Andorra la Vella, Andorra - Travel Guide

Tacked with Riu Gran Valira Valley, the sole town of Andorra la Vella is also the capital of the tiny principality of Andorra. The city, mainly preoccupied with retailing luxury good and electronic items has quite a lot of interesting things despite its small size. The city appears to be divided in two separate parts which you should easily walk around. The northern part is rather newer, more developed and features many commercial buildings especially retail shops. The southern part is more historic but features different places and shops making it relatively attractive as well. 

One of the attractions in Andorra la Vella is church of Snta Esteve which was build around 12th century. Church of Sant Andreau is a Romanseque church dated 12th century and to enjoy a free guided tour, you should make a reservation in advance. The Casa de la Vall is the seat of Consell Genera or the Andorran Parliament which is also worthy a visit. Proceed on to the bridge of Margineda and even though this bridge was build during medieval era, it is still usable and in a perfect condition. 

You can see an attractive metallic structure nearby which is Valencian sculptor of Andreu Alfaro at Santa Coloma. Then there is Rec de l’Obac and REC del Sila’ and the handrails paved ways appear quite attractive at night when illuminated. The town square will also capture your interest as well especially due to the fact that the peaceful place gives a great view of Andorra valley. 

Caldea is quite famous in the city and the swimming/ sauna/ spa complex is a surprisingly huge structure. Old town and parliament building should be your next stop. Parliament building appears quite modernized representing the progressiveness of Andorra la Vella as a whole. Since most of these attractions are located within town, a city tour will definitely be extremely enjoyable. Buying or shopping is also a great touristic activity to be engaged in. You can get some of the best bargains in jewelry and electronics. Since the Andorra la Vella and the entire region is characterized by low tax on such items, high cost products are always cheaper and more affordable than most of the neighboring places. 

The best thing with electronic goods such as digital cameras and phones is that shops have a huge range of stock and you can find almost any model and make you have ever wished of. Various brands of clothes are also stocked in larger shops and you definitely can’t miss out the popular Via Monda Group. Ski gear shops are many here and you need to shop among the carious stores to get the best bargains. 

When it comes to eating, most of the restaurants are reasonably priced and pasta and pizza alongside other Italian dishes are very common. However, most of the restaurants are closed by 10. 30 pm and you will need to ensure that you check in on time for supper. Most of the supermarkets sell good value spirits and drinks especially at Hiper Andorra.

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Top 5 places to see in Vietnam

The long, skinny country of Vietnam offers a fairly clear route to travellers wanting to explore the length and breadth of the country. But it’s a case of where to stop amongst the wonderful rural outposts, astounding natural wonders and vibrant cities. If you’ve only got a few weeks or less, you’ll need to prioritize. Here are the five places you can’t miss if you want to get a sense of the real, luxurious sights of Vietnam. 

Nha Trang

This is Vietnam’s most popular seaside resort, which in the hotter months is buzzing with beachgoers and water-sport enthusiasts. This is a great place to try kite surfing – considered one of South East Asia’s best places for the sport. Alternatively, relax in one of the beach side bars with a delicious cocktail made with fresh fruit juices. 

Ho Chi Minh City & the Cu Chi Tunnels

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest and is home to numerous historical buildings and attractions. A visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels – a short drive from the city – is an unforgettable one that will give you an insight into one of history’s most bizarre wars. 

The tunnels are an underground maze covering 250 kilometers which once served as living quarters, command centres and ammunition stores by the Viet Cong guerrillas. It’s the tour guides that make this attraction so amazing – often you are taken around the site by former soldiers and guerrillas – some are even those who fought with the Americans and lost and give a fascinating insight into this drawn-out, political battle.

Hue

This ancient Imperial city is a fairly quiet backwater today, but was once the seat of a powerful empire: between 1802 and 1945, it was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty. The main attraction is the walled Imperial City set along the edge of the Perfume River and the citadel is a fascinating place to spend a day. The other main draw is the Tombs of the Emperors complex, south of the city alongside the river. They are accessible by taxi or bike from central Hue, but the best way to see them is to hire a river boat and go for a relaxed cruise. 

