If you love nothing more than indulging in a little retail therapy, then you’re probably already aware of some of the world’s most famous shopping streets. Here, we look at 5 of the best known shopping streets around the world that are found in some of the most exciting and glamorous cities on the planet!
Oxford Street, London
Perhaps the UK’s most well-known shopping destination, Oxford Street stretches for 1.5 miles from one end to the other and boasts around 550 shops and restaurants meaning there’s plenty of opportunity to splash the cash.
As a general rule, shops here are open from 10:00 to 19:00 Monday to Saturday, except on Thursdays where they close an hour later. Sunday trading times are 12:00 to 18:00, although opening hours may vary on a store-by-store basis.
Oxford Street is probably best known for its large department stores, which you’ll find in the section of the road running between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus, including branches of John Lewis, Selfridges and Debenhams.
You’ll also find dozens of more specialised retailers, so if you’re looking to pick up some jewellery, you might want to visit the street’s Ernest Jones and Fossil stores. For the latest in men’s and women’s fashion, Gap, French Connection and American Apparel are just some of the places you can visit.
Many of the outlets located here are regarded as their respective organisation’s flagship store and as such are often used to host launches and special promotions, with celebrities usually making appearances at these events, particularly for the switching on of the annual Christmas light display. However, you’ll also find A-listers hitting the high street by themselves, with P Diddy and Beyonce among those seen here.
If you need to take a break from scouring the shops for bargains, there’s a whole host of restaurants, bars and cafes on the street that serve refreshments, ranging from fast food establishments like KFC to upmarket Italian eatery Carluccio’s. There are also a number of London hotels in the area so you can base your stay on Oxford Street should you wish to do so.
Fifth Avenue, New York
As one of New York’s longest thoroughfares, Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is for many shopaholics a dream destination to indulge in some retail therapy.
As far as Fifth Avenue goes, it’s between 49th Street and 60th Street where you really go to town with making some purchases. It is here that you’ll find a selection of high-end boutiques and luxury department stores.
Among the many iconic shops you’ll come across is the flagship Saks Fifth Avenue branch. Open since 1924 and selling a wide range of men’s and women’s clothing made by leading European and American designers, this is a great place to upgrade your wardrobe, with DKNY, Burberry and Diane von Furstenberg just some of the brands sold.
If it’s designer jewellery and watches you are after, the branches of Cartier, Omega and Tiffany & Co are sure to delight. Numerous mainstream retailers also have stores here, including Abercrombie & Fitch and H&M.
Sports fans, meanwhile, may want to visit the NBA Store. Here, you’ll be able to pick up jerseys and memorabilia relating to the world’s leading basketball league.
Many outlets stay open as late as 22:00, although times vary between individual stores.
There is much more to Fifth Avenue than just great shopping, as the intersection with 59th Street forms the south-west tip of Central Park. Continue heading northwards and you’ll come to the stretch of the road known as Museum Mile which is home to several cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Avenue Montaigne, Paris
For fantastic shopping in continental Europe, there is perhaps nowhere like Paris’ Avenue Montaigne.
Situated between the bank of the Seine and Champs Elysees Avenue, here you’ll find a selection of high-end stores from some of the leading names in French and international fashion.
The street is some 600 metres long and there are dozens of shops you’ll be able to visit, including branches of Prada, Dior and Chanel. You can also purchase men’s and women’s clothing at the Versace and Ralph Lauren stores, so it should come as little surprise that this is a great place to head to if you want to dress like an A-lister.
Who knows, you may even spot some celebrities browsing the aisles next to you! Katie Holmes and Victoria Beckham have both been spotted at the Giorgio Armani store here.
Via Monte Napoleone, Milan
Located in the heart of Milan’s fashion district, Via Monte Napoleone is known throughout Italy as being a fantastic place to buy watches, jewellery and clothing from the world’s leading high-end brands.
There’s the chance to browse more than 200 stores here, from Marc Jacobs and Rolex to Borsalino and Audemars Piguet.
Ladies looking for the perfect pair of shoes to complement a new outfit may well be in luck. Ugg, Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin are just some of the names to have stores here.
Via Monte Napoleone is also a great place to get some designer homewares, as it is home to branches of Royal Doulton, Wedgwood and Waterford Crystal, so there’s bound to be something for you.
