Parc Guell

With other major works in the city including La Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, this has to be one of Antoni Gaudí’s most celebrated and it is certainly one of the most emblematic of Barcelona. The area was originally meant to be a residential property development with Gaudi doing much of the planning and landscape design. Only two houses were built and the land was later sold to the city of Barcelona and turned into a park. It is home to the famous Salamander sculpture, as well as other buildings and structures designed by the architect. With stunning views of the city, this is a magical experience.

Museu Picasso

With over 4,000 works by the painter, the Museu Picasso houses one of the most extensive collections of artworks by the 20th-century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. In particular, the Museu Picasso reveals Picasso’s relationship with the city of Barcelona, a relationship that was shaped in his youth and adolescence, and continued until his death. The museum is housed in five adjoining medieval palaces in Barcelona’s La Ribera.

Exploring the best spots for Honeymoon

May 17, 2015
Chris
Travel Talk
1 Comment

Best spot for Honeymoon

Darjeeling, also fondly known as the “Queen of hill stations”, is nestled in the Himalayas and is famous for its tea production and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railways, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This hill town was developed in the mid 19thcentury, when the British set up a sanatorium and a military depot in Darjeeling. Before this, Darjeeling was the ancient Gorkha capital. Later, the Maharaja of Sikkim gifted Darjeeling to the British.

Darjeeling continues to be a popular holiday destination in India, owing to its scenic beauty and pleasant climate. Apart from tourism, Darjeeling is also popular for its many British style public schools, which attract students from across India and even neighbouring countries.

Places to See in Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a travellers delight and is frequented by tourists year after year. Apart from the pleasant weather and scenic beauty, there is a lot to see and do in Darjeeling.

Happy Valley Tea Garden

Situated 1 km away from the town of Darjeeling, the Happy Valley Tea Garden is located on the Lebong Carter Road and provides a peaceful and relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of tourist-y Darjeeling.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Also known as the “Toy Train”, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway plies between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling and is a narrow gauge railway. This railway is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers beautiful views of the scenic mountains on its way to Darjeeling.

Tiger Hill

Situated at an altitude of 2590 meters, Tiger Hill is located 11 km from Darjeeling and presents a spectacular view of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga. It is advised to go to Tiger Hill early in the morning and watch the sun rise over the mountain peaks.

Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park

Established in 1958, this zoo is dedicated to the memory of Padmaja Naidu, the former governor of West Bengal. Among one of the best zoos in the country, this is one of the only zoo which raises wild wolf in captivity. The zoo is also home to endangered species like the Red Panda, Siberian Tiger and the Snow Leopard.

Dhirdham Temple

Travel to any part of the Indian Sub-continent, one thing is for sure, you are going to find at least one ancient Shiv Temple every where. Located just above the Toy Train Railway Station, Dhirdham Temple is one of the most beautiful temples I have ever come across. This colorful temple complex is the home of the most popular Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. It is one of the oldest temples in the town of Darjeeling.

Chowrasta and the Mall

The Mall road originates and culminates at Chowrasta, which is essentially the heart of the city and people usually come here to take strolls, relax, shop and eat at the numerous shops and restaurants that line the road. The views from Chowrasta are splendid and this is one of Darjeeling’s most popular places.

Shopping in Darjeeling

There’s plenty to keep shoppers happy in Darjeeling. Head to Nehru Road and then to Chowrasta, which are dotted with shops from where you can purchase souvenirs and gift items. Some popular local, handmade items in Darjeeling are the Khukri, which is essentially a curved knife with a decorative handle. Other traditional items one can pick up in Darjeeling are Tibetan masks, local jewellery items, woolen items, shawls and pashminas. Tirupathi Handloom Emporium is a good place to pick up shawls and jackets at a fixed price. Before leaving don’t forget to pick up a few packets of the world famous Darjeeling tea, which can be purchased from a popular store by the name of House of Tea.

 

Best Attractions in Kuala Lumpur

May 16, 2015
Chris
Travel Malaysia
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When visiting a destination, some things you can do without, while others are considered the essence of a place. For instance, missing out on a visit to the Eiffel Tower is a faux pas when visiting Paris and so is neglecting a trip to the Coliseum when you are in Rome. Kuala Lumpur may seem like a small city but visitors often find that they need help exploring this multicultural haven. So we decided to compile a list of KL’s top things to see: making the cut are world famous iconic landmarks like the petronas Twin Towers, religious hotspots like Batu Caves as well as culturally enriching streets markets and temples.

