Wednesday 14 May 2014

The City of Gold - Johannesburg

Let us take a trip to the legendary City of Gold, Johannesburg!

Wondering where this proverbial name came from? Well this elusive city in South Africa was founded on a gold mine and hence the christening happened. Travellers from all over the planet come to this land seeking some intriguing stories of gold and mining.

That is not all. There is another name Johannesburg could do with, and that is “Green City”, because It displays an outstanding assortment of fauna and flora. One of the greenest cities in the world with towering trees of Syringas, Sycamores, Oaks and Jacaranda lining the streets, it paints a beautiful landscape for one to admire. Most incredible fact is that buildings in the city are less in number than the counting of trees in the city.

For Nature Creatures

If you are one of those who love to sit in the lap of nature in a breathtakingly beautiful city, October to December are the months for you to visit Johannesburg. The Jacaranda trees are in full blossom and laden with vibrant purple flowers for the nature lovers to relish the magnificent sight. These beautiful Jacaranda flowers are also considered to be very lucky. If one falls on your head, it surely is your lucky day.
Image courtsey: www.wilrotours.co.za

Modern World Grandeur

Well, the modern world lovers should not be burdened. There is everything to catch their fancy in the city, apart from the trees and greenery. The freshly built "Gautrain" can take them anywhere within Johannesburg, even to the city of Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. The well constructed bus depots and stations that mushroomed during 2010 FIFA world cup, come in handy when it comes to exploring the city in its true colours.
 
What to Do when in the City of Gold?

Oh that’s easy. There are lots of exciting activities and things to do in Johannesburg as the urban and cultural scenarios dangle out plenty of al fresco getaways. One of the most popular day trips in Johannesburg which you can enjoy with your family is a tour of Soweto. This town is loaded with a mystical display of some struggle monuments, artists in their studios, a range of unceremonious taverns and music venues. All put together, the trip will definitely bring you lot of excitement and joy.
Image courtsey: www.wilrotours.co.za

Some historic and charming places to visit in this city include some very interesting museums. One among these famous museums is the Apartheid Museum which is located in this Gold Reef City. A good number of theme parks and botanical gardens also bring ecstasy to the visitors.

Winding Up

This intriguing city of green and gold, which is also the hub to South Africa’s trade and business, unquestionably possesses some great resources of wealth, fun, excitement and recreation especially for those who are non natives. Johannesburg will render you the memories you will always love to look back on. This city, beyond doubt, is a place that should be visited at least once in your lifetime.

Monday 12 May 2014

Get ready to witness FIFA-2014 grandeur at Sao Paulo, Brazil

Image courtsey: www.holidaylist2014.com
In 1998, when Ricky Martin rocked the world with his FIFA World Cup Song ‘The Cup of Life’, everybody was dancing to his tunes. Later in 2010, Shakira also made the world make some belly dance moves on her song ‘This Time for Africa’. So what is next? Well, the fun meter would raise high once again. So get ready and pack your bags as Brazil is waiting for you to come and experience the most exciting event of the year – FIFA World Cup 2014.

FIFA World Cup has always been such enthralling and exciting occasion for football lovers across the globe. This year in 2014, it has been scheduled to happen in the wonderful city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Despite some recent mishaps at the stadium construction site, Brazil is all set to host the most awaited event confidently. The football fever will begin with the opening match between Brazil and Croatia on 12th June’14 in Sao Paulo. The series will continue till one month with three resting days each after Group Matches, Round of 16, Quarter Finals and Semi-Finals respectively. The final match will be played on 13th July’14 in Rio De Janeiro. The detailed schedule has been provided at the end of this article.

Well, if you think that Sao Paulo is all about sports and football, get yourself a reality check, as the city has much more to offer. Before you have a look at the match schedules, we give you some interesting options that you can try in Sao Paulo. Get a dual benefit of being in this magical city by witnessing the most electrifying event of the year, along with exploring the beauty of this majestic land Sao Paulo.

