The Golden Gate in San Francisco has quite fashionable neighborhoods such as Pacific Heights and Cow Hollow with their historical landmarks like Fort Mason.  Most tourists are also keen not to miss Fisherman’s Wharf with its numerous souvenir stores and world class sea food restaurants. The Nob Hill Russian Hill with its ritzy neighborhoods features upscale cable cars, steep inclines and hotels. Others are Chinatown North Beach, the Financial District of Union Square, Height and The Avenues among other districts.

San Francisco is notoriously known as a gay center and gay neighborhoods have of late developed here such as the Castro. Recently, the city has become a booming hub for businesses and today, San Francisco is one of the most visited destinations in America with Tourism being the backbone of the economy.

The climate in San Francisco is mild with summers being dry and winters are cool wet. Filmmaking in San Francisco is quite common with many film production companies being based here. Some of the world famous films that have been set in the city are such as The Maltese Falcon, Dark Passage, Bullitt and Psych- out. Entry into the city is largely facilitated by San Francisco International Airport which is one of the world’s largest airports with many amenities like eating and shopping establishments, medical clinic, public shower and others. The best way to tour the city is on foot which can be very exciting as you get to view the friendly neighborhoods much better.

If you want to save money when visiting San Francisco, it is advisable that you consider getting one of the passes that offer great discounts to numerous attractions in the city. The passes include San Francisco CityPass, Go San Francisco Card and Wharf Pass. With these passes, you can enjoy free tours to sightseeing attractions, museums, Bay Cruises, aquariums and a city tour. Golden Gate Bridge is the city’s landmark and one of the world’s most popular ancient bridges.

Presidio used to be a military post and boasts of an awesome architecture. The Palace of Fine Arts is simply gorgeous featuring Greek and Roman reminiscent architecture. The major attractions at the city center include Cable cars, Coit Tower, Transamerica pyramid, Alamo Square Park and Painted Ladies. San Francisco neighborhoods are intriguing and unique ranging from Fisherman’s Wharf to Alcatraz Prison and Angel Island.

Thanks to its long and rich history as a center for empires, there are numerous religious and historic places in Istanbul that are definitely worthy your time. Ancient monuments are many, some of which dates back to Ottoman and Roman era such as the Sultabahmet Mosque and Hagia Sophia. The Church of St. Svaior is one of the religious attractions in Istanbul located in Chora and it features unique mosaics and frescoes in its inside.

The Theodisian Walls are quite impressive and almost intact and marks the western peninsula boundary. The famous Galata Tower is in north of the old city and has contemporary exhibitions of Turkish art. Galata Whirling Dervish Hall is yet another site of great religious significance in Istanbul. The most famous pedestrian street in Istanbul is Istiklal Avenue where you can find most of the locals and tourists.

The city is also home to the holiest Islamic Shrine where you can reflect back to the historical times during the Ottoman period in Istanbul. A miniature park which was the first to be erected in the city is known as Miniaturk which features historical models. The Military Museum houses collections of the war time era and other attractions include the Art Nouveau buildings and neo- classical structures as well as the pleasant waterfront mansions. The Maiden’s Tower continues to be a significant tourist attraction in the city, located near the Camlica Hill which is a rather picturesque neighborhood. Prince’s Islands are found in the southeastern parts of the city and largely comprise of pine groves and wooden mansions.

Most tourists to Istanbul have for long ignored the Tulips largely due to their historical bad connotation but still regarded as the symbol of Turkey. There are numerous parks as well that offer mind-blowing photographic scenes such as the Emirgan Park, Gulhane Park and Sultanhmet Park. Walking tours in Istanbul are common as you get to enjoy great views of the nice garden and other attractions.

Turkey boasts of football as the most popular sport and you will meet the highly passion footballs in Istanbul and most international teams have recognized that Turkey is one of the most intimidating places to have a match. Shopping in Istanbul is a great activity to partake in especially in the modernized shopping malls and bazaars and numerous items are sold here like garments, chalcedony, rugs and kilims among other items.

