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Brighton and Hove is a city that is located on the southern coast of England and is the countries most populated resort. The city was formed when the two distinct towns of Brighton and Hove were merged into one singular metropolitan area. Brighton was incorporated in 1854 and Hove was incorporated in 1898. The conglomerate city covers an area of thirty-four square miles and has a population of over two hundred and fifty thousand people. The city of Brighton and Hove is composed of several boroughs. Bouroughs of Brighton and Hove include, but are not limited to the following; Bevendean, Hanover, Black Rock, Moulsecoomb, Patcham, Rottingdean Village, Stanmer, Whitehawk, Woodingdean and Portslade by Sea.

One of the most popular attractions in Brighton and Hove is Brighton Beach an Brighton Palace Pier. This shingle beach features a nudist area and is the location of many arcades, restaurants, nightclubs and pubs. Part of the eastern portion of the beach contains sport complexes and have volleyball courts, as well as basketball courts. Another prominent attraction in the city is the Royal Pavilion. The Royal Pavilion was originally built in the nineteenth century, to be used as a royal palace for King George IV. The pavilion is designed in the Indo-Saracenic style and is sometimes referred to as Brighton Pavilion. During World War I, the pavilion was used as a field hospital. Another popular attraction is the Brighton Lanes. This is a collection of small, crowded streets that are filled with many small and eclectic shops. It is also a location that is filled with many cafes and for music lovers there is alway a jazz performance being held in this section of town. At night, the mood of the Brighton Lanes change and guided ghost walks are held in this area.

Brighton and Hove is also home to a number of churches. A prominent one is All Saints Church. This Anglican church was erected in 1892. Another church in the city is Chapel Royal. Chapel Royal is situated in the center of Brighton and was erected during the eighteenth century. Other prominent churches in the city of Brighton and Hove include St Bartholomew’s Church, St Michael and All Angels Church, St Wulfran’s Church, St Andrew’s Church, St Barnabas Church, St Helen’s Church, St Margaret’s Church, St Martin’s Church, St Mary the Virgin Church, St Paul’s Church, St Peter’s Church, Bishop Hannington Memorial Church, Church of the Annunciation, Church of the Good Shepherd, St John the Evangelist’s Church, St Luke’s Church, St Leonard’s Church, St Patrick’s Church, Church of the Good Shepherd, St Cuthman’s Church and St Richard’s Church.

Brighton and Hove is also home to many restaurants and hotels. Popular restaurants in the city include Blanch House, The Restaurant At Drakes, Terre A Terre, Lydea Vegetarian Restaurant and Regency Restaurant. Popular hotels in the city include the Royal Albion Hotel, Park Inn Hotel & Spa, Square Hotels, The Kings Hotel, New Steine Hotel Brighton, The Grand hotel in Brighton and Umi Hotel Brighton. Brighton and Hove is a city that is resplendent in the attractions and historical monuments that it brings to its visitors. Whether the city is visited for a one night stag, or a whole week is spent here, there is something for everyone.

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Singapore is a city-state that is steeped in mystery. Although Singapore was mentioned several times in ancient Chinese writings as early as the third century, little was known about it until the eleventh century. This was when the East Indian Trading Company first visited this island nation. By 1824, Britain had successfully purchased Singapore and by 1826 it was a thriving port. In 1869, the Suez Canal was opened. This historic event, combined with the newly invented steamship technology, propelled Singapore into an era of prosperity that was previously unknown to the city. The affluence continued to grow as trade between the countries of the West and Asia began to flourish. Then in the early part of the twentieth century, the ever increasing demand for rubber from Southeast Asia, need by the automobile industry for tire production, made Singapore one of the most important ports in the world.

The prosperity of Singapore continued to rise throughout the 1920′s as the British built a naval and airforce base, taking advantage of its unique geographical location.

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The military installations would eventually come under the control of Japan, as did the entire city, when it was invaded in 1942. After many years of struggle, Britain eventually returned and regained control of the city-state by 1946. After many years of being a possession of the British Crown, Singapore became an independent self governing body in 1959.

