Straddling the majestic Danube River, Budapest exudes an air of timeless elegance. It’s architectural marvels and thermal baths have made it the “Pearl of the Danube”. Let’s uncover its magic.

1. Buda Castle & Fisherman’s Bastion 

Perched on Castle Hill, the Buda Castle complex offers panoramic views of the city. Nearby, the turreted Fisherman’s Bastion, reminiscent of a fairytale, provides a picturesque spot to watch the sunset over Pest.

2. Soak in Thermal Bliss 

Budapest’s thermal baths, a legacy of Ottoman rule, are a must-experience. The Széchenyi and Gellért baths, with their ornate designs, promise relaxation in mineral-rich waters amidst historic settings.

3. Heroes’ Square and City Park 

At the end of the grand Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square stands as a tribute to Hungarian leaders. Adjacent to it, City Park beckons with Vajdahunyad Castle, an ice-skating rink, and the Budapest Zoo.

4. Jewish Quarter Chronicles

Delve into the Jewish Quarter to discover a tapestry of history, art, and vibrant street life. Synagogues, murals, and bustling cafes tell tales of a rich heritage and the modern-day renaissance of this dynamic district.

Conclusion

Budapest, with its mix of history, culture, and natural beauty, offers a European escapade that lingers in memory long after the journey ends.…

When the sun sets over Havana, the city transforms. The warm glow of street lamps illuminates historic facades, music wafts through the air, and the night becomes a canvas of experiences.

1.  Rooftop Revelries 

Many of Havana’s colonial buildings offer rooftop bars with unparalleled views. Sip on a mojito at La Guarida or Hotel Ambos Mundos, soaking in the cityscape while the stars shimmer above.

2. Jazz, Salsa, and Passion 

Havana’s music scene is legendary. The pulsating beats of Buena Vista Social Club originated here. Clubs like La Zorra y El Cuervo offer intimate jazz sessions, while venues like Casa de la Musica showcase salsa that’s bound to get your feet moving.

3. Cigar Lounges and Tales

Immerse yourself in Havana’s renowned cigar culture at one of its elegant lounges. As you savor the rich aromas of a finely crafted Cuban cigar, listen to tales of the city’s past intertwined with the history of its most famous export.

4. Strolls Along the Malecón 

The city’s iconic seafront promenade becomes a gathering spot as night falls. Locals and tourists alike share stories, fish, or simply relish the sea breeze, with the city’s silhouette as a backdrop.

Summary

In Havana, nights aren’t just an extension of the day; they’re a world unto themselves, rich with rhythms, flavors, and tales whispered by the Caribbean winds.…

From its sun-kissed shores to its bustling boulevards, Havana is a city of contrasts. Delve deeper into its cultural layers to uncover treasures that captivate the heart and soul.

1. El Morro Fortress 

Guarding the entrance to Havana’s harbor, Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro stands as a beacon of Cuba’s colonial past. Wander its ramparts and lighthouse for a panoramic view of the city skyline.

2. Art and Revolution in the Streets 

Havana’s streets are alive with art. Murals, graffiti, and installations narrate tales of passion, revolution, and hope. The Fusterlandia neighborhood, transformed by artist José Fuster, is a testament to this artistic renaissance, showcasing vibrant mosaics and sculptures.

3. Paladares: Culinary Adventures

Venture into the world of ‘paladares’, Havana’s private restaurants. Nestled within homes and courtyards, these culinary gems offer authentic Cuban dishes, blending traditional flavors with innovative twists, reflecting the city’s evolving culinary narrative.

4. The Magic of Hemingway 

Trace the steps of the legendary Ernest Hemingway. From sipping a daiquiri at El Floridita to exploring his residence at Finca Vigía, Havana celebrates the author’s deep connection to the Cuban spirit.

Conclusion 

Immersed in a rich blend of history, art, and literature, Havana invites travelers to embark on a journey that transcends time.…

Step onto Havana’s cobbled streets, and you’re instantly transported to a bygone era. A mosaic of colonial architecture, classic cars, and vibrant culture, this city thrums with life and stories.

1. Classic Car Cruises 

Havana’s vintage cars, in an array of colors and models, aren’t just relics; they’re a living part of the city’s culture. Hop into a 1950s Chevy and cruise down the Malecón for a ride like no other.

2. Colonial Charms of Old Havana 

Walking through Old Havana (Habana Vieja) is like flipping the pages of a history book. From the grandeur of Plaza Vieja to the intricate baroque details of Catedral de San Cristóbal, the city’s Spanish colonial heritage stands proudly on display.

