Barcelona
Barcelona has always been a prosperous city , thanks to an exquisite harbor, fertile soil, and a population of hard working, caring citizens. This great city was a strong, incredibly diverse region when Madrid was still a fledgling town with basically no landmarks or significance. The numerous Mediterranean empires that had at one time or another conquered the area brought tremendous influences, much more so than the Iberian presence to the west. Barcelona was most influenced by Rome, Carthage, and France during the Charlemagne era.
The monuments of Barcelona open a book into the rich history of the area. These include the intricate and beautiful Gothic Quarter from the medieval times, the series of Catalan art nouveau, and the surreal artwork of Picasso and Miro. But if you are searching for a little excitement and outdoor fun to mix in with your education and culture, look no further than Barcelona.
In 1992, Barcelona was given a huge boost by serving as home to the Summer Olympic Games. This race to the 21st century was quite beneficial to Barcelona and the neighboring areas, and the restructuring program that became everyone's focus was given the name Post Olympic. As a result of all of this hard work and dedication, Barcelona has recently developed into one of the premier port cities in all of Europe. There are so many fascinating sights and wonderful events; you will be awed by your choices and so much to do. Extraordinary museums and landmarks can be found everywhere in this ancient city with a rich heritage and culture. The Museu Picasso is one of the greatest art exhibits anywhere, and through the center of the old quarter of Barcelona is the gorgeous tree-lined promenade, a visual splendor. The nightlife is truly something, and the shopping is fantastic.
Valletta
Sixty miles south of Sicily, you will find a magnificent island by the name of Malta. This Mediterranean dream is home to the lovely city of Valletta, a tourist's heaven. The waters off the coast of Valletta are a sparkling blue, and the whole island is an exercise in adventure and splendor. The land is visually stunning and bustling with activity, and the beauty of the region is complemented by an incredible range of available activities. One of the highlights of Valletta is Carnival, held annually from February 19th through the 23rd. A festival, a celebration, and a tribute to the past all rolled into one, both contemporary and traditional elements are blended perfectly into this wonderful event. Holy Week and Easter are also quite enjoyable in Valletta. More driven by heritage than pure entertainment, the locals are dedicated and devout in their celebration of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This is a very interesting time of the year, and I highly recommend visiting Valletta during this season.
The eating and shopping in Valletta are outstanding, and the combination Italian-Maltese dishes are excellent. The ambiance inside many of the restaurants is the perfect blend of upper class decor with a cozy, small town feel. There are a number of great areas in the city to explore and see the sights. The gardens and museums are wonderful, and wherever you go, the scenery is remarkable. This engaging island nation is quite safe and close-knit, and tourists are always welcome. You should feel comfortable at all times, your days filled with marvelous sightseeing adventures, and your nights consisting of eventful outings to fun restaurants and lively bars and nightclubs. A trip to Valletta is extremely enjoyable, and whether you study the ancient cathedrals and museums, or gallivant around the island, your trip will definitely be a pleasurable and memorable one.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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