Bridgetown, Barbados - Travel Guide

Bridgetown boasts as the sole city in the Caribbean island of Barbados which also serves as its capital. Since there is no other city on this Island, most of the residents in Barbados actually call Bridgetown home and it is still the liveliest part of the island. The city is the major port of call here for most of the cruise ships. Foreigners visit Bridgetown largely for its historical and cultural attractions as well as duty free shopping. The most convenient and cheapest buses are found in Bridgetown thereby making travelling around the city easy. Most of the attraction sites in Bridgetown are within walking distances from the city center. You will find commuter buses offering easy travel to the various outlaying sights like Savanna Green.

The Barbados Museum in Bridgetown should be your first stop in the city and resting at a past British Military Prison, this prison offers an excellent spot for catching up with the rich history of the island. You will find coral exhibits, historical exhibits of indigenous inhabitants as well as recent history. Young children can enjoy an interactive section specifically designated for them and there is still a concession where you can get a cold drink. St. Mary’s Church in Bridgetown has been in the area since the early 1630. There are parliament buildings in Bridgetown built in a neo- Gothic style. Other areas that you should consider paying a visit are such as the broad street, Cheapside Market and Swan Street. The Careenage once used to be a port call for ships and you will presently find various restaurants, boutiques and bars in the stores and warehouses that were used by the port.

Mount Gay Rum Distillery Tour in Bridgetown will give you an opportunity to interact with the island’s major agricultural crop, which is sugarcane and used in rum making. The distillery will provide you with a first hand experience on the process of rum making. You can opt for any of the three types of tours offered including the standard tour, cocktail tour and the lunch tour which are all offered at varying prices. The dive shop offers all the resources you need for scuba diving as well as snorkeling and some other few water sporting activities. The Kensington Oval is the best place to watch a cricket game and you will experience the excitement and fun associated with cricket in West Indies. 

Horse racing is very active activity in Bridgetown and a day at horse races will just be awesome and offer you a lifetime experience. There are several vendors in the city selling tourist kits such as beads and seas shells. Other stores in the city stock jewel and a range of other free duty goods which are generally inexpensive. A local music shop in the city sells DVDs of wonderful music collections ranging from reggae, Soca and Calypso alongside other collections of the Caribbean music. Accommodation facilities in Bridgetown are quite few and can be quite expensive.

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5 Reasons Why Camping is Better than Staying in a Hotel

When it is time to go on holiday many people instinctively look at deals on hotel breaks. This has been a popular way of spending time away from home for a very long time. It can be a wonderful way to take a holiday but there is an approach which is even better than this. Here are 5 good reasons to ditch the hotel and stay in a camping site instead.

Get in Touch with Nature

If you stay in a hotel then you need to make a conscious effort to get in touch with nature and enjoy a grounded, environmentally friendly and authentic feeling holiday. However, when you stay on a campsite you are surrounded by nature and will enjoy a green break without even making too much effort. This is regarded as one of the reasons why camping has overtaken B&B stays in the UK and there is no doubt that it is an important benefit for many holidaymakers. 

Spend More Quality Time with the Family

Another interesting advantage to staying in a campsite is that you will have the chance to spend more quality time with your family. Instead of staying in separate rooms and not having a lot of time together you can make the most of this family break and enjoy each other’s company. The fact that there is a wide variety of things to do means that you can do a little bit of what each person wants and keep everyone happy. 

Enjoy Cool Gadgets

One of the most exciting reasons for going camping is to use some of the cool camping gadgets which are now available. With this type of trip now being more popular than ever you will find great options like solar powered chargers, wind up radios, smartphone apps, mobile kitchens and multi purposes lantern radios. If you love gadgets then taking a few of these away with you will give you a more pleasant trip then sitting in a hotel room and watching TV programs you don’t even really understand. 

Great Facilities but Less Money

You might think that the issue of facilities is the one area in which camping comes in a sad and rather distant second to a stay in hotel. If you think this then you haven’t been to one of the top campsites lately. These days you will find swimming pools, shops, sporting facilities, kid clubs and even quality spa treatments online. 

Best of all, despite all of these useful facilities it still tends to work out a lot cheaper to go camping than to book your accommodation in a hotel. This is one of the big reasons why so many people now choose to take their holiday in this way. Even if you need to buy some camping gear and gadgets you will find that this is pretty cheap to do these days. 

Explore More 

One of the great things about going camping is that you can explore more of the region you are staying in. If you sometimes come home complaining about not having seen enough of the place you have just been in then can be a great solution. Going camping can be a fine way to enjoy a more active break in which you do more and see more of the place.

