Istanbul
Istanbul is an amazing destination, full of extraordinary outdoor vendors, wonderful restaurants, interesting sites, and glorious museums. There are so many things to do in the city that you are certain to feel overwhelmed. Your best bet is to line up three or four activities that particularly interest you, and spend your time exploring these in depth. A visit to Istanbul without a definite plan is a chaotic visit. Your eyes and ears will be inundated with sights and sounds that are intoxicating. Watch out for an abundance of ruthless salesmen, but do not be too much on the defensive. The citizens of Istanbul are respectful and friendly, and if you stop someone to ask for directions, they will be more than happy to help you. But once you enter a store or bazaar, the game is on. If you are shopping, you are in the hunt, and if you are in the hunt, you are fair game for the merchants to attempt to force a sale on you. Simply stick to your guns, and you will find the bargains you are looking for
This historic city is 2,500 years old, and the heritage of the country can be observed in the region known as Sultanahmet. Also called Old Stamboul, the architecture and park areas in this section of the city are particularly beautiful. The heart of Istanbul can be found near the Golden Horn, and everywhere you travel you will see a cultural tug of war between East and West. Traditions are being met head on by American and European influences, creating a strong cultural youth movement. This is making for an even more complex and fascinating Turkish society. In any event, a visit to this sprawling and spectacular city will be one that you will never forget.
Kusadasi
Turkey is a sprawling and diverse country, and Kusadasi best exemplifies this diversity. The city has been built up to resemble a beach resort, but the citizens have rebelled against this all-out push for tourism. Many of the beaches are quite unpopulated, and when you travel into the heart of the town you do not get a bustling touristy feeling at all. Instead, you are likely to marvel at the glorious historical and architectural sights, enjoy one of the great dining facilities, or lounge around a cozy bar and have a drink with one of the locals.
No one is exactly sure when Kusadasi was officially founded. The Greeks inhabited the area and had a tremendous impact on the history and culture. Kusadasi took over as the major trade center when the ancient port of Ephesus was rendered useless because of a lack of water and resources. By the 1400?s, Kusadasi was controlled by Genovese and Venetian traders and shop owners who named the port Scala Nuova. Some years later the Ottomans invaded and took over, and they ruled the land for centuries. They called Kusadasi Bird Island because of the frequent herds of pigeons that migrated to the area.
Today Kusadasi is a city famous for its spectacular sunsets and interesting bazaars. The best way to enjoy Kusadasi is by spending the majority of your time at the beach or by one of the fabulous swimming pools. If you are one to trust the masses, then visit Kusadasi in the summertime when the normal winter population of 40,000 balloons to a tremendous 400,000. Even in the summer you will still be able to find beautiful and secluded beach areas and enjoy a peaceful dinner by the sea.
Rhodes
Rhodes is one of the principal Dodecanese islands. The Dodecanese are the easternmost of the Greek islands, neighboring Asia Minor, and some of its most beautiful and diversified. Rhodes is the most traveled of the 12 Dodecanese, enticing tourists with its gorgeous land and fascinating history. It is also the largest Greek island, with 540 square miles of beautiful land. It is believed that Rhodes was once a part of nearby Turkey, as evidenced by the similarities in their terrains. A volcanic eruption separated the two.
Helios, the Sun god, is the signature god of Rhodes. This is perfectly fitting, as Rhodes enjoys an average of 300 or so days of blissful sunshine a year. Obviously, its sun-drenched environment is enough to draw visitors from all over the world, but it is Rhodes impeccably maintained terrain that charms them to come back over and over again. Rhodes has remained seemingly unspoiled by pollution and a growing population, and this is a testament to how much pride residents of Rhodes take in their home. Rhodes has a reputation for kindness that is unrivaled by other European destinations. It is not unusual here for strangers to engage in conversation, and the locals love to share their warmth and tradition with tourists. Hospitality is nearly a given, especially if you are new to the island.
From sleepy mountainous village areas to the vibrancy of Rhodes Old and New Towns, this island is a lovely display of rich earth and sparkling beaches crowned by an aura of history that links East to West with an indescribable magic.
Rhodes is a tourist's dream. For that reason, it has earned itself the reputation of being the most crowded of the Dodecanese. If you are visiting Rhodes in late summer months like July and August, brace yourself for crowds. Reservations are recommended at most restaurants during those months, and some museums also offer reservations in addition to regular walk-in availability. But if you are fortunate enough to visit Rhodes during off-peak times such as October or November, you will be able to enjoy all of the beauty and festivities that the island has to offer without the lines and crowds. Either way, you are sure to take pleasure in the rich history and natural beauty that is Rhodes.
