Archive for March, 2007

Mar

Albuquerque

Posted in Top Cities by admin on March 30th, 2007

Albuquerque is the seat of Bernalillo County, New Mexico and is the largest city in the state. It is situated in the center part of the state on the Rio Grande. This city covers an area of one hundred and eighty square miles and has a population of over five hundred and twenty thousand residents. As of 2008, Albuquerque was the sixth fastest growing city in the United States and its metropolitan area is the fifty-ninth largest in the country. This city is the home to the University of New Mexico, Sandia National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base and Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute.

Albuquerque can trace its history back to the eighteenth century, when it was founded as a Spanish outpost of Ranchos de Albuquerque. Construction of the town originally proceeded in the Spanish Villa style and contained a central square surrounded by government facilities, houses and a church. Today, this central plaza can still be seen and is known as Old Town. Albuquerque was named in honor of the Duke of Albuquerque (Albuquerque was a Spanish town). In 1706, Albuquerque contained a Spanish Presidio. After Mexico gained control of the area, they also built an garrison in the city. When the United States took possession of New Mexico, there was a Federal garrison established from 1846 to 1868. When the United States became embroiled in a Civil War, Confederate troops marched into the city under the command of General Henry Hopkins Sibley. Upon his subsequent retreat from Union forces, he made a final stand in April of 1862 and fought the Battle of Albuquerque against a Union detachment. A few days later, the Confederate force abandoned the city.

In 1880, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad arrived in the city of Albuquerque, and five years later Albuquerque was incorporated as a town. The first public High school in the city would be established in 1879. By 1902, the town had a population of slightly over eight thousand residents and had an electric street rail, the University of New Mexico and a hotel erected, the Alvarado Hotel. It was during this time, the city received an influx of tuberculosis patients from around the world. These masses of sick patients came to the city because of its dry climate.

In November of 1926, Route 66 was completed and the city received an influx of travelers using the highway for the first time. As a result, restaurants, motels and gift shops sprouted up along the roadside. Route 66 originally cut through the city on a north & south alignment, but in the 1930s it was realigned along a east & west route. In the 1940s, the city would become a major player in the Nuclear Age with the founding of Kirtland Air Force Base in 1939 and Sandia National Laboratories in 1949. During this time the population continued at a steady rate, and by 1960 there were over two hundred thousand residents in the city.

Today, the economy of Albuquerque relies heavily on high tech industries and is located at the hub of the New Mexico Technology Corridor. Prominent employers in the city include Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, Zomeworks and Tempur-Pedic. The city also has a thriving tourist trade which brings in millions of visitors each year. This is due to the climate and the many attractions that the city has to offer.

A prominent attraction in the city is the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. This museum was founded in 1986 near the Old Town portion of the city. Housed inside the museum is a gift store, the Lockheed Martin Dyna Theater and a cafe. It also houses a number of exhibits which include a virtual tour through history. Sub sections of these exhibits include Origins, Dawn of the Dinosaurs, New Mexico’s Sea Coast, Evolving Grasslands, Age of Volcanoes, Cave Experience and Jurassic Super Giants. The latter exhibit contains complete skeletons of dinosaurs such as Stegosaurus, Seismosaurus and Saurophaganax. The museum also contains the second largest T-Rex ever to be found. The museum is also home to a planetarium and exhibits dedicated to the exploration of space and astronomy.

Another prominent attraction in the city is the Rio Grande Zoo. The Rio Grande Zoo was established in 1927 and covers an area of sixty-four acre. This zoo contains more than two hundred and fifty species of animals. Animals housed in the zoo include wolves, polar bears, giraffes, gorillas, chimpanzees, rhinoceros, sea lions, koalas, zebras, orangutans, tamarins, monkeys, elephants, mountain lions, seals, jaguars, camels, Mexican wolves, hippos and tigers. Exhibits in this zoo include an Africa Exhibit, Tropical America Exhibit and an Australia Exhibit. The American International Rattlesnake Museum is another prominent museum in the city of Albuquerque. This museum is located in the Old Town section of the city and contains a large collection of snakes, with particular attention paid to rattlesnakes. Snakes in its collection include Baja California Rattlesnakes, Tiger Rattlesnakes, Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes, Panamint Speckled Rattlesnakes, Costa Rican Rattlesnakes, Prairie Rattlesnakes, Blacktail Rattlesnakes, Banded Rock Rattlesnakes and Mottled Rock Rattlesnakes.