3. Music and Dance on Every Corner 

Havana’s soul lies in its music. The rhythmic beats of rumba and son echo in the air. Visit Casa de la Musica or Tropicana Club for a show, or simply let a street-side performance draw you into a dance.

Conclusion

Havana is not just a destination—it’s an experience, a dance of past and present, waiting to sweep you off your feet.…

An Introduction to Cambodia Culture

When visiting a foreign country it is helpful to get to know more about that country’s culture. Understanding the culture will help you to fit in and help you to avoid embarrassing moments and culture clashes. Cambodia culture is a bit different than what you may be used to, so when you are planning a trip to Cambodia some helpful information can ensure you ease into the culture and have a nice visit.

Overview of Cambodia Culture

Cambodia culture is very rich in history and influenced greatly by India and China. The culture is largely based on religious influences of Khmer beliefs, Buddhism and Hinduism. This is why Cambodian culture is often referred to as Khmer culture.

Children are cherished and well taught. Up to about age four children are showered with physical affection and allowed a lot of freedom. Once they reach age five, though, they are given more responsibilities and social skills are emphasized. Age is something that is well respected in Khmer culture.

Most of the traditions and cultural views in Cambodia culture are based upon these basic views of respecting age and religious roots.…

The most memorable vacations do not always involve jet skis and a cruise ship. Often, the unforgettable places we’ve traveled to offered us something a bit more thought-provoking, something that encompassed a powerful and spiritual history for a culture we previously knew little about.

This tends to be the experience for travelers who visit the beautiful temples in Angkor, Cambodia. Every year, thousands of people take in the peaceful yet powerful presence of nearly 100 stone temples, some dating back to the 9th century. The temples stand as astonishing remains of what was once a majestic, religious and social city. With its wooden homes long since decayed and with little preserved historical artifacts, the temples serve as the ultimate sign of Cambodia’s past. It has now become an important national symbol for Cambodia, appearing on the national flag. If you wish to peak into the rich history of a culture typically undervalued in school textbooks, buy a ticket to Cambodia. Then visit a travel doctor for the needed Cambodia travel vaccinations, and you’re set to enjoy this beautiful country and its incredible temples.

Its most famous temple is the Angkor Wat, and for a good reason. At this great site of temples, Angkor Wat is the best preserved and is actually still in use as a religious site for Buddhism. Its enormous structure symbolizes the mythic Mount Meru, or, the house of the gods. Walking in you will notice five rectangular walls, depicting the five peaks of the great mountain. Before the temple began serving a Buddhist community, it was founded in praise of Hinduism. King Suryavaram II had it built in the 12th century to honor the Hindu god, Vishnu, the supreme god of the universe.

The second temple of note is the Ta Prohm, the only structure that holds almost all of its original architecture and material. Without constant manicuring by human hands, over centuries Ta Prohm has become engulfed by the tropical rainforest’s trees. These ancient yet powerful plants have proven their strength against human constructs, having pried their thick roots in between heavy stones, cracking the framework. In the past couple of decades, Ta Prohm’s infrastructure has been repaired to prevent any more damage (including collapsing ceilings). Thus you can feel safe within these walls, or, perhaps we should say, under these trees.

Before you visit Cambodia, however, you need to be wary of the health risks present in this very humid country. Luckily, if you count on only visiting major cities such as Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh, you may not need antimalarial medication, as the Center for Disease Control lists these two cities as the only parts of the country with no cases of malaria. Yet nobody wants to be stuck in the city when there is beautiful countryside to see, so you may want to get some medicine for malaria just in case.…

Sihanoukville – Cambodia’s largest beach town.

Sihanoukville is on Cambodia’s southern coast which hosts Cambodias only SeaPort on the gulf of Thailand. Founded relatively recently in 1964 specifically for the deep water port. Now popular as a tourist destination because of its many beaches and tropical weather.

Named after Cambodia’s retired king, Norodom Sihanouk, Sihanoukville has developed as a premier attraction for tourists visiting Cambodia, as well as residents looking for a holiday. This was stifled in 1994 when three western backpackers were kidnapped by the Khmer Rouge, and later murders. Sihanoukville has since recovered and now entertains almost 1,000,000 tourists every year.

Sihanoukville also supports an international airport with a troubled history – following a crash in the Cardamom Mountains in 2007 the airport remains ready for service but no flights are scheduled. The plan was for the airport to encourage visitors to other major attractions like the Angkor temples in Siem Reap, to enjoy a beach vacation on Cambodia’s southern coast.

The commercial deep water sea port is located on Sihanoukville’s northern peninsula, with a number of tropical islands and beaches to the west and south. The other beaches lie on the western and southern edges of the peninsula.