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Brazzaville, Republic of Congo - Travel Guide

Brazzaville is a thriving and relatively developed city in Congo which is also the capital city as well. The republic of Congo has been characterized by civil wars for the past decade which has seriously ruined most of the infrastructures in the area. As such, Brazzaville is not a safe city as such but it is also not very dangerous and a relatively good number of tourists visit this African city in any given year. The only set back is that most of the roads and facilities have been run down even though the city is undergoing a development and recovery phase.

Overtime, Lebanese immigrants have made a dominating presence in the city and are responsible for the new hotels and restaurants cropping up in Brazzaville at an alarming rate. Being next to one of the major water catchment area in the world, the Congo rain forests, Brazzaville is with no doubt a hot destination in its own right. The Basilique Sainte Anne of the Congo is one of the most exciting and beautiful churches in the modern world which tourists from far and distant places come to visit. The nicely built Palais du Peuple was built in 1901 and is currently the presidential palace. Mr. Augouard constructed a catholic church in the city known as Cathedrale Sacre- Coeur which provides fantastic views to nearby downtown areas like Centreville, Kinshasga and Centreville. 

Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza Memorial was built in the good memory of the late Pierre Savorgnan. Just across the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is Le Palais des Congres. Here are still other notable attractions in Brazzaville including Le Palais du Peuple, Poto Poto painting school and Les Rapides in Djoue’. While there is a zoo in Brazzaville, the unfortunate thing is that it has no single animal today as a result of the civil war that has characterized the area over the past couple of years. 

Brazzaville offers a good environment for a wide range of recreational activities. However, if you want to engage in any of the outdoor sport, you need to carry along the equipment you need like golf equipment, picnic supplies alongside the necessary attires. You can pay for sporting membership at the Tennis Club, Brazzaville Golf Club, Laico May- Maya Brazzaville Hotel, Olympic Palace Hotel, Market of Poto Poto and the Bakongo which offers a wonderful neighborhood. 

Eating places are largely available all over the city and food is relatively inexpensive in most of the restaurants and hotels. Most of the restaurants serve great pizzas and steaks especially at Nenuplar and Miami Wata. There are also some few places precisely designated for Muslim visitors such as La Mandarine which is actually a Lebanese restaurant. There are also dozens of cafes and coffee shops in Brazzaville which you can check in for snack, dinner and café. You can as well get Halal food in all the various Lebanese restaurants in the city. Shopping is also common in Brazzaville especially when you are looking for groceries and African souvenirs.

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Bratislava, Slovakia - Travel Guide and Travel Info

With a population of about 460, 000 inhabitants, Bratislava act as the administrative, economical and cultural capital of Slovakia. The Medieval styled city is a must visit destination thanks to its pleasant streets and a wide range of historic buildings and churches. Bratislava has a great potential for tourism and there is so much to see and do here during your visit. First of all, the St. Martin’s Cathedral is an old, large church in the city. The Gothic styled cathedral has its history dated in 1204 even though it has been restored on several occasions in the following years. The tower like church is one of the most visited places in Bratislava city. 

The Bratislava castle is yet another touristic jewel here and hosts various expositions and tourists can enter the castle free of charge. The New City Bridge constructed over River Danube has a unique structure shaped like a flying saucer which also houses a local restaurant. Slavin Monument is placed at the top of a hill and overlooks the whole city. The monument was constructed in memory of the fallen fighters during World War II. Since the area is more or less like a cemetery, it is extremely quiet but one of the most romantic places during a typical warm night. Another Gothic church in the city is the St. Clare’s Church which also serves as a major concert hall. There are also other churches in the city all stressing on the worship and cultural attractiveness of Bratislava like the Church of Holy Savior and the Church of Annunciation. 

The Roland Fountain was the first fountain of its kind to be constructed in the city and King Maximilian commissioned it in 1527. The Primate’s Palace nowadays serves as the seat for Bratislava mayor. The Old Town Hall also has a museum that most visitors are quite fascinated to visit. There are so many other attractions in Bratislava such as the Michael’s Gate, Laurin’s Gate, the Pharmacological Museum, Bratislava City Gallery, Slovak National Museum, Main Indoor Market and Jewish Cemetery among others. Actually, Bratislava city has so many but small attractions that make the area a tourism haven. 

During your visit, taking an afternoon stroll wandering around the city will assure you a time well spent as you appreciate the historical charm of Bratislava. Sightseeing in Bratislava is common starting with the Slavin Memorial and Bratislava castle as well as many other restaurants, bars and cafes scattered all over the city. The Bratislava Zoo is also a good place to visit for a nice evening walk as you have a look at the various animals like the white tigers. Comenius University has quite green Botanical gardens which offer a peaceful stroll. Bratislava also has numerous duty free items that are offered at relatively cheap prices in major shopping areas like Aupark, Polus City Center, Avion, Shopping Palace and Eurovea. Most of the local restaurants are largely inexpensive and some very delicious local and international dishes. 