Other attractions in Albuquerque include Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Sandia Peak Tramway, Twin Warriors Golf Course, Petroglyph National Monument, Albuquerque Museum, Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum of Albuquerque, National Hispanic Cultural Center, Rio Grande Botanic Garden, Old Town Albuquerque, National Atomic Museum, Albuquerque Biological Park, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Cliff’s Amusement Park, Turquoise Museum, Vortex Theater, Pueblo Loft, White Sands Missile Range, Albuquerque Aquarium, Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, San Felipe de Neri Church, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Jimez State Monument, Rodeaway Ranch, Cibola National Forest, Cedro Peak, Center for the Arts, Rio Grande Trail, Volcano Park, University Art Museum, Ortega’s Indian Arts & Crafts, New Mexico Open Air Flea Market, Wright’s Collection of Indian Art, Arthur Sussman Gallery, Lode Star Astronomy Center and Penfield Gallery of Indian Art. The city is also home to a number of fine restaurants, cafes, comedy clubs, shops and hotels.

Mar

Cancun

Posted in Top Cities by admin on March 24th, 2007

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The city of Cancun is located on the coast of Quintana Roo and is situated along the Yucatan Peninsula. This city is a popular resort town that is occassionally called the Mexican Caribbean. This city is seated in the Benito Juarez district and is centered on the mainland that is connected to the Bojorquez lagoons. This area is known for its many modern beach side hotels.

The original name of the city of Cancun was known as Ekab, which in English is black earth. The people of this area were Mayan until the Spanish Conquistador Bernal Díaz del Castillo conquered the area. After many year of war, disease and famine there were very few of the original inhabitents left.

The area was largely unpopulated for many years until 1967 when the Mexican government decided that it would make a great location for a possible resort town.



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The Bank Of Mexico then aquired a twenty seven millon dollar loan to begin construction of Cancun. Many prospective investors were extremely cautious about investing in an area that didn’t have a proven track record, so the Mexican government financed the first several hotels themselves. The development officially began in January of 1970.

Today, the main economic activity of Cancun is tourism. This city has over one hundred and fifty hotels and almost four hundred restaurants. Visitors to this city are serviced by a extensive public transportion network of buses. The major airport in the city is the Cancun International Network.

One of the main reasons for the thriving tourist trade in Cancun is the mild and temperate weather. There is over three thousand hours of sunshine here a year and the average temperature is a balmy seventy-eight degrees Fahrenheit.



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Besides the hotels and beaches there are plenty of other activities in Cancun to keep the world traveler busy. One of the most popular location is Xcaret, Xcaret is a park that is a hybrid between an ecological park and a archeological site. Here visitors can take in the eye pleasing indigenous fauna and floral displays. Visitors can also peruse the many exhibits on Mayan culture. But, this site also has many other activities besides the two previously mentioned. There is snorkeling in an river that is located below ground, a butterfly pavilion and visitors even get the chance to swim with dolphins.

Another fun destination is the Hidden Worlds Cenote Adventure Park. This park is located on the most extensive system of caves in the world.



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Visitors can spend the days exploring the many underwater caverns or spend the day caving through the many majestic caves located there. For a more conventional adventure park than Xel-Ha is the place to visit. Not only are there exhibits and rides but there are also natural ecological attractions where visitors can swim with dolphins, snorkel and swim.

Since Cancun is a resort town you can be sure that there are plenty of shops and markets where you can be separated from your hard earned cash. The most prominent of these is La Isla. This is a large shopping mall that not only has shops that sell Mexican souvenirs but also shops that sell many major American goods. Also in this mall is a whole range of restaurants that include authentic Mexican cuisine, as well as popular fast food restaurants.

On your trip to Cancun don’t forget to pay a visit to Coba.



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This is the ruins of the town of Coba, which was a thriving city during the height of the Pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It has been estimated that this city had a maximum population of over fifty thousand people at its height. It is believed that this city was built between the fifth and ninth centuries. Surrounding the ruins is a small village that has some very interesting shops and restaurants.

One of the most beautiful resorts in Cancun is Club Med. This five star resort has plenty of restaurants, bars and spa services available. Other great resorts in the area is Dreams Cancun Resort and Spa, Oasis Cancun, RIU Cancun, The Royal Resorts and Paradisus Riveiera Cancun Resort.

