Less than a hundred kilometers from the northeast of Barcelona is the Catalan city of Girona. It is an ancient city, having originated during the time of the Iberians and later known as the Roman city of Gerunda. In the 12th century, the city had a flourishing Jewish community and had one of the most…
The city of Valparaiso in Chile is one of the South Pacific’s most important seaports. In the second half of the 19th century, it was a major port of call for ships that crossed the Straits of Magellan, traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific. The opening of the Panama Canal brought an end to its…
Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm, stretches along fourteen islands where Lake Malaren flows into the Baltic Sea, creating one of the most picturesque scenes; rightfully earning the city the sobriquet ‘Venice of the North.’ The beautiful landscapes and outstanding landmarks that form the city are a revelation of its rich cultural heritage. Gamla Stan, the city’s…
Italy’s leading port is a land of contradictions; its past grandeur sometimes shadowed by its dark side. Once a city of great wealth, the decayed glory of Genoa’s past is sometimes quite astonishing. Grand palaces are tucked away inside small and sometimes scruffy alleyways, surprising the unsuspecting visitor with their grandeur. Genoa was an autonomous…
Sitting high up in the Andes at an elevation of 3,400 meters is the Inca capital, Cusco, designated as the ‘Historical capital of Peru.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas. Although the Spaniards demolished most of the important buildings of the city, they used the foundations for…
The commune of Chamonix situated in south-eastern France and north of Mont Blanc is a photographer’s delight. Surrounded by breathtaking mountains, it draws mountain climbers from all over to scale the beautiful rugged terrain, especially that of Mont Blanc. During the winter, the slopes around the area are buzzing with activity as skiers and snowboarders…
Reims, an ancient city, was founded by the Celtic tribes and later invaded by the powerful Romans in 356. There is a long chronology of historical events that took place in Reims. Most importantly it is known as the Coronation or the Champagne capital of Europe. Being a rich ancient city, it is certainly an…
Like most towns in Switzerland, Zug too is ringed by mountains and situated near a lake, but what makes this city stand out is its obvious affluence. Zug which was founded by the Kyburgers in the 13th century AD is a low tax region where the headquarters of a number of multinational enterprises are located.…
The historic city of Tangier in northwestern Morocco has had a rich and varied past. From being a strategic Berber town and Phoenician trading center to the rather seedy repute it had garnered in the 20th century, Tangier has probably seen the best and worst of humanity. During its time as a semi-independent international zone,…
Hair raising ghost stories and death-defying experiences have always had their fair share of followers. There is something morbidly fascinating about the supernatural, especially ghost stories that have been passed down through the ages. These hair raising tales have gripped the imaginations of many a novelist and filmmaker. However, the truth behind some of these…
The ancient city of Modena on the south side of the Po Valley in northern Italy is a ‘foodie haven.’ The birthplace of balsamic vinegar and the creative force behind the giant tortellini, the backstreets of the city have little known restaurants which serve up gastronomic delights. Modena is also home to the ‘best restaurant in…
Who doesn’t love a good bargain when shopping, especially on a holiday! If you’re lucky enough to be in town when there’s a sale on then shopping is even more enjoyable when the regular prices at stores are slashed. However, if you don’t mind elbowing your way through a crowd or haggling for prices, one…
Crete, the largest and most populous of the islands of Greece, is located 318 kilometers south of the port Athens. It is the most southerly outpost of Europe with its southern coast extending to the Libyan Sea. The island is steeped in tradition and history; being the birthplace of the Minoans, the first advanced civilization…
The City of Mendoza as it is officially known as is located in the northern central part of the province of Mendoza in Argentina. The bustling tree-lined city is a stopover point for climbers to Mount Aconcagua and also for skiers in the winter looking for easy access to the Andes. Mendoza is synonymous with…
The capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, is the southernmost capital in the Americas and has been consistently rated first on the quality of life in Latin America. The city was founded in 1724 by a Spanish soldier as a strategic move against Portugal during the dispute over the platine region. The first inhabitants of the city…
It is hard to imagine that Tanzania’s most populated city and former capital, Dar es Salaam, was once a small fishing village. The city was founded by Sultan Majid bin Said of Zanzibar in the latter half of the 19th century but fell into decline after his death. The town witnessed a revival in 1887…
Male the capital of the Maldives is throbbing with energy with the number of visitors that constantly descend on the island. Visitors either come to explore the attractions of the island or transit from Male to the other resort islands. With its ever-growing population, Male has the distinction of being the fifth most densely populated…
For most people, the name Hiroshima instantly conjures up the horrific events of 6 August 1945, when the city became the target of the world’s first atom bomb. Poignant reminders of that tragic time are visible in different parts of the city that has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. Today one can hardly…
The name of Kenya‘s capital and largest city, Nairobi, is derived from the Maasai phrase ”Enkare Nairobi” which literally means ‘cool water’ Founded in 1899 by the colonial authorities, the town expanded rapidly and in 1907, replaced Mombasa as the capital. Today Nairobi has the distinction of being East Africa‘s most cosmopolitan city with contrasting…
The largest city and the commercial capital of Myanmar, Yangon or formerly Rangoon is a tourist hotspot of the country as well as south-east Asia. It was originally developed as a center for sea trade along the coast of Bay of Bengal and later developed into a prime metropolis. Although the city has witnessed the…
Lahore is the capital city of the Punjab Province of Pakistan. It is the second wealthiest city in Pakistan after Karachi. Its wealth is not only monetary but Lahore also displays a very rich cultural heritage. Dating back to days of Indus Valley Civilization, Lahore has been under the rule of various rulers ranging from…
Nestled among the mighty Himalayas, to the north of India, lays the mystical land of Tibet. It is the highest habitable place on the face of this earth lying at an average elevation of 5000 m above the level of the sea. A place where you can touch the sky, if anybody is asked what…
Nestled among the West African Savanna woodlands and grasslands lay the country of Nigeria. Abuja happens to be the capital city of Nigeria. It was not always so, but rampant modernization led to the planned construction of this city in the 1980s. Soon, by December 1991 Abuja flourished and replaced Lagos, the most populous city…
Varanasi’s claim to being the oldest city in the world may still be undecided, but there is no doubt whatsoever that this city is known to every Hindu in the world as a place they must visit at least once in their lives. A dip in the Ganga here is supposed to cleanse one of…