New York
New York City has something for everyone. It is North America's most cosmopolitan destination, and boasts of an artistic and cultural history that reigns supreme among American cities. It is fast paced, loud, and certainly never boring. Its sights and sounds are a glorious combination of everything imaginable. From Bohemian Greenwich Village to the elegant Upper East Side, the diversity here is sure to astound you.
Historic Battery Park is an educational mecca. Little Italy and Chinatown have marvelously maintained their immigrant population and heritage. Today they offer a cultural richness that is truly a gift to the city. Soho (South of Houston St.) and Tribeca (Triangle Below Canal St.) exist on the cutting edge of fashion and style, and are proof of an industrial area's potential for chic. Gramercy Park will make you feel as if you have somehow made your way to London. The Flatiron District has become famous for its technology boom, or Silicon Alley. Chelsea is a hip, European-feeling area that is home to many of New York's photography studios and galleries. These are just some of the city's gems, each offering a unique flavor and pace. Visitors could spend days in any one of them, but for the ultimate New York experience, make your trip a mélange of them all. To truly see the city could take a lifetime, but sampling from the bits and pieces of New York's variety is a treat for any tourist.
Orientation is key to navigating this city. Terms like uptown and downtown are literal descriptions referring to north and south. If you are south of your destination, locals will tell you to go uptown, and vice versa. The terms also refer vaguely to areas of the city. Uptown describes anywhere above lower Manhattan (north of about 34th St.), and downtown usually means lower Manhattan (34th St. and below) through Chelsea, which begins near 22nd St. You will also hear east side, and west side, referring to the areas above 59th St. that are on either side of Central Park.
Halifax
Halifax is an historic site full of natural beauty and fun-filled learning centers. The museums that make up the downtown sector are tremendous, including the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which is an ocean lover's dreamland. The Halifax Harbor is gorgeous, and the area around it is exploding with life and activity. It is well protected and serene, and an afternoon by the harbor will calm even the most rattled nerves. The city is very close to major fishing spots, and if you are in the mood for some outstanding fishing opportunities, you will not have to look far. Halifax is home to 115,000 people, and in the last three decades, this charming port city has become the financial and commercial center of the Maritimes.
Incredible as it may seem, behind Sydney, Australia, Halifax is home to the second-largest natural harbor in the world. As your cruise ship pulls in, you will instantly realize why you came to this youthful and pleasurable destination. There are a few top universities in Halifax, and there is certainly no shortage of top notch dining and shopping facilities. A few of the restaurants are absolute knockouts, and you could shop for days in this spectacular seaport. At night, Halifax is alive and kicking, with numerous desirable nightclubs, bars, and theatrical venues to catch your attention. The Citadel is a fortress made out of stone that is a popular landmark, and Spring Garden Road is the liveliest portion of Halifax. Recently, a great deal of work and construction has gone into improving the waterfront. The port and nearby area have enjoyed wonderful transformations, and the result is an elegant harbor that is more picturesque than ever. Boutiques and cafes have sprung up all over the place, and entertaining events such as the International Busker Festival occur all year long.
Belfast
Belfast is an ancient city that has definitely had its share of strife. The Irish government is currently focusing 100% of its attention on mending the cities that have endured so much suffering. Belfast is certainly one of these, although the charm, wonderful architecture, fabulous sights, and radiant atmosphere have remained intact. The city originally relied on trade, and developed into one of the most powerful port cities in Europe. As an old Victorian city, Belfast was called Titanic Town, not only for the prominent fact that the Titanic itself was constructed in Belfast's Harland & Wolff shipyard, but because the shipbuilding and trade industries here were incredibly strong and ruled the country at one time. Unfortunately, that is not the case anymore, but with careful planning, perhaps the Belfast port will once again flourish. In the 1980?s and early 90?s, Belfast was a dangerous area to visit, because of intense political and religious turmoil and upheaval. After 20 years of violence in this war-torn region, the government finally declared a cease-fire. Thanks to the mandated peace treaty of 1994, Belfast has seen much more tranquility, and the violence has decreased considerably. During times of peace there are hundreds more job opportunities, and Belfast once again has become a lovely place to visit. In the last few years, Belfast has enjoyed increased tourism, a higher employment rate, and a better state of life for many of its citizens.
Scottish and English settlers came to Belfast in the 1600?s in an attempt to enlarge their empires. The city's location was a perfect spot to expand trade for these countries. Prior to the English arriving here, Belfast was a small village named Beal Feirste. After Sir Arthur Chichester took over, Belfast doubled every decade, growing at a remarkable rate. Today, 300,000 people live here, which comprises one-fourth of the inhabitants of all Northern Ireland. The City Hall and wide range of museums are spectacular, and Belfast also features wonderful parks, gardens, movie theaters, dining establishments, and shopping facilities.