Other activities to do during your stay in Cancun includes boat rides, tours of the lagoon, scuba diving and snorkeling, and day hikes through some of the beautiful forest located there. There is also a vibrant night life scene and plenty of beach side bars to spend the afternoons.

Mar

Sarasota

Posted in Top Cities by admin on March 17th, 2007

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Sarasota is an American city that is situated on the southwestern coast of the state of Florida. It covers an area of almost twenty-six square miles and has a population of fifty-three thousand residents. The borders of the city extend to Sarasota Bay and several islands located between this bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The barrier islands are known as the Florida Keys and include Siesta Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key, Coon Key, Otter Key and Lido Key. These two keys are known around the world for their scenic beauty, as well as their fine beaches. Sarasota can trace its roots to European settlers which explored the area in the sixteenth century. In 1513, a Spanish expedition arrived at Charlotte Harbor, which lies just south of Sarasota. This first visit was greeted with hostility by the native population and a permanent colony wouldn’t be established until some years later.

By the eighteenth century, however, there was a thriving colony established on what is now modern Sarasota. It was called Zara Zote and had numerous fishing ports. These ports developed healthy trade between themselves and merchants in Havana. For the next hundred years, Florida changed hands several times between the British and the Spanish until it was acquired as a possession of the United States in 1819. Several key events took place after the state became a possession of the U.S. These include the construction of an army fort in 1840, and the inclusion of Florida as a state in 1845. The fort gave the U.S. military the tactical advantage it needed to drive the remaining Seminole tribes out of the area of Sarasota and into the swamps, which would eventually lead to their forced march to Oklahoma. This set the stage for further European settlement of the area. This was officially started with the Armed Occupation Act passed by Congress in 1842.

All throughout the 1840s, European settlers arrived to the city in ernest. When the European influence began to dominate the Spanish influence, the Spanish name of Zara Zote was Anglicized into Sara Sota and eventually Sarasota. European settlement continued throughout the nineteenth century and in 1902 Sarasota was incorporated into a township. By 1913, the population had reached a sufficient number to reincorporate it as a city. This incorporation also included an extensive replanning of the city structure. During the 1920s, the city hired a professional planner, John Nolan, to design the downtown of the city. He developed a plan which aligned the streets to follow the arch of the bay front and a grid that extended north to south. This plan was followed for almost forty years, until the city abandoned it to increase travel speeds on Tamiami Trail. This resulted in the demolition of city hall and a redirection of the route past the bay front, effectively severing the residents from the waterfront. Today, the city is devising a plan to make the streets more pedestrian friendly. These plans include the possible addition of roundabouts and bicycle designated paths.



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Though Sarasota had lost a significant amount of historic building to urban development, the city still has numerous historic attractions and museums to lure visitors into the city. A popular attraction in the city is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is a museum that was founded in 1927 and is an official art museum for the state of Florida. It has over twenty galleries of European, Asian and American contemporary art. It have over ten thousand objects that include sculptures, paintings, prints, pictures, drawings and decorative arts. This museum contains art that goes from the sixteenth through the twentieth centuries and features works by artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Wright of Derby, Cranach the Elder, Gainesborough and Marrioto di Cione. At the beginning of the year 2007, an extensive renovation and expansion of the museum was undertaken. The expansion added over one hundred and fifty thousand square feet to the campus. The renovation saw the restoration of key buildings such as the Ringlings’ mansion, circus museum, Cŕ d’Zan and the Asolo Theater.

Another popular attraction in the city of Sarasota is the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is a not for profit research and educational facility. It was founded in 1955 in honor of William R. Mote. This institution focuses on marine life research, education and marine mammal rescue. The aquarium features all manner of Florida fish and wildlife including sharks, manatees, dolphins and sea turtles. Also on display here is the intact body of a giant squid affectionately known as Molly Mollusk. A popular feature of the facility is the ‘Breakfast at Mote’ program. This allows small groups of visitors to take a tour of the facility before their doors open and even enjoy a continental breakfast. This is a great way for visitors to get unobstructed pictures of the fish and enjoy a relaxing morning tour. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium also rents out parts of its facilities as venues for birthday parties, gatherings and other special events. The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is good, clean fun for the entire family and they are open three hundred and sixty-five days a year.

