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Italy Location Italy is located in south central Europe and is situated along the Mediterranean. The summer air is especially hot in Italy, mainly in the south of the Peninsula with it’s temperatures ranging from 28 degrees to 34 degrees in summer. Perfect for the ideal relaxing holiday in the sun. The population of Italy is estimated at 57, 634, 627.
Religion Catholicism is by far the largest religious group in Italy. Catholics make up 87.8% of the population, with 36.8% considering themselves practicing Catholics and 30.8% attending Church every Sunday. At the
Cuisine Ask most people outside of Italy what their favorite Italian food is and you’ll most likely hear a common
So why not come and try it out yourself? listing of pizza, spaghetti, and lasagna. While most of us recognize pizza and pasta as Italian cuisine, the rich history of Italy proves that the food is much more than dough and tomato sauce. Pulling from Roman, Greek, and Arab influences, Italian cuisine evolved many times over before it became the popular foods known around the world today.
Attractions The world famous Pisa Tower was built over a period of about 177 years. Soon after the construction started in 1173 the tower began to sink due to a poorly laid foundation and was left alone for almost a century. It is a fascintaing attraction. The Colosseum in Rome is the largest and most famous amphitheater in the Roman world. Its construction was started by emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in 72 AD and was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD.
heart of Italy lies the Vatican. Vatican city (Citta del Vaticano), the papal residence, was built over the tomb of Saint Peter. Inside the Vatican city we can find 11 Vatican Museums with the restored Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, and Vatican Gardens.
Referred to as “The City of Water”, Venice is the crown jewel of water cities. Romantic gondolas, and Italian architecture along the Grand Canal helped earn this status.
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France
Cuisine Crepes
Location
This thin French version of a pancake can be topped with just about anything, whether it be fresh, ripe strawberries or ham and cheese.
France lies on the western edge of the European continent and shares borders with six neighbours: Belgium and Luxembourg to the north, Germany and Switzerland to the east, Italy to the southeast and Spain to the southwest.
Baguettes There’s nothing quite like a freshly bake baguette. To call one of these simply “bread” is almost an insult, as the taste of a French baguette is almost heavenly.
Attractions The Eiffel Tower is a symbol of Paris and one of the top tourist attractions in France. The tower was built by Gustave Eiffel as the entrance arch for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889. Since its construction more than 200,000,000 people have visited the Eiffel Tower making it the most visited paid tourist attraction in the world.
Escargot The idea of eating snails may be a bit off putting, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. While you’re in France, you’re definitely going to want to try escargot.
Want a trip into the world of make believe? Want to meet some of your favourite stars of screen and TV? For kids and adults alike, a trip to the Paris Disneyland is just that; a fabulous opportunity to step over the rainbow and enjoy a day or two packed with fun, thrills and entertainment, all available for the taking in the French countryside just a few minutes from Paris.
Pain au chocolat If you love chocolate and buttery croissants, then this French food is right up your alley. Croissant How could we have a list of top French foods without including the ever popular croissant? You might be able to find “croissants” in other countries, but the ones you’ll find in France are irresistibly buttery, flaky and light.
Disneyland Paris claims to have something for everyone, adults and children alike.
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Amsterdam Location The official name of the country in which Amsterdam is located is the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Within the Netherlands there are 12 administrative provinces, two of which contain the name Holland. Amsterdam lies in North Holland.
Attractions Anne Frank House You most definitely would not want miss the chance of being in the same building as where she and her family hid for 2 years to avoid being captured by the Nazis. Rijksmuseum
Nightlife in Amsterdam When it comes to nightlife in Amsterdam, there are venues, dance festivals and club nights to suit every taste. DJs keep the crowd going with everything from techno, dub step and trance to hip-hop, funk and deep house. Some of the most well-known venues include Paradiso, Melkweg, Bitterzoet, Club Up, Trouw, AIR and Escape. Nightlife in central Amsterdam is largely clustered in two major areas: the Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. Both offer a variety of venues, including dance clubs, bars and casual clubs popular with local students. The Leidseplein offers a greater variety of live music venues, plus a cluster of cosy Irish pubs. For major stadium-sized concerts, Amsterdam’s three biggest venues – the Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam Arena and Heineken Music Hall are all located in Amsterdam Zuidoost. Gay and lesbian bars and clubs are located throughout the city, but you’ll find the most options near the Regulierssdwarstraat.
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Van Gogh Museum This is a must go to museum if you love or intrigued by Van Gogh. 200 of his paintings are displayed here. You will also get to know about what went on in Van Gogh’s mind with the letters he sent to his brother Theo also displayed in this museum. Oude Kerk This is a beautiful old church located in the centre of the Red Light District. Your jaw will definitely drop because of the beautiful Gothic-Renaissance theme of this structure. This church dates way back into the 14th century which makes this the oldest shrine there is in the city.