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
Visit the stores found along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and you’ll be shopping in what is commonly regarded as one of the best places for luxury shopping in the world.
Stretching for three blocks along the Californian city, there are around 100 chic stores, boutiques and hotels for you to visit, with Juicy Couture, Dolce & Gabbana and Guess among the many high-end fashion outlets where you can splash some cash.
Breguet and Battaglia are just two places where you’ll be able to buy beautiful watches and jewellery, while the four-floor Rodeo Collection mall has interior design stores and spa and beauty centres. While enjoying a spot of retail therapy along Rodeo Drive, you could well bump into some of the world’s most famous actors and musicians.
Britney Spears, Leonardo DiCaprio and Danny DeVito are just a selection of the stars to have been seen browsing the shops and boutiques here, so well as walking away with some new clothes you might even be able to get a couple of autographs too!
Those who visit any of the above shopping streets will be able to not only shop but explore the wonderful sights throughout the cities in which they are found. The only problem is whether you’ll be able to tear yourself away from the shops long enough to see what else the cities have to offer!
On the northern coast, 75 kilometres east of Palermo, lies Cefalù a medieval town built on the site of an ancient Sicanian and Greek settlement. All that remains of these ancient cultures today is a small structure, the Temple of Diana, on the mountain overlooking the town. With its magnificent view of the town, cathedral, mountains and sea, it is well worth the climb. And from the 15th to 18th September 2011 Cefalù will celebrate its own Ice Cream Festival (Sherberth Festival – Festival Internazionale del Gelato a Cefalù). Along the main street it’s possible to taste ice creams made by 30 different ice cream shops in Sicily, with lots of different flavours from the classic to some more peculiar ones such as wine sorbet.
This is a view at sunset from the roof terrace at Dar Les Cigognes of the “Royal Storks” so called because they rest/nest on the ramparts of the Royal Palace as they migrate from Europe along the coast of Africa every year.
This stork is in the process of clacking its beak like a castanet, which they do as part of their mating call. It is an incredible sound, particularly when there are hundreds of them in residence in the Spring and Fall during the migration.
The world’s attention will be shifting to Brazil over the next few years because it is due to host the world’s two biggest events, the Football World Cup in 2014, followed by the Olympic Games in 2016. I am not sure that any country has ever won the rights to host the two largest events within such a short time-frame, but I am sure the Brazilians will cope, as they love the attention and they believe they live in a truly blessed country.
The story goes that when God was creating the earth, the angels were made responsible for distributing all the major resources to each country in the world. Forests, mountains and rivers and other resources were all allocated by God, and placed in each country in turn by the Angels.
The angels kept seeing an extraordinary amount of resources being allocated each time to Brazil, when so many other countries seemed to get so little. The angels commented amongst themselves about such unfairness. Finally, the angels plucked up enough courage to confront God, and ask him why he was distributing so many resources to just one country, Brazil. God, who was not used to others questioning his actions, looked the angels firmly in the eye, and replied that they should see the kind of people he was going to put in that country!
Is it any wonder the Brazilians are convinced that God is Brazilian? And despite his comment, as any tourist to the country will tell you, the people aren’t all that bad either! Indeed, Brazil is a country blessed with so many wonderful features, which makes it a fascinating destination for a holiday. When a country has so much to offer, it makes me wonder why the British have not really made Brazil a destination worthy of their attention. When people look for holiday destinations, they may look for certain features in that country.
If you are looking for beaches, Brazil is indeed blessed. Almost its entire coastline of 7,500 kilometres is bordered by wonderful, beautiful white sandy beaches. Even their cities have beaches in them. Rio de Janeiro has more than a hundred beaches in and around the city, and Recife, in the north east of the country, has 13 kilometres of beach in the city. Is it any wonder that Brazilians laugh when they see the beaches we have in Europe?
If you are looking for waterfalls, you don’t need to go anywhere else! In the south of Brazil, on the border with Argentina and Paraguay, is not so much a wonderful waterfall, as a whole new world of water. Foz de Iguacu is the most stunning waterfall in the world, with more than three times the volume of water descending the Niagara Falls. Victoria Falls is good, but this is something else.