Being one of the most affluent nations in the world, Norway enjoys a very strong currency and visitors are advised to prepare for more expenses during their trip. However, the good news is that entry to most of the Norway attractions is permitted free of charge especially the nature and landscape itself. Also, if you are an adventurous tourist and wouldn’t mind spending a night in the tents, then you can forget about accommodation cost. Major holidays in Norway are Christmas and Easter even though the country celebrates many holidays as you would expect. Major regions start with East Norway which is the most populated and home to the national capital Oslo. Other regions are Middle Norway, Northern Norway, South Norway, West Norway, Svalbard and mountainous region of Jan Mayen largely covered with grass, moss and glaciers.

The largest city is Oslo which also serves as the capital and home to importance museums, a lively cultural scene comprising of a lively nightlife and beautiful sceneries. Bergen city is the former Norway capital and is known as the rainiest Europe city. Other cities in Norway include Trondheim, Trom, Stavanger and the holly Kristiansand city. Norway is undoubtedly a big country and getting around is not just time consuming but also very expensive. If you have your own car, then you will have a great time exploring the countryside and wilderness as you can get to admire the views.

The wide wilderness area in Norway makes it one of the best hiking destinations in the popular mountainous areas. During winter, you can enjoy skiing and cycling is a common thing in Norway and even big cities have dominant cycling routes. Being a very rich country, everything in Norway is quite expensive and shopping might not be the best activity especially when travelling on a rather limited budget. Also, labor in Norway is very costly and services are even more expensive. Since travelling is yet another killer, the best way to travel the long distances is by rail which will save you lots of money. Good restaurants and hotels in Norway are also very expensive and if you are trying to subsidize your travelling expenses, it is best that you reserve accommodation in self cater facilities and hostels.

The administrative capital of Hamilton is the only city in Bermuda while St. George is known as the old capital. The Flatts Village is home to Bermuda Aquarium, zoo and museum while Somerset village also has several tourist attractions. Other major attractions in Bermuda include the Horseshoe Bay Beach and the Baileys Bay. In total, Bermuda has 138 islets and islands which are connected by bridges. The island receives subtropical climate characterized by humid and hot weather. The Cup Match is a popular activity in Bermuda which involves St. George and Somerset playing cricket and most tourist attractions and other businesses are shut down. The roadsides and beaches are characterized by tents during this time when the Bermuda- lifestyle is showcased in big and bold. The 4- weekend holiday is all about feasting and gambling while enjoying the cricket matches.

Most travelers to Bermuda are served by the Bermuda International Airport which provides daily flight connections to Toronto, Boston, Washington and other areas especially in North America. A sizeable number of tourists also visit Bermuda through cruise ships/ yachts and boats during summer months. Car hires are not allowed at the island and only residents can own cars in Bermuda. However, cycle rentals provide an opportunity for tourists and locals to hire mopeds and motorized bikes which are competitively priced.

Bermuda offers surprisingly numerous sightseeing areas starting with St. George Town which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being the oldest in the island, it features British Colonial architecture alongside plazas, cobbled streets, fountains, squares and gardens. The Bermuda Maritime Museum houses some historic and wartime items. The Bermuda Aquarium Zoo and Museum is one of the major attractions on the island featuring numerous birds, mammals and reptiles. The Fantasy and Crystal caves are worthy a visit as well as the Spittal Pond where trees and trails are fixed. After visiting the famous Devil’s Hole Aquarium, visitors can also proceed onwards to Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, a cast iron structure which provides a great view of the entire island.

The lovely sandy beaches in Bermuda are well known for offering great swimming opportunities including the Horseshoe Bay Beach, Elbow Beach, Tobacco Bay, St. Catherine’s Bay, Turtle Beach, Snorkel Park and other bays and beaches. Golfing is a popular activity in Bermuda with the island having numerous golfing courses distributed all over the parishes. Other exploration areas in Bermuda include the Bermuda Railway Trail, Bermuda Forts and Victoria Park.