Singapore has many attractions to keep the world traveler very busy. There are museums, zoos, themed parks and historic monuments. In fact, there is such a diversity in the activities that can be found here, the average could make several trips here and not visit the same places twice. One of the most important landmarks of Singapore, and one that is very popular among tourist is the Raffles Hotel. This beautiful and elegant colonial style hotel was originally erected in 1887. This hotel features over a hundred suites and eighteen restaurants. It also features an arcade and over forty high end boutiques. This luxurious hotel has seen many famous celebrities over it’s long history including Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Queen Elizabeth II.

Another tourist hot spot is Chijmes.

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This is a large complex of building that offers visitors the best in fine dining, trendy boutiques and other shopping venues. It’s built in the gothic style and was formerly a covenant school. During the day, many visitors walk the complex looking for deals and at night, the complex becomes a upbeat nightlife venue.

When in Singapore, don’t forget to check out the Esplanada. This is a performing arts venue that is known for not only being spacious but also being an architectural work of art. It features a large theatre which seats two thousand guest, a concert hall with seating capacity for sixteen hundred and two much smaller studios. It also has two outdoor theatres, as well as a mall. The Esplanada is located along the promenade and features aluminum roofing which is supposed to resemble microphones.

If art is what your looking for, than one only has to visit Singapore’s Art House At The Old Parliament House. Inside visitors can find many art exhibits, concerts and films. Originally designed in 1827 as the Parliament House, it was refitted into an art museum and cultural center in 1999. One of it’s most prominent features is the huge bronze elephant guarding it’s entrance.

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It was a gift of King Rama V, the king of Thailand (Or more Siam as it was known then) to express his appreciation for Singapore after his visit in 1871.

While in Singapore don’t forget to check out the Merlion at Merlion Park. The Merlion is a mythical creature that is a cross between a lion and a fish. It is also a statue that attracts over a million visitors a year. It’s location in the park offers visitors a fantastic view of Singapore. One can see view the beautiful skyline and take in the breathtaking waterfront of Marina Bay.

Lau Pa Sat, otherwise known as Telok Ayer Market, is another popular Singapore attraction. Located in Singapore’s business district, this market was built in 1894. It’s almost always crammed full of vendors selling food, drinks and alcoholic beverages.

If you love animals than don’t forget to check out the Singapore Night Safari. It features various events and offers visitors the chance to see first hand tropical animals such as the Sambar, gir lions, striped hyenas and Asian elephants. This collection features over a thousand animals from over one hundred and twenty species. In the same vein is the Singapore Zoo.

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This is a natural habitat zoo where the animals are allowed to roam free in condition that are replicas of the environments they came from. This zoo has almost three thousand animals from over three hundred different species. Some of the animals that can be seen at the Singapore Zoo include rhinos, hippos, lemur, elephants, kangaroo and even polar bears. For those interested in only reptiles then the Jurong Reptile Park may be right down your alley. This park features over 50 reptiles from all over the world. Some examples include snakes, komodo dragons, turtles and crocodiles. It’s considered to be one of the largest reptile parks in all of Asia.

Before departing Singapore don’t forget to check out the Thian Hock Keng Temple. The name of this temple translates as “The Temple Of Heavenly Happiness”. This temple was built in 1820 in dedication of the Ma Zu Po. This temple has beautiful architecture featuring gold leaf panels and incredibly painted entrance ways. And don’t forget to check out the Temple Of 1000 Lights. This temple is actually named the Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, but is called Temple Of 1000 Lights because of the hundreds of lights surrounding the forty-five foot tall Buddha that resides in the temples center.

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A popular tourist destination is the capital city of Thailand, Bangkok. The city, which is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, started out as a small rural trading post. But, when the city was declared to be the capital of Thailand in 1768, then it quickly became a thriving metropolis.

As a matter of fact, Bangkok is considered to be one of the most cosmopolitan cities in all of Asia. It’s a broad stroke of Asian, British and Mid Eastern cultures. Within it’s boundaries, eleven million people call Bangkok home.

Early in its history, Bangkok was referred to as the “Venice Of The East” because of its extensive network of canals and channels. During this time most of the travel through the city was done by boat. Since then, the canals have been filled in and converted into roads and thoroughfares which is especially important in handling the largest insurgence of visitors and tourist each year.