Halong Bay

It’s often a photograph of this stunning bay which is used to illustrate Vietnam in one image. And it’s no surprise. This picturesque marine park, with its soaring limestone crags, eerie caves and sparkling emerald waters is like nowhere else on Earth. Join a trip aboard a traditional wooden junk for an exploration of this World Heritage Site’s highlights. Many tours offer snorkeling, kayaking and land walking tours as part of the itinerary. Stop to climb Cat Ba Island for an unbeatable view across the Bay.

Phu Quoc Island

If it’s barefoot luxury you’re after then hop aboard one of the boats out to Phu Quoc Island at the very bottom of the country. In fact, you can usually see Cambodia from here. The island’s tourist industry is slowly growing, but it’s still the perfect place to relax on an uncrowded beach or play games with the local children. There’s a real mixture of accommodation from simple bungalows to luxurious five star hotels.

Article courtesy of Exsus Travel, planning unique luxury South East Asian holidays.

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Amman, Jordan - Travel Guide and Travel Info

Rather than a great cultural centre, Amman is a highly modernized city in the Arab country of Jordan. Nevertheless, the city has never been a rival to Cairo or Damascus in its efforts of being a big Islamic city full of antiquity. For most travelers from Egypt and Syria, Amman appears to be either disappointingly or refreshingly more westernized than other cities in the Arab world. Being the largest and capital city of Jordan, Amman is the most attractive city in the country in terms of tourism. The city holds numerous items that could definitely be of interest to any traveler not to mention the very friendly locals and its more organized appearance. 

Amman seems to be a city with everything that a tourist could ask for. Start your day by visiting the Roman Amphitheatre in Amman, study at the famous University of Amman and book a stay in one of the luxurious hotels in the city. The city also has an abundance of shopping malls that are amazingly exciting. For the past couple of years, Amman has experienced a massive change and the bustling metropolis depicts significant changes from the previously sleepy village. The city features state of the art paved avenues and highways and has a reputation of being bestowed by heavy traffic. Still, the city is dotted by numerous resorts and hotels and there is so much for tourists to see and do. 

Amman is a city with a range of items of cultural and historical interest which are worthy a visit. Apart from the Roman Theatre which is a popular culture and folklore museum, the Roman era Watchtower and Nymphaeum are hot tourist spots. The Temple of Herakles and Byzantine Church are the two symbols of religious activities in the centre. The Ummayad Palace gives tourists a great and interesting view of the entire city before you continue downward to the famous National Archeological Museum. While the museum might be small in size, it nevertheless houses some of the most interesting antique collections including fragments of Dead Sea Scrolls. 

Citadel offers an awesome sunset view where you can as well listen to the memorable acoustic impression that has continued to amaze most of the travelers to the area. Due to the accelerated rate of growth, living styles in Amman differ significantly. The old Amman is a great area for exploration and features numerous street vendors, shops and souqs. In addition to having an enjoyable tour of the city, shopping is yet another popular activity that travelers engage in. the many bars, restaurants, cafes and clubs have made nightlife in the city to grow tremendously. 

While the city is largely composed of Muslims, locals are not obliged to wear the Islamic headscarf and most of the women especially in the more developed regions dress liberally. However, when sightseeing, it is advisable that you dress modestly and avoid attracting unwanted attention. Sleeping in Amman is offered in a wide range of accommodation facilities such as the Abbassi Palace Hotel and Al Harmin Hotel that offer world class services.

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Top 5 places to visit in Australia

From lush, tropical rain forests to breath-taking monoliths in the desert, Australia’s landscape features some of the most iconic visitor attractions in the world. If you’re planning a visit to the land down under or if you’re looking for a local holiday, here’s five place you just have to include on your list! 

Great Barrier Reef 

Situated off the north Queensland coast, the world’s largest coral reef is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia. Filled with a plethora of sea life, the reef sees thousands of visitors every year scuba dive and snorkel in its crystal clear waters. Visitors usually stay in either Cairns or the beautiful Whitsunday Islands with easy access to the reef and surrounding areas. Although the reef is a world heritage site, pollution and rising ocean temperatures are affecting the health of the coral so be sure to take this into account when visiting and be aware of any impact you might have. 

