Venice
Venice is known as La Serenissima, or the Serene Republic. One look around the city will help you understand why. At first you may not recognize the absence of sound that fills your ears. But then it hits you - there are no cars here. As you walk down the middle of the street, you'll marvel at the beauty around every street corner. It seems like the entire city has been lifted straight out of a painting. There is nowhere else in the world where earth and water exist together so freely, with neither element trying to assert its dominance. Couples from all over flock to the world's most romantic city.
Of course, the secret is out, and the throngs of tourists do detract from the city's pristine visage. During the summer, Piazza San Marco is teeming with people, so many in fact that it seems like the city will sink into the water that runs through it. In actuality, the city is sinking, at an average of five inches every twenty years. Unless something is done to keep Venice afloat, the city may join Atlantis at the bottom of the sea.
Because Venice's fortunes are tied so closely to the sea, it must be noted that Venice loses some of its charm in the autumn months, when high tides flood some of the best parts of the city, including the city's center, Piazza San Marco. On the hottest summer days, the water begins to smell, despite the city's best efforts to keep its waterways clean. However, do not let these small inconveniences distract you from all of the good things Venice has to offer. This is the one location in the world where the city itself is the attraction. You can spend an entire day walking around and sitting outside, stopping for lunch or some gelato, and not step foot in a single attraction. You will still be enchanted, having experienced the most picturesque city in the world.
Santorini
The Cyclades Islands in Greece are a gorgeous collection of unique and empirically beautiful islands. The southernmost area in this island collection is Santorini. This is the island that most often adorns tourist brochures welcoming visitors with its fantastic landscape. Guests will tell you that photographs can hardly do this place justice. Famous for its caldera, the collection of cliffs bordering the Aegean Sea that in ancient times was an active volcano, Santorini is the Cyclades most prized possession
Geologically, it is a spectacular sight. The western side of the island is stacked with homes of lucky locals that sit perched atop sharp cliffs thrusting toward the sea. The eastern side of the island is a tourist's paradise, with calm beaches stretching as far as the eye can see.
With over a million tourists per year, Santorini is constantly packed. And the 7,000 residents of the island have made their home an inviting destination by opening shops, nightclubs and restaurants in abundance. By day, Santorini is a sparkling place of water and relaxation. At night, it comes alive as its tone is transformed from placid to party. Wine is the islands largest export, and the incredible selection undoubtedly adds to the festive atmosphere the island takes on after dark. Local taverns are packed with tourists who simply want to taste the flavors and sample Santorini's finest.
Santorini has two main towns, Ia to the north and Fira in the center of the island. Both towns sit atop the caldera and are visible upon your arrival to the island. Fira, Santorini's capital, is the livelier of the two towns. It is truly the embodiment of commercialism and trade, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to indulge themselves and their wallets. Ia is a tamer town, catering especially to visitors looking to slow down and enjoy the scenery. With a decidedly residential tone, Ia emphasizes the beauty of its land and invites visitors to unwind and take in the famous Ia sunset on any of its caldera's peaks.
Tunis
Tunisia contains an amazing collection of rich culture and heritage. Throughout the millennia, many empires have left substantial footprints upon its sands. The Romans, Phoenicians, French, Ottoman Turks, the Byzantines, and the Arabs have all given their contributions to this African country, making it one of the busiest tourist destinations in Africa.
Tunis is the capital of Tunisia, and is one of the most tourist friendly cities in the Islamic world. In fact, the greatest sights Tunisia has to offer are just a few minutes away from Tunis, which is an added advantage. One of these magnificent sights is the ancient city of Carthage. It dates all the way back to 814 BC, run by the Phoenicians who quickly built it into a great metropolis. The Romans took over the region in the 6th century BC, following the 128-year Punic War. The Vandals then conquered the region in 439 AD, followed by the Byzantines in 533 AD. The Byzantines were not strong enough to hold onto it long either, as the Arabs took control in 670 AD.