Other popular attractions in the city of Sarasota include Siesta Key Parasailing, Nontando Art Gallery, Rolling Green Golf Club, Lido Beach, Sarasota Classic Car Museum, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, St. Armands Circle, Myakka River State Park, Siesta Key Public Beach, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Ringling Circus Museum, Coconuts Family Entertainment Center, Myakka Canopy Walkway, Sarasota Opera, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sailor Circus, Sarasota International Convention Center, Siesta Key Marina and Baywalk Sanctuary. The city is also home to a number of popular restaurants and hotels. Popular restaurants in the city include Tommy Bahamas Tropical Cafe, Columbia Restaurant, Daiquiri Deck Siesta Key and Barnacle Bill’s Seafood. Popular hotels in the city of Sarasota include Hotel Ranola, Beach Place, Hotel Indigo and the The Ritz-Carlton.

Mar

Hanoi

Posted in Top Cities by admin on March 13th, 2007

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Hanoi is the capital and the second largest city in the country of Vietnam. It covers an area of one and a quarter square miles and has a population in excess of six million people. The city can trace its history back over a thousand years to when Ly Thai To, the first ruler of the Ly Dynasty, moved the capital of Vietnam to the location of Dai La Citadel. During the fifteenth century, the Ming Dynasty of China invaded Vietnam and renamed it Dong Do as Dong Quan. In 1428, the Vietnamese were able to oust the Chinese under the leadership of Lo Loi. During the nineteenth century, the Nguyen Dynasty was founded and the capital moved down to Hue. In 1873, the French occuppied Hanoi and became the capital of French Indochina in 1887.

During World War II, the Japanese invaded Hanoi and held it for a period of five years. When it was freed in 1945, it became the seat of the Viet Minh government, but was retaken by the French in 1946. Several battles and skirmishes took place between the Viet Minh forces and the French. Eventually, the city was liberated and became the capital of North Vietnam in 1954. After the end of a bitter war between the United States and North Vietnam, it became reunited with South Vietnam in 1976 and became the capital. In 2008, Ha Tay province, Vinh Phuc Me Linh district were absorbed by the city. This tripled the size of the city. Today, Hanoi has experienced a period of rapid industrial production, enjoying a growth of over nineteen percent in the past decade. The city is home to eight industrial parks and sixteen industrial clusters. A very strong economic activity of the city is trade. Hanoi currently has over two thousand businesses that are engaged in foreign trade, and the city has established economic ties with over one hundred and sixty countries.

Hanoi is a city that is home to a good number of tourist attractions and landmarks. A popular attraction in the city is the Temple of Literature. The Temple of Literature is a Confucius temple, and at one time was the first university of Vietnam. It was founded in the eleventh century, though there are only a few parts of the current temple which are that old. Much of what can be seen today dates back to the thirteenth century. Today, the temple is considered to be one of the finest historical sites in the city. It features five courtyards and three pathways which run the length of the complex. The most interesting of the courtyards is the fourth one which contains a gift shop and a museum which displays artifacts that belonged to some of the students who studied here throughout its history. Over the years, the temple has gone through extensive renovations, especially during the 1920s and 1950s.

Another prominent attraction in the city is One Pillar Pagoda. One Pillar Pagoda is a Buddhist temple that was built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong during the eleventh century. At the temple a Buddha bathing ceremony was held each year by the emperor and attracted large numbers of monks and worshippers. During the twelfth century, the temple was renovated by Emperor Ly Nhan Tong and a giant bell was cast for it. However, the bell was too large to be installed and was placed in the fields adjacent to the temple. In the fifteenth century, the bell was smelted so that the copper could be used to manufacture weapons to use against invading Chinese forces. During the First Indochina War, French forces destroyed the temple but it was subsequently rebuilt. Today, the temple is a wood structure that is on a single stone pillar that measures four feet in diameter. Its design is meant to resemble a lotus blossom, which is a Buddhist symbol of purity.

The Flag Tower of Hanoi is another prominent attraction in the city. This tower is one of the primary symbols of the city and was constructed in 1812. The tower is made up of three tiers and a pyramid shaped tower. Each of the three tiers have different dimensions. The first tier is one hundred and twenty-seven feet wide and almost ten feet tall. The second tier is seventy-five feet wide and eleven feet tall, and the third tier is thirty-eight feet wide and fifteen feet high. The tower contains thirty-six flower shaped windows and six fan shaped window. The top of the tower is adorned with the National Flag of Vietnam. The tower has three entrances; the eastern door (Nghenh Huc), the western door (Ha Quang) and the southern door (Huong Minh).

