The Culture Bank

There are very few cities in the world that are as romantic as Paris.  The bright lights, romantic sights, and exciting city atmosphere make Paris one of the most popular holiday locations in Europe.  From shopping to romantic dining, there are lots of attractions for holiday goers in Paris.

The most popular monument in Paris is the Eiffel Tower.  The long wait is definitely worth it; from the top of the tower, you can see all of Paris.  It is particularly beautiful at night, when the lights illuminate the entire city. 

If you’re interested in history and culture, Paris has a lot to offer in those areas too.  Versailles lies just outside of Paris.  The Versailles Palace was originally designed as a hunting lodge.  However, it’s now the most famous palace in the world.  After being expanded, the palace served as the model for future buildings.  It’s adorned with beautiful gardens and art galleries. The Arc de Triomphe is another piece of Parisian history.  It is located at the Place Charles de Gaulle, and it was built to memorialise the victories of Napoleon.

People who visit Paris in the spring or summer also have their fair share of outdoor activities to experience.  There are lots of parks and open areas in Paris. One of the most popular parks in Paris is the Jardin du Luxembourg, a park that began as a private park for a queen.

With all of the attractions available in Paris, holiday goers can spend their time in the hustle and bustle of the city, shopping, experiencing Parisian history or relaxing in a park.

The eastern part of the Federal Republic of Germany, recently reintegrated after the collapse of Communism, is full of cultural and historic treasures that have been largely unexplored compared with the west, but the area is becoming increasingly attractive to holidaymakers.

Visitors are attracted by the lake district of Lower Brandenburg, hiking trails in the Hartz Mountains of Saxony-Anhalt and the Lusatian Mountains, the picturesque valley of the Elbe River and the vast Thuringian Forest, all in the eastern part of Germany and largely undiscovered.

All the regions of Germany have their own local traditions, festivals, traditional costumes, cuisines and even beers, and eastern Germany is no exception.  It is rediscovering its heritage with a vengeance, and experiencing great growth in tourism.

Historic sites, ranging from grand architecture in Dresden and Leipzig, to huge baroque buildings in Potsdam and Brandenburg, and the high culture of Weimar in Thuringia, home of Goethe, are drawing adventurous tourists looking for something a bit more vibrant in their holidays.

The huge Gothic cathedral in Naumburg is one of the greatest structures in Germany, with huge statues of its founders gracing the walls of the presbytery, and in Potsdam the Baroque summer residence of King Frederick the Great is set in a landscape of vineyards and gardens and rivals Versailles in its magnificence.

Visit eastern Germany and discover some of the hidden architectural and cultural gems in this perennially fascinating country.

New Delhi, India, has been a thriving city since well before the time of Christ—although, of course, not known then by its current name.  The city of Delhi has existed for thousands of years, but the newer area of the city, known as New Delhi, was laid out by the British.  New Delhi is considered the eighth city, overlying seven ancient cities, and containing many of their historic buildings and markers.
 
When in New Delhi, visit the Qutab Minar Complex, the world’s tallest brick minaret.  It was on this site that northern India’s first mosque was built, and the rich history of this location is on display for visitors to see and marvel at.  Several companies offer tours of New Delhi, and a day tour is a wonderful way to see the city. 

During the period of British rule, called the Raj, many new buildings were constructed.  The Parliament House, India Gate, and the President’s House are all architecturally beautiful and worth a visit.  The monument to Mahatma Gandhi, simple yet powerful with its eternal flame, is definitely worth a stop, as well.
 
Spend some time in Old Delhi, or Shajahanabad, to experience life in the older section of the city.  Here there is constant movement, constant sound, and constant colour.  Stop at one of the many bazaars and haggle your way to a deal.  Purchasing some fabric, clothing or carpets is indispensible during your holiday.  The rich fabrics and textures will instantly remind you of your visit every time you look at them, and make you want to return often to this magical “eighth city” of India.

You’re thinking of going on holiday to the capital of Spain this year?  Whenever you go on holiday one of the most important things to think about is where you’re going to stay and what you’re expecting from your accommodation.  This article will provide you with some information to think about when choosing a hotel in Madrid.