The most popular beach in Sihanoukville is Occheuteal beach which is lined with casuarina trees, sporting many grass roofed huts with lazy chairs which offer cold drinks and refreshments. The northern tip of Occheuteal beach, which naturally part of the same beach, has been dubbed serendipity beach where you can find many of the same grass roofed huts, as well as backpacker accommodations and some mid-range bungalows.

The Southern end of Occheuteal beach is mainly deserted, awaiting the development of a large resort, the progress of which has been very slow following the failed attempt to build a golf course on this land. Around the headland on the Southern end of Occheuteal beach is a similar and primarily deserted Otres beach – While formerly devoid of visitors, Otres beach is now home to some backpacker accommodations and is being touted as a location for adventure sports including sailing and paragliding.

The premier beach in Sihanoukville is the privately owned Sokha beach, a beautiful stretch of well maintained beach belonging to the Sokha Hotel chain which belongs to Cambodian oil mogul Kem Sokha. Non-Guests may be disappointed if they would like to visit Sokha Beach as the hotel guards may deny access however visitors could park in the hotel car park and walk to the beach unnoticed.…

As the capital of Egypt, its distinctiveness is based on history that goes back thousands of years. This amazing city is full of life and its lively personality is all its own. With crowded streets and non-stop activity, Cairo offers both a modern feel as well as a quaintness in which the city was built upon. Spanning the banks of the Nile River, you won’t find a more colorful place than Cairo. There is so much to do in Cairo. It is a wonderful city that suits just about every lifestyle.

Upon arrival, newcomers find Cairo to be an exciting city bursting with energy, color and adventure. They also enjoy the immediate and overt friendliness of the locals. The official language in Cairo is Arabic. However, English and French are widely spoken. For visitors who are not familiar with Arabic or French, adjusting to the culture will be easier if they take the initiative to learn some of the common phrases.

There are some things to remember in order to avoid offending the other residents of this city. Pointing and using your index finger, showing the bottom of your feet, using the “thumbs up” sign, gesturing with your left hand (which is considered to be unclean), taking photographs without getting permission are all considered offensive and should be avoided. It is against the law to photograph bridges, railway stations, anything military, airports and other public works.

Tipping (called “baksheesh” in Egypt) is a common practice for most services, regardless of how inconsequential. In hotels and restaurants, a service charge of about 12% is added to the bill, but an extra 5% is customary. Taxi fares often include a tip, but if the driver has given especially good service, 10% is expected. Modest tips for porters and bellhops are also expected. Many people rely on tipping to supplement their incomes and it is part of the Cairo culture, so it is important to be aware of the practice and to remember to carry small change.

People who like dry weather will like Cairo. Cairo experiences dry weather year-round. Winter, spring and fall are fairly mild times of the year. However, in April, it is very hot and there are sandy “Khamsin” (hot, violent winds) desert winds, followed by scorching summers. The average summer temperature is 98° F (37° C) and the average winter temperature is 47° F (8° C). Most buildings and homes have air conditioning.

Cairo is as ancient as history itself, but also showcases a modern flare. Its uniqueness is unexplainable until seen with monuments dating back to four different historical periods: the Pharaonic, the Roman, the Christian and the Islamic. People who enjoy history will love Cairo!…

Situated on the Nile River, Cairo straddles two principal areas, Africa and the Middle East. It is one of the oldest civilizations that exist and one of the largest cities in the world as one will find out on your way to the city center from the airport.

Only advice for those who want to drive in Cairo – DO NOT! One will soon find out that more driving involves the horn than the steering wheel.

With these caveats, Cairo is an exciting and ancient city, full of enchanting sights and containing one of the Eight Wonders of the World. One should take advantage of a tour company, or at least a licensed, private guide who has transportation.

Here are the “Must See” sights and not all can be done in one day. If one only has one day, one simply has to choose what is most beneficial.

· Giza Pyramids & Sphinx

· Egypt Museum

· The Khan Bazaar

· The Citadel

· Northern Cemetery

· Luxor

· Alexandria

1. Giza with its Pyramids & Sphinx can easily take up an entire day. One can look inside the ancient Pyramid; however, if one suffers from claustrophobia, it is not advisable. A camel drive is needed; however, one must be prepared to negotiate before and after the ride as the driver will ask for more money. The Sphinx, as well as the Pyramids, is a mystery as to how they were built.

2. Egypt Museum is the home of the sarcophagus of King Tut, dating thousands of years. One should not seek a visit on their own as the markings of the exhibits are not visible, and some are more valuable than others are.