Uluru 

Rising out of the red dessert in the centre of Australia, Uluru is one of the most breath-taking sights in the world. An iconic image of outback Australia, the great standstone rock is sacred to the local Aboriginal tribe, the Pitjantjatjara people. Also known as Ayres Rock, it is situated near Alice Springs in the northern territory. Although you can still climb the rock, local Aboriginal tribes request that visitors do not climb because of its sacred significance.

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge 

Sydney’s famed attractions, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge frame Australia’s largest city to perfection, providing the ultimate photo op for tourists. While it’s not Australia’s capital city (although most people assume this) Sydney is certainly its most recognizable city, thanks to its iconic attractions. Brave visitors can choose to climb the bridge and see the city laid out before them but those wanting to keep their feet firmly on the ground cause choose to simply walk across the bridge. Tickets for performances at the Opera House are expensive but it’s certainly worth the money if you want to admire that the most famous performance space in the world, from the inside. 

Kakadu 

Largely overlooked by outside visitors to Australia but a firm favorite with locals, Kakadu National Park in the Northern territory is almost half the size of Switzerland and features a diverse assortment of wildlife. Known for its wealth of Aboriginal sites of cultural significance, including cave paintings and sacred land, Kakadu is a truly amazing example of the rain forests which used to cover large parts of the country. Waterfalls and rivers contribute to the lush surrounds (although there’s strictly no swimming as many waterholes house dangerous crocodiles!) and visitors can usually be found bush walking or exploring caves and gorges in the park. A world heritage site, Kakadu is certainly worth a visit if you want to experience the true beauty of Australia’s landscape. 

The Twelve Apostles 

This group of limestone stacks on along the Great Ocean Road in the state of Victoria was originally referred to as The Apostles for tourism purposes, before being changed to The Twelve Apostles(despite consisting of only nine stacks). Created due to erosion along the coast, there are currently only eight stacks left standing after one fell into the ocean in 2005. Many visitors come across The Twelve Apostles on their journey along The Great Ocean road, Australia’s famed, world heritage, stretch of motorway along the Victorian coast. They may not be one of the most exciting sights along the Australian coast but their iconic status in Australia makes them a must see attraction to cross off your list. 

Australia features some of the world’s most beautiful places to visit and although this list has only showcased the top five, there’s still a host of others to discover! Wherever you travel, in Australia or elsewhere in the world, be sure to research your destination first so you can get the most out of your holiday. Happy travels! 

This post was written by the experts at Area Vibes, Helping you find the best places to live and visit in the US.

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Alofi, Niue - Travel Guide and Travel Info

Alofi is the capital city and also the largest city of Niue. Alofi is readily served by a nearby airport and travelling into the city is always easy as most accommodation centers are situated near or in Alofi. Hitching is not just easy but also very safe and you can be picked up by almost anyone. Actually, the city is quite small in size and within few minutes, you will have walked across the entire city. Most tourists also prefer enjoying a city tour while riding in bicycles and there are many bicycle rentals in Alofi. Nevertheless, if you would really want to properly capture scenic areas in the city, it is highly preferred that you have a walking city tour. 

Water activities are the most exciting thing you can do to spend an enjoyable time in Alofi. The waters are pretty clear which makes it easier to see tropical fishes. Fishing is yet another enjoyable activity you can undertake. However, no fishing is allowed on Sundays and it is essential that you are aware of this. Generally, Alofi and the entire Niue country is not a famous tourism destination and the country receives quite a low number of tourists. 

Still, shopping in Alofi is not exciting as such as the range of souvenirs available is substantially low. However, there are about two big shops selling a relatively wide range of collections including magnets and t-shirts. The post office in the city allows visitors and locals to send postcards and mails overseas. 

Weaving in Alofi is a popular activity and you can buy many items of this nature as a gift to your friends. Most of the major eating centers in the country are in Alofi. As such, you can expect to find a huge selection of food especially chips and fish. Indian food is also very common as well as pizza and paninis. The Tavana Café is perhaps the major eating place in Alofi located at the city centre and you can get affordable foods being served here.