When you go to a country you might also look for friendly people. Despite God’s comment, here you will find very friendly people. I once came upon an English tourist in the north of Brazil who had been living in the country for a couple of months. I asked him where he was staying and he told me that he had been staying at a fisherman’s house on the beach. Brazil is full of stories like that, people who do not have much, but are prepared to share everything they have with strangers.
If you go to a country you might want to its explore rivers or wildlife areas. If you go to the Amazon, it will blow you away by its awesome beauty and power. It is not for nothing that the Amazon is called the River Sea. Arguably the longest river in the world before the Nile, there are no arguments over any of the other statistics in this truly unique place.
The Amazon provides one fifth of all the freshwater in the world, and is so powerful that the freshwater pushes the seawater up to 160 kilometres into the Atlantic Ocean. The Amazon basin is the largest basin in the world, covering 40% of South America. During the wet season, the river is more than 190 kilometres wide in some places. The Amazon River has over 1,100 tributaries and 17 of these are over 1,500 kilometres long. The Amazon rainforest provides approximately one third of all the creatures on the planet. If you are looking for something unique and different, it is all here.
Are you looking for a safari or to look at wildlife? Brazil has the Pantanal, a unique wetlands area, five times bigger than the Florida Everglades. Here you can see the majestic Jaguar, enough alligators for you to come to like and respect them, and most of the exotic birds God ever created.
If it is culture you want, Brazilians are natural dancers and musicians. Music rings out from every house and every shop. When Olivia Newton-John visited Brazil in the 1980s she was amazed by the quantity and quality of the music she heard. She commented that if the music had been written in English rather than Portuguese, it would rank right up there with the best produced in Britain and the United States.
Shopping is also a passion for holiday makers. Brazil is a paradise for shoppers! There are lots of markets around the country where interesting handicrafts can be purchased. Brazil is also famous for its jewels and precious stones. If you are looking for something special, you can get it here at reasonable prices. Leather goods, shoes, art and music also all make interesting purchases at reasonable prices when compared to Europe.
Food is very important for any tourist, and Brazil does not disappoint. Seafood is prevalent, with an abundance of different kinds fish. The north of Brazil has excellent lobster at very good prices, and the Amazon has its own treat of offering tasty fish that cannot be consumed anywhere else in the world. Brazil’s hotpot of peoples means that many different areas of the country have their own delicacies, which in a word are…delicious. As an example, there are more Italian restaurants in São Paulo than either Rome or Milan!
It may even be the football which attracts you to this country. This is the land of football. The British may have invented football, but here is where they play it. Everywhere you look, people are playing it. You can participate in the longest on-going football match in history on the beach at Copacabana, in Rio de Janeiro. It never stops, just turn up and join in. You will see them out there in the early morning when you wake up, and they will still be there after midnight when you come back from dinner or a club, playing under floodlights.
Go and take a look at the temple of football, the Maracanã stadium famed for its capacity of almost 200,000 spectators in the final of the 1950 World Cup Final when Brazil lost 2-1. Presently the stadium is being renovated for the 2014 World Cup and will have a capacity for a more sedentary 82,000 seated spectators.
So if any of the above, tickles your fancy, Brazil is the place for you. It may be many things….but it will not disappoint you…
Whether you want a calm and upscale stag holiday or a more rambunctious occasion where the drinks flow freely, you can find whatever you are looking for at some of the best stag destinations around the world. From Asia to Europe, there are countless attractions, bars, and nightclubs to entertain you, and provide you with great entertainment before the groom’s wedding day. Visit one of these top 10 destinations for a luxury stag holiday around the world.
1. Berlin
This capital city of Germany makes a great destination for more than just the fantastic beer. The modern location and inexpensive prices mean you can live like a king, if only for the weekend. For a true luxury stag do, visit one of the many breweries Germany is famous for and take a private tasting tour. The nightlife doesn’t end at 1am, or 2, or even 3. Clubs are happy to stay open as late as you want, so don’t be surprised if the sun is up before you head back to your hotel.
2. Copenhagen
This Danish city offers the high life for those who want something more unique and classy than a typical rowdy stag do. Bodegas, or cellar bars, line the streets and offer a refreshing change of pace from the pub. The women in Copenhagen are not used to an influx of visitors, so visitors stand out and make an impression here. Copenhagen is home to Carlsberg, so drinks will certainly not be a problem at this great destination.