Limassol
Limassol is the closest thing to a magical and mythical land. It has a coastline that is pristine, especially when kissed by the setting sun. Many other spectacular views abound, along with the archaeological sights that wait to be discovered. Limassol is known as the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite. To be precise, she was thought to have emerged from the foaming sea at the temple to Apollo and Petra tou Romiou. This story inspired many poets and painters to come visit this scenic land.
Wine first gave Limassol its popularity as a trading post. Cyprus has a 4,000-year history of wine-making, and one of its most famous wines, Commandaria, prompted Richard the Lionhearted to proclaim it the wine of kings and the king of wines. Limassol has not forgotten where its wine has gotten it, and every September there is a memorable wine festival. This celebration, as well as other carnivals held during the year, add to the great flare and liveliness here.
Limassol offers quite a number of options to visiting guests. There are plenty of shops where you can find unique souvenirs. Most of the main shopping is located around Agiou Andreou Street. There are also historical sights to teach you about the island of long ago. The castle and medieval museum will take you back to that time. The Turkish Muslim influence on Limassol's past can be seen in the vibrant mosques that still dot the island landscape. The advantage in Limassol is that one can visit all of these sights and shops easily by foot. So enjoy all of its treasures. Have a sip of wine on the soft, sandy beaches while watching the sun say goodnight to the sea. Limassol's beauty gives new meaning to the term island paradise.
Haifa
Haifa is Israel's city by the bay. Israel's biggest commercial port and third largest city, 300,000 people call Haifa home. Among them is a sizable percentage of Christians and Muslims, making this northern port town one of the few places in Israel where people of different backgrounds are truly able to coexist.
Haifa is a mountainous region that can be separated into three parts. At the top is the Carmel district, with breathtaking views and clean, crisp air. In the middle is the Hadar district, where most of Haifa's business gets done. Finally, the area around the port is Haifa's industrial center, with most of the work centered around the sea.
Haifa's beaches lie just south of the city itself. They are easily Israel's finest. Resort companies are just finding this out, and as a result there are developments springing up around the area, despite the objections of the locals who view this land as their own private paradise.
Haifa's history has centered around the sea. The ancient Phoenicians called the area Zalemona, and it thrived as a major trading outpost. In Biblical times, Elijah the prophet defeated King Ahab and his wife Jezebel's forces in a battle atop Mount Carmel. The area lay dormant after the Arab reconquest of the area one thousand years ago, only to revive when Great Britain chose Haifa as the site for a new harbor. The northern city was the first to come under Jewish control after World War II, and thousands of Holocaust refugees settled here.
Most tourists base their Israeli itineraries around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and that is understandable. There is so much to see in Israel's two largest cities that it can be hard to find time for a trip up north. But a visit to Haifa completes Israel's picture. Only when you combine the history of Jerusalem, the modernity of Tel Aviv, and the beauty and functionality of Haifa, will you get a true sense of Israel.
Bombay
Located on the Arabian Sea, Bombay, or Mumbai as it is often called, is one of the main ports of call in India and home to over 10 million people. Geographically, Bombay once consisted of seven separate islands, but through dredging, dikes, and land reclamation, the seven islands have coalesced to form the city of Bombay.
The name Bombay comes from the Portuguese Bom Bahia, meaning Fair Bay. The Portuguese, who controlled much of India in the 16th and 17th centuries, ruled over Bombay until 1661, when it was given to the British. Bombay grew exponentially in size and importance during the latter half of the 17th century, playing a pivotal role in international trade.
Bombay may startle you with its regions of tremendous contrast. The city is home to some of the wealthiest families in India, but it also well known for its sprawling slums and areas of abject poverty. When you stroll through the streets of Bombay, make sure you have a trusty map and a general idea of where you are heading, for a city of this magnitude can easily overwhelm even the most seasoned traveler.
Yet, despite its major metropolitan feel, you will undoubtedly fall in love with the charm that Bombay has to offer you. You will revel in the world-class dining and nightlife opportunities, enjoy an afternoon strolling through the bazaars while shopping for those priceless bargains, and marvel at the glorious museums and art galleries that make Bombay a tourists paradise.
Cochin
Cochin, also known as Kochi, lies on the Lakshadweep Sea, and is one of the largest and most storied ports in India. Cochin is comprised of the Ernakulam area on the Malabar Coast as well as a series of natural and man-made islands found in the Mattancherry Peninsula. The city is highlighted by its tremendous geographic and cultural diversity; Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Jews all call Cochin home, and the tourist visiting this port city will delight in the sights and attractions that this multi-faceted destination provides.