Location

One of the main things to think about is the location of the hotel.  If you choose one which is close to the centre it might be more expensive, but you are likely to save money on taxis or other transportation because you can walk everywhere. Hotels which are further from the centre are generally cheaper and more spacious.

Amenities

You will need to consider what amenities you require.  For example, do you want a hotel which includes a free breakfast?  If you are visiting Madrid to sightsee it is probably a good idea to book a hotel that provides breakfast, because then you can eat well before you go out.  Do you need a swimming pool? This will probably be dependent on the purpose of your trip.  Are you here for a relaxing holiday? Or are you here to experience the city?

Accessibility from the Airport

If you are travelling with a lot of luggage you may need to take a taxi from the airport.  This can often be very expensive if the hotel is quite far into the city centre.  The metro or airport shuttle bus is usually the cheaper option, but what you need to think about is if there are any metro or bus stops close to your hotel.  If there aren’t, this could make for a difficult journey from the airport.

Seville is a beautiful Spanish city for holidaymakers.  It is the capital of Andalucía, a province in southern Spain.  Seville offers many features for visitors to enjoy, including the Guadalquivir River that runs through the city.  Seville is unique because of the various cultural influences that are evident in the city. 

The Moors occupied the city until 1248: many architectural features in the city still bear the mark of this occupation.  Despite the Moors’ occupation, Christianity has had a major influence in Seville.  The Seville Cathedral is one of the most impressive attractions in the region.  It is comparable to the beautiful cathedrals of St. Paul’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London.  In addition to the architecture, visitors can also enjoy the artwork within the cathedral.

When compared to the Seville Cathedral, the Moorish palace known as Alcazar of Seville demonstrates the variety of cultures that have played a role in the city’s history.  The architecture has an obvious Moorish influence, but there are Christian influences throughout the palace.  The gardens located within the palace walls are beautifully landscaped and are an ideal location for a relaxing walk.

If you wish to explore Seville’s history and culture, you should visit the Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Sevilla.  It features Spanish artwork, including some pieces by the famous Spanish artist El Greco.

When holidaymakers want to visit an area of historical significance, there is no better city to visit than Seville.  Packed with architectural wonders and artwork, Seville offers visitors a means of experiencing the highlights of Spanish history.

For holidaymakers that visit Japan, there are many different cities to visit.  Yokohama is a fun city for visitors, with its wide variety of activities, sights, and cultural attractions.  It is located only half an hour from Tokyo on the bullet train, so visitors staying in Japan’s capital city will have an easy time travelling to Yokohama.

There are several Chinatowns located throughout Japan, but the Chinatown located in Yokohama is the largest in Japan.  It is over 150 years old and is renowned for its variety of Chinese restaurants and Chinese gift shops.

Visitors that need a break from the bustle of Japan’s larger cities should take a trip to River Karasuyama.  It is close to the train line, so it is easy to find.  River Karasuyama is a narrow river that is lined with cherry trees on both sides.  With many benches along the river, it is a lovely place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Those travelling with children may enjoy the Hakkeijiima Sea Paradise, which can be accessed from the train line in Yokohama.  Hakkeijima Sea Paradise has an aquarium as well as an amusement park.  Some of the attractions here include dolphin shows, penguins, and an aquatic life museum.

A trip to Zoo Nogeyama is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon in Yokohama.  Admission is free and it is about 15 minutes from the city and features over 100 types of animals.

All of these attractions and more are what make Yokohama such an ideal destination to explore.  No matter what your interests, Yokohama has something to offer you.  Fine dining, nightlife, shopping, and cultural activities are just some of the options available.

Berlin has had a troubled and violent history and left a few unfortunate legacies and associations, but it is a city that has rediscovered its more cultured and civilised past, and is now a prime attraction on the Continent.  Maybe it’s precisely because of its past traumas that Berlin these days is one of the most open, welcoming and exciting cities in the world, as if making up for lost time.

Luxury Berlin holidays will introduce you to a fascinating city with a wealth of historic monuments and buildings, as well as some of the best shopping around.  Take a tour of the world-class museums and art galleries, stroll in extensive parkland and experience the fantastic nightlife.  Music is in Berlin’s soul, from cabaret to classical concerts and the very latest in-house music.

This multi-cultural city has some of the most varied cuisine in Germany, from traditional Teutonic fare to Thai, Turkish, Chinese and much more besides, and is a gourmet capital.