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Bissau, Guinea Bissau - Travel Info and Tourist Attractions

As the capital city of Guinea Bissau, Bissau is actually the largest and most affluent city in the country. Direct flights in to the city are readily available especially by the Senegal Airlines which have frequent flights from Dakar to the country. Once you have landed in Bissau, you can get around the city in the plentiful, cheap taxis. Despite being a huge city, don’t expect extra ordinary attraction in Bissau but it is still a great city especially when you are planning an African trip. Perhaps the first thing to steal your attention is the Presidential Palace in the city. While the palace has almost been brought to its knees after multiple bombings during the many civil wars that characterize the city and country at large, it is still worthy a visit even though bats have recently made the palace their home. 

The Bissau Velho is a historical Portuguese colonial center and even though the area is not lively as such, it wouldn’t hurt spending some few minutes wandering around the area. There is a prison with some pink flowers around just next to a harbor and it’s definitely worthy a visit. Porto Pidjiguiti is also widely known as the spot where the 1959 Pidjiguti massacre took place where at least 50 dockworkers on a strike were shot down by local police. This marked the beginning of an active fight against the Portuguese colonialists and towards the country’s independence. A monument was erected at the area to commemorate the massacre and has of late become one of the city’s landmarks. 

Mercado de Bandim is the major local market that attracts a large number of locals and foreigners. The Fortaleza d’Amura is an old fort in the city which contains a mausoleum and tombs of the country’s nationalists and revolutionaries. The city also houses the National Ethnographic Museum where there are various collections of wooden masks, cloths, baskets and statues. This museum is a must visit particularly due to the friendly staff who will explain to you the various traditional and spiritual beliefs regarding the various artifacts. 

Bissau also has a French Cultural Center featuring concerts, dances, movies and French classes. Portuguese cultural center in Bissau is located near Portuguese embassy and even though the surroundings are less inviting, you will still be fascinated by the various concerts held here. The Palace Hotel offers a great swimming spot and even though the area can be a little crowded and noisy the authentic African atmosphere created is something that you will definitely not want to miss out on. A city gym and fitness center will also keep you busy as you undertake some exercises and you can as well decide to play tennis at Lino Correia Stadium. 

Shopping in Bissau mostly involve buying of local wood carvings, hand woven textiles, cashew nuts, batik and local CDs. Nightclubs and discos in the city are not many but some of them like Insomnia and X-Klub will guarantee you a momentous night thanks to cute dance floors and pool tables.

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Brasilia, Brazil - Tourist Attractions

With a history dating back in 1960, Brasilia is a well planned city and the capital of Brazil. The city is a home to modernist architecture that let to its listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and worldwide architectural designs appear to be represented in Brasilia in one way or the other. For travel within and around Brazil, Brasilia acts as a significant hub for transportation providing links to most of other regions and cities in the country. The city bears a unique shape which appears to be designed either as an airplane or a big bird. There are several separated regions in the city with each of them set aside for a particular function like banking, commerce and industry, housing and hospitals among others. 

The beauty of the city is enhanced by a big artificial late which is majorly used for leisure both by locals and foreigners. Brasilia is a cultural and commercial hub of the country with hotels, cathedral and numerous stores dotted all over the city. Despite the city being created almost five decades ago, it is still undergoing through major cultural developments. Temperatures in the city are generally conducive but the dry season can be worse as high temperatures tend to turn the generally green city to a desert like destination where people are forced to drink lots of water to cool their bodies. 

Almost every architectural site in Brasilia is a part of Monumental Axis that forms the entire city starting with the famous Three Powers Square housing the Supreme Court and presidential palace. Palace of Justice at Brasilia is a beautiful façade comprising of some waterfalls that make the area quite attractive. The Brasilia Cathedral is quite famous and rated among the top amazing buildings in modern world. If you want to catch a good panorama view of the entire city, the television tower is the place to be where you will also find a food market and crafts as well. In addition to the fantastic architectural masterpieces, Brasilia also has a share of natural attractions as well starting with the Paranoa Lake featuring a park and lakeside restaurants which is still a famous swimming spot in the city. 

The City Park in Brasilia is larger than the Central Park in New York and it is popular for a wide range of sporting activities like skating, cycling, jogging, kart racing and many outdoor activities. The Brasilia National Park has a natural swimming pool and flora and fauna life. The beautiful waterfall of Poco Azul is also another outstanding attraction. Besides all these, Brasilia is also home to theatres, galleries and museums that reinforce the status of the city as a cultural center. There are regular exhibitions held in the city which attract artists from all over the world. 

For shopping enthusiasts, Brasilia has numerous local shops like drugstores, restaurants, groceries, hairdressers and bakers among others that can assure you an outstanding shopping experience. While there is no a specific cuisine in Brasilia, you can expect to find a wide range of local, regional and international cuisines to select from as per your gastronomic needs.

