Dalian is a sub-provincial city in the Liaoning Province of China. It covers an area of over twelve thousand square kilometers and has a population in excess of six million people. It lies north of Shandong and west of the Yellow Sea.

Between 221 B.C. and 220 A.D. the region where Dalian is now located was under the direct control of Liaodong County. During the Tang Dynasty it would fall under the jurisdiction of the Andong Prefecture. In the nineteenth century, the Qing government constructed bridges and cannons along the city and established mining camps on its northern coast. It would grow into a small town and experienced a period of prosperity until it was invaded by the British in 1858. This occupation would last until the late nineteenth century when the city was returned back to China. During the Sino-Japanese war of 1895 the city would fall into the hands of the Japanese.

In 1898, the Russian Empire leased the city from Japan and it was named Dalny. Dalny would go on to become Russia’s main trade hub in Asia and Russia invested heavily in its infrastructure. After the war of Russo-Japanese War, the city would be returned to Japan as a result of the Treaty of Portsmouth. When the Japanese surrendered after World War II, Dalian would become a possession of the Soviet Empire. In 1950, the Soviets gave Dalian to the Chinese Communist government. The Chinese then developed the city into a ship building city and did extensive renovations on the city. Today, Dalian has a thriving economy that is ranked as one of the top ten economic centers of China. The main industries of the city include machine manufacturing, petrochemicals, electronics, shipbuilding and oil refining. Dalian also has a thriving software sector that exports software to Japan.

Tourism is also an ever increasing segment of Dalian’s economy. The city is a popular destination among tourist, especially from countries such as Russia and South Korea and is ranked by the Chinese National Tourism Administration as one of the top three places in China to visit. A popular attraction in the city is Xinghai Square. This square covers an area of over one hundred and thirty-five thousand square feet and its name means “Sea of Stars”. This square was erected in 1994 and looks quite alot like a star. It has nine white marble pillars and nine huge dings. Two weeks out of the year, during the summer months, the International Beer Festival is held here.

Another popular attraction in the city is the Dalian forest Zoo. This zoo was foundd in 1997 and covers an area of seven kilometers. The zoo is known for its diverse collection of animal species and its extraordinary care of the animals. The park has six main features which include the herbivore section, the big cats section, the primate section, bears section, Asian elephant section and a section dedicated to the protection of pandas, flamingos and squirrel monkeys. Dalian forest Zoo has more than one thousand animals taken from one hundred and thirty different species. On top of the West Hill, visitors can see the entire zoo area.

Other attractions in the city include Sun Asia Ocean World, Polar World, Xinghai Conference Center, Dalian World Expo Center, Zhongshan Square, Friendship Square, Tiger beach, Xinghai beach, Jinshitan beach, Fujiazhuang beach, Lao Hu Tan, Dahei Mountain, Lushun Museum, Lushun Railroad Station and the Jinshitan Sightseeing Area. The city is also home to many shops, cafes, restaurants, tea bars and hotels.

Frankfurt Am Main is the fifth largest city in Germany and the largest in the state of Hesse. It covers an area of ninety-six square miles and has a population that exceeds six hundred and seventy thousand residents. if the suburban area around the city is also factored into the population totals then the total aggregate population of the metropolitan area exceeds two million people. Frankfurt Am Main translates into “Frankfurt on the Main”. As can be ascertained from its name, Frankfurt is seated on the Main River. It is the transportation and financial center of Germany and is the biggest financial center in Europe. As such, it is home to the European Central Bank and the German Federal Bank. It is also the only city in the country of Germany that is listed as one of the ten Alpha cities of the world.

Frankfurt is a city that can trace its history back to the Roman Empire in the first century. This is when the Romans established a settlement on Domhugel Hill. Archeological evidence that on this site were built Roman baths, homes and possibly even a fortification. For reasons unknown, the Roman military abandoned this site in the second century and it eventually evolved into a villa. There were no more written records of this area until the eighth century, when the city was referred to by its current name. This is when a letter from the Emperor addressed the city as a famous settlement in Germany. Therefore, it must have already been a formidable city by that time. A year later, Charlemagne erected a royal court in the city and held a church council there. This council was attended by Frankish, Italian and Aquitanian bishops and English ecclesiastics. The purpose of the council was to condemn Adoptionism, the belief that Jesus was born a mere mortal and only later in his life achieved divine status. Later, during the early ninth century, Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious chose the city as his seat and erected a bigger palace, as well as walls around the city.

