Historical and Tourist Sites

The Port of Annaba has long been a busy place for sea trade and commerce. With the huge increase in tourist visits, the Port of Annaba is now known more for its beautiful beaches and for its cultural heritage.  A modern city has developed alongside the centuries-old architecture which has many French and Islamic influences.

Situated in the old town are early French houses and the 11th century Mosque of SidiBou Merouan, which was built with columns that have been taken from Roman ruins. The Church of Saint-Augustine of Hippo is a beautiful Cathedral that houses a holy relic known as the hand of Saint Augustine.  It is frequently a destination in the itineraries of Christian pilgrimages. Downtown Annaba has a central square called “Le Cours,” where many local cafes and ice cream parlours can be found.  There are also many fine examples of French colonial architecture, which contrasts with the modern structures around the town.

Notable Monuments

The Old City of Azerbaijan’s historical features includes rock paintings from the Bronze Age and several important monuments from the Middle Ages. Some of the notable monuments include: 

Qiz Qalasi or The Mainden Tower is a UNESCO heritage site that looks out over Baku Bay.  Legend has it that the Khan’s daughter threw herself from the tower to escape imprisonment.  The tower’s construction is unique in that different levels of the tower have been added across five centuries from the 6th century through the 12th century and has superb views of the bay. 

The Palace citadel of the Shivranshahs is a sprawling complex that includes the main palace, a stone bathhouse, the family mausoleum and the grand pavilion.  The baths were rumoured to have therapeutic properties. The architecture of this grand palace complex shows extraordinary detail, especially seen in the entrance to the tombs. 

Arguably the most interesting monument in terms of religious affiliation, the Ateshgah Fire Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the heart of a largely Persian and Arab city.  This temple is a holy place to Zoroastrian and Hindu people and the flames that lit the four corners of the temple roof and within the main sanctuary were supplied by natural gas deposits below the temple structure. 

Other Sights 

The Old City is a significantly large complex that requires several days to explore with other monuments in the surrounding areas such as Icheri Sheher, the tomb of the great poet Nizami and the mighty mountains of Yanar Dagh.  For the student or tourist, Azerbaijan is a city of cultural delights.

Places to Visit

Interlaken’s ski slopes offer opportunities for the beginner and the professional.  The Jungfrau region has more than 160 km of ski trails and some of the most challenging slopes and jumps in Europe.  The slopes surrounding Lake Brienz and Lake Thun have slopes for skiers and snowboarders all the year round, though in the off-season many of the slopes are off-limits due to snow and low visibility.  The most well known and challenging of these slopes include the run from Schilthorn to Lauterbrunnen, a 2200-metre descent. Intermediate slopes include Mürren, Grindelwald, and Wengen.  Wilderswil is a popular slope with beginners and has several ski instructors for the day. 

Interlaken Hotels and Refreshment 

Höheweg and Jungfraustrasse are the primary centres where hotels and cafes are located and a visitor may sample authentic Swiss fondue, pastry and Pilsner.  There are several hotels located on the main street, but with a large number of tourists who stay for at least several days, Bed & Breakfasts are far more popular in Interlaken – the land between two lakes.

Travellers seeking accommodation in the King’s Cross area should investigate Argyle Gardens. This quiet garden square only a couple of minutes stroll from King’s Cross Railway Station has many London bed and breakfasts, mostly housed in tall Victorian terraced houses. Being in such close proximity to one another, prices in Argyle Gardens are competitive and it is wise to make comparisons to ensure you get the best deal.This fierce competition has the added advantage of keeping standards at a reasonable level. This type of accommodation is quite basic but if all you require is somewhere comfortable to sleep and a safe place to store your luggage, then these places are hard to beat. Note that older historical dwellings rarely have lifts.

In situations where several establishments offer the same level of accommodation it can be hard to separate one from the other. An area where differences often occur is breakfast provision. Check the type of breakfast on offer with your tariff. Is it a full English cooked breakfast? A continental breakfast with croissants and coffee? Or a basic buffet with cereals and toast? Make sure you get the breakfast you want at a price you are happy with.

Unlike some other parts of the world, a visitor from the UK does not need to produce their vaccination certificate to visit most of the countries in South America.

If you decide to take a seven-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise, you could end up visiting Italy, Greece and Turkey.  This cruise will allow you to walk in the streets of Athens or visit the romantic city of Naples.