Cochin has been continuously inhabited since the days of antiquity, yet it remained a sleepy fishing village for centuries, until discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Vasco de Gama landed in Cochin in 1502, and established a trading outpost in the city, bringing a wealth of spices, silks, and coffees to the region. A stroll through downtown Cochin will still reveal many Portuguese influences on the landscape, including remnants of European architecture and local infrastructure. Today, Cochin remains a major economic center of shipbuilding, fishing, and coconut oil production.
The tourist visiting Cochin will delight in visiting the Cochin Museum, featuring breathtaking collections of Indian artwork. A stroll through the Dutch Palace is a wonderful way to get acquainted with Cochin's European roots. When the sun sets over this scenic coastal city, enjoy a fine meal in one of Cochin's delicious international restaurants, and end the evening at the Cochin Cultural Center, watching a performance of the Kathakali Dancers, famous throughout the Indian subcontinent.
Phuket
Phuket has emerged as one of the top tourist destinations in Asia. What used to be a small tin-mining community has been transformed into a hedonist's heaven, with hotels and resorts fiercely competing for beach space and tourism dollars.
Just one generation ago, Phuket was largely undiscovered by the outside world. Adventurous tourists would head down from Bangkok and discover pristine beaches and picture-perfect panoramic views. Word spread quickly, and entrepreneurs started gobbling up real estate and building huge hotels. There are 20,000 hotel rooms in Phuket now, with more being built seemingly every day. The demand is there. During the peak season, which runs from November through April, every hotel is packed. You should avoid visiting during monsoon season. On average, eleven inches of rain fall per month between May and October.
The island seems larger than it is, mainly because the terrain varies between the smooth coasts and rugged, hilly inland. Although it covers less than four hundred square miles, petite Phuket packs a powerful punch! There is plenty to enjoy and discover on Phuket, Thailand's playground.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the pride of Malaysia. It is the main port of entry in and out of Malaysia, and it is no wonder that Kuala Lumpur was chosen to be the capital of the country. It is known as a modern capital, because this engaging dreamland was just picked a few decades ago as the country's capital. Combining impressive high-rises with natural beauty, excellent shopping with fascinating museums, Kuala Lumpur is a fantastically diverse and gorgeous place to tour.
The dining is marvelous, and cuisine from all over the world is represented in fine form. From scrumptious Italian to delectable Chinese food, you can tour a different country with every meal. In 1857, Kuala Lumpur was founded as a tiny mining town. In the middle of the city, the sparkling Masjid Jame River flows uninterrupted. The Klang and Gombak rivers meet and seem to encompass the entire city. The abundance of water in and around Kuala Lumpur adds to its allure and beauty. The parks are scenic and tranquil, highlighted by Lake Gardens, the butterfly park, and the bird park. Ornithologists will be in utter disbelief as they marvel at the exquisite diversity of the bird life in Kuala Lumpur. Nature enthusiasts and environmentalists take note: the more fervent your passion for the outdoors, the more likely it is you will stay in Kuala Lumpur and not return home. That being said, it is safe for you to assume that Kuala Lumpur is a phenomenally scenic place that offers something for everyone.
Singapore
Singapore is a wonderfully exciting destination that is full of relaxing activities, great architectural sites, and outstanding dining experiences. The shopping is world-class, and the nightlife is vibrant, as well. The abundance of water sports will please all of you looking for a physically challenging activity or two. The islands neighboring Singapore are gorgeous, making them ideal for an afternoon excursion. The protected park areas and nature reservations are beautiful, and there are a number of interesting attractions, especially in the historic district, that are of excellent for sightseeing and exploring.
Singapore may be a small island, geographically speaking, but it is tremendously popular with tourists. The locals are quite pleased with their home, as Singapore features some of the lowest violent crime rates of anywhere in the world. It is a very safe city for the whole family. The numerous religious factions represented in such close proximity in Singapore coexist peacefully and respect one another. This is one of the most visited places in all of Southeast Asia. If an exotic cruise destination with extraordinary scenery and a friendly society sounds good to you, then look no further. Singapore features all this and much more.
The region is so diverse that you will have no problem enjoying a completely different type of cuisine for every meal. The Chinese Opera plays in Singapore, and they are dynamite. In a single neighborhood, you will observe Muslim mosques, Chinese temples, Christian churches, and Hindu worship sites. The government of Singapore runs a tight ship, and this is probably why it is such a thriving, safe community. As a result, be wise and observe all local rules and regulations, because the law is relatively strict.
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