The Culture Bank

Although it is easy to walk to many of the key attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, sometimes it is simpler and more comfortable to use public transport.

Options include the public bus, although this is predominately in Vietnamese, or taxis, which are plentiful and very cheap.  Other alternatives include taking a motorbike taxi called a XEOM or hiring a cyclo.

To avoid being overcharged travellers are encouraged to take one of two taxi companies.  Vinasun and Mai Linh are generally more reliable and are less likely to bump their prices up to tourists.  Be aware that there are several taxi companies with names that look remarkably similar.  Sometimes drivers speak English, but in most cases they do not, so be sure to have the destination written down.

A fun way to traverse the city is to take a XEOM, which is a motorbike taxi.  They are easily recognised as they hang around on street corners and often approach visitors.  Negotiate the fee first and be fair and enjoy the ride.  They usually provide a helmet, but if you wish to buy your own, they are readily available and cheap.

A cyclo is like a tricycle where the passenger sits in the front seat, so they have a prime view of all that goes before them.  Be sure to bargain with the driver before sitting down and be clear about where you are going.  They are a fantastic way to experience the sounds and views of the city.

If you have young children, you may have discounted Paris as a destination for a family break, but there is no need.  Paris is not all about couples’ romance; there is plenty for families to see and do too.

Paris is just a short flight away from the UK, or alternatively why not travel by train?  Small children often love the experience, and the train has the benefit of more space, more opportunities to stretch your legs and fewer luggage constraints.  Departing from St Pancras station in London, the Eurostar high-speed train can whisk your family away to the French capital in around 2 hours 15 minutes.

Once you are there, Paris has a plethora of family friendly small hotels or B&Bs happy to accommodate you and your offspring, or you could choose a small apartment; well-known apartment chains Citadines and Adagio both have a number of locations in Paris and there are many privately owned rentals too.

What to do?  For a start, there are parks and playgrounds all over Paris, so you will never be far from a place to play.  The Jardin Des Tuileries, next to the Louvre, is free of cars and offers a range of fountains, sculpture and meeting places including an impressive children’s carousel and a little pond for toy boats.

Taking a ride on the Batobus enables everyone to have a rest from walking whilst seeing some of Paris’s amazing sights, as well as proving an efficient way to get around with a buggy or toddler.

Just standing underneath the Eiffel Tower is an amazing experience, and there is a trail around (and up) the Tower designed just for 6 to 10 year olds.  Every evening, the Tower is lit up in a sparkling display for five minutes every hour on the hour.

As a short haul, short break destination, Paris has much to recommend it to families with children of all ages.

Copenhagen is the most well-known city in Denmark, but smaller cities such as Esbjerg also have much to offer visitors who wish to explore this small country that borders both the Baltic and North Seas. Esbjerg is located in southwest Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula.

The Men at Sea Monument

The internationally recognised symbol of Esbjerg, the Men at Sea Monument, was initially erected to celebrate 100 years of city history. A tribute to the many Danes who have made their living on the local waters of this seafaring nation, the monument is comprised of four enormous statues of seated figures staring out to sea.  

Nearby stands the Fisheries and Maritime Museum. It clearly demonstrates to visitors how the sea has been important to Esbjerg and Denmark over the course of the nation’s history. Together, these two sites make up one of the most visited places in southern Denmark.

The Esbjerg Museum

Also of interest to visitors is this museum, which displays artefacts from the age of the Vikings. One of its hallmark attractions is its amber collection; some specimens date back more than ten millennia.

Paris is very easy to travel to from the UK, with cheap flights from budget airlines or a trip on the Eurostar taking just a few hours.  The culture is greatly different to that of London or Manchester.  There are many different regions of Paris – arty Montmartre; the food-orientated Latin Quarter; the upmarket Champs-Elysées and of course, the tourist havens of the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower areas.  Practically in every corner of Paris you will come across tea rooms, quaint bars, cute cafes and very inviting bistros.  Other regular stops are “crêperies” that sell pancakes, patisseries and of course, plenty of shops where you can buy clothing and accessories or a unique piece of art.

The museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art and Le Louvre, will take you at least a day each to appreciate, so, if you are only going for a long weekend then plan in advance.  Also, buy your ticket for Le Louvre in advance online else you will find yourself queuing up for hours.  From Le Louvre, you can walk through picturesque parks until you reach the “Arc de Triomphe”, and of course, featuring on the horizon throughout the city you will see the Eiffel Tower.  The iconic tower must be experienced by all those not afraid of heights, but, beware of long queues in the busy season.  At night you have more luck of avoiding large crowds and also to experience the full glory of the Tower lighting up and shining on the surface of river La Seine.

Guided tours or a hop-on-hop-off bus are good ways to get around the main tourist areas of Paris quickly.  However, you will see more interesting and are more likely to discover hidden away places on foot with a little help from a map and a book of “Métro” tickets; ask for day tickets that can get you to places for a whole day.  For example, venture past “Père Lachaise” Cemetery and you will find the final resting places of Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Proust or Jim Morrison.

What makes one of England’s smallest cities such a cool place?  Two words: history and culture.  Dotted across the Bristol landscape, you’ll find a record of its rich past.  John Cabot, who discovered North America aboard his boat The Mathew, set sail from Bristol, and the replica of his vessel still proudly does the rounds of the harbour now.  Also seen in the city is the ever-present engineering legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, from the majestic SS Great Britain to the iconic and beautiful Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Bristol is a hotbed of creativity.  There is an edgy urban arts community known as the Stokes Croft People’s Republic, a must-see if you are a fan of graffiti.  One of the city’s most famous sons, Banksy, and his art still dominate many urban buildings in the centre, and makes for an interesting arts trail.  Bristol boasts one of the most vibrant and eclectic music scenes in the country.  Big names hail from this fair city – Massive Attack, Roni Size and Portishead give it a musical pedigree not to be sniffed at.

Bristol has the perfect riverside setting to celebrate all this wonderful culture, so it is no surprise there are countless festivals that take place here.  From the sedate kite and balloon festivals, to the lively Brisfest and Harbour Festival, this is the place to visit of a summer weekend. If food and drink is your thing, Bristol caters for all tastes, from sushi bars, cider barges, chocolate cafés, exquisite fine dining to everything else between.

There is always something for someone going on in Bristol.  It is a place where it is impossible to become bored.

Although mostly known as the place of Mardi Gras, the city of New Orleans has so much more to offer. The Crescent City, as it is often referred to, is home to the world’s largest party. It is also home to world-renowned restaurants, first class shopping, the mighty Mississippi, and unforgettable jazz. Being the birthplace of jazz, visitors won’t have to go far to find an establishment that allows for an evening of jazz music. If this is your first time you will also be introduced to other musical genres that include zydeco, blues and ragtime. New Orleans is also noted as having the best Creole gumbo in the world.

A stroll through the city will allow you to get a feel for what New Orleans is about with its numerous plantation homes that still remain. You will also discover a city full of museums and family attractions that include the Aquarium of the Americas, Six Flags New Orleans, Audubon Zoo and Entergy IMAX.

A favorite place in the city for many visitors and locals alike is the French Quarter. This beautiful area of New Orleans is accented with original cobblestone streets. Here you will find one-of-a-kind souvenirs, paintings, tailored clothing and hand carved furnishings. Not far away is the famous Bourbon Street where exciting and vibrant nighttime entertainment can be had.

No matter what time of the year you choose to visit New Orleans you will never be out of things to do. If you arrive around the end of February you will be pleased to know this is often the time of Mardi Gras. Although much of Mardi Gras is programmed for adult entertainment, Mardi Gras is still a family event.

Due to the pleasant year round climate, there is much to do outside of Mardi Gras. During the other months of the year, visit the Voodoo Cemetery to satisfy the thrill seekers in your group. You can also take the family for a unique dinner cruise experience as they enjoy a steamboat trip along the mighty Mississippi or an unforgettable swamp tour full of crocodiles.

A trip to London is a big deal for many people.  The world-class city is home to so many interesting sites and things to do that a visitor would need months to see it all.  The museums, historic sites, shopping, theatre, dining, and pubs are seemingly endless.

When planning a trip to the city of London, one of the first things to do is find a place to stay.  Visitors to London can choose to stay in a traditional hotel, a bed and breakfast, or a hostel.  The choice of type of residence depends upon budget and needs.  Hostel’s provide minimal amenities, but are very inexpensive.  Bed and breakfasts range in price and offer a friendly atmosphere with very welcoming hosts.  Hotels are more traditional and can offer a range of costs and amenities.

