Cairo, Egypt

Cairo, القاهرة" - Al Qahira” Egypt

By Reham Rassmy

Cairo is the capital of Egypt, and one of the most beautiful cities in the Middle East which is famous for its unique history.

"Jewel of the East", as it is sometimes called, had been established by the Fatimid Commander “Jawhar the Sicilian” on year 969 AD.
When you visit Cairo, especially the Islamic places such as Khan El-Khalili, Al-Hussien, Al-Azhar, you feel like you are living in the old centuries and by the way, our famous late author (Nobel Prize Winner in Literature) Mr. Naguib Mahfouz, used to write his novels while enjoying his stay at Al-Fishawy coffee in Khan El Khalili.
Cairo and Giza are Known as Great Cairo, so when you are in Cairo you can visit the Egyptian Museum (known also as Cairo Museum), Old Islamic & Coptic Cairo, Khan-Khalili, a Nile Cruise at the sunset time, Pharaonic  Village, Azhar park, Whirling Dervishes shows in Saqiet El-Sawy, Cairo Opera House, many great Malls such as Citystars mall in Heliopolis, Tahrir Square off course where the Egyptian Revolution against the former president has occurred in 2011, Media production city in 6th of October, and much more..... are some of the places that are worth a visit when you are in Cairo, to name a few

In Giza you can visit: Great Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur if you have time , Don’t miss going there, it is worth visiting by all means.

A lot of Egyptians enjoy their weekends and vacations in the open air, they love having small boats at the Nile (felouka), enjoying traditional culture in Saqiet El Sawy, and many of them like going to malls where the most and various brands are exists.

Cairo has an extensive road network, rail system, subway system and maritime services.
Road transport is facilitated by personal vehicles, taxi cabs, privately owned public buses and Cairo microbuses. Cairo, specifically Ramses Square, is the centre of almost the entire Egyptian transportation network.
The best time to enjoy Cairo in a good weather is during October to April, so If you are travelling in Summer so Loose and light cotton clothing is absolutely essential. For women it is strongly advisable to dress conservative specially when visiting churches and mosques women should not wear shorts, mini-skirts or tank tops.
Bring shirts that cover your shoulders or T-shirts are fine, cover your legs with long, cotton skirts or jeans. If you follow this formula, it indicates a respect for the culture.

When you are hungry, you have various of traditional and tasty Egyptian fast food that is being served everywhere you go, such as Koshary (rice, lentils, caramelized onions, garlic and chickpeas, pasta and tomato sauce), fava beans (ful medames) and falafel, these are the most famous traditional food that you will find wherever you go. In addition to global restaurant companies, which offer their services everywhere.

Egyptian people are very friendly, helpful, and have a great sense of humor. Most of those people have graduated from universities and many of them speak good English and can communicate with you well if you need some help.
 If you want to visit a country that mixes traditions and modernity, I recommend for you my beloved Egypt, I am sure that this visit will remain in you mind for a very long time.
At the end, we have a famous saying that whoever drinks from the Nile he must get back again.