This is the largest museum in Netherlands and it has is a vast collection of artworks of famous Dutch painters through out the history of the nation. Here you can also see many artworks done by the famous painter Rembrandt. The Rembrandt House You will definitely experience going back in time stepping inside the restored house of the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt.
With world-class museums, quirky festivals, theatre, live music, laidback bars and delightful restaurants, there’s never a shortage of things to do in Amsterdam. -2-
There are also different collections found in this church such as an organ from the year 1726 and stained glass windows from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Greece Location Greece is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Western Asia, and Africa, and shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, the Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north and Turkey to the northeast. The largest Greek island by area is Crete, located at the southern edge of the Aegean Sea.
Parthenon, Acropolis
Delphi Theatre
The Parthenon on top of the Acropolis is one of the most famous Greece tourist attractions and a visit to Athens is not complete without visiting this temple. The construction of the Parthenon started in 447 BC, replacing and older temple that was destroyed by the Persians, and completed in 432 BC. During its long life the Parthenon has served as a temple, fortress, a church, a mosque and even as a powder magazine.
In ancient times Delphi was the most important site in ancient Greek religion, home to the sanctuary and oracle of Apollo. The ancient theatre of Delphi was built on a hill giving spectators a view of the entire sanctuary and the spectacular landscape below. It was originally built in the 4th and could seat 5,000 spectators. Today it is one of the top tourist attractions in Greece. Mykonos Mykonos is famed as a cosmopolitan destination amongst the Greek islands and widely recognized as one of the best tourist attractions in Greece. Mykonos Town (Chora) is a stunningly picturesque Cycladic town with a maze of tiny streets and whitewashed steps lanes. It is also known for its sandy beaches and intense nightlife.
Attractions Mount Athos Mount Athos is a mountain and a peninsula in northern Greece.
Lindos Lindos is a medieval village on the island of Rhodes that is made up of a network of cobbled streets amid whitewashed houses. Above the town rises the acropolis of Lindos, offering spectacular views of the surrounding harbors and coastline.
Greece has life and a unique mystic that is impossible to ignore. Greece is an old culture with its roots dating back well over 5000 years. You need to come to Greece to see and experience this tiny land that sparked the fires of thought and freedom for so much of our world! -2-
Myrtos Beach Located in the north-west of Kefalonia, Myrtos Beach is world famous for the magical colors of the water. The blue and turquoise colors of the sea contrast sharply with the bright white of the smooth marble pebbles of the beach.
Australia Location
Australia is a country, and an island. It is located in Oceania between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. It is the sixth largest country in the world with a total area of 7,686,850 square kilometers.
Attractions The Great Ocean Road The Great Ocean Road is arguably one of the best scenic drives of the world. Its official length is 243 kms (approximately 150 miles), but it will take you a full day to enjoy it due to the narrow and windy traffic lanes (only one in each direction). It hugs the coast line with panoramic views of the ocean and cliffs, and it winds its way through cool climate rain forests. Sydney While many Australian’s will scoff when they read this, believing Australia has many better attractions, the reason Sydney has made the list is because it is such an iconic feature of Australia. For those of you have made a flight from potentially the other side of the world, if you come and don’t see Sydney, it’s a bit like going to Germany and not drinking a beer, or to England and not seeing London, or America and not trying a hot dog.
A continent in its own right, Australia is a land of extraordinary diversity and remarkable landscapes. You will find everything from tropical rainforests to fiery red deserts in the vast outback, while national parks, scenic winelands and idyllic beaches can be found close to its gleaming modern cities.
10 reasons to visit Australia 1. A people of legendary friendliness! 2. Lands of astonishing beauty. 3. Unique animals-from koalas, kangaroos, to yellow eyed penguins. 4. Cosmopolitan cities and great restaurants.
The Great Barrier Reef
5. Ancient rain forests and nature on a grand scale.
This attraction, along with Uluru and the Sydney Opera House, is one of those attractions that is known by virtually everyone, and is synonymous with Australia. Stretching for approximately 2,300 kms, it is home to a vast wealth or rare, endangered, and unique animal and plant species.
6. The sun is always smiling.
Daintree Rainforest It is Australia’s largest rainforest, about 30% of Australia’s reptile, marsupial and frog species, 65% of the country’s bat and butterfly species, and 20% of Australia’s native bird species can be found within the Daintree. -2-
7. Getting to Australia takes less time than you think. Just less than 1/2 a day from Asia. 8. For those who would rather do than watch! Fly, float, dive, jump, sail, surf, ride etc. 9. Great value! The cost of lodging, meals, and sightseeing are less expensive than most countries. 10. Great beaches. Great cities.