If you want to catch an early breakfast, consider getting it from Crazy Uga Café. You can choose between ‘Big Uga’ and ‘Little Uga’ for breakfast which is quite common. Fruit smoothies and coffee can also be a great treat for you as well. All in all, there are so many other places serving affordable meals in Alofi as well. 

The Customs & Bonds Store is one of the most famous drinking spot in Alofi where visitors can buy several bottles of spirits and wine. You can go for shopping at Double M Butchery where a wide range of products are available including cheeses and meats. You will also find spices and vanilla beans at the butchery as well. Another good eatery spot worthy a visit in the city is Jenna’s. Sleeping in Alofi is offered in a wide range of accommodation centers. The popular Niue BackPackers is perhaps the most popular and offers top notch accommodation and restaurant services.

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Algiers, Algeria - Travel Guide and Travel Info

The French called Algiers ‘la blanche’, translated to mean the white one. The capital city and economic hub of Algeria, the whitewashed city of Algiers is a big and bustling city with Mediterranean set at its front and rich farmland and hills at the behind. Known as Ei-Ajazair by Arabs, Algiers is one of the most exciting destinations you can travel to in Algeria and acts as a gateway to the interior of the country. Of the various Barbary pirate regions, Algiers becomes the most successful base around 16th century. 

Since Algeria became independent in 1962 from the French, Algiers has been the economic, political, cultural and tourism centre. The city is also geographically diverse, has a port and various tourism resources as well. Even as the city transforms to a modernized urban centre, the city has managed to preserve its old mystique which gives the dazzlingly white city an identity. 

While Algiers has a lot to be admired for, the city has suffered years of civil that has made it less attractive to tourists in the recent past. Nevertheless, while the country has made a remarkable progress, occasional attacks are still present especially on government buildings. In addition, bombings, kidnappings, falsified roadblocks as well as ambushes are also common including episodes of civil unrest. 

For the past decade, the city has really been struggling to keep abreast with the rapid and the ever increasing population has lowered the living cost significantly. With the civil unrest, a large proportion of the population is extremely poor. Much of the beautiful touristic sites in the city has been destroyed and completely ruined by the civil war. 

While the city seemed to have finally come to an end of the war, recent bombings in Algiers has frustrated effort to revive the city as a travel destination. Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups have been blamed for such bombings that have continued to devastate the city. Residents in Algiers mainly speak French, Arabic and Berber. Basically, Algiers is not a hot spot for tourism and travel to the area for touristic purpose is rare. In fact, most of the governments especially US have been warning their citizens against travelling to the country let alone in Algiers. 

Nevertheless, if you would still wish to travel to Algiers on a holiday vacation, most of the attractive and interesting tourism sights can be found in Medina or Casbah alongside other older parts in the city. Actually, tourists who have traveled to this city have been very impressed and thankful for the hospitability and friendliness of the locals. The city has great food especially along seafront and old French buildings have remained to be very attractive even to date. 

On your visit to Algiers, you will see the Monument of Martyrs located at the city centre and La Grande Poste. Another attractive area is Aquafortland which is also the monument des martyrs. Algiers is also a religious/ worship centre and you should consider visiting Ketchaoua mosque and El Djedid mosque. 

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Travel Guide

Ethiopia is a famous country thanks to its top rated marathon runners. Likewise, Addis Ababa, the major city in the country is experiencing a fast paced development. Even though the city is not well off as such, the mere fact that the government anticipates the economic growth to be growing at a rate of 5% or more in 2013 gives you a confidence feeling when organizing a trip to the city. Addis Ababa is an Amharic word, translated to mean the ‘New Flower’ and the over a century old city is Africa’s diplomatic capital and a city rich in many multifaceted assets. 