The north coast of Tunisia is known as the green belt, with a fertile coastal plain backed by the thickly forested Kroumirie Mountains. This type of environment breeds wild boars, jackals and mongoose. Tunisia has been westernized in recent years, now home to fast food restaurants, radio stations that play the latest pop music tracks, and women that adorn themselves in the most recent European fashions. If you want to see a bit of traditional life, however, then travel to the more rural areas where the hammam (bathhouses) and the mosques remain the central focus of their lives.
Malaga
Malaga, the capital of the Costa del Sol, is home to 550,000 residents and is a marvelous city for visiting and sightseeing. The weather in Malaga is fantastic, and the wide array of activities and interesting features will have you begging for more. No stay is too long in Malaga, and the diversity of the city is magnificent. The port area is comprised of ancient streets and gorgeous foliage, and at the center of the city is a mass of high-rises and government buildings.
The climate of Malaga is subtropical, and the region averages 324 days of sunshine every year. Talk about a prime vacation spot! About a decade ago, crime in Malaga reached an all-time high, as unemployment rates and drug use skyrocketed. Thanks to government programs and aid from nearby cities and countries, the area has improved greatly. Tourism has certainly benefited Malaga. The drug peddling that was occurring on the streets ten years ago has thankfully been virtually eliminated. However, like anywhere, it is still wise to be conscious of your surroundings at all times, and do not leave valuables lying around. As mentioned, taking such care should be the norm whenever traveling, no matter where you are.
The Plaza de Merced, cathedrals, and museums of Malaga make it a remarkable site for studying the history and culture of Spain. The coastline that borders the city is magnificent, and it creates a wonderful backdrop to the ancient land.
Casablanca
Casablanca means white house in Spanish, and the reason for the city's name will become quite obvious as you explore the city's landscape. White houses and white office buildings are the norm here in Morocco's busiest city. The Hassan II mosque stands out above the white landscape, a green tiled edifice that catches your eye no matter where you are.
The city has a history of occupation, with many different rulers claiming the city as their own over the centuries. The Berbers traded at the Port of Anfa with Carthaginians and Phoenicians. Later on, the Portuguese came and destroyed Casa Branca, in retaliation for Berber pirate attacks. Sultan Mohammed Ibn Abdellah rebuilt the town, but it soon came under French control. It was only in 1956 that Morocco gained its independence from Spain and France. The evidence of this occupation is everywhere. French is as widely spoken as Arabic, and street names still carry the words rue and boulevard before them.
The drive along Morocco's western coast, from Rabat to Casablanca, is replete with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. This area, known as La Corniche, is truly exquisite, and is well worth the time it takes to get there. But if you are on a tight schedule, the bustling pace of Casablanca will offer you plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, and fine dining.
It's the people of Morocco who will make your time here memorable. The country stands where Europe and Africa meet, and a legacy of European imperialism has transformed Morocco into a unique combination of Eastern and Western worlds. Moroccans are proud of their country, and they will go out of their way to show you its best face.
Lisbon
Lisbon is a diverse and outrageously enjoyable city that demands a look. It is already a very popular tourist destination, but it will no doubt continue to have an increasing amount of visitors as the years go by. It is not a quiet town, but it is not as sprawling or congested as some of the neighboring capitals. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, and with a population that hovers right around one million, most of the other famous European cities are much larger. This is just fine with the citizens of Lisbon, who prefer their city remain somewhat secluded and protected. This is one of those places to which you must be sure to bring all of your high performance photography gear. But even if you aren't a seasoned shutterbug, buy a disposable camera and snap as many shots as you can! The landscape, horizon, and glorious sunsets here are unparalleled, and the unique architecture will not be seen anywhere else on earth. Even the cobblestone streets are remarkable, built on hillsides, making for a roller coaster-like view of the city or the river at any given time.
In 1755, an earthquake and tidal wave completely destroyed the city, and after that a complex of parallel streets was constructed in between the two main squares. The Alfama is a Moorish sector that is found to the east of Lisbon, and Bairro Alto is located to the west. Lisbon is full of tremendous sights and a fantastic array of top-notch museums. The squares are ideal locations for picnicking and people watching. The weather here is excellent, with hot summers, warm springs and autumns, and cool winters. The more time you spend in Lisbon, the more you will fall in love with it, so keep that picture of the kids handy to remind you of home or you may never want to leave!
|