Other prominent attractions in the city include Halong Bay, Thang Long Water Puppet Theater, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Lake of the Restored Sword, Hoa Lo Prison, Cultural Friendship Palace, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Dong Xuan Market, Ho Chi Minh’s Residence, West Lake, Tho Ha Village, Museum of the Revolution, Nha Hat Lon, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Presidential Palace, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Ngoc Son Temple, Bao Tang My Thuat, Ca Phe Ve Lo, Lenin Statue, The Army Museum, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Vietnam National Tuong Theater, Perfume Pagoda, Vuon Bach Thao, Quan Thanh Temple, Lang Pagoda and the Thap Rua Tower. The city of Hanoi is also home to some superb restaurants and hotels. Popular restaurants in the city include the Wild Rice Restaurant, Cha Ca La Vong, Puku, The Green Tangerine, Koto Restaurant and the Press Club. Popular hotels include the Fortuna Hotel, Sofitel Plaza Hotel, Boutique Hotel, Hotel Melia Hanoi, Hanoi Luxor, Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel and the Melia Hanoi.

Mar

Benidorm

Posted in Top Cities by admin on March 11th, 2007

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Benidorm is a town located on the coast of Spain in the province of Valencia. It covers an area of over twenty three miles and has a population of sixty-five thousand residents. Benidorm is composed of two seperate halves. One is called Poniente, and the other is Levante. Each of these sections has a beach section that goes by the same name. A rocky swath of land divides these two sections, and older parts of the city can be viewed here. Most of the tourist attractions and hotels occupy the area to the rear of the beaches. A couple of miles from the shorline is a small uninhabited island. From its viewpoint a marvelous view of the city can be had from here. This city also has a large number of skyscrapers which mark the skyline. This has earned the city the title, “Manhattan of Spain”.

Benidorm offers a richly diverse collection of entertainment venues for people of all ages. This city has four of the biggest theme parks in all of Europe, a casino, variety shows, cabaret bars, discos, and hotels. Benidorm also has a couple of major beaches. One is the Poniente Beach and the other the Levante Beach. These two beaches are consistently receiving the prestigious European Blue Flag awards for quality of services and water.

Benidorm has some of the most magnificent theme and water parks in the world. One of these is the Terra Mitica Fun Park. This theme park is equipped with death defying rides and roller coasters such as the Magnus Colossus, The Flight of the Phoenix, Inferno and The Tizona. This park also has shows that chronicle the history of the Mediterranean. These include depictions of ancient Rome and Iberia. This park also features belly dancers, jugglers and world class restaurants.

Another hot destination in Benidorm is the Aqualandia Water Park.



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This park offers over twenty exciting water rides, many of which are the most popular in all of Europe. Mundomar is another tourist friendly park. This is a marine park where visitors can experience sea lions, dolphin and parrot shows. There is also a children’s park located on the premises. The last theme park in Benidorm is the Terra Natura.

Benidorm also has some of the most interesting and elaborate shows in all of Europe. One of the most colorful is the Benidorm Palace. Here visitors can enjoy fine dining while watching feather clad performers in incredible dance numbers. Another theater venue is the Ritch Bitch. This is an adult theme nightclub that features nightly comedy shows. Other cabaret locations in the city include The Town, Stardust and the Talk Of The Coast.

For those who want to get a closer look at nature than there is the Aitana Safari Park. Here is your chance to get a close up view of animals such as elephants, lions and tigers. This safari park is located about twenty miles inlad from Benidorm. Another popular safari park is the Vergel Safari Park. This is a drive through safari park where animals such as lions, tigers and wolves can come right up to the car. The last wildlife park of merit is Cactuslandia. This is a garden that has over six thousand square feet of cacti, over one thousand different species in all.

Benidorm is also known for its world class shopping venues. For those who are looking for formal or casual wear might want to check out such venues as Avenida Uno, Base, Cool, Macedonia and Zara. There are also a number of jewelers which include Di Marco, Joya Oro and Joyeria Amor. Other shops that aren’t easily categorized are shops such as Ale Hop, Bermay and Delfos. Popular restaurants in the city include Kataria Restaurant, Agir Restaurant, The Internationale and Aitena.

Mar

Cairo

Posted in Top Cities by admin on March 8th, 2007

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Cairo is the largest city in the Arab World and is the capital of Egypt. It sits on an area of eighty-two square miles and has a population of almost seven million people. It is a city that is dominated by Islamic influenced architecture and is also the city that is greatly associated with Ancient Egypt. This is primarily due to its important stature in world literature and because of its close proximity to the Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Although the area upon which Cairo was built has always been home to many different nomadic tribes, the true importance of the area wasn’t realized until the fourth century when the Romans established fortifications there. Today, Cairo is known for its beautiful views and historic landmarks.