Many people prefer to fly into Europe and start their cruise directly from there.  This option can save you a few days of travel and allow you to start sightseeing immediately.  Most fly cruises offer holidays lasting anywhere from seven days to 16 days.

Western Mediterranean cruises will take you to Rome, Barcelona, Sardinia and over to Monte Carlo.  Some cruise lines will offer visits to the North African coast of Tunis and over to Malta.

If you want to take a winter cruise, then the Southern Mediterranean cruises are a perfect choice.  A Southern cruise could take you to Egypt, Cyprus and Israel.

An Eastern Mediterranean cruise will have you visiting places such as Turkey, Istanbul and Greece.  The Greek Islands of Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini are popular destinations for visitors taking a cruise holiday.

There are certainly many different types of cruises available for anyone wanting to cruise the Mediterranean.  All you need to do is choose which countries you wish to visit first and book your cruise accordingly.

For example, you could go and visit the gothic John Rylands library, stroll around the sprawling Heaton Park, take a look at the artistic displays or attend a seminar at Whitworth Art Gallery.  Other places to see include Chester Zoo, Manchester Cathedral, a wealth of galleries and museums and huge shopping centres such as the Victoria Baths, Lowry, and the humungous Trafford Centre.

For later in the day, bars and restaurants are numerous so you can take your pick between Moroccan food, Italian food, tapas bars, Greek restaurants or English Bistros, to name but a few.  You just have to wander down a street until you find the right restaurant for you.  Alternatively, you could take advice from one of the friendly locals.

Archaeological Sites

Human settlement on the island dates back nearly 10,000 years, and Sicily has been an important location throughout history.  Several archaeological sites allow visitors to experience a bit of this long history.  Many of the ruins here date back to the time of the Greek colonies, about 600 B.C., or the later Roman occupation.  Both are included in the ruins found at Syracuse.  Naxos, near Taormina, was the earliest Greek colony and also has ruins that visitors can view.

Food

Sicilian food is simply outstanding.  With a long tradition of fishing, seafood is always on the menu.  Sicilians also use a lot of olive oil, tomatoes, and their unique variety of olive – called the Saracen olive – in their dishes.  All of the food here is influenced by the many cultures that have been present on the island throughout history; Arab and Spanish influences are particularly prevalent.  The desserts of Sicily are some of the best to be found anywhere in the world, and tourists should be sure try cannolis, granita, and cassata.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Sicily is quite lovely and there are plenty of ways for travellers to enjoy the outdoors here.  The beaches are plentiful, as are the mountains.  Visitors can sunbathe, swim, or enjoy water sports along the   coastline.  Those who like to hike can find trails in many of the mountains.  The Madonie Mountains in the centre of the island are home to the Madonie National Park which features hiking trails, wildlife, and stunning views of the Mediterranean.

Cruise itineraries are carefully planned to ensure there is something to please everyone. Helping to make your holiday dreams come true, allow them to spoil you as you take in numerous lazy days on deck, or run along the perfect white sands on secluded island beaches. The carefully selected ports of call will be the ideal place for passengers to soak up the history and culture of some of the greatest holiday destinations in the world.  

The cruise ship operator, Imagine Cruising, has taken into consideration all the comforts that any passenger could want. The cruise lines operate with only the best available ships. These vessels are equipped with great amenities that include restaurants, on-board activities and very high quality entertainment. Food, drinks and all the fun you can fit into your stay onboard are included in the price of your cruise. Not only do they offer great cruise deals all year round, they also ensure that passengers know about their optional cruise and stay deals. 

This is one of the greatest ways to enjoy an adventure at sea while keeping cash in your pocket. Imagine Cruising offers great deals from their many departure points, including last minute cruises. Choose the length of your holiday and the dates you wish to be sailing at sea and they will provide you with the best deals available for those times, it’s that simple.

Fraser Island is the largest sand island on earth, yet there is much more to it than sand. The flora and fauna are stunning in their diversity, and it is here that tourists can see the purest type of dingo, a wild dog native to Australia. The inland area consists of towering tropical rainforest, while the outer ring of the island features everything from mangrove forest to cliffs and salt pans.

Accommodation is equally diverse, ranging from luxury resort hotels to inexpensive motel units. There are even campsites available on the beach for tourists who want an opportunity to get back to nature.

The Aborigines called this island K’gari, which means paradise – and few modern tourists would disagree.