Travel through Bangkok is also made possible by a fairly large system of transportation. Transportation needs are accommodated by a network of buses, rails and taxis. Not to mention its airport facilities. In fact, Bangkok is one of Asia’s leading airport hubs, serving millions of visitors each year.

Bangkok is not only one of the largest cities in Thailand in terms of physical size but is also a powerhouse when it comes to economic activity. In fact, the Gross Domestic Product of Bangkok is over forty percent of the GDP of the entire country. It’s also home to some of the largest banks and financial institutions in Thailand.

Bankok continues to be one of the most popular cities in the world to visit primarily due to its immensely diverse tourist offerings which include historical landmarks, art, festivals and cultural events.

A must see for anyone planning to visit Bangkok is the Grand Palace.

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Constructed around 1782 it has been the primary residence of Thai kings from the 19th century until present day. The current king of Thailand does not currently occupy it, choosing Chitralada Palace as his preferred residence.

Chitralada Palace is situated on four square kilometers and is more fortified then the Grand Palace. It includes a moat and a large company of palace guards are located there. It’s also home to the Chitralada School. This school was originally built to accommodate the educational needs of the royal family. It is considered to be one of the most exclusive and privileged schools in all of Thailand.

One of the most awe inspiring tourist locations in Bangkok has to be the Buddist Temple named Wat Arun. This beautiful temple is nestled on the western banks of the Chao Phraya River. The temple was started in 1809 by the King Rama II and finished by King Rama III in 1824. Its single most prominent feature is the two hundred and forty foot central tower which is nicknamed Temple Of The Dawn. It’s surrounded by various shrines and pools of turtles. From its large central balcony visitors get a splendid view of Bangkok. From here the Grand Palace can easily be seen. This temple is notably one of Bangkok’s best known landmark.

Another magnificent temple to visit is “The Temple Of The Reclining Buddha”, otherwise known as Wat Pho. It is located directly behind another famous temple, “The Temple Of The Emerald Buddha”. It is considered to be the largest temple in Bangkok and is so named because of the huge stone Buddha that lays in the center of the temple. The statue measures over one hundred and thirty-eight feet long and is adorned in gold leaf. This temple has long been the home to faithful followers of Buddha but is also known now for the Thai massages given within.

Once you have finished with the glorious temples of Bangkok, then you might want to take a stroll over to the National Museum.

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The purpose of the museum is to preserve the cultural heritage of the Thai people through the storage and display of meaningful historical and artistic pieces of work. The National Musuem houses everything from priceless works of art and weapons to crafts of indigenous peoples and object of religious value.

While at the National Museum visitors should take stock of the many beautiful examples of Thai architecture by visiting one of the many grandiose pavilions located on the premises. It can be a truly breathtaking experience.

Another hot spot, that is not usually mentioned on the tourist maps, is Bangkok’s Chinatown. This is section of town sports some of the most spectacular shops in the entire city. Though this area is usually crowded and hard to navigate at times, there are plenty of bargains to be had at the stalls of the many vendors, especially in the gold shops.

The Floating Market is another locale that a visitor to Bangkok might want to consider taking a look at. Though many consider the Floating Market to be too touristy, there’s still a lot of fun to be had here. The Floating Market is filled to the brim with fresh fruits, fish and handmade novelties. It’s cluttered, crowded and a whole lot of fun.

Bangkok is also home to Thailand Cultural Centre, Thailand Creative And Design Centre and the National Gallery Of Thailand.

When choosing a hotel for your stay in Bangkok, you might want to first consider which area you plan on spending the most time, so as to limit your traveling distance. Some of the districts of Bangkok include Siam, Sukhumvit, Riverside, Silom, Childlom-Ploenchit and Khaosan Road. Each of this area’s is known for a particular attraction such as temples. Museums, nightlife and so on.

But, no matter where you choose to stay, you can be assured that Bangkok is a city that combines both the traditional and modern in a way that is both interesting and compelling. It is most definitely a city that will reside in your memories for many, many years to come.

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Krakow is not only a popular tourist destination, but is also the oldest and the largest city in Poland. This city is located on the Vistula River and covers and area of one hundred and twenty six miles with a population of seven hundred thousand people. Krakow is a city that can trace its roots all the way to a Stone Age settlement located on Wawel Hill. During the tenth century the city was a thriving trading hub. This was also the time when the city began to build itself up to stone and brick buildings, including such structures as grand cathedrals and basilicas.