1.Know the City: No matter if you are there for a week or for the whole FIFA series, Sao Paulo is worth exploring. Grown as the hub of fashion, luxury, hotels and gastronomy, Sao Paulo is booming up economically. It is the largest cosmopolitan city of Brazil that offers diverse culture. Apart from being a plush business destination, the city is known to be the birthplace of Brazilian football. Spare some time to explore this magnificent city. Visit exclusive museums that display diverse culture, understand the history, stroll around the streets, or just spend some time in lush green surroundings, you would realize few days are indeed less to explore this exotic land.
  
2.Rejuvenate at the Beaches: For people who love to relax and spend hours under the sun, Sao Paulo offers an incredible beach experience for them. A visit to the beaches is something not to be missed for sure when in Sao Paulo. Soft white sand, sparkling water, tall palms, serene environment, cool breeze, together everything will make you relieve stress and rejuvenate to the new self. Be it the beautiful Praia do Encanto Beach-popular for its tranquility, or the exciting Caraguatatuba Beaches-popular for beach activities or the Sao Sabastiao Beaches famous for beautiful waterfalls and natural cliffs, every beach here has something different to offer to the visitors. You have to see it to believe it.
Image courtsey: www.zlatniratbeach.com
3.Enjoy the Nightlife: An exuberant nightlife is part of the high profile culture of Sao Paulo. Experience the real fun of Brazilian nightlife at some of the hottest night clubs, bars and restaurants. The city sets up to an energetic mood as soon as the evening lamps are lit. Put on your dancing shoes and rush to any of the numerous dancing bars and discotheques that remain jam packed with music lovers till early morning. And of course, do not forget to experience the world class gastronomy at the restaurants of Sao Paulo. The sumptuous mouth-watering food will make you spell bound.
  
4.Shop till you drop: At last, you must shop and take away some lovely souvenirs to cherish the time you spent here. Make your trip unforgettable and indulge in the most lavish shopping experience at Sao Paulo. The exotic city is known to be the hub of up class fashion boutiques. From quintessential Brazilian designs to exclusive European trends, expensive jewelry to luxury gifts, get everything high profile at Rua Augusta or Alameda Lorena. However, if you like to crack some great deals at affordable prices, shops in Centro on Rua 25 de Marco could be the best option. The Japanese neighborhood of Sao Paulo also offers delicious Japanese cuisine to satisfy your taste buds.  So choose from a wide array of shopping destinations and pick up some great stuff to make your shopping memorable at Sao Paulo.

With so much to do and gusto, Sao Paulo is for sure going to make a perfect place to enjoy some quality time this year. If you are looking for some real taste of the game and holidays, book your flight tickets to Sao Paulo.

Wednesday 7 May 2014

The Ethiopian Wonder - Addis Ababa

Do you have Ethiopia on your mind for a small getaway? You are on the right track.

The capital city of a wonder land and the economic centre to the fast developing nation of Ethiopia, the spectacular Addis Ababa is calling you. In Ethiopian language Addis Ababa means 'New Flower'. Quite an appropriate title that is! This remarkable land explored by many vacationers is the largest city of Ethiopia. The city was discovered by Emperor Menelik in the year 1887. Being the centre of a diverse country, this territory is a home to 80 nationalities, which gives a howling touch to the city's environment.

Perched on the foothill of Entoto Hill, Addis Ababa is a city of sophisticated tradition and it proudly flaunts its enriching legacy. Royal history of this enigmatic terrain is indeed worth exploring.  Historical museums, art galleries and period monuments speak for themselves and the keep the travellers enchanted for days after the vacation.

Addis Ababa, along with its historical treasure, exhibits a strong affluence of progression and development. Let us explore this beautiful metropolis, which is a perfect mixture of past and present, in its real avatar.
Seasons for the Reasons.