3. Istanbul
No other city in the world blends Western modernity with ancient culture quite like Istanbul. The hotels offers amazing amenities that make you feel like royalty, and are located among ancient ruins and incredible architecture. Drink with the locals and enjoy water pipes, and then head to the clubs where local beauties are happy to explain local culture to you. Recover in the morning with popular and inexpensive massages at the Turkish baths.
4. Moscow
This makes for no ordinary stag party. Start the trip with incredible activities to make you feel like a man, including gun shooting and tank driving, no ordinary pastimes for a stag holiday. The nightlife is where Moscow really shines as the ultimate party location. Strip clubs and night clubs are countless in the city, and you will enjoy every second of your evening–at least the parts you can remember after all the vodka.
5. Munich
This German city takes the cake for beer lovers. If you happen to have a stag party planned for October, there is really only one choice for destinations. Oktoberfest is easily the biggest party on earth, and is centered entirely around beer. What more could a stag ask for? Even if it’s not the right time of year, the city is home to beer gardens, buxom beer maidens, and plenty of university girls who make the nightclub scene so spectacular.
6. New York
Become royalty in the city that never sleeps with a trendy stag party. Try sightseeing from a stretch limo or hummer, and drink champagne as you see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the impressive skyline. With no shortage of fine clubs or beautiful woman, this is a great destination for any group. And if you are traveling from abroad, those American women love a good accent…
7. Zagreb
This Croatian city is quickly becoming a popular destination for a stag weekend abroad. It comes as no surprise, because the combination of inexpensive drinks, friendly locals, and beautiful women is an alluring one. Get VIP access to one of the great nightclubs in the city, and be prepared for a long night, as there are no closing times at any of the most popular clubs.
8. Dubai
For the ultimate luxury destination, Dubai is the answer. Nothing can compete with this incredibly upscale and glamorous location, where VIP means more than just rope cordoning off your section of the club. Visit Ferrari World during the day, and then head to the bars and clubs where the wealthiest men and women in the world gather to unwind. Dance the night away in a club, or just sip fine liquor from one of the tallest buildings in the world.
9. Las Vegas
For a high roller, no other city is more alluring than the gambling metropolis of Las Vegas.Whether you want to risk it all at the poker tables, or just sip drinks by the pool and take in the beauties tanning, this destination has it all. Drinks are free while you are on the gambling floor, which just means you have more to spend in the incredible nightclubs found in the hotels along the Strip.
10. Bangkok
This exotic Asian city offers everything you could want from a stag party destination; Warm weather, beautiful and friendly women, inexpensive drinks and accommodations, and a nightlife scene that puts others to shame. For a taste of the Orient, head to Bangkok for a special stag holiday.
If you’re someone who travels by private jet, you may or may not be aware of the perk of being able to bring along pet family members with you. And now you can make sure your pet is just as safe as you are and pampered every bit as much as you are.
Sit’n Stay Global provides corporate flight attendants who are safety trained not only for all of the usual human situations that might arise on a flight, but they also in their proprietary Pet Safety Protocols that consider everything from turbulence to bracing positions and evacuation procedures on land or in water. They carry pet oxygen masks, pet seat restraints and pet flotation devices with them on every flight. In addition, each flight attendant is trained in Pet First Aid and CPR. They took on these safety measures after learning of an accident where the passengers survived but the dog died on impact when he flew through the cabin and hit the bulkhead. That simply was not acceptable to the folks at Sit’n Stay.
The pampering isn’t limited to amazing meals catered in-flight that rival the human meals in elegance and presentation. These flight attendants often stay on at destination as pet nannies, allowing busy travellers to bring their pets even though they have work or a busy touring schedule planned. They come equipped with the latest apps to point them to the local dog parks, hiking trails and beaches that are pet friendly, cafés and shops where they can shop together and local dog activities.
We’ve all been to hotels and received little freebies on arrival or departure, but in the luxury hotels it is something of a challenge for them to be original and provide guests with memorable tokens to help enhance their stay.
Items like pens, extra towels and welcome chocolates are all lovely, but they aren’t going to set the tone for your holiday or even stay in your memory once you’ve returned home.
In the really, really top class hotels, you almost expect these gifts to be of certain standard and be rolled into their promise of ‘great service’, but they aren’t always and this is sometimes a bit of a disappointment. I’m happy to report however that there are plenty of exceptions and lots of really good hotels who do use their imagination and creativity with their ‘free gifts’.