Krakow would rise to its most prominent position during the fourteenth century when Casimir III of Poland established the second oldest university in Europe, the University of Krakow. All during the Jagiellon Dynasty Krakow would continue its meteoric rise and the city attracted some of the finest minds in the fields of science, art and commerce. Krakow’s true Golden Age would occur during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. This was a period of time when the great works of the Polish Renaissance would make its way into the architecture and art of the city.

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Under the reign of Casimir IV many prominent artist and craftsmen came to live and work in the city. It was also during this time that the first printing press was erected in the building and the first printed work, the Calendarium Cracoviense, was printed in 1473.

By the end of the fifteenth century things started becoming unstable in Krakow. The Polish throne was passed from one foreign ruler to the next in a lightning fast succession and the city started becoming pillaged by Swedish armies. The final nail in the coffin of Krakows Golden Age was the black death that swept through the city and killed over twenty thousand people. By 1596, Sigismund III startled by the decline of the city, moved the capital from Krakow to the city of Warsaw. During the eighteenth century the city had been divided up amongst Russia and Prussia who had taken their share of the city by force. In 1794, an insurrection began in the city but failed miserable. The result of the insurrection was that Austria would partion a third section of the city.

Then in 1809, Napoleon captured former Polish cities from Austria and made Krakow a part of the Duchy of Warsaw.

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When Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated by the Russians, Krakow was once again restored to its former state. This wouldn’t last long, as the city would once again get annexed by Austria in 1794, after another failed insurrection. In 1866, Krakow would be given autonomy by Austria after the Austro-Prussian war. But, true Krakow independence wouldn’t be realized until the Polish Liquidation Committee assumed power in 1918.

Today, the city of Krakow is one of the most prominent economic centers of Poland. Krakow is home to twenty multinational companies including such giants as General Electric, IBM, Google, Motorola and Hitachi. In fact, foreign investment in the city over the past decade has reached approximately three and a half billion United States dollars. The education system of the city has eleven universites where one hundred and seventy thousand students are enrolled. Universities in Krakow include Jagiellonian University, AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow University of Economics, Academy of Music in Krakow, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Agricultural University of Krakow, Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow and the Ludwik Solski Academy for the Dramatic Arts.

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The city has also assumed its rightfull place on the world stage of culture and the arts. Krakow has many historical buildings, museums and tourist attractions that make this a wonderful city to visit. It also has its fair share of restaurants, hotels and cafes. One of the most popular attractions in the city is the Wawel Royal Castle. This castle was built on order of Casimir III the Great and was later refurbished by King Sigismund I the Old into a grande palace. Visitors can not only take in its great Renaissance architecture, but they can also see stately rooms, period furniture and many fine pieces of art.

Another great attraction in the city is the National Museum. The construction on this museum was started in 1934, but the outbreak of World War II interrupted its completion. In 1992 it was finally completed. This museum has several hundred thousand artifacts and they are housed, for the most part, in the main building. But, this museum also has nine satellite divisions around the city.

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These include the Czartoryski Museum and Arsenal, Manggha, Stanislaw Wyspianski Museum, Gallery of the 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice, Emeryk Hutten Czapski Museum, Jozef Mehoffer Manor, Jan Matejko Manor and Karol Szymanowski Museum at Villa Atma in Zakopane.

The Historical Museum of Krakow was erected in 1899 and is located in the Krzysztofory Palace. Works of this museum include city maps, paintings, antique clocks, Judaica, militaria, photographs and guild objects. This museum also has many seperate divisions which include Town Hall Tower, Barbican, Szolayski Museum, Under the Cross Manor, The Silesian House, Hipolit Manor, Artistic Salon of the District of Zwierzyniec, Museum of National Remembrance and History of Nowa Huta Museum.

Lovers of the theater should check out the Juliusz Slowacki Theatre. This theater was built in 1893 in the Baroque style of architecture and named after the Polish poet Juliusz Slowacki. This theater holds many plays all through the year. The city has a number of other historical and cultural landmarks that visitors should take a moment to check out. Some of the more popular ones include Wawel Cathedral, Basilica of the Virgin Mary’s, Cloth Hall, Town Hall Tower, City Walls, Great Barbican, Planty Garden Ring, Skalka Sanctuary, St. Norbert’s Convent, Tyniec Abbey and Bielany Monastery.