Plymouth
Plymouth is without a doubt one of the most exciting cities in England. Located on the border between Devon and Cornwall, it is a cultural haven of arts, history, recreation, and entertainment. It is a city that can be enjoyed all year round, but the tourist seasons are spring and summer. Today, the town lays claim to being the birthplace of many great historians and explorers who brought England's charm to the Americas. Much of New England was founded by Plymouth's own, and the city pays tribute to them by preserving their homes and birthplaces, and recalling their history in the form of landmarks that allow visitors the chance to appreciate their deeds.
The pastoral feel of the city mixes quite brilliantly with the bustle of its urban backdrop, creating an interesting and appealing mélange of city and countryside. Visitors know Plymouth as a fairytale-like place. This is the stuff of paintings and fiction, brought to life by this fishing town, where you can walk through beautiful and quaint villages where thatched roof houses sit beside lush greenery.
Yet Plymouth has all of the amenities of modern day Europe. You may choose to spend your day hopping buses around the city; partaking in its many attractions. Or, you could opt to spend your time peacefully soaking up nature in one of Plymouth's protected and magnificent parks. Still, you may want to window shop for antiques and trinkets and pass your time sampling cuisine at the cafés sprinkled throughout the shopping district. Whatever your taste, Plymouth has a wide array of activities and events that will engage you and leave you in admiration of its charm and class.
Dover
Dover is one of the busiest passenger ports in the entire world, and there are distinct reasons why this is the case. The Strait of Dover is ideally located on the southern tip of England, making it the closest land point connecting the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. For centuries, the port at Dover has been the gateway from Britain to France, Belgium, and the rest of the European continent.
During World War II, Dover endured ruthless attacks by enemy bombings, and the city suffered greatly. The war left the city in a state of disarray, and the city center reeled from the postwar effects for decades, but it has returned to its prewar glory. The scenery remains breathtaking, and the haunting war atmosphere that still lingers to a degree adds a certain excitement to the city, making it all the more mysterious and interesting.
The Strait of Dover is magnificently beautiful, as is the city itself. Of course we have all heard songs and tales of the White Cliffs of Dover, but to really appreciate what that truly means, one must visit Dover and see it with their own eyes. The marvelous Dover Castle can be found here; many of France's inhabitants make the trip across the English Channel annually to see the glorious medieval architecture.
Oslo
Oslo is one of the oldest capitals in all of Scandinavia. Because of increased interest in tourism, Oslo has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade. Whereas twenty or thirty years ago, visitors to Oslo would have had to rely solely on the intrinsic beauty of the area for a good time, now, with all of the added tourist attractions and museums, the combination is dynamite. There is enough to see and do in Oslo to keep you busy and happy for weeks.
In the 11th-century, a Viking king founded Oslo, and under Hakkon V, the city became the capital of Norway. Throughout the centuries, Oslo has burned to the ground numerous times, but every time it was rebuilt on a grander scale. Most recently, the city was completely destroyed by fire in 1824, but the King of Denmark, Christian IV, rebuilt the town in close proximity to the Akershus Castle. During this time, he renamed the city Christiania, but in 1924 Oslo reverted back to its previous (and current) name. After World War II, Oslo expanded to 175 square miles and today, in terms of area, it is one of the ten largest capital cities in the world. This is quite amazing for such a seemingly small town. However, for its great geographic size, there are only 500,000 inhabitants that live in the city. The region is heavily forested, and along with glaciers and mountains, Oslo has a great deal of uninhabitable area.
The name Norway comes from the word Norvegr, meaning the way to the north. Over 1,000 years ago, this term was used by the Vikings to describe the shipping route of the country. Norway is often referred to as the Land of the Midnight Sun because of the long nights during the winter and the long days during the summer. In the wintertime, it is not uncommon to have over seventeen hours of straight darkness. The scenery in Oslo is picturesque, and destinations to hike, ski, and explore are everywhere. The locals are friendly, and the territory is diverse and wonderfully exciting.
Gdansk
The third largest city in Poland, Gdansk is also the capital of Poland's northern region. It heads up the province of Pomorze Gdanskie, which is also known as East Pomerania. It is in close relationship with the small towns that keep it company, Gdynia and Sopot. Together, these three cities make up the Trojmiasto.
This vivacious port city has a history that dates back to 1308, when it was a Baltic port and an independent city-state called Danzig. Many Germans called this area their home. It was not renamed Gdansk until 1945. The battles of World War II led to much destruction in Gdansk, but did not ruin its spirit. In fact, in 1997 Gdansk enjoyed constant festivals of music, exhibitions and tons of events on both land and water in celebration of its 1000th anniversary as a Baltic city. The streets are all restored to their original form and many shops and galleries have been built, keeping Gdansk prosperous, fun and enchanting.