The famous Baja Peninsula in Mexico is dominated by American tourists which features 21st century resorts while tourists from Europe mostly travel to colonial towns such as Guanajuato as well as smaller southern resort areas such as Playa del Carmen. The landscape of Mexico comprises of rugged, high mountains, high plateaus, coastal plains and temperate plains characterized by Mezquite trees and grasslands. While there are many holidays in Mexico including Christmas, New Year’s Holiday, Constitution Day and others, perhaps the most celebrated holiday in the nation is Easter. Major regions in Mexico include the Baja California which borders U.S California state and Northern Mexico which has expansive mountains and deserts making it the most ignored Mexican area by tourists and referred to as the ‘Unknown Mexico’. The historic Bajo region is known for its traditional silver mines and central Mexico is home to Mexico City and thus the most developed area. Impressive archaeological sites are also found in Yucatan Peninsula also.

The largest city is Mexico City and it is in fact listed among top three largest world cities. With its 700 years history, this highly sophisticated city seems to be home to everything including colonial architecture, Aztec ruins, parks, shopping, nightlife and museums. The Acapulco city offers elegant dining opportunities and has a remarkable night life. Cancun houses one of the most famous beaches in the world thanks to its clear, inviting Caribbean waters and lots of great recreational facilities. Other major cities in Mexico include Tijuana, Taxco, San Luis Potosi and Monterrey.

Scuba diving is one of the obvious sea activities you would expect in a country such as Mexico surrounded by lots of waters. Other touristic interesting things to do in Mexico include surfing, sea kayaking, snorkeling, whale watching, scuba diving and volcano visits. Tourists will also spend their time enjoying the beautiful beaches and coastline in Oaxaca. Horseback rides are also common as well as visits to ecological parks and archaeological sites. Cave paintings and trekking will also keep you busy and in addition to undertaking volunteer activities in Chiapas, you can still decide to go for Spanish classes which are very common in most of the local universities in Mexico City.

Most of the people in Iceland live in Southwest Iceland which also houses the capital city of Reykjavik. West Fjords region has a rugged geography which explains why it is very sparsely populated. West Iceland has most of the glaciers while North Iceland is home to turbulent waterfalls and great lava fields. Glaciated mountains are mostly found at the interior while most of the tourist attractions are located in South Iceland.

The largest city is Reykjavik which is also the capital city. Egilsstaoir city boasts of having a great weather and Hofn town is one of the best sites in the world for whale watching. Iceland International Airport is located in the interesting town of Keflavik while Selfoss town is a majorly agricultural region. Unfortunately, most tourists in Iceland do not travel far from capital city even though the nation has other memorable sights further away. Most tour companies are ready tor organize excursions from the main cities. At an affordable price, you will fly to the dramatic, big volcanoes and to the glaciers which offers a memorable experience.

Iceland is home to several National Parks starting with Pingvellir National Park which is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the ‘parliamentary site’, this national park sits where the longest world running parliament was located. The Vatnajokull National Park is one of most recent national parks in Iceland but largest park in Europe. It boasts of housing the highest mountain in Iceland, largest waterfall in Europe and the largest glacier. Other attractions include the Blue Lagoon which houses a spa comprising of surreal milky blue water in the lava field. Myvatn lake region gives an unearthly kind of experience resulting from the special volcanic craters found here.

The most beautiful and dramatic waterfall in Iceland is Gullfoss which attracts a large number of tourists as well as the majestic Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon and geothermal hotspot of Geysir. Most tourists travel to Iceland in order to enjoy the momentous hiking opportunities and even though the country is not a popular skiing area, Akureyri town offers relatively big ski opportunities. The numerous glaciers and frozen waterfalls of world class glacier hiking experience as well as incredible sight seeing and whale watching. Mobiling is also common in Iceland especially when travelling to the rather inaccessible regions. Iceland is one of the European countries that were severely impacted by the recent economic crisis which led to a value collapse its local currency but it is making good recovery currently.

Sweden is a highly developed country with one of the highest life expectancy and standard of living ranking in the world. It is a member of European Union but not committed to Euro currency and European Monetary Union. The locals appear quite reserved but they are also very friendly and hospitable to tourists. Interestingly, Sweden is home to all the Nobel Prize committees except peace prize committee that seats in Oslo. Key regions in Sweden include Noorland, Svealand and Gotaland. The capital city is Stockholm which is also the largest in the country and well known for its great archipelago and amazing beauty. In addition, nightlife in this city is just crazy and some of the best restaurants in Europe call Stockholm home.