In 843, the Treaty of Verdun divided the Carolingian Empire among Louis’ surviving sons and Frankfurt became the capital of East Francia. The city became the favorite haunt of kings and church councils were regularly held there. All during the nine through the fifteen centuries, Frankfurt continued to enjoy an increase rise in popularity and an increase in its economic power. By the sixteenth century, Frankfurt experience a golden age of trade and art. Scientific progress also made significant strides in the city and the invention of the printing press made the distribution of information and knowledge more accessible to the masses. During the seventeenth century, tensions rose between the patricians and guilds in Frankfurt and led to civil and political unrest in the city. This continued to escalate, until it exploded into the Fettmilch Rebellion in 1612. Two years later, order would become restored by Hessen-Darmstadt.

Today, Frankfurt is a thriving urban center that has a strong tourist trade which draws visitors from the United States and around the world. A popular attraction in the city is Frankfurt Cathedral, known popularly as Saint Bartholomeus’s Cathedral. This church is the main cathedral of the city and was constructed in the fourteenth century. Many Holy Roman kings were elected here and the church was also used to crown emperors. This Gothic cathedral was never the seat for any bishop, but it still remained an important building due to the fact that it had a substantial role in imperial politics. During the nineteenth century, Frankfurt Cathedral was burned to the ground and was subsequently rebuilt in its current architectural style. During World War II, the church once again suffered significant damage when it was caught between Allied bombing runs. It suffered extensive exterior damage and the inside of the church was completely burned out. It was once again rebuilt during the 1950s.

Another important landmark in the city is a medieval building thats known as Romer. This building has served as city hall for Frankfurt for over six hundred years. It was once owned by the Romer merchant family who sold it to the city council of Frankfurt in 1405. The building has been expanded many times through the years and the building that is seen today is actually eleven buildings connected together. The building is composed of three levels and covers an area of thirty thousand square feet. The outside of the building is a beautiful example of Neo-Gothic design and many visitors arrive here to take pictures of the building. The inside of the building is not open to the public, however, because its still used as a city hall.

Paulskirche, or St. Paul’s Church, is another popular attraction in the city of Frankfurt. It was constructed in 1789 and was originally used as a Protestant church. During the nineteenth century, it was used as a meeting place for the Vorparlament, as well as the National Assembly. After 1952, it was used once again for religious services. During World War II, the church suffered extensive bombing damage, and after the war its use changed from a religious institution to a place for various events. During the 1960s, John F. Kennedy gave a speech here.

Other popular attractions in Frankfurt include the German Architecture Museum, Stadel Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Goethe House, Hessenpark Open Air Museum, The Money Museum, Senckenberg Natural History Museum, Dom Museum, The Romerberg, Frankfurt Zoo, Historical Museum, Sachsenhausen, Old Opera House, Judisches Museum, German Film Museum, The Hauptwache, Frankfurter Kunstverein, Struwwelpeter Museum, Frankfurt Romans, Tagesschonheitsfarm, Main Tower, Paulus Church, Old Nicholas Church, Museum fur Post und Kommunikation, Museum fur Kunsthandwerk, St. Leonard Church, Katharinenkirche, Frauenfriedenskirche, Saalhofkapelle, Museum Judengasse, Grosse Bockenheimer Strasse, Haus Wertheim, The Salthouse, Rebstockpark, Villa Cronhardt, Sachsenhauser Warte, St. Dionysoskirche, Nurnberger Hof, Schonhof Pavillon and Kinderprogramm im Stadel (children’s museum). The city is also home to many fine restaurants, upbeat cafes and bars, and historic hotels.

Verona is a city situated in Veneto, Italy. It covers an area of eighty square miles and has a population of over two hundred and sixty-five thousand residents. Verona is the historical setting for the story of Romeo and Juliet and has also been the home to many prominent people. Notable citizens from Verona include Aleardo Aleardi, Marc Antonio Ingegneri, Giovanni Francesco Caroto, Romano Guardini, Mario Capecchi, Ippolito Pindemonte, Scipione Maffei, Matteo Manassero, Vincenzo Ruffo, Cesare Lombroso, Franco Donatoni, Paolo Bellasio, Michele Sammicheli, Damiano Cunego, Marcantonio Negri, Antonio Salieri, Sara Simeoni, Girolamo Fracastoro, Catullus, Ratherius, Emilio Salgari, Giovanni Giocondo, Bartolomeo Tromboncino, St. Peter Martyr, Paolo Caliari, Walter Chiari and Gigliola Cinquetti.