Of all the hotels I have visited over the years, Abama in Tenerife really stands out. They delivered a daily tasting plate of patisserie selections to our room, so when we returned from the pool they were waiting for us, covered, chilled and ready to tuck into. And they were sublime, really top class homemade cakes. And what made this special was that element of surprise.
It’s also great when a hotel has thought ahead of things you might physically need when you’re there. We were on a group tour of Dubai with the Jumeirah Group and were given boxed embroidered Chinese hand held fans to take away, and boy did they come in useful in the 40 degree temperatures. You might think that sounds like a small, insignificant trinket, but this gift was practical at the time and it remains practical even now.
Other hotels delve deeper into the minds of their visitors, and depending on their location provide items that are essential for excursions that you wouldn’t want to pack in your case and in some cases couldn’t even if you tried. I’m talking about things like umbrellas, rain jackets, binoculars and regional maps which can be often be found in touring destinations with a tropical or interchangeable climate like Borneo or parts of New Zealand.
Dinarobin in Mauritius gave us a chocolate egg when we were staying over Easter, and this was nice gesture. Other hotels surprise you with the offer of free spa treatments, wine or fruit platters (it helps if you are on honeymoon!) and other regular freebies tend to include things like painted fridge magnets, customised leather passport wallets, business card holders and key rings.
My wife got a really beautiful hair brush from CuisinArt in Anguilla that she still uses to this day. It’s a high quality brush and reminds her of the time we spent there.
I can’t help but think the next level might be to provide something electronic – perhaps a personal organiser with local places of interest, excursions and nearby bars loaded onto it? Just an idea!
North Cyprus is a defacto independent state located in the northern region of Cyprus. The state is officially named the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The country has a beautiful array of great sites and ancient architecture, perfect for historians and travellers. The area has tempted many conquerors due to its natural beauty, from the Romans to the Persians and the Byzantine.
History
The area of North Cyprus contains many great historical sites and ruins. The Salamis Ruins near Famagusta is one of the country’s most popular tourist sites. The area is located on the Eastern shore of the state. It was originally founded by the Egyptians in 260 BC and was then later ruled by the Ottomans and the Venetians. The remains that you can visit are from the Roman period. Due to wars and medieval builders raiding the site for stone, the city fell into decline. The historic area runs for over 1 kilometre with a sandy beach alone the entire site. The ruins are near to many cafes and restaurants and people that provide traditional handcrafts.
The Harbour
Kyrenia is a small harbour town located at the north of the island. The area is said to date back to the 10th Century BC where the harbour was the crown jewel in the ancient fishing village. Today the area has a wide array of different cafes and restaurants to visit. Tourists can sit and relax while having a meal or coffee and see the great views of the harbour and the Five Finger Mountains. Located at the bottom of the mountains are some small charming old villages if you plan to explore different areas while visiting the country.
This one is a personal favourite of mine as we spent a few nights of our honeymoon here. A truly incredible location with a restaurant that overlooks one of the finest locations in Africa.
Val d’Isere, Meribel and Courchevel 1850 are popular, well known ski resorts in the French Alps. However they are all unique, each appealing to a completely different type of skier or group.
Val d’Isere is the high altitude station that thas retained a lovely village feel. Skiing is the focus for this resort, with access to the whole of the Espace Killy. It is a skiers paradise with a vast array of cruising pistes along with nearly 25 acres of off piste powder to play in.
However for those who ski hard there are plenty of places to play hard too, with the Folie Douce bringing you the best apres ski. The ski lift which arrives in the building is perfect for those on foot or who do not wish to ski back down at the end of the day.
Meribel is a favourite destination for families, this is predominantly due to its’ extensive intermediate piste skiing. The tree lined slopes at the Altiport are perfect for first week skiers. Also there are many brilliant independant ski schools so you are spoilt for choice for English speaking instructors.
The Rond Point is the place where the fun begins. Located on the run back to resort, this apres ski bar is famous for its’ toffee vodka but also is a great sunny lunch spot accessable to all whether you are on skis or foot.
