Travel Guide

Among other sometimes faded American cities, Chicago stands out from the crowd with an interesting mixture of vintage, arts and influencing minorities. Chicago’s friendly people, amazing architecture and tasty food attracts thousands of visitors every year. If you’re still wondering whether you should visit, we sorted out 5 of these attractions and put them in perspective for you.

1. Field Museum

Chicago’s Field Museum is considered one of the jewels of the city and known as one of the finest natural history museums in the world. Its fame worldwide came when the museum was featured in Spielberg’s movies, as home base for archaeologists in the Indiana Jones movies. The museum still hosts the collection for which it was first opened – World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. Since then, the museum has grown to such an extent that it became home to more than 20 million specimens and a 25,000 volume natural history library. Regardless of the time of year you’ll be visiting, the museum has both permanent and temporary exhibitions – from animals to underground adventures, from gems to fossils and from Ancient Egypt to the Japanese art. Read the rest of this entry »

Commonly regarded as being amongst the most remarkable treks in the world, The Inca Trail begins at a site known as km82, a point lying 82 kilometers along the railway line from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. Typically a four day venture, the trail covers just 26 miles(45km), managing to cram in outstanding mountain scenery, sub-tropical jungles, and impressive Inca ruins and tunnels, before culminating at the glorious Machu Picchu, dubbed the ‘Lost City of the Incas’.

A typical itinerary comprises of an approximately 12km trek on day one, crossing the Vilcanota river and passing Huillca Raccay–an Inca hill fort–before a gentle descent to and along the banks of the Cusichaca river, leading you to the village of Wayllabamba, where most tour groups spend their first night.

Day two is the most arduous portion of the trek, ascending more than 1000 meters to an altitude of 4200m. This takes you above the treeline near a site known as Llulluchapampa and on to the highest point of the trail, dubbed Abra de Huarmihuanusca (Dead Woman’s Pass). A steep descent brings you to the valley basin campsite at Pacamayo. Total distance, 11km.

The third day (total 16km) again starts with an ascent, this time to the ruins at Runkuraqay, which provide stunning views over the valley below. Further along the path and you’ll experience the true footsteps of the Incas as most of the paving and steps are original. The descent highlights some of the more spectacular scenery of the trail, before you arrive via a stone stairway at Sayacmarca, the ‘Inaccessible Town’ (so called because it has three surrounding sheer cliff faces). Read the rest of this entry »

1. Federation Square, we call it Fed Square. This is our public place, the hub of Melbourne. It connects the Melbourne city grid with the Yarra River and Southbank.There is often something on, such as free concerts or live broadcasting of a major Melbourne event.Fed Square is surrounded by cubic structures housing various museums, including the Ian Potter Centre, the Australian section of the National Gallery of Victoria. A must for the art lover!
2. From there, take a walk along Birrarung Marr, the stretch of the Yarra from Fed Square to the MCG (the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground). It’s the best place from which to enjoy the spectacular Melbourne skyline.There are large sized sculptures along the tree-lined river promenade, and the Federation Bells that ring through the air various times a day.
3. Then take a walk across to the Southbank, most popular on Melbourne holidays. On Sundays there is the Arts Centre Sunday Market - a great place for crafts and uniquely Australian souvenirs.Further along, you will find the Crown Casino and entertainment complex with food courts, cafes, shops, and nightclubs. On the river front are fountains - very attractive for kids play -, sound and light shows.
4. Catch the free City Circle Tram. It is a hop on - hop off old style tram that takes you free of charge around the city square and into the Docklands.It’s way to experience one of the famous Melbourne trams, and can listen to announcements of Melbourne holiday attractions on the way.For a more sophisticated tram experience, the same type of old tram has also been transformed into a tramcar restaurant traveling around the city at night.
5. From Southbank, take a Melbourne River Cruise! You can go by a ferry for a trip along the Yarra, past the Docklands and Port Melbourne, under the Westgate Bridge to Williamstown - you get a great view of the skyline along the way, and stop for coffee and lunch in Williamstown.
6. Visit Queen Victoria Markets - a Melbourne landmark. A great place to buy ‘fruit and vegies’ and well as other specialties such as continental meats, cheeses, breads, fish…There is also a large section with clothes, leather, ‘designer’ bags and all sorts of bargains. It’s worth just visiting for the atmosphere…
   Read the rest of this entry »

Burj Al Arab Pictures - 1

2047×1183 to 410×319 | 9 JPGs | 1.7 MB

Download

Even the best holiday plans can succumb in front of problems like jet lag. These in-flight problems are competent enough to throw off your schedule and give you headaches. Here we will discuss jet lag - the most common problem and tips to prevent it.