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Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Twin Towers were once the tallest buildings in the world. Now the world’s tallest twin structures, the 88-storey buildings were designed by Cesar Pelli & Associates with both towers joined at the 41st and 42nd floors (175m above street level) by a 58 metre-long, double-decker Sky Bridge. Stretching out to the side of the Petronas Twin Towers is the spacious and beautifully landscaped KLCC Park which features a jogging track, walking paths, a water fountain and a wading pool for children.

Besides the mall and park, the Petronas Twin Towers has a host of other attractions including the Petronas Art Gallery and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Plus the Petrosains Science Centre is here set inside Suria KLCC: it is an interactive science discovery centre showcasing exhibits related to the petroleum industry, from petroleum’s origin in the age of the dinosaurs to its latest oil-based products.

Menara KL Tower

Along with the Petronas Twin Towers, Menara KL Tower is easily Malaysia’s most recognizable and popular landmark. This gleaming tower’s spindle-like apex is visible from almost anywhere in Kuala Lumpur. Menara KL’s viewing deck is, at 276 metres, at least 100 metres higher than the Petronas Twin Towers’ Skybridge; the view is marvellous during the day and even better at night when you can see the entire sparkling city centre. The structure has ‘Muqarnas’ – a type of corbel used as a decorative device in traditional Islamic and Persian architecture – underscoring its design as homage to the revival of Islamic architectural heritage. The main lobby of the upper ground floor is decorated with exquisite glass-clad domes that sparkle like giant diamonds; the tower’s familiar globular pinnacle is inspired by a Malaysian spinning top.

Chinatown

The colourful Chinatown is a well-known bargain hunter’s paradise that seemingly never sleeps. Deeply immersed in Oriental culture, heritage and history, it is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist spots in Malaysia, and holds its own against its more glamorous neighbours, KLCC & Bukit Bintang. Representing Malaysia’s multihued multicultural background perfectly, you can find all sorts of stuff, from Chinese herbs to imitation goods in this area.

Mount Kinabalu

With a summit height at 4,095 meters (13,435 ft), Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Borneo. The mountain is known worldwide for its tremendous botanical and biological species biodiversity. Over 600 species of ferns, 326 species of birds, and 100 mammalian species have been identified at Mount Kinabalu and its surrounding. The main peak of the mountain can be climbed easily by a person with a good physical condition, and requires no mountaineering equipment although climbers must be accompanied by guides at all times.

POLK COUNTY, FL Ð October 7, 2011 -- The public gets the first glimpse during AAA preview days at LEGOLAND¨ Florida, Central Florida's newest theme park. Opening October 15, 2011 just outside Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida will provide interactive entertainment for families with children ages 2-12 . (PHOTO/LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group, Chip Litherland)

Batu Caves

Batu Caves is a 400-year old limestone hill, best known as the focal point of the annual Hindu festival of Thaipusam. The celebration attracts thousands of visitors who come to see the colourful spectacle of devotees who pay homage by carrying ornately-decorated ‘kavadis’ combined with various metal hooks and skewers which are used to pierce the skin, cheeks and tongue.

You can also enjoy your travel and stay even more better with Easybook.com  by booking all your travel related services prior.

Image by John Balcombe, amansya under CC License.

 

Enjoy the Rich Cultural Heritage of Malaysia

May 16, 2015
Chris
Travel Malaysia
2 Comments

A beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage that blends Asian and European influence, Malaysia offers countless attractions to the discerning traveler. Malaysia offers two very distinct experiences: the peninsula and Borneo, an island shared with Indonesia and Brunei. The peninsula is a mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors with an efficient and modern capital, Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Borneo features some of the most interesting places in Malaysia with a wild jungle, orangutans, granite peaks and remote tribes. Combined with some beautiful islands, luxury resorts and colonials towns, Malaysia, for most visitors, presents a happy mix.