3. The Khan Bazaar is another must see. Like the Bazaar in Istanbul, this is a city on its own. One can find anything from a spice to a camel for sale here, and one can easily spend hours in.

4. The Citadel, crowned by the Mohammed Ali Mosque, built by Mohammad Ali Pasha during the Ottoman Period. One will have a spectacular view of Cairo from this spot.

5. Northern Cemetery or better known as The City of the Dead, or the Necropolis, is a fascinating sight. One will find not only the dead here, but also the living. Many poorer families have set up their homes here. Not morbid, but fascinating.

6. Luxor is a terrific plane or train ride and is well worth the trip. There one can see Karnak and Thebes as well as the Valley of the Kings, burial place of many of the Pharaohs.

7. Alexandria is a fantastic day trip, noted as being the learning center of the world in ancient times. It contained the most popular library of its time and today contains the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a wonderful attempt to restore it to its former glory.

As one can see, there is so much to see and do in this great city of the world. There are many superb hotels and restaurants that one can enjoy. It is well worth spending a week in if possible.…

I used to think Cairo was a dump. A noisy, dusty, congested cesspit; where the touts, the traffic, and the tower blocks blend into one seething unremarkable mass around the river Nile. Those were the days when I didn’t really know Cairo. Now I go there every year. To relax, to contemplate, and to surround myself with history. To walk along the banks of the Nile, photograph its many mosques, admire the night time skyline, and to absorb the unmistakable buzz of Africa’s largest city.

Although there are some elements of truth to my early objections. It is overpopulated (17million people) and the number of dent ridden, clapped out cars that occupy the streets often reduce traffic to a standstill. Everything is dusty, and what should take “just five minutes sir”, will for no apparent reason, take much, much longer. The poverty is obvious, and ugly tower blocks are constantly springing up to accommodate Egypt’s ever increasing population. With one million news mouths to feed every year, and no sign of slowing down, the city grows and the desert shrinks as the government desperately tries to keep up.

Most tourists who pass through this huge city make a B-line straight for the Giza plateau. Home of course to the great Pyramid, not to mention several thousand postcard vendors, men touting camels, pizza hut and KFC. And, having taken in this architectural feat that defies the imagination, the Egyptian museum is next on any classical itinerary. Together perhaps with a brief shopping/toilet stop at one of the many papyrus institutes, this completes the common perception of Cairo’s “must see” sights. And indeed, they should not be missed. But if you get past these, and take the time to look a little harder, this clumsy giant of a city will touch your heart.

Most visitors to Egypt will allocate one or two days in Cairo. After that, the majority will head south to Luxor (the former capital of the pharonic world) or the more adventurous may head east to Sinai, in search of the best hiking or diving spots. But if you find yourself with a free afternoon in Cairo and you have already visited the Giza plateau and the museum, this is how you should spend your time.

First find some lunch, something Egyption. A good falafel sandwich alone can be a reason enough to visit this part of the world. Unlike its neighbours, who use chickpeas, the Egyptian falafel is made from broad beans, pressed into small round balls and deep fried. Put into pita bread and add a little salad and tahini, and you have you have yourself a very tasty lunch for about 20pence (45 cents). Try the “Falfella” chain, which has a good reputation, and makes tasty sandwiches which are easy on our western stomachs, A lesser known, and more filling snack is Kosheri. A vegetarians’ complete delight. Consecutive layers of pasta, rice, noodles, lentils, macaroni, and chickpeas are served in a round metal dish with a tomato sauce, chilli and lemon. Simple, healthy, and very, very tasty, at first it’s hard to believe you have never made this yourself.

Cairo is littered with literally thousands of these Kosheri dens who’s menu has just three choices, small, medium, or large. Whilst most tour groups find an upmarket air conditioned restaurant in which to dine, I find sitting amongst the locals at the often communal tables is a real treat, and warm smiles are exchanged as we scoff down our food merrily.

Another sensory treat is the market of Khan El Khalili. Here you can find anything from spices to jewelry to belly dancing costumes, to stuffed rabbits smoking sheesha pipes. They say if they don’t have what you’re looking for, they’ll find somebody that does. And if you like to buy ‘tatt’, then this is definitely the place. Glittery key rings, false mustaches, and Arab headdresses are dangled in front of you as you make your way through the crowded streets. But cross the bridge and head away from the mosque and you’ll find yourself in the market of old Islamic Cairo, a section less commonly visited by the western tourists. The stalls sell nothing special, fabrics, clothes and underwear, but here you can catch a glimpse of real Egyptians going about their business. You’ll be left alone by the shopkeepers who don’t speak English, and be transported back in time, free to wander and enjoy the surrounding Islamic architecture.