Courchevel 1850 is well known as the playground of the rich and famous. The fabulous boutiques and art studios attract spenders as well as skiers but the skiing in the Courchevel valley is vast, with something to suit every ski style. Cruising greens and blue are situated not far from steep black runs and there are serveral easy to access couloirs for the more adventurous skier. However this is the resort which attracts Russian clientele, it has adapted and evolved over the years so Russian speaking visitors feel at home with Russian language menu’s and many Russian speaking instructors available.
There are more Michelin stars in this resort than any other but you need to have deep pockets to really enjoy the food and drink available. However the service is generally excellent and the bars and resturants are great places for people watching.
Ingredients:
450g Mud Crab, quartered and claws cracked
3 tblspn vegetable oil
8 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
8 fresh red chilli, roughly chopped
1 egg
2 shallots, cut into finger length
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 small bunch of coriander
For the sauce:
1 cup of water,
5 tblspns tomato ketchup
1 1/2 to 3 tblspns sugar, or according to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons cornflour
1 tblspn oyster sauce
1 teaspn pounded brown preserved soya beans or dark miso
¼ teaspn salt
Directions:
Heat the oil in a wok or shallow saucepan over high heat. Add garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the chilli, stir-fry till fragrant. Add the mud crabs. Fry well till the shells start turning red. Add the sauce ingredients and stir well. Cover with a lid and simmer until the shells are red. Break the egg into the wok and streak with a fork, simmer till cooked. Squeeze lime juice over and stir in shallots. Garnish with plenty of chopped coriander.
With a private chef preparing gourmet Alpine cuisine, Laurent Perrier on ice, a hot tub and sauna to ease aching muscles and stunning views across to the iconic Matterhorn, Scott Dunn’s first boutique chalet hotel in the Swiss resort of Zermatt launches in time for the 2011-12 ski season.
Scott Dunn’s Ski Boutique Zermatt is the first boutique chalet hotel offering in the luxury ski operator’s Alpine portfolio and is available to book on a room-by-room basis.
With nine contemporary bedrooms spread over three floors and spacious open-plan living area to relax in, Ski Boutique Zermatt is ideal for small groups or solo skiers seeking an affordable fully-inclusive luxury chalet holiday without the pressure of filling a whole chalet.
A week staying at Ski Boutique Zermatt starts from £1,430 per person in January and includes return British Airways flights, gourmet chalet half board and transfers.
Italy contains a mass of history, architecture and tradition all of which are important contributions in today’s culture.
The Christian Catacombs of Rome have important influences on the history of Italy and are fascinating underground cemeteries or burial tunnels that can be visited by holiday makers wishing to include the Catacombs as part of a sightseeing trip.
The tunnels emerged in Rome around the second and third centuries, and eventually stretched all the way to the coastal resort of Brindisi which is found in the Apulia region of Italy.
The tunnels were developed because the people who resided along the stretches of Rome, within the city walls, were forbidden to hold burials there. The Catacombs were not only places where Christian followers would bury the dead, but were also used at times to hold church services – especially at depressing times of persecution.
Just a few of the Catacombs are open to the public –many of the tunnels are closed to preserve the presence of the Christian art that is still evident. Visitors can, however discover plenty of miles worth of tunnels and experience the musty aromas, and dark burial niches – of which there are thousands.
The burial niches in the Catacombs were built to hold between two to three bodies.
Depending on where you choose to stay, there are clear signs close to the Catacombs to help you find them (follow the signs for San Domitilla), and its easy to pick up the Metro and bus 218 along Via Appia Antica to get to the square ‘Largo MF’ where it is a short walk to the Catacombs.
Close to the Catacombs is the Mausoleum (Tomb) of Cecilia Metella (or Mausleo di Ceacilia Metella) where you can wander, or take a guided tour, around the tomb which was built for the daughter of a Rome consul, Quintus Metellus Creticus, who conquered the Island of Crete. He was the son of Balearicus, a colleague of Caesar and Pompey.
The inscription that was placed when the tomb was erected is still in place, outlining the owner of the tomb. Cecilia was a noblewoman of the time, around 50BC.
Via Appia Antica fearures plenty of famous tombs, buildings and architecture that can fill your days and are well worth discovering on a sightseeing trip.
The area contains plenty of hotels, lots of bus routes and easy access to the Italian Metro should you wish to venture further.