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Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario, Canada and is home to over two and a half million residents. Toronto covers an area of two hundred and forty-three square miles and is situated on the northwestern shore of Southern Ontario. Toronto’s name is derived from the Iroquois word meaning “land where the trees stand in the water”. Toronto originally began as a French trading post until the British purchased more than a quarter million acres in 1787.

Toronto is a cosmopolitan city that has a whole host of attractions available to tourist. One of the most popular is Ontario Place, an amusement park that has been in operation since 1971. This venue is situated on ninety six acres and features over thirty rides and attractions. There is also the first permanent IMAX theater in the world named Cinesphere located here.

Another popular Toronto attraction is the CN Tower. This is the cities most prominent and tallest landmark reaching over sixteen hundred feet in the air.

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It was originally built as a transmission tower to solve the problem of poor reception caused by the cities many skyscrapers. It was completed in 1976 and has since become one of the most visited landmarks in the greater Toronto area. The CN Tower features a glass floor that gives visitors an unparalleled experience as they travel across it 113 stories high. The glass floor is only about two inches thick but it has a tensile strength that is stronger than most conventional floors with the ability to carry over eighty-five thousand pounds. At the top of the CN Tower is the 360 Restaurant offers an exceptional view of the city with some of the finest dining in Toronto. At the base of the tower is a ten thousand square foot marketplace.

For hockey fans, Toronto has the Hockey Hall Of Fame. This building spans over fifty thousand square feet and has the largest collection of hockey artifacts in the entire world. There is also an interactive ice rink and many other types of interactive games.

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The Hockey Hall Of Fame is also home to the NHL’s merit trophies, including the Stanley Cup.

Located in Queens Park is the Royal Ontario Museum. This museum originally opened in 1914 and contains a massive collection with over six million objects and over forty galleries of art. Objects in its collection include such things as dinosaur bones, costumes and other such objects. Another attraction not to be missed in Toronto is the Ontario Science Centre. This centre first opened its doors in 1969 and has entertained over forty million visitors since then. It contains hundreds of exhibits in categories such as the Human Body and the Living Earth. There is also an OMNIMAX theater located here.

For unparalleled excitement visitors can check out Woodbine Racetrack. This is the premier racetrack of Canada and features three exciting tracks. Visitors can also try their luck at one of the seventeen hundred slot machines located on site. And if all the gambling makes you hungry, there are plenty of eateries located here as well.

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While in Toronto, visitors can check out what many people consider to be the birthplace of modern comedy, Second City. Many famous comedians have come up through the ranks by performing at this club. These include such greats as Dan Aykroyd, John Candy and Michael Myers.

The Distillery Historic District of Toronto offers visitors a unique experience. This district was a huge manufacturing district and the largest distillery in the entire British Empire. The distillery operations has since ceased operations and was unveiled in 2001 as a pedestrian only village. A fascinating note about the district is that it was one of the top filming locations during the nineties. Movies such as X-Men and Cinderella Man have been filmed here.

Animal lovers visiting this city should check out the Toronto Zoo. This zoo is located in the northeast region of Toronto and features over five thousand animals.

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It also has guided tours, interactive exhibits and educational and conservation activities all located on its seven hundred acre site. In the midst of Toronto’s entertainment district is the Princess Of Wales Theatre. This theater is almost one hundred years old and is privately funded.

Black Creek Historic Brewery offers Toronto visitors an interesting glimpse back into brewing history. Here visitors can find an authentic working brewery from the mid nineteenth century. Visitors can also sample a stein of ale and try a meal at the restaurant located on premises. Tourist can also check out the Black Creek Pioneer Village and experience how settlers lived during the nineteenth century. Heritage houses, shops and gardens dot this authentic and operational village.

For a truly luxurious experience visitors can check out the Cosmopolitan Toronto Centre Hotel And Spa. This hotel features twenty seven stories of rooms with ninety six luxury suites done in an Eastern inspired motif. Visitors can also enjoy the premium spa facilities and get a much needed rest and relaxation after a busy day in Toronto.