Some mobile apps give warning about automated cameras and they see wide https://softfootprints.com/ use. This is especially the case of microbus drivers operating on private suburban lines. Reckless driving is common, especially late at night on mostly empty streets. Paradoxically, rush hours are a lot safer to drive at, since traffic flow speed is naturally restricted. Today, Moscow is a thriving, exuberant capital city that overflows with life, culture and sometimes traffic. A sprawling metropolis, the northernmost and coldest megacity on the planet, and the most populous city entirely within Europe, Moscow is also known for its many museums, Soviet-era monoliths as well as post-Soviet kitsch.
If you’ve already walked through Leicester Square and undergone sensory overload in Piccadilly Circus, there are a lot of lesser known places to explore in London. You can get ideas from my blog post about unusual things to do in the city. Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and the London Eye are iconic landmarks. Autumn sees great events like Open House London, when many of the city’s architectural gems are accessible to the public. If you want to plan your trip around a specific event or festival, you have a lot of choices.
In the 1960s, the heartfelt soul of masters like Otis Redding preceded the explosion of talent that came to define the Motown era, born in Detroit. The blues was forged from a combination of African and gospel sounds into a simple twelve-bar form during the late nineteenth century. You can still catch Mississippi blues in Delta juke joints, and electrified urban blues in the gritty clubs of Chicago. Golf, once the province of moneyed businessmen, has attracted a wider following in recent decades due to the rise of celebrity golfers such as Tiger Woods and the construction of numerous municipal and public courses. You’ll have your best access at these, where a round of golf may cost from $15 for a beaten-down set of links to around $50 for a chintzier course.
The overwhelming majority of Thailand’s prostitutes of both sexes (estimated at anywhere up to 700,000) work with Thai men, not farangs (Europeans). If you’re determined to buy precious stones, check that the shop is a member of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, by visiting their website which has a directory of members (wthaigemjewelry.or.th). To be doubly sure, you may want to seek out shops that also belong to the TGJTA’s Jewel Fest Club (wjewelfest.com), which guarantees quality and will offer refunds; see their website for a directory of members. Gem scams are so common in Bangkok that TAT has published a brochure about it and there are several websites on the subject, including the very informative w2bangkok.com/2bangkok-scams-sapphire.html, which describes typical scams in detail.
The south-east attracts more visitors than any other region of France because of the many scenic highlights and extensive Mediterranean coast in Provence and along the Cote d’Azur (French Riviera). The very scenic Rhone Alpes region is to the north of here and Corsica, often referred to as the ‘Island of Beauty’, is off the coast to the south. Discover Italy – Your go-to guide for travel tips and inspiration. With 3 days in Rome, you can cover the iconic attractions like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican City (including St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums), Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. You’ll have a chance to immerse yourself in the history, art, and architecture that Rome is renowned for.
Tends to focus on young local artists, and doesn’t flinch from showing experimental modern work. The gallery also owns a brilliant array of watercolours by Turner, faithfully displayed each January when damaging sunlight is at its weakest; at other times two of his fine Roman views are displayed in a dim gallery. Built as a “temple to the fine arts” in 1850, the National Gallery houses Scotland’s finest array of European and Scottish art from the early 1300s to the late 1800s. Its modest size makes it a manageable place to visit in a couple of hours and affords a pleasantly unrushed atmosphere. Princes Street Gardens are bisected by the Mound, one of only two direct road links between the Old and New Towns (the other is North Bridge), formed in the 1780s by dumping piles of earth and other waste brought from the New Town’s building plots. At the foot of the mound on the Princes Street level are two grand Neoclassical buildings, the interlinked National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy.
This is Ontario’s manufacturing heartland, a built-up strip whose most notable attraction is the Royal Botanical Gardens, close to steel-town Hamilton. Further round the lake are the famous Niagara Falls, easily Ontario’s most popular attraction, and Niagara-on-the-Lake, one of the province’s quaintest towns. West of the Golden Horseshoe, much of Southwest Ontario is profoundly rural, an expanse of farmland sandwiched between lakes Huron and Erie.