The industrial city of Gothenburg is the second largest and is also a port city. Other cities and towns include Orebro, Uppsala, Umean, Kiruna, Vasteras, Malmo, Lulea and a few others. Gotland is a hot destination in Sweden and the island is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other destinations worthy travelling include Kullaberg which houses a Nature Reserve, hiking trails in Kungsleden, Riksgransen which has a ski resort, the old city of Sigtuna and the picturesque Osterlen. Laponia National Park attracts a lot of tourists during summer thanks to its beautiful mountains which offers a great site for hiking and several campsites and cabins.

The old towns of Sweden are also worthy a visit such as Uppsala, Karlskrona and Visby alongside various castles and Royal Palaces. The economy of the country is supported by mining and most of the mills and mines are well preserved and worthy a visit and some of them like Fagersta and Falun are listed by UNESCO. The Woodland Cemetery is also a UNESCO recognized site as well as Struve Meridian Arch and Grimenton Radio Masts. Sweden is well known as a perfect destination for outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, canoeing, skating, horse riding and sailing. The country also offers remarkable shopping and nightlife opportunities especially in Stockholm that features great shopping malls. Visiting Sweden is best recommended during summer between the months of late May and early September.

Culture in Denmark is well represented by the popular sports especially football which is the ‘national sport’ alongside golf, handball and gymnastics. The other key aspect of Danish culture is ‘Hygge’ which involves home dinners over candle lights, red wine accompanied by long conversations among family members and friends. Modesty and understatement is a prominent behavioral pattern in Denmark which involves strict functionalism and minimalism rather than flashiness. Generally people in Denmark are very patriotic and despite warmly welcoming visitors and being very hospitable and friendly, they do not take well any kind of criticism regardless of how constructive it might be. Environmentalism is a way of life in Denmark with the country being rated among the top greenest world countries.

Denmark has a number of great cities alongside some very interesting towns that any traveler might want to visit. The largest city is Copenhagen which is also the capital city and features memorable cultural experiences, an inspiration for traditional Danish designs and one of the best shopping places in Denmark. The second largest city is Aarhus which acts like a historic centre. Nightlife in Denmark is well represented by the vibrant and picturesque Aalborg city. Other key towns include Elsinore, Ribe which houses Wadden Sea National Park, the ambitious town of Herning with spectacular beaches, Odense, Skagen and Ronne among others. Geographically and culturally, Denmark is the main Scandinavia gateway. Travelers to this country from the rest of Scandinavia and Europe can use the ferries while rest of tourists can get in through Copenhagen International Airport.

Being a member of Schengen Agreement travelers from other countries that have signed the treaty won’t require a visa while other nationals will require a visa, passport and national id for entry. The Billetnet is a must visit in Denmark which books theater plays, large concerts and other sporting events. Being an environmentally conscious country, nature oriented shows are common including geology tours and mushroom collection and most of these tours are actually free. With its long coastline, beaches in Denmark are many and mostly invaded by German tourists. Even though Denmark has a quite tricky weather, its beaches offer a world class experience. Music festivals are also common especially during Danish summer and record impressive attendances from the locals and tourists. Amusement parks are distributed all over the cities which offer an awesome relaxation atmosphere.

]]> http://www.tourist-destinations.net/2013/05/denmark-travel-guide.html/feed 0 http://www.tourist-destinations.net/2013/05/canada-travel-guide.html http://www.tourist-destinations.net/2013/05/canada-travel-guide.html#comments Mon, 20 May 2013 08:25:35 +0000 admin http://www.tourist-destinations.net/?p=589 Canada is the largest North American country and the second biggest in the world by size after Russia. The country is well known for its vast landscape that is almost untouched. With its multifaceted historical background, the county features an amalgamation of different cultures and is among the world top tourist destinations. It is also featured among the top wealthiest countries in the world and it is also technologically rich, just like its southern neighbor, U.S. The country has a British heritage and life for most of the Canadians is just happy.