Cathedral church-Addis-Ababa
Image courtsey: www.8thingstodo.com
Addis Ababa enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year, which is perfect for vacationing. The bad days are the rainy days; from the month of June to August every year. During rainy season the only thing that can spoil the fun is that you won't be able to discover the city completely as the roads get muddy and sloppy. Therefore, vacationers make it a point to check for the weather report before booking the flights to Addis Ababa.

Sites for the Sight
The capital city of Ethiopia is replete with some of the best architectural monuments in the country. Ethiopian National Museum, Africa Hall, Parliament Building, St George's Cathedral, Menelik's Old Imperial Palace, Netsa Art Village, Derg Monument and many more famous structures give ample reasons for a gorgeous holiday in Addis Ababa.

Fun and Excitement
Are you looking for adventure while in Addis Ababa, well don’t stress, the options are bounteous. You can enjoy the amusing wild life safari, go hiking, take pleasure in hassle-free camping, go for the thrill of biking, explore mountain climbing or you can simply discover the city up close and personal, which is a memorable adventure in itself.

Food for Thought and More
Ethiopia is a mixture of many nationalities and so is the capital Addis Ababa. This acts as the reason that one sees many influences in the cuisine. Versatility is the quintessence of food here. Gastronomic preparations from various corners of the world make to the tables of small eateries and lavish restaurants in the city. The best part is that satisfying your taste buds comes at extremely reasonable cost; hence, relishing the delicacies won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

Shopping Rendezvous
The ecstatic land is speedily rising as a fashion hub in Ethiopia with its heart-stealer shopping options. From designer wear to local handmade curios, you would get to shop for anything and everything to style-up your
senses.

shopping places to see in Addis Ababa
Image courtsey: www.traveljournals.net

Monday 5 May 2014

The Enchanting City of Brisbane

Right when you are desperately looking for an interesting break from your taxing routine, you get to take a vacation to the capital of Queensland, Brisbane! Wow, sounds terrifically unbelievable!

Well not impossible though. Just booking a flight to Brisbane can take you to a city that makes a part of world’s most admired travel destination, Australia. Peacefully located on the banks of Brisbane River, this city makes for a perfect holiday.

The fact remains undeniable that Brisbane is not one of the prime metropolises of the country but it is on a continuous journey to growth and expansion. Tourism industry in Brisbane is no exception to it. The city witnesses a large number of travellers from all over the world every year.

Brisbane, Australia
Image courtesy : www.raubacapeu.net
For an enchanting holiday that you can recall year after year, pack your bags and say to self:
Welcome to Brisbane!

Nature’s Gifts

For the ones who are truly in love with nature and wish to lazy around amidst natural splendour, Brisbane has ample to offer. Breathtaking waterfalls, serene rivers, tranquil cliff tops, and mesmerising rainforests of Brisbane will gratify your senses to the core.

Man Made Structures

Man-made architectural wonders are not left behind that leave you enthralled with all their magnificence coming alive in Brisbane. Towering buildings and other prominent structures are worth a visit. The city is speckled with a number of concert halls, art galleries, museums and auditoriums that make your stay a pleasurable one. No wonder it is lovingly known as “Las Vegas of Australia.”

Brisbane, Australia
Image courtesy :www.royalcaribbean.com
Coast to Coast

For the love of sea, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast are best bet. Just a few minutes from the main city, these coastal pitches are blessed with some of the finest beaches in the world. If you are one of those who cannot complete a vacation without feeling the breezy waves of the ocean, these are haven for you. Surfing is beyond fun at these coastal lines of Brisbane.

 That's Brisbane for you!

Brisbane is definitely an adventure wonderland. A number of thrilling activities keep the vacationers engaged during a relaxing break. You can pay a visit to the places of interest such as Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane Skyneedle, Early Street Historical Village and the list is endless.

The attractions in Brisbane are simply beyond compare as they take you on a wonderful joy ride!