Strategically sitting on Abyssinian plateau, the city enjoys a ‘tropical highland’ climate which gives you all the reasons to pay it a visit. Addis Ababa has numerous museums and is a culturally stimulating city as highlighted by the Ethnological Museum. Addis Ababa is set right at the place where the former palace of Emperor Haile Selasie used to be and it is endowed with a rich cultural background. The country’s National Museum is another touristic highlight in Addis Ababa. One of oldest hominid, Lucy, was also found here in Addis Ababa which is also a star attraction. The city also has a lively nightlife and restaurants are just awesome. It has fancy bars, clubs eateries and galleries and has lots of other surprises in store. 

The Red Hall houses the UN Economic Commission for Africa and it is still the place where African Union offices are located. The clock tower on Parliament building is another key attraction. The Shengo Hall used to be the biggest pre-fabricated world building and it is used for holding large conventions and meetings. Addis Ababa is also home to the world’s second biggest church, Medhane Alem and the beautifully decorated St. George’s Cathedral is also located here. Other religious buildings include the Anwar Mosque and Roman Catholic Cathedral of Nativity. The National Palace in Addis Ababa is resided by Ethiopia president and other attractions include the Ethiopian National Library, Addis Ababa Museum, Ethiopian National History Museum and National Postal Museum. 

Another attraction site in Addis Ababa in the Gola St. Michael Church which is quite interesting and you will enjoy seeing the old churches and old paintings. There is a museum as well which displays church articles which were given by notable personalities like Emperor Haile Selassie. The Mercati Market is also another attraction jewel in the city which you can visit as you explore the nearby suburbs. Food in Addis Ababa is quite cheap and injera is the national cuisine which you should not miss tasting. Cafes are many in Addis Ababa are a great place to visit especially by budget tourists where you can get some cakes and coffee. Fruit juices are also served and you can as well drink them, simply known as ‘machiatto’. Tej is Ethiopia’s national drink and is brewed using honey. Tela is the national beer in the country and is prepared traditionally.

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Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - Travel Info

Jeddah has served as a convergence spot for traders and pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for many centuries. In fact, Jeddah has been regarded to be the major cultural centre in the world. The city has tremendously been influenced by foreigners reflected by the inhabitants, shops and restaurants that mostly serve foreign dishes. Saudis have mixed feelings about Jeddah and while some refer to it as the kingdom’s most developed cosmopolitan city, others not only see it as a rather dangerous place but also highly degenerated and wild. However, the city is slowly relaxing including its culture in which seeing girls dressed in bikinis on the beaches and in an Arab country is not a surprise. 

Jeddah is the undisputed economical commercial hub of the country and it is also the best shopping city in Saudi Arabia. The most beautiful part in Jeddah is Al-Balad district where its cute architecture makes the city a welcoming place to be. Al- Balad is Jeddah’s old town and is the first place to see upon landing in the city. The wall that used to surround the city has over time torn down and there are several ancient historical buildings within. Jeddah is very famous for the Coral houses but since coal isn’t a durable material when used for building, most of these houses appear beaten up. However, wandering in this old city is a great way to spend your time in a quality way. Souaq al-Alawis is found at the centre of the city and it’s a great spot for photography. Naseef House was once occupied by trading families in Jeddah and has now been converted to a museum. 

To get spectacular views to Red Sea, you can try looking it at Jeddah Corniche and you will spot some interesting wares along the street. The King Fahd Fountain has been recognized as the world’s tallest and largest water fountain. Scuba diving is a common activity in Jeddah. Due to the close proximity of the city to the Red Sea, ocean flora and fauna is common along the shores especially the beautiful corals. There are also various attractive sites for exploration such as the famous Chicken Wreck. During winter, The Red Sea can be quite chilly and you need to be well advised before going for scuba diving. 

Water parks are also great attraction sites in Jeddah especially at the Sail Island and have various recreation facilities including a pool. A major amusement park in Jeddah is the Antallah Happy Land Park which is packed with many attractions and offers some of the best outdoor activities like shopping, dining, bowling and ice skating as well as live shows. Then there is the Al-Shalala Theme Park that you might also think of visiting especially when looking for entertainment facilities. Shopping malls are quite many in Jeddah like the Hera’a Mall, Red Sea Mall, Tahlia Center and Jeddah Mall among others. Restaurants in Jeddah serve almost any kind of meal you can imagine and you can try most of the local cuisines.

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