Almost as busy at the weekend is Itaewon, which has some of the best bars, clubs and restaurants in the capital. The side street leading from this (“Homo Hill”) has become the most popular gay area in the whole country, with some excellent bars. Koreans love going out, whether it’s with family, colleagues, social acquaintances or old study friends, making Seoul a truly 24-hour city – day and night, it simply hums with life. Those wanting to drink or dance can choose from myriad bars and clubs, with each area of Seoul having its own particular flavour.
In 2010, Venice celebrated its first female gondolier, Giorgia Boscolo. If you want to spend time surrounded by luxury, San Marco is the most suitable neighbourhood to do so. San Marco is the heart of Venice, home to the famous St Mark’s Square, the magnificent St Mark’s Basilica and the majestic Doge’s Palace. Insatiable demand makes Venice’s hotels the most expensive in Western Europe. What’s more, the high season here is longer than anywhere else in the country, but many places don’t recognize the existence of a low season any more. Located in a charming labyrinth of Venetian alleyways, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is an amazing hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Most other roads are unsurfaced and tend to be variable in condition from one season to the next, with surfaces being trickiest during the rains. Road conditions described in this guide are of necessity a snapshot of conditions at the time of research and should not be taken as gospel. When in doubt, ask local advice – if matatus are getting through, then so should any 4×4, so the taxi park is always a good place to seek current information. Portugal is a country where the thrill of nature takes over and gives travelers a buzz like no other, from the wind in your hair as you drive down the rugged Algarve coast to the sun shining on salty skin after a good surf. Road tripping is a must here, with endless quiet roads that hug extraordinary cliffs, caves, and zig-zag right through stunning national parks like Sintra.
Nothing so rebellious goes on in Chelsea now, though its residents like to think of themselves as rather more artistic and intellectual than the purely moneyed types of Kensington. Focus of the 2012 Olympics, London’s Olympic Park is situated in a most unlikely East End backwater, on a series of islands formed by the River Lea and various tributaries and canals. The centrepiece of the park is the Olympic Stadium, surrounded on three sides by rivers, and earmarked to become home to West Ham United football club. Standing close to the stadium, with a bird’s-eye view of the whole site from its public observation deck, is the Orbit tower, a 377ft-high continuous loop of red recycled steel designed by Anish Kapoor, and dubbed the Helter Skelter.
They have the most complete inventory, amazing customer service, and the most flexible cancellation policy on the market. From the top landmarks of Venice to hidden gems of Rome, and from road trip itineraries in Tuscany to the most beautiful hikes in the Italian Dolomites – get inspired to visit Italy and plan your dream trip with our travel tips and advice. Despite the compactness of the city centre, open-top bus tours are big business, with several companies taking slightly varying routes around the main sights.
With a warm Mediterranean climate, you can expect lots of sunshine and good temperatures, making it the perfect destination for outdoor activities and beach days. Seoul’s wide array of traditional performances and musicals are particularly popular with foreign travellers. Seoul has a few venues where you can hear more highbrow offerings such as jazz or classical music. On weekends there’s an interesting flea market at which local students sell handmade jewellery and other trinkets. Seoul does have other gay zones; the area around Jongno 3-ga station has long been home to underground gay bars, and recent years have seen the scene becoming more and more open. Unfortunately, few venues are foreigner-friendly, though the Starmoon café attracts all sorts – it’s in the ground floor of the tall Fraser Suites building.
On this day trip to Pompeii and Sorrento, you’ll visit one of the best-preserved archeological sites in the world and a beautiful town in the Gulf of Naples. Rome was called the “Eternal City” by the ancient Romans because they believed that no matter what happened in the rest of the world, the city of Rome would always remain standing. Exploring the city centre by foot surrounded by glorious monuments and colossal remains takes you back in time to the glory that was Rome. Public transportation – Berlin is a sprawling city, but it’s incredibly well connected by its subway (U-Bahn) and above-ground train system (S-Bahn). Take a free walking tour – New Europe Tours run daily walking tours that cover the main highlights. They also run tours around various historic themes (communism, Nazism, Jewish history, etc.) for great low prices, if you have a more specific interest.