Luxury cruises offer tourists the opportunity to explore great areas of a country during a 7 day holiday. In Egypt, Nile cruises are a popular holiday choice. They offer comfortable accommodation and easy access to some of the country’s best sites. If you are planning to visit the area we suggest sightseeing in the morning before the day becomes too hot and before lots of people are at the locations.
The Nile cruises can explore Luxor, Aswan, Kom Ombo and many other great Egyptian areas. Luxor is a must see destination for historians as the area is home to the Valley of the Kings, which contains tombs of pharaohs. The Temple of Karnak in the area is one of the biggest temple complexes still in existence.
Aswan offers a quieter location but has great beaches and all year round sun. The area also has historic sites such as the Nubian Temples and the unfinished Obelisk. We would recommend watching the feluccas meander down the Nile, a sight you aren’t likely to forget.
Kom Ombo is a farming based town that is situated between the Nubia and the Nile Valley. The area is famous for its “Temple of Kom Ombo”, a double temple that has two symmetrical sides. One of the sides of the temple is dedicated to the Crocodile god Sobek, while the other side is dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
We would recommend Nile cruise holidays to people that love to explore historic sites. They offer luxurious accommodation and guide guests through the many great locations the country has to offer.
The world’s most beautiful city was discovered on 1st January 1502 by the Portuguese fleet led by Pedro Alvares Cabral. Thinking that the impressive entrance was the mouth of an enormous river, they called it the River of January, but it is, in fact, a massive bay, Guanabara Bay. When you are distracted by the amazing scenery, and mountains appear to rise directly out of the sea, in a location of such natural beauty, such a mistake is understandable.
If you were to choose the most beautiful city in the world what would your criteria be?
You don’t usually find beaches in a city do you? Well, no you don’t. But this is not a usual city. There are over a hundred beaches in and around the city with 80 kilometres of beach. These include three of the most famous beaches in the world, Copacabana, Ipanema made famous by the song ‘Girl from Ipanema’ and the white sands of Leblon. This city has a number of mountains, one, the Sugar Loaf Mountain, appears to rise directly out of the sea. The Corcovado Mountain, the home of the famous statue of Christ, is also a spectacular mountain, offering stunning views over the whole city. On the other side of the city, is Pedra Bonita, a mountain where hangliders throw themselves off the rock to land on Praia do Pepino, Cucumber Beach, below. There are also Dois Irmaos, the Two Brothers, who watch over the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon.
It is unusual to have any significant green areas in a city, never mind a forest, but Rio has the two largest urban forests in the world, the Tijuca Forest, and the Pedra Branca Forest. These forests lead up the mountain, Corcovado, from where the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer stands, which surveys most of Rio.
Just to make up the almost overwhelming mixture of nature’s most precious possessions, Rio also has a lake, the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, best seen from Corcovado, where it appears as a mirror below, in the shimmering sunshine.
Then you have the man made beauty in the city. Rio is also home to more than 50 museums, and one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world. The city is also home to many of Brazil’s greatest writers and musicians who have just looked around the city where they live for inspiration.
Rio was the capital of Brazil from 1763 to 1960, when the capital was moved to Brasilia. The Portuguese Royal Family made it their home in 1808 when fleeing Napoleon’s armies, and built many fine traditional buildings. The Opera House is of outstanding beauty and there are several royal palaces to explore.
Oscar Niemayor, the modernist architect who brought Brasilia to the world’s attention by his outstanding designs for the city, has also left his mark in Rio, with the modern museum of art his most beautiful creation. It looks stunning perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Bay of Guanabara, and appearing to be where a spaceship has just landed. There are many more beautiful modern buildings in the city.
Rio also stages the two biggest and best parties in the world. New Years Eve is celebrated every year on Copacabana beach where everyone dresses in white for the all night party to welcome in the New Year. The firework display lasts more than twenty minutes, launched from boats in the bay. In February every year the most spectacular, biggest and longest party in the world takes place. This is the Carnival. This starts on a Friday night and finishes at midday the following Wednesday. For four and a half days, the Cariocas, the inhabitants of this amazing city, dance, party, sing, parade, and lots of other things until they, quite literally, drop.
And then before you know it, you have to leave Rio. As you sit at Rio’s airport, waiting for your flight to be called, suddenly a voice comes across the loudspeakers calling a flight. Except this is not any ‘voice’. It is a ladies voice which comes across in cool, calm sultry tones, full of pregnant pauses, almost orgasmic in its poignancy.