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Almost 2 million foreign tourists traveled to Malaysia in 2010. Most of them were citizens from neighboring countries such as Singapore and Indonesia but a growing number of other foreign tourists are discovering this country as well. Malaysia is a friendly, culturally rich nation that’s modern and comfortable yet has managed to retain its ecological beauty; the country is a mix of Malay, Indian, Chinese, Arabic, European, Peranakan and other cultures and its landscape is dotted with temples that rub shoulders with mosques and churches.

You can eat and drink your way through Malaysia – its choice of gastronomic offerings is legendary. Hawkers move around on foot, bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles and vans to vend their food. Stalls line five-foot walkways and side lanes; some even operate from booths within shops, kopitiams, markets, air-conditioned restaurants and large-scale food courts within shopping malls.

POLK COUNTY, FL Ð October 7, 2011 -- The public gets the first glimpse during AAA preview days at LEGOLAND¨ Florida, Central Florida's newest theme park. Opening October 15, 2011 just outside Orlando, LEGOLAND Florida will provide interactive entertainment for families with children ages 2-12 . (PHOTO/LEGOLAND Florida, Merlin Entertainments Group, Chip Litherland)

Most importantly Malaysia has world renowned attractions that make a trip here immeasurably rewarding. When you’re in the neighbourhood be sure to catch some of this Southeast Asian starlet’s best known tourist sites – visit the tallest twin towers in the world, dive into the pristine waters of the east coast at Pulau Redang, make a beeline for the summit of Mount Kinabalu and visit one of the nation’s cool hill stations, the Cameron Highlands.

Malaysia has a tropical climate of a temperature ranging from 20 to 30 celcius. Malaysia is a humid place as it is in close proximity to waters. The climate in most places in Malaysia is hot and dry with an exception for highland areas. During the monsoon season, the coastline of Peninsular of Malaysia is most affected. The rainy season starts from September to December on the West Coast while in East Coast heavy rains are collected from November to February. Peninsular Malaysia has an average rainfall of 2500mm but escalates in East Malaysia with 5080mm of rain. The weather in Malaysia can be summarized as hot and humid in the day and its nights are cool.

Image by John Balcombe, Tuah Roslan, yuliang11 under CC License.

 

More Things to do in Nice

February 18, 2014
Chris
Destinations
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niceThe sun, beautiful people, and the French sophistication are elements of Nice – a city set on the French Riviera. Long an area where the rich and famous come to play Nice is also a city that has much to offer to the average person too. Filled with great restaurants, boutiques, and historical monuments Nice is a city where a person can just wander around and savior their time here. A person can start their day wandering the markets of Cours Saleya, spend the afternoon on the beach, then enjoy the night time activities of Place Massena.

Cours Saleya

Cite du Parc | Nice 06300

Its hard to miss Cours Saleya – the city’s outdoor market – with its bright colors and fantastic smells. Cours Saleya is located in the bustling heart of the tourist friendly old town. It’s recommended to come here early as possible as by even 9 am there will be throngs of people wandering around buying foods for the day. Coming into Cours Saleya is a great way to see the commerce of the city in motion, as well as to see how regular citizens of the Nice live.

Place Massena

Avenue de Verdun / Avenue Felix Faure | Nice

The central square of Nice is Place Massena. A wonderful alive square Place Massena has the seafront flanking it to the south and the commercial delights of Avenue Jean Medecin – one of Nice’s main shopping streets – to the north. Nearby is the well maintained and lovely Massena Gardens is also a draw for people to visit. Especially enjoyable for its ambiance at night Place Massena always draws an eclectic ground. A night time feature is varied art exhibits hoisted above the crowds of passersby on tall steel pool as well as the immaculately restored fountain a blaze with lights.

The Beaches

Promenade des Anglais / Quai des Etats-Unis

Naturally the beaches of Nice are worth a look as this is the French Riviera. Known for its iconic blue chairs a vacation to Nice requires some beach lounging. Many of the beaches are designed for the wealthy however as much of the beach space is broken up into private beach clubs that cost a fair bit to enter. Private beaches do have the iconic blue chairs, which keep you off the pebble beaches, but they also do not allow you to bring your own food or drinks in. There are free beaches to, but there are no lounge chairs are rest room facilities in them.