Cairo is considered to be the educational hub of Egypt, and as such has an extensive system of schools and universities. Some of the more prominent ones include Hayah Academy, Oasis international schools, Zohour al yasmeen language school, Cairo University, Misr University for Science and Technology and Lycée français du Caire.

One of the problems that Cairo is currently going through is one that it has in common with other industrialized cities, pollution. Due to its relatively small land mass and large number of traffic through the city, Cairo is currently having problems with air and water quality, as well as major traffic congestion.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Cairo is the Mohammed Ali Mosque. This mosque is located in the Cairo Citadel and was built in 1848. This Ottoman style mosque is one of the most recongnizable in the entire city. This mosque has a central dome surrounded by four small domes and also four semicircular domes. The height of the building is about one hundred and fifty feet and the dome is about sixty-three feet in diameter. This mosque also has twin minarets with balconies and is composed mostly of limestone. One of the oldest mosques in the entire country is the Mosque of Ibn Tulun. This mosque was commissioned in 884 by the Abbassid governor Ahmad Ibn Tulun. This mosque has been restored several times during its long history. The first restoration was in 1177 and subsequent ones were in 1296 and 2004.

Another prominent attraction in Cairo is the Egyptian Museum, or as its known formerly, the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. This museum has over one hundred and twenty thousand artifacts, most of which are stored away and not on actual display. The most popular room in this museum is the mummy room, which contains nine mummies from pharaonic times. The large square name Midan Ramses, or Ramesses Square, not only contains Cairo’s railway station, Ramses Station, but also refers to the streets that surround the area. It is not one of the most beautiful parts of the city because it is highly congested with traffic and is the transportation hub of the entire city. But, there is one sight that everyone should take a look at. Its the large statue of Ramesses II that is located here. This statue is a sight to behold and was originally found in 1882 at the site of Ancient Memphis. It was found in six pieces. It wouldn’t be restored until 1955 when it was fixed by inserting iron bars into it. It has been standing at this location ever since.

A must see museum for any visitor to Cairo is the Museum of Islamic Art. The building was erected in 1902 and houses over one hundred thousand objects. This museum is currently a World Heritage Site and contains Islamic art from all over the world.

One of the most beautiful attractions in Cairo is the The Mausoleum of Sultan Qalawun. This mausoleum, which is a part of the Qala’un complex, was built using marble and granite taken from the Salih Najm Ad-Din Castle in Rhoda and was finished in 1304. Another great place to visit is Abdeen Palace. It was constructed in 1874 by the French architect Rousseau. This palace was the center of the royal court but is today a museum. The top floors of this palace is off limits to the general public because its reserved for visiting dignitaries. The lower floors are open to the public and contain the Silver Museum, the Arms Museum, the Presidential Gifts Museum and the Royal Family Museum. The Historical Documents museum is also located here. One of the documents in the collection is Imperial Ottoman decree.

Cairo is also home to some very important churches. One of these is the St. Mercurius Church. This church is over ninety three feet long and sixty three feet wide. It was built in the fourteenth century to serve as the Seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope of Alexandria. Another coptic church in the area is the Al-Adra or Church of the Virgin. This church was built during the first century and many consider it to be Egypts oldest coptic church. Also located in Coptic Cairo is the Babylon Fortress. This fort contains a variety of copic churches, most of them built into its walls. These include the Greek Church of St. George and the Hanging Church or El-Muallaqa.

Another prominent location in this city is the famed Cairo Bazaars. These are massive shopping districts that are filled with throngs of people looking for a good deal. The bazaars sell just about anything you can imagine including rugs, pottery and craft items. And the price is always flexible as haggling is not only acceptable but expected. Cairo also has restaurants and cafes and other interesting locations such as the Katameya Heights Golf and Tennis Resort, Sayyed Zeinab Cultural Park and the Cairo Zoo. There are also some very fine restaurants and hotels in the greater Cairo area.