Glowne Miasto, the Main Town of Gdansk, is filled with streets holding treasures of history. Explore this medieval city and all of the culture it embodies. If you are interested in churches that tell the story of Gdansk's past, then travel north to its Old Town, Stare Miasto. Shopping is especially good here, too. The oldest church, St. Catherine's, which dates back to the 12th century, is located here. Certain sections were added to the church as time went on. The tower is from the 1480?s, and the amazing 37 bells were installed in 1634. The largest mill in medieval Europe is on the same plot of land here, as well as the grave of the 17th century astronomer, Jan Hevelius. The Wielki Mtyn, (Great Mill) operated from 1350 until 1945.
Enjoy Gdansk and all of the opportunities that await you on your visit. It is as lovely as it is historically significant, and you will have a vacation full of memories and pictures to show your friends. From shops to nightclubs, it is all here, radiant and vibrant. Walk along the docks, and watch a sunset that will truly take your breath away.
Stockholm
Stockholm is the official capital of Sweden, a remarkable city full of life and energy that is sure to dazzle your eyes and comfort your soul. This is not just a city to visit; Stockholm is truly a city to experience. There exists an incredible amount of activities to engage in, and the scenery is so picturesque that you will never feel bored or unfulfilled. Sweden is a well-run and well-educated country, making it all the more pleasant to visit. The conditions and accommodations in Stockholm are magnificent, as are the dining facilities. Choose from a wide array of fabulous restaurants for dinner, and then walk to a café for an outstanding dessert. The museums in Stockholm are quite interesting, and this ancient city has plenty of historic landmarks.
The city is home to 1.4 million inhabitants, and is at the forefront of the 24,000-island archipelago that starts at Lake Malaren and stretches for hundreds of miles out to the Baltic Sea. This city is an amazing one, a region comprised of small islands and bridges that connect them together. Gorgeous steeples and daunting towers are laced throughout the land, and the décor is often reminiscent of the Renaissance. The much newer skyscrapers add a modern feel that complements the ancient architecture perfectly. The combination is ideal, making for an atmosphere that is diverse but fitting. Stockholm was founded over seven hundred years ago, and in the mid-1600?s it became the official capital of Sweden. Almost all of the ancient structures remain intact, and the old cobblestone streets still exist in many parts of the city.
The early history of Sweden was highlighted by a series of wars with its neighbors, a struggle for independence and self-rule. It was not until 1523, when Gustav Vasa defeated the Danish in a great battle, that Sweden really became its own nation. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Sweden was a major force in Europe, a powerful and influential country that seemed to be on the rise. But wars with Russia and Denmark resurfaced, and periods of fighting occurred throughout the years until the mid-1800?s. After 1844, Sweden ushered in an era of relative tranquility. This peaceful attitude permeates throughout the land, and this will become evident when interacting with the friendly locals of the wonderful city of Stockholm.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is one of the most warm and inviting cities in existence. A picture of this quaint city includes cobblestone streets, a few towering skyscrapers and friendly people that will greet you at every turn. This is very unlike the typical hot pavement and traffic-covered streets that are usually associated with a major city. Copenhagen is truly a fairy-tale town where pollution does not exist but the sweet scent of bakeries envelopes the area instead.
Copenhagen is part cosmopolitan city and part small town that has plenty to offer its visitors. This is the political, financial and cultural capital of Denmark that 1.5 million people call home. Museums, historical sights, cafés, and the most delicious restaurants abound here. The day will captivate you and the night will intrigue you, so do not plan to go to sleep early. Go crazy and live it up at the many clubs and bars, or have a cappuccino while watching a magnificent sunset.
Copenhagen has quite a tumultuous history, starting in 1157, when Valdemar the Great gave it to Bishop Absalon. Before this transition year, Copenhagen was just a simple fishing town. Bishop Absalon built a castle here, which is now Christianborg Palace. Copenhagen grew to be a great center as a Baltic trade route, and in the 15th century, the town became the royal residence and the capital of Norway and Sweden. Walking around Copenhagen today, one will be able to see beautiful castles and towers that date back to the 16th century and the rule of Christian IV. This king was enamored of fine architecture, which resulted in a wealth of construction that still marvels visitors today. We are quite lucky Christian IV built up the city as much as he did, because some of the buildings from his time are the only historical landmarks that survived two major fires in the 18th century, as well as the bombings by Lord Nelson during the Napoleonic Wars.
A sweet lull of peace sweeps over Denmark now, which disguises Copenhagen's difficult history. It is a colorful town brought to life by street musicians and performers on every corner. Delight your eyes with the lights that illuminate these same streets at night, and take a stroll along a drawbridge over one of the many canals. It is impossible not to fall in love with this seafaring city.
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