Hong Kong Location Positioned at the mouth of the Pearl River Delta on the coast of southern China, Hong Kong’s geographical position as a gateway between the East and West has made it an attractive centre for international trade. As a reflection of this, the heart of Asia’s world city has always been the bustling and beautiful Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong Island lies to the south of the harbour, while the Kowloon Peninsula forms its northern shores. To the north of Kowloon lies the New Territories, which stretch all the way to Mainland China. Hong Kong is also home to more than 200 Outlying Islands, including Lantau Island, where Hong Kong International Airport is located.
language and Culture Hong Kong can mostly thank its colonial history and international harbour for the rich blend of cultures that give it its unique character. While the majority of the city’s population are Chinese speakers, simply walking the streets will expose you to a medley of Asian and European languages. Chinese Cantonese, a minority dialect of Mainland China, is spoken by 88 per cent of people in Hong Kong.
Nonetheless, other Chinese dialects, such as Hakka, Taishanese and Teochiu are also present, as is Mandarin of course – China’s official dialect, which has become more widely spoken in Hong Kong since the reunification in 1997. English From Hong Kong’s establishment as a colonial port, through its period as a manufacturing hub, and up until its current role as an international financial centre, the city’s population has always looked outwards. As a result, English is widely spoken. Today, it is the language of preference in the government, business and tourism sectors. All official signs and public transport announcements, as well as most menus, are bilingual. As a visitor, you can expect to encounter minimal problems communicating in English as most taxi drivers, salespeople, tourism industry employees and police have reached competent levels of the language. In fact, many locals even pepper their Chinese speech with English words and phrases.
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Chinese cuisine Chinese cuisine includes styles originating from the diverse regions of China, plus styles of Chinese people in other parts of the world. The history of Chinese cuisine stretches back thousands of years and has changed from period to period and in each region according to climate, imperial fashions, and local preferences. Some food favorites for tourists are peking duck, jelly- fish, chicken feet, shrimp soup, steamed ginger fish.
United States America location
The United States of America is a large country in North America, often referred to as the “USA”, the “US”, the “United States”, “America”, or simply “the States”. It is home to the world’s third-largest population, with over 310 million people.
Top attractions in USA White House The White House in Washington DC is the official residence and office of the President of the United States. It was built between 1792 and 1800 and first used by President John Adams.
The land of the free. The home of the brave. The United States of America is an enormous country, with proud and patriotic people. There are mountains, there are beaches, there are deserts, and there are cities that never sleep. So let your hair down, and explore America!
The Golden Gate Bridge The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north. Manhatten Manhattan is one of New York’s five boroughs and is what people most often think of when they picture New York City.
Florida keys The Florida Keys are a 120 mile long chain of tropical islands curving around the base of the Florida peninsula, connected to the mainland by a series of bridges. The most spectacular bridge, the Seven Mile Bridge in the Lower Keys, has been frequently used as a location for films including True Lies and Fast 2 Furious.
Las Vegas
The Grand Canyon It is located in northern Arizona and is one of the great tourist attractions in the United States. Carved over several million years by the Colorado River, the canyon attains a depth of over 1.6 km (1 mile) and 446 km (277 miles) long. Niagara Falls
The gambling mecca of the world, Las Vegas is situated in the midst of the southern Nevada desert landscape. Casinos can be found throughout Boulevard South, contains the most of them. It features giant mega-casino hotels.
Situated between the state of New York and the province of Ontario, Niagara Falls is one of the most spectacular natural wonders on the North American continent. -2-
Canada Location Canada is a country in North America. It is located in the northern area of the continent, and extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean. At 9.98 million square kilometers in total, Canada is the world’s second-largest country by total area, and its common border with the United States is the world’s longest land border shared by the same two countries.
Toronto - Exhibition Place
Canada’s Top Attractions
Vieux Port - Montreal
Mont Royal Park
Vieux Port, also known as Old Port, draws nearly 6 million visitors each year. During the summer there are circus shows and dances while during the winter patrons stop by to see the Montreal High Lights Festival and fireworks shows.
Mont Royal Park is located at the highest point in the city of Montreal. Within the park you’ll find a ski trail, an oratory, and a Roman Catholic Basilica – amongst many other attractions. The park, named for the city itself, captures the attention of more than 3 million visitors each year. Canada’s Wonderland Canada’s Wonderland is home to the largest wooden roller coaster in existence in Canada. It’s also the location of the only “flying coaster” in the country – the Time Warp. More than 3.35 million people visit this incredibly fun theme park each year and, according to news sources, the park is still expanding.
Exhibition Place is a large urban park spanning over 192 acres of land. The park regularly hosts special shows, including the Canadian National Exhibition.
Grandville Island - Vancouver Over time the island transformed and for the past 30+ years has drawn visitors to its steadily growing collection of artist studios, galleries, theaters, restaurants, and artisan shops. The island receives more than 10.5 million visitors each year. Niagara Falls Niagara Falls receives more than 12 million visitors every single year. -2-
Harbourfront Centre The waterfront in Toronto consists of 10 acres of sheer beauty. There is an amazing ice skating rink, a large boardwalk, and a number of great ships on display. Around 12 million people visit the waterfront of Toronto annually. The Centre works with over 450 community organizations, and hosts more than 4,000 events a year in many areas such as theatre, dance, literature and music.
Don’t take the journey, let the journey take you
Explore
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