When choosing a place to stay, visitors must also select a location within the city.  London is very large and is made up of many districts, each with something to offer the traveller.  Central spots like King’s Cross are often popular with tourists.  This district is home to a large train station, which makes it very convenient.  It is a hub for the National Rail services, so visitors staying here can easily get to any other part of the country.  It is also a major tube stop for easy trips around the city of London.

Kings Cross hotels are also a good choice for tourists because of the nearby attractions.  The British Library is within walking distance and showcases several historically important works.  The Camley Street Natural Park is a great place for a walk and for history the St. Pancras Old Church is worth a stop.  For fans of Harry Potter, King’s Cross is a must for seeing the famous Platform 9 ¾.

New York is the perfect destination for an autumnal holiday. The weather is mild and calm, the streets are not as packed with hordes of tourists as they are during the summer, yet there are still plenty of activities and celebrations to see and take part in.

As autumn creeps up on the city, the parks and green areas of New York become a multi-hued canvas as the foliage changes to vivid shades of reds and orange. From wandering through central park to taking a ferry along the Hudson River, New York offers a unique look at the changing seasons.

Throughout autumn, there are festivals and celebrations galore. There is Labor Day in September, Columbus Day in mid-October and Veteran’s Day in November, not to mention a whole host of other festivities; autumn is certainly a time for parades in New York. 

Labor Day celebrates the working American. It takes place on the first Monday in September each year. Officially the last weekend of summer, most banks, post offices and schools are closed, though shops and restaurants generally remain open. The day is celebrated on the second Saturday of the month with a huge parade through the city.

The Columbus Day celebration takes place on the second Monday in October and involves some 35,000 people divided into 100 groups, with bands and floats. Attracting nearly one million spectators, Columbus Day is the largest celebration of Italian-American culture in the world.

New York celebrates Veteran’s Day with a parade of marchers, floats and marching bands comprised of active officers, veteran’s groups, the families of veterans and junior ROTC members.

As a city that is filled with almost everything imaginable, it is easy to see why Berlin is a natural attraction for the curious.  It is home to some of Germany’s greatest memorials, monuments and museums.

For the first time visitor to Berlin, make your way to the Brandenburg Gate.  This magnificent monument is one of the last remaining gates that, during medieval times, was used to enter the city.  Construction on the gate began in 1788 as a symbol of peace.  The gate sat in no man’s land during the years Berlin was divided into east and west.  Quadriga, the four-horse chariot on top of the gate, is a symbol of triumph.  It is by far one of Berlin’s key landmarks, and remains a distinguished symbol of the city.
 
No matter how many times you visit Berlin, a trip to the East Side Gallery is a must.  This mile long portion of the original Berlin Wall still displays more than 100 paintings, which are all found along the east side of the wall.  The wall remained completely untouched until its destruction in 1989.  Many of the paintings depict scenes of international freedom.

One of the most noted museums in Europe, the Pergamon Museum is the most impressive in all of Berlin.  Named after the ancient Greek city, it was opened in 1930 after a long construction delay due to World War I.  Joining several other museums in Berlin, the Pergamon Museum is located on Museum Island and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

No matter how many times you visit Paris, France, there is always something new to see.  For a truly breathtaking sight, head upstairs inside Sainte Chapelle, and admire the 15 magnificently designed stained glass panels.  These panels were special made by Louis IX, and tell more than 1,100 stories.

To see Les Égouts de Paris, or the Eiffel Tower, is often a reason many people go to Paris.  Even though it is often crowded, it is still worth seeing.  During the day, ride to the very top and enjoy a  spectacular 360-degree view of the city. At night, marvel as the tower sparkles under the Paris skies. 

Paris is a wonderful place to take in a live show.  If you are looking for great night-time entertainment, Moulin Rouge offers a world class Parisian cabaret.  This show comes complete with a full dinner and half bottle of wine.

Do not miss out on a day of traditional French food and shopping.  Make your way to Rue Cler, and enjoy an endless pedestrian heaven of edible delights.  This bustling area of Paris is filled with everything food-related, including French baguettes, tarts and pastries, fresh fruit, wheels of cheese, chocolate, and crêpes.

Art lovers will want to make time to visit the home of Claude Monet.  Located along the Seine Valley drive, visitors can view the large collection of Japanese impressions, then tour through his famous garden, which was the inspiration for many of his most famous paintings.