Despite the bad reputation Columbia endured in the 80′s and early 90′s, tourism has increased in Bogotá since the 2000′s due to aggressive publicity campaigns and advancements in both infrastructure and safety. With a population of about 8.8 million people, it’s hard to understand the sheer size of the city. Bogotá is the largest city in Colombia, one of the biggest of Latin America, figures in the 30th largest cities of the world, and its altitude (2,640 meters) makes it the third-highest capital city in the world.
The botanical garden, José Celestino Mutis, La Quinta de Bolivar, the national observatory, the planetarium and the observation point of La Calera are some of the few important landmarks and tourist stops in Bogotá. The city has several green parks and amusement parks like Salitre Magico, Mundo Aventura and Camelot. The city also offers 58 museums and over 70 art galleries to chose from. One not to be missed is the Museo del Oro (Gold Museum), with 35,000 pieces of tumbaga gold, along with 30,000 objects in ceramic, stone and textiles, representing the largest collection of pre-Colombian gold in the world.
Bogotá’s economy has significantly improved due to new shopping malls built within the last few years. Downtown Bogotá is an interesting area to stroll around in filled with boutiques, business offices, cafés, and the banking district. Most of the best hotels, restaurants and shops are located in the Northern end of the city. So if you’re interested in exploring the culture and richness of a South American metropolis, Bogotá should be one of the top cities to visit where you will feel free to shop, party, explore and most of all, relax.
Whether you’re looking for a one day getaway or a few weeks long vacation, there are plenty of interests to help you make the most of your stay in Birmingham. According to the Mercer Index of worldwide standards of living, Birmingham was ranked as the 55th-most livable city in the world in 2010.
Over the last century, Birmingham has had a vibrant and varied musical history with major bands having contributed to the musical culture of the United Kingdom. Jazz has a substantial following in the city, and the annual Birmingham International Jazz Festival is the largest of its kind in the UK. Venues for the festival are also located out of Birmingham in Solihull. It was first held in 1984. Birmingham is also home to many national, religious and spiritual festivals including a St. George’s Day party, the Birmingham Pride, which is held in the gay village and attracts up to 100,000 visitors a year and St. Patrick’s Day parade, the city’s largest single day event.
Birmingham has the most compelling and eclectic music scene due to its investments in the best venues which attracts the very best talent. Widely known as the finest concert hall in Europe, Symphony Hall is a 2,262 seat concert venue located inside the International Convention Centre that was officially opened by the Queen in June 1991. Birmingham’s art collection is as impressive as it’s musical history. From the Elite to the new wave of contemporary artists, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has one of the largest collections of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world. Another famous gallery is Ikon, well recognized by its individuality and exhibits the best international and British art of exhibitions and events.
With many great events and places to explore in Birmingham, the choices never end.
Belgrade lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. It is the capital and largest city of Serbia and is the fourth largest city in Southeastern Europe.
Belgrade is an incredibly practical city to shop in since everything is concentrated in the city center. Belgrade’s main street and and its surrounding area is decked out with shops well-stocked with the latest brands and fashions. Besides shopping you can also enjoy numerous restaurants and cafes. There are a few places that are worth a visit if you want to have a rest after a long day of shopping or walking around. Cafés and bars in Strahinica Bana Street, locally known as “Silicon Valley”, are the fanciest in Belgrade and people usually come here to see and to be seen. There is a good range of restaurants and cafés along the Zemun quay on the Danube. Its cozy restaurants and cafés, often with live music, offer a welcome respite during the colder months too. By day they are restaurants and cafés that develop into clubs by night.
Belgrade has a reputation for offering a dynamic nightlife and many clubs can be found throughout the city that are open until dawn. Many visitors, particularly from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia, prefer Belgrade nightlife to that of their own capitals, mostly due to a perceived friendlier atmosphere, great clubs and bars, cheap beverages, the lack of language difficulties, and the lack of restrictive night life regulations. Most venues are open until 4am from Tuesday to Sunday, and some famous venues can open even on Monday’s. Other pockets of nightlife are only a short walk from the Republic Square and inside the walls of the Kalemegdan Fortress.
So because of its vibrant nightlife and cultural scene, Belgrade has become a favorite destination of backpackers from all over the globe. Aside from enjoying a unique experience, hostels in Belgrade offer very cheap prices for bed with breakfast accompanied by friendly accommodations, and most of them are located right in the center of the city.
Beirut, the capital and most populous city in Lebanon, has an astonishing composition of cultures and faiths, perched on a breathtaking sweep of Mediterranean coastline.
The atmosphere in Beirut is unlike any other. It’s unique in its mix of peoples, religions and cultures giving the city its edge. The best place to take it all in is along the Corniche. In a city where there is few open green spaces, this long seaside promenade serves as a kind of park and public gathering space. You will find people of all ages in all forms of dress, walking, jogging and eating. The Corniche also provides incredible views of the coast that is sure to leave visitors in awe.
Beirut is a big tourist attraction to many travelers around the globe. Known to be the commercial and busiest city in Lebanon, Beirut also has numerous night clubs and restaurants not to mention Souk el Barghout, the famous market at Martyr’s Place where hundreds of tourists stop to experience a delicious meal, a cup of coffee and enjoy the sights of by passers walking and blending in with the Lebanese public. A visit to Beirut is no real visit unless you try, at least once, the traditional Lebanese Mezze (Meza), an elaborate variety of hot and cold dishes. Beirut’s different cultures brings different tastes in cuisine, and restaurants of different origins have opened all around the city, particularly in the Ashrafieh District. With the addition of 40 new restaurants and cafes, a dynamic social scene has returned in Beirut.
With its smooth white sand and crystal clear waters, life is heavenly on the beaches of Antigua.
Located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda are roughly 17 degrees north of the equator. The Islands of Montserrat and Guadeloupe are to the south and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin.
There are countless land activities, water activities and excursions to chose from that will appeal to every walk of life. From Tennis to snorkeling to Caribbean helicopter rides, there is no shortage of things to see and do on this beautiful island. You can Enjoy a scenic route of Fig Tree Drive. It’s 32kms (20miles) of winding roads that take you through the lush tropical hills and picturesque fishing villages along the southwest coast, or go explore huge caves at Two Foot Bay, where you can see ancient cave drawings, stalactites and stalagmites.
The choice of nightlife is almost endless in Antigua from nightclubs & discos playing the best local & international music to great live music in smaller intimate bars & venues. Throughout the island of Antigua, there are a variety of restaurants and bars with nightly entertainment available as well. Restaurants and eateries offer fine dining with both international and authentic Caribbean & Antiguan cuisine. Live music can be heard while you enjoy drinking, anything from local drinks to the finest wines and champagnes.
No matter what you’re looking for in a trip, Antigua is sure to satisfy.