Famous places to explore on a luxury break include Berlin Zoo, Reichstag and the great Brandenburg Gate, symbol of the city.

Luxury holidays cater for your usual needs and then add another layer of service to make your stay as enjoyable as possible, including collection from the airport and valeting.  There’s no better way to see a pulsating city such as Berlin, where there’s so much to see and do that you don’t have time for attending to anything not relevant to your enjoyment of the vacation.

New York City is a hugely popular holiday destination, with many breathtaking sights to behold.  This article aims to provide you with information on the attractions of New York that you simply can’t miss out on when visiting this fantastic city.

Times Square

Times Square is located between sixth and eighth avenues.  There’s so much to look at, from the dazzling lights to the huge bright advertisements.  There always seems to be something going on in Times Square.  It is a particularly appealing sight on New Year’s Eve when about a million people gather to ring in the New Year.  Remember your camera; there’s so much you will want to take pictures of.

Central Park

Central Park is an 843-acre park in the heart of New York City.  In the winter it offers outdoor ice skating, and in the spring you can see the blossom on the trees.  Many people go to the park to sit in the sunshine and eat their lunch or to ride on their bikes.  You can also take a horse and carriage ride around the park. 

The Empire State Building

You cannot miss out on seeing the Empire State Building when you visit New York City.  For a small price you can go right to the top, which is the highest viewing point in the city.

The Statue of Liberty

Take the Staten Island Ferry for free across to Staten Island, and on the way you’ll be able to see breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty.

If you are lucky enough to be taking a trip or a holiday to the exciting city of Tokyo in Japan, you’re sure to want to know all of the best places to eat out to try the local Japanese cuisine.  This article gives brief overviews of some popular places to eat out in Tokyo.

Tajimaya

Tajimaya is a restaurant located on the 9th floor of the Yodo-Bashi Centre in Akihabara, Tokyo.  This restaurant is famous for its traditional Japanese hotpots: you cook your own meat and vegetables in boiling water.  A recommended dish is the Shabu Shabu.  This is thin beef cooked with vegetables.  It’s served with various dipping sauces.  Tajimaya is open daily from 11am to 11pm.

Kushimura

This Roppongi restaurant is very inexpensive, and it is recommended that you order the ’10 piece’.  The 10 piece is comprised of a number of different dishes served directly after one another.  This gives you a chance to try a little bit of everything delicious that they have to offer.  Kushimura is situated along Roppongi in Japan.  It’s open from Monday to Saturday from 5:30pm to 11pm. 

Gonpachi

Gonpachi is situated at Nishi-Azabu Minato-ku, along Roppongi in Tokyo.  This restaurant offers huge amounts of traditional Japanese food from large plates of noodles to ‘yakitori’ (skewers) and sushi.  There is sure to be something here to suit everybody’s taste buds.  It is recommended that you book in advance because this restaurant is very popular.  Gonpachi is open daily from 11:30am to 6am.

If you are looking for city breaks that take you a little further from home, consider one of these exotic destinations:

China

Explore Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall or the Silk Alley Market.  Head to Shanghai for city breaks that put you at the heart of one of Asia’s most vibrant cities; shopping, art, river cruises and great nightlife abound.  Sample traditional Chinese delicacies in a fantastic restaurant or at one of the many street carts favoured by the locals.

Egypt

Not much beats the glamour and mystery of weekend breaks to Egypt.  The sights of urban Cairo, the legendary Pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx and the priceless treasures at the Egyptian Museum will leave you breathless.

Morocco

Exotic Marrakech is gaining popularity as a prime destination for short breaks.  Snake charmers, souks, mystics and ancient kasbahs are easy to find all over the city, but will be very hard to forget once you return home.

Jordan

Tour the famed Rose City of Petra, see the Shobak Crusader castle or Mount Nebo and take a relaxing dip in the salty Dead Sea during weekend breaks to Jordan.  There is plenty of history, but you will also be impressed by the growing modern sensibility in many urban areas.

Syria

Wander through Damascus, the oldest inhabited city in the world.  Ancient mosques, winding alleys, palaces, ruins and street markets combine to make this city feel like a living museum.  Short breaks to Syria are like nothing you have experienced before.