Find inspiration for half-term breaks and autumn holidays from family days out to walks and activities. Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities. Find all the Scottish holiday inspiration your need in our Scotland travel blog. Located alongside the River Shannon in County Limerick, on King’s Island. Dating back to 922, to a time when Vikings were the inhabitants of the island (Thormodr Helgason, the Viking sea-king, built the first settlement here. The castle itself was built in 1200, under the instruction of King John of England.
After the Catholics defeated the Moors, who had ruled over Seville for more than 500 years, they kept many beautiful buildings intact like the Alcazar Palace. Sometimes they gave it their own Catholic twist, like the cathedral with the Giralda. If you are a budget-conscious traveler looking for value-for-money recommendations, which includes most family travelers, Frommer’s guidebooks offer an excellent choice.
It’s also close to the fabulous Minoan sites of Knossos, Phaestos and Ayía Triádha to the south (with Roman Gortys to provide contrast). Further east, the upmarket resort of Áyios Nikólaos provides sophisticated restaurants and hotels, while quiet, lazy Sitía is a perfect base for exploring the eastern coastline. Heading west, Réthymnon boasts a pretty old town and an excellent beach, though Haniá in the extreme west arguably beats it in terms of style and atmosphere.
Here, Paleóhora is the only place which could really be described as a resort, and even this is on a thoroughly human scale; others are emptier still. Elsewhere on the south coast, Ayía Rouméli and Loutró can be reached only on foot or by boat; Hóra Sfakíon sees hordes passing through but few who stay; Frangokástello, nearby, has a beautiful castle and the first stirrings of development. Behind these lie the White Mountains (Lefká Óri) and the famed walk through the Samariá Gorge. In the far west, great beaches at Falásarna and Elafoníssi are mostly visited only as day-trips.
Adjoining Covent Garden to the north, the university quarter of Bloomsbury is the location of the ever-popular British Museum, a stupendous treasure house that boasts a wonderful central, covered courtyard. To the north of Bloomsbury lies King’s Cross, home to the British Library and the city’s Eurostar terminal at St Pancras, and now at the centre of a massive redevelopment project with galleries, restaurants and a swimming pond. Plan a weekend away or a short break in England with our regional travel guides. They’re packed with ideas of historic sites to visit, things to see and do, places to stay and practical advice for getting around.
Barcelona Photo Gallery – Virtual tour around Barcelona’s most famous landmarks and attractions. Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are common for short distances, and cabs are easy to book via apps. But the real MVP here is the local bus system, which is surprisingly punctual and clean. If you’re confident behind the wheel, renting a self-drive car is also a great way to hop between sectors. Old-school charm meets strong filter coffee at Indian Coffee House.
With Tokyo the size it is, and with each district boasting its own character, it’s important to consider which part of the city to use as your base. Takeshita Street is a whirlwind of trendy boutiques and delicious crepe stands. Don’t forget to visit the peaceful Meiji Shrine, nestled amidst the urban excitement. The trip planner that puts everything in one place, making planning your trip easier, quicker, and more fun. Fodor’s forum is a great place to get recommendations, tips, and insider advice that will be useful for your trip plans.
To learn more about the history and culture behind Lisbon’s cuisine, take a food tour. It’s the best way to eat your way around the city sampling the best eats Lisbon has to offer while learning what makes the cuisine unique. Devour Tours runs in-depth food tours led by expert local guides that will introduce you to the food culture and its history. If you’re a foodie like me who wants to learn more about the history and culture behind each dish, this tour is for you!
If you need an adaptor, you can easily buy one at the airport or local stores. A hotbed for shopping and the arts, you’ll find lots to explore in Leeds. Cool and creative, Bristol is a must-visit for art, culture and action-packed adventure. World-class football and a music scene that brought Oasis to centre stage – there’s lots to love about Manchester. Set aside some time for sunbathing and surfing too but try and be flexible with any plans you make.
This review has been a long time coming, but for a trip as remarkable as the one I had with Han Pham, Rough Guides, and the whole team, it deserves every bit of praise. Having traveled the world for 35 years, I wanted my retirement to begin with a dream vacation—a complex, multi-country trip. From the very start, Han proved herself to be an exceptional travel planner.