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Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - Travel Guide

Bishkek is an amazingly large city in Kyrgyzstan republic. As the capital city, the approximate population of the city is about 1 million. Since the city is relatively new, you can expect to find just a few historical sites. Nevertheless, if you are planning a trip to alpine lakes and mountains regions of Tien Shien, Bishkek is the best place to launch your visit. However, with its czarist plan, Bishkek is just an amazing place characterized by large trees, irrigation canals, marble façade buildings and other uniquely designed complexes distributed all over the city. Bishkek is also an attractive city to young travelers who find the city’s nightlife quite fascinating and delight. 

The local residents of Bishkek are known to be very hospitable and friendly and which will definitely make your holiday and awesome one. A significant portion of Bishkek population comprises of the young and you can expect that both the small cafes and big clubs will always be full. Among the countries in Central Asian region, Kyrgyzstan is the most liberalized in terms of acquiring a tourist visa. As such, most visitors will even travel to Bishkek just to collect visas for proceeding to other neighboring countries. The tall trees, leafy parks, amazing monuments and statues make the city a pleasant place to be. However, apart from this, don’t expect anything more fascinating and two days will be enough for you to visit the entire city including suburban markets. Just like in most world cities, Bishkek museums do not open on Mondays. 

Upon landing in Bishkek, the Ala- Too Square will be the first to catch your attention which has of late been transformed to a local site for regular festivals and political demonstrations. The State Historical Museum in Bishkek has seasonal exhibits displayed and other collections highlighting the achievements of the Soviet- era. The Panfilov Park attracts most foreigners as well as a place for relaxation and enjoying some rides. The Osh Bazaar is the best place to catch some snacks and other eateries. The M Frunze Museum used to be the home of the famous General Mikhail Frunze. 

For travelers interested in swimming, the city’s Karven Club offers a good outdoor pool that will keep your summer visit as blistering as possible. Most travelers will even opt to hang around the club the entire day while some will even visit the fitness centre comprising of a gym and other facilities. Most foreigners with an ample time in the city will also try learning Russian which is far much easy and courses are cheap at local universities. Shopping in Bishkek is also an awesome experience especially for the stylish local hats known as the kalpaks worn by men. Textiles are also common in local markets like shyrdaks- traditional pattern carpets but can be a little expensive. Most of the bazaars and departmental stores will also sell cheap souvenirs and you can even bargain for better prices. A typical meal in Bishkek features certain starchy foods such as potatoes, rice and bread.

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Belmopan, Belize - Travel Guide and Travel Info

While every destination is unique to tourists in some way, some of them like Belmopan in Belize have just a handful of attractions and activities that can’t assure a worthwhile visit. However, there are still some visitors that view such shortages of attractions as their pulling factors for travel. Belmopan popularity in the country came after it was named the country’s capital after Belize City was stripped off of its status as the national capital. For this case, you can understand that Belmopan is still in its growth stages and it is fully to exploit its full tourism potential to become a worthwhile city that requires a visit from a tourist. 

Belmopan main advantage results from its strategic location in the country which even resulted to the city being named the capital of the country as it was convenient for the government. The glory came after Belize City was severely damaged by a major hurricane in 1961. As such, being located in the inland, Belmopan is deemed to be much safer not just for the government operations but also for tourists. As such, as you visit Belmopan, you can rest assured that you are safe from disasters such as hurricanes that have a likelihood of striking a city along the shores. Travelling to Belmopan is quite easy as the city is well served by a good highways system. You can enter Belmopan through either the Western Highway or the Hummingbird Highway. The city is also well connected to Belize City, the former capital of the nation. 

Getting around is also very convenient as you can use the taxi or car. However, since Belmopan is still a small city, you can simply decide to take a walk round the city and get to experience the true beauty of Belmopan. As highlighted here above, still a young city, Belmopan has little to offer in terms of tourism as most of its resources that were well developed in the former capital were damaged by the hurricane. However, the city is still making tremendous improvements and some of the great touristic resources in Belmopan include an art gallery and the relatively popular Artbox. 

The city also offers a great destination for walking round the market plazas and neighborhoods that guarantee even a much greater experience. Crime rate in Belmopan is also known to be considerably low thereby making it a much better destination to discover and explore. Also, Belmopan is a great tourist destination for relaxing and enjoying yourself in a less hectic/ stressful city life. For shopping, the city is a great destination especially if you are looking for gifts and groceries. One of the best spots to buy gifts in Belmopan is the Angelus Press that sells the Belizean trinkets, books, maps and flags. Tuesdays and Fridays are market days which bring life to the city. You will find numerous selling booths set up all over by locals selling cheap DVDs, clothes, food, trinkets as well as produce. The market days offers a momentous experience where you get to experience real Belizean culture.

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