“Passengers on flight number… to London, please, please come …..to gate number… sixxx.”
It just isn’t fair! You are already disappointed to be leaving, and here is the sexiest, crumbliest voice in the world telling you to leave, but really holding you back! Passengers have been known to look at the loudspeakers in disbelief, walk blindly to the wrong gates, just walk around aimlessly looking for the ‘voice’ or just smile, a knowing smile, knowing that this is Rio de Janeiro, the most beautiful, the most amazing, and the sexiest city in the world!
This week’s photograph is of a young boy, aged around 8 years old, in Dahab, Egypt, attempting to drag his father’s camel into the sea for a bath at dawn. He didn’t succeed and instead had to go and fetch his brother for assistance!
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If you love nothing more than indulging in a little retail therapy, then you’re probably already aware of some of the world’s most famous shopping streets. Here, we look at 5 of the best known shopping streets around the world that are found in some of the most exciting and glamorous cities on the planet!
On the northern coast, 75 kilometres east of Palermo, lies Cefalù a medieval town built on the site of an ancient Sicanian and Greek settlement. All that remains of these ancient cultures today is a small structure, the Temple of Diana, on the mountain overlooking the town. With its magnificent view of the town, cathedral, mountains and sea, it is well worth the climb. And from the 15th to 18th September 2011 Cefalù will celebrate its own Ice Cream Festival (
The world’s attention will be shifting to Brazil over the next few years because it is due to host the world’s two biggest events, the Football World Cup in 2014, followed by the Olympic Games in 2016. I am not sure that any country has ever won the rights to host the two largest events within such a short time-frame, but I am sure the Brazilians will cope, as they love the attention and they believe they live in a truly blessed country.
Whether you want a calm and upscale stag holiday or a more rambunctious occasion where the drinks flow freely, you can find whatever you are looking for at some of the best stag destinations around the world. From Asia to Europe, there are countless attractions, bars, and nightclubs to entertain you, and provide you with great entertainment before the groom’s wedding day. Visit one of these top 10 destinations for a luxury stag holiday around the world.
If you’re someone who travels by private jet, you may or may not be aware of the perk of being able to bring along pet family members with you. And now you can make sure your pet is just as safe as you are and pampered every bit as much as you are.
We’ve all been to hotels and received little freebies on arrival or departure, but in the luxury hotels it is something of a challenge for them to be original and provide guests with memorable tokens to help enhance their stay.
North Cyprus is a defacto independent state located in the northern region of Cyprus. The state is officially named the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The country has a beautiful array of great sites and ancient architecture, perfect for historians and travellers. The area has tempted many conquerors due to its natural beauty, from the Romans to the Persians and the Byzantine.
Val d’Isere, Meribel and Courchevel 1850 are popular, well known ski resorts in the French Alps. However they are all unique, each appealing to a completely different type of skier or group.
Heat the oil in a wok or shallow saucepan over high heat. Add garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the chilli, stir-fry till fragrant. Add the mud crabs. Fry well till the shells start turning red. Add the sauce ingredients and stir well. Cover with a lid and simmer until the shells are red. Break the egg into the wok and streak with a fork, simmer till cooked. Squeeze lime juice over and stir in shallots. Garnish with plenty of chopped coriander.
With a private chef preparing gourmet Alpine cuisine, Laurent Perrier on ice, a hot tub and sauna to ease aching muscles and stunning views across to the iconic Matterhorn, 
Italy contains a mass of history, architecture and tradition all of which are important contributions in today’s culture.
Luxury cruises offer tourists the opportunity to explore great areas of a country during a 7 day holiday. In Egypt, Nile cruises are a popular holiday choice. They offer comfortable accommodation and easy access to some of the country’s best sites. If you are planning to visit the area we suggest sightseeing in the morning before the day becomes too hot and before lots of people are at the locations.
The world’s most beautiful city was discovered on 1st January 1502 by the Portuguese fleet led by Pedro Alvares Cabral. Thinking that the impressive entrance was the mouth of an enormous river, they called it the River of January, but it is, in fact, a massive bay, Guanabara Bay. When you are distracted by the amazing scenery, and mountains appear to rise directly out of the sea, in a location of such natural beauty, such a mistake is understandable.