The true origins of the city is the subject of much debate. Some theories contend that Verona was a city of a ethnic group known as the Euganei. According to this theory, they were forced to cede Verona to the Cenomani during 550 BC. Other historians believe that the city was founded by the Arusnati, a group of people who may have related to the Etruscans. If that was the case, than the name of Verona would have been taken from an Etruscan word meaning “Venetian city located on a river”. Regardless of whic account is true, one thing is known for certain. Verona had a very favorable relationship with the Roman Empire. in 89 BC, Verona became a colony of Rome and would later become a municipium in 49 BC. The Roman Empire erected two bridges, a forum and an aquaduct in the city during this time. Though the city enjoyed these amemnities and numerous others during this period of time, the city also had its share of unrest. Because of its political position in Italy, Verona was often the epicenter of the many Roman civil wars that waged during this time. Famouse warriors who fought within the city include Constantine the Great, Vespasian, Sabinus Iulianus and Vitellius. In the third century, the emperor Gallienus extended the walls of the city to protect it from attack. After the extension of the city walls, Verona went through a period where its citizens were slowly converting to Christianity. During the Middle Ages, the city enjoyed an extensive period of ever increasing wealth. But, the city was also invaded several times by the armies of the Visigoths, the Ostrogoths and the Lombards.

The modern era of the city began with its occupation by Napoleon at the end of the eighteenth century. But, the occupation of the city by the French didn’t last long, as the citizens of Verona rose up on Easter Monday and drove the invaders out of the city. In October of 1797, Verona became a possession of the Austrians under the Treaty of Campo Formio. The Austria Territory took official possession of the city in January of 1798. In 1805, the Treaty of Pressburg transfered control of the city from Austria back to Napoleon. This lasted until 1814, when the city became of part of the Austrian Lombardy Venetia Kingdom, after the defeat of Napoleon. Fifty-two years later, the Austrians left the city and it fell under Italian control. Today, Verona is known for its many historical buildings and the city has been named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The city has preserved much of its Roman heritage, though there were many medieval monuments that were damaged during the earthquake of 1117. After the earthquake, a massive rebuilding took place which involved the construction of many Romanesque buildings.

A popular attraction in the city is the Arena di Verona (Verona Arena). This amphitheater was built in 30 AD and was situated just outside the walls of the city. This amphitheater could contain more then thirty thousand spectators and it hosted many games and shows. Arena di Verona’s facade was initially made of pink and white limestone, but after the twelfth century earthquake the stone was reused in other building projects. During the Renaissance, the build was renovated to be used as an opera house. This amphitheater has been used for grande opera productions for the past century and it is one of the most well preserved ancient structures of its kind in existence.

Another prominent attraction in the city of Verona is the Castelvecchio Museum. The Castelvecchio Museum is located in a medieval castle that was restored by architect Carlo Scarpa from 1959 to 1973. The museum has a collection of gold works, sculptures, paintings, statues, ceramics and ancient weapons. Paintings in its collection include ”Crucifixion and Madonna dell’umilta” by Jacopo Bellini, ”Holy Family” by Andrea Mantegna, ”Madonna del roseto” by Stefano da Verona, ”Madonna della quaglia” by Pisanello and ”Madonna with Child” by Gentile Bellini. Prominent sculptures in its collection include “St. Cecilia and Catherina” by St. Anastasia, “Crucifix” by St. Anastasia, ”Cangrande I della Scala” from Scaliger Tombs and a bas relief of Bacchus from the twelfth century. Torre dei Lamberti is another fascinating attraction in the city. It’s a tower that stands at two hundred and fifty-two feet high. It was constructed in 1172, but in 1403 was struck by lightning. Forty-five years later, renovation was begun on it and took another sixteen years. During this restoration the tower was enlarged. In 1779, a clock was added.

Other popular attractions in Verona include Giardini Giusti Garden, Piazza delle Erbe, Museo di Castelvecchio, Parco Giardino Sigurta, SS. Siro e Libera, Arche Scaligeri, Piazza dei Signori, Parco delle Cascate di Molina, Arco della Costa, Verona’s Cathedral, Bertani Vineyards, Casa di Giulietta, S. Giorgio in Braida, Piazza Bra, Casa di Romeo, Santa Anastasia, Church of San Francesco al Corso, Arca di Mastino II, Museo Storico Naturale, Arca di Cansignorio, San Zeno Maggiore Church, Museo Archeologico, San Tomaso Cantuariense, Church Santa Maria in Organo, Piazzale Castel San Pietro, Teatro Romano, S. Pietro Incarnario, Arca di Cangrande I, Galleria d’Arte Moderna Palazzo Forti, Gavi Arch (Arco dei Gavi) and APT Arena. Prominent hotels in the city of Verona include Due Torri hotel Baglioni, Grand Hotel, Hotel Giberti, Hotel Antica Porta Leona, Hotel Porta Palio and Hotel Verona.