Canada is home to many cities and visitors to this great land are always confused on whether they should go. All the cities are quite distinctive and very hospitable to tourists which make them worth a visit. The national capital is Ottawa, housing famous government monuments such as the Parliament Hill and many museums including the famous Museum of Civilization. Calgary is the financial city of Canada but is also famous for non business tourists. It is home to the famous Calgary Zoo, Calgary Stampede, Calgary Tower and shopping at the Atlantic Ave or Chinook Mall is always an awesome experience.

Other key touristic cities in Canada include the Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto and Vancouver. The largest and most visited Canadian city is Toronto, it is the business, entertainment, cultural and media center of the country. Major landmarks in Canada have their home in Toronto such as CN Tower. There are also many museums, recreational parks, beaches and sports avenues in Toronto as well.

Montreal is a world famous city and the largest metropolis in Canada. It houses some of the country’s finest museums, galleries and venues with festivals being common as well. If you ever happen to go to Montreal, make sure you don’t miss Saint Denis and Mount Royal shopping centers. Quebec City has a gorgeous architecture and has a look and feel of a typical European city. Vancouver is the birth place for West Coast Urbanism and most condominiums feature steel and glass giving the city an extra ordinary natural beauty. The famous Winter Olympics were held here in 2010. Bear watching and wildlife viewing are common things that tourists can do during their visit. Cultural heritage in Canada is diverse with annual events and festivals being common especially those celebrating the national multicultural landscape. In Canada, April is generally the start of the season of music festival.

Tourists taking a holiday vacation in Canada should also not miss paying a visit to some of the major national parks like Jasper, Algonqin, Banff and Yoho National Park. Accommodation facilities in Canada show a substantial variation in cost and largely depend on place and time. Some of the top touristic cities can be quite expensive and you should be prepared to pay $100 plus for good hotel rooms. Hotels in a Canada are key aspect of the country’s history and major landmarks in Canada are actually hotels. As such, these hotels not only offer sleeping options but are tourism resources as well.

Belize as a country has quite low levels of income and basic infrastructure. For the past couple of years, tourism in Belize has grown rapidly and Belizeans are friendly and very proud people. The country’s economy largely depends on tourism as Belize has with time lost its rich agricultural base. With drug trade being very popular in South America, Belize hasn’t been spared either which has resulted in increased crime rate in the country. The tropical climate in Belize features rainy season and very humid and hot dry season. Coastal flooding is common due to the seasonal hurricanes in the area. The largest city in Belize is the Belize City on Caribbean Sea and its inland capital is Belmopan. Other key cities in Belize include Corozal, Orange Walk, Crooked Tree, Punta Gorda and San Ignacio. Other major tourist destinations are the Maya ruins, Tobacco Caye, Placencia and Ambergris Cave.

The Old Belize has been regarded as one of the most amazing landmark attractions in the nation of Belize where tourists and locals can experience complete Belize experience. Old Belize Exhibit displays historical and cultural artifacts. Old Belize is also home to the only city beach here and there are also banquet halls and conference facilities. Zip line tours are common in the country which mostly involves short hikes. Sport fishing has developed to be a major tourist activity with fishing games being rather common at this part of the world. Of late, scuba diving and snorkeling has become quite popular with the country boasting of some exceptional diving sites.

Visitors to Belize also engage in cave exploration activities especially in Cayo district which features underground sinkholes and rivers. With their tight passages and big caverns, these caves are extremely magnificent. Underground waterfalls are also present and the caves also have artifacts especially human remains and decorated ware that are still intact. The greatest attraction in Belize is Actun Tunichil Muknal. These caves have an amazing history and offer great adventure to cave explorers. When traveling to Belize, it is recommended that you opt for eco-tour packages which are personalized to suit every traveler’s interests including students and couples. Red beans are the main meals in Belize and you can find them at almost any place in the country. The country’s national beer is Belikin which is available in four different brands. With violent crime rate being high in Belize, visitors are advised to be very careful and stay safe always.