Mar

Seoul

Posted in Top Cities by admin on March 4th, 2007

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Seoul is located on the Han River in the Korean Peninsula. Its the largest city of Korea and is also the countries capital city. Over ten million people call Seoul home and its the second largest metropolitan area in the entire world.Seoul can trace its roots back two thousand years to the Joseon Dynasty. It is considered a truly cosmopolitan city with its influence extending over world politics, education, business and international trade.Seoul is also a leader in world technology. In fact, its the only city to feature Digital Media Broadcasting, a digital mobile technology that enables high definition television broadcasts to be sent to mobile phones. This city also has a one hundred megabyte per second fiber optic network for the transmission of high speed internet.

This city has some of the world’s best transportation hubs. Seoul features a high speed rail, and its subway is the third largest subway in the world accommodating over two billion visitors each year. Its also serviced by what many consider to be the world’s best airport, AREX.



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Seoul is home to a whole plethora of attractions which include prominent natural features, gardens and temples, as well as a large collection of shops and vendors.

This city is home to five historic palaces with the favorite among tourist being the Gyeongbokgung Palace. This impressive palace was built in 1395 by founder of Joseon Dynasty, Lee Seong-Gye. This palace, which is rectangular in shape, contains lotus ponds, gardens, elegant state rooms and apartments. It also contains the National Folk Museum of Korea.The National Folk Museum of Korea contains exhibits which chronicle the history of the Korean people through the replicas of historical objects. It was established in 1945 by the United States government and was originally located on Mt. Namsan. In 1975 it was relocated to its current position in the Gyeongbokgung. Another popular temple is the Changdeokgung. This temple blends in with its natural landscape in an almost seamless fashion. Its located in the Jongno-gu park.

Namsangol Hanok Village is a traditional village that is contrasted by the many skyscrapers on its horizon. The village is like taking a trip through time.



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It features five restored historical homes that date all the way back to the Joseon Dynasty. Visitors here can peruse the houses, as well as enjoy such activities as shopping for souvenirs, indulge in traditional tea drinking ceremonies and even engage in traditional games of skill.

For visitors looking for a day of thrills there is Lotte World. This is the world’s largest indoor theme park and attracts in excess of six million visitors each and every year. Inside visitors can partake in hundreds of activities and have access to restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. There is even a folk museum and a skating rink. Outside, visitors can enjoy rides, a fairy tale style castle and enjoy many of the trails and laser light shows.

For bargain hunters, Seoul offers visitors access to the district of Insa-dong. This shopping district, also known as “Mary’s Alley”, features hundreds of art galleries and antique shops. There are always bargains to be had here, with goods from the antique to the eclectic being sold.



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There are also countless bars, tea houses and restaurants where shoppers can find a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the hawkers and street vendors.

Another popular shopping destination in Seoul is Myeong-dong. This is a huge modern shopping area that host hundreds of malls, restaurants, designer boutiques and fast food outlets. There are also stores and vendors hawking everything from clothing to jewelry here. Also located here is the famed Myeong-dong Catholic Church. This church has an amazing garden where one can take a rest from the busy streets of the district.

As previously mentioned, Seoul is a city that also has a deep natural profile. One only has to visit Namsan Park to confirm this fact. Namsan Park is located on Mt. Namsan. Visitors can access the top by either taking the stairs or the cable car located here. From the peak, a breathtaking view of Seoul can be attained. Namsan Park also features a maritime museum and a botanical gardens.

Bongeunsa is a Buddhist temple that was built in 794 AD. This beautiful temple features a program where visitors can stay for a few hours and live as the monks do for that period.



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This gives visitors an inside look at the inner workings of the temple that is very unique.

Visitors shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Seoul Olympic Park and Stadium, known also as Olpark. This impressive arena was originally built to host the 1988 summer Olympic games. It has since been used for various concerts and includes attractions such as the Mongchon Fortress and the Seoul Olympic Museum. A perfect conclusion to any visit to this city is the temple Jogyesa. This is a Buddhist temple that was built in 1395. It is the primary temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. One of its main features is a large and very old pine tree known simply as Natural Monument 9.

Whether staying a weekend or an entire month, Seoul offers its visitors a whole range of choices when it comes to hotel selection. There are small regional bed and breakfast style lodging as well as huge luxury hotels such as the COEX InterContinental, the Grand Hyatt, Grand InterContinental, JW Marriott and the Sejong Hotel. All of these hotels are within travel distance of the shopping districts and the major landmarks of Seoul. And many of them are attractions in their own rights.

Archive for March, 2007

Albuquerque

Cancun

Sarasota

Hanoi

Benidorm

Cairo

Seoul

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