Cape Town, South Africa

A jewel at the southern end of Africa

By Anton Venter

Cape Town is the capital of the Western Cape province of South Africa. The city is the country's most popular tourist spot with pristine white beaches arranged around a peninsula. Restaurants offer international cuisine with local flavours added to the mix. Accommodation is available that suits every budget from backpacker to jet-setter.
Cape Town is the southern point of South Africa where the first settlers landed in 1652 to start the long journey of the country's development. The city is not the actual dividing point between Atlantic and Indian Oceans. That honour goes to Cape Agulhas, further south from Cape Town. There are a number of museums that depict Cape Town’s unique history. Many buildings have been preserved over time and those who appreciate historical architecture will not be disappointed.
The 2010 World Cup Soccer resulted in an upgrade of sport stadiums that included Cape Town. The event united the cultures of Cape Town. It showed that black, coloured, white or any colour in between can forget about their differences and make the city a place where tourists feel welcome and safe.
Wine lovers who visit Cape Town are in for a treat. The wine regions around the city are all within five to thirty minutes’ drive from the city. These regions include Durbanville (within Cape Town area) and regions outside the city, e.g. Stellenbosch, Paarl and Somerset West. All these wine farms offer tastings and many of them have also opened some of their vineyards to mountain biking with trails that vary from easy to strenuous.
The long list of restaurants represents cuisine from almost every country in the world. Some restaurants specialize in local cuisine (African, Cape Malay and Afrikaans) and their ambience is often enhanced by music and even dancing.
African menus typically include red meat, game, chicken and “pap” (porridge) with gravy. These restaurants can be found in well-heeled tourist spots as well as townships. Barbequing is a favourite pastime on weekends, combined with beer drinking and watching sport like rugby. You’d be hard pressed to find anything but red meat and sausage on those barbeque grids. An alternative to the grid is a “Potjie”, where a pot is hung over coals to slow-cook a stew of meat and vegetables. Other popular Afrikaans and Cape Malay foods include Bobotie (a kind of meatloaf) and Chakalaka (a garnish of Indian origin). Some of the desert favourites are Koesisters (twisted pastries) and Milktart.
Seafood features well on Cape Town’s menus. A variety of shellfish and line fish is available at most restaurants. Traditional local ways of processing fish are “Bokkoms” (dried and salted fish) and smoked “snoek” (a local fish snubbed by some due to its many bones but very tasty when smoked).
Open-top busses will take you to most tourist spots on the peninsula. Specialised tours are available to the "townships" where low-income housing can be seen with small businesses thriving on the streets. No visit to Cape Town will be complete without a trip up the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, the iconic feature of the city. From here you have views that compare with those of the world's most spectacular cities. The Victoria and Alfred waterfront has departure points for a selection of boat trips around the main harbour and out to beaches such as Clifton. Another favourite destination for a boat trip is Robben Island. There you will find a museum that commemorates the years when there was a fully functioning prison on the island with Nelson Mandela its most famous inmate.
In addition to the standard bus service, the city is phasing in a brand new rapid transport system with dedicated lanes for buses. It has not reached all suburbs yet, but already includes a route from the airport into the city centre. Metrorail trains run only on major routes around the city, but outlying stations include Stellenbosch, Paarl and Somerset West.
Minibus taxis provide a cheaper alternative to regular sedan taxis, but their courageous drivers may not be for the faint-hearted. Some locals are uncomfortable with minibus taxis, but they’re safe as long as they are used within regular hours. Minibus commuters have adopted a unique sign language for hailing a taxi. Using only one hand they communicate with the “gaatchie” (conductor) of an approaching taxi about its route and destination to ensure it’s the one for them.
Cape Town has some interesting outings for nature lovers. Two of these are within twenty minutes’ drive from the city centre. The World of Birds is situated in Houtbay, a vibrant fishing village on the western side of the peninsula. You can stroll through the largest bird enclosure in Africa, carefully watched by owls. Butterfly World is near Klapmuts, north-east of the city. Here you can mingle with free-flying butterflies within safe distance from scorpions and spiders.
Within thirty minutes from the city on the southern side of the peninsula, by car or a scenic train route right next to the ocean, there are the quant fishing villages of Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek. There is a good variety of restaurants in Kalk Bay, the most popular being the Brass Bell, which over the years has developed into a hot spot for younger people where you can choose from six dining areas that range from formal to informal. Those interested in antiques and books should reserve at least half a day to browse the shops in Kalk Bay.
General information
All banks are open Monday to Friday 8h30 to 15h30 and Saturday mornings. Some banks are open on Sunday mornings. ATMs are in abundance. Temperatures vary between 13° and 28°C through winter (May to August) and summer (September to April). Tap water is safe to drink. English is spoken everywhere while some locals speak Afrikaans, the language that has its roots in Dutch.
As far as security is concerned, the same international travel rules apply in Cape Town. Don’t have valuables on display and don’t venture into suspect areas late at night.

Helsinki, Finland

MyCity – Helsinki, Finland

 By Denise Ruthmann

Helsinki is the capital of Finland and it is lying in the very south of the country. The city has its very own charm and is not comparable to any other north European harbour town, because it has been influenced by Russian and West European cultures. With its great location directly at the sea, rich culture, the exotic seeming Finnish language and the kindness of its people Helsinki presents itself as a welcoming and attractive city, which remains long time in a visitors memories.

Most interesting is the very center of Helsinki. Here you can find modern shopping malls as well as individual little shops, international restaurants from all over the world as well as traditional Finnish cuisine, art, culture, entertainment and much more. It has been built in the style of classicism by its famous architect was Carl Ludwig Engel.
The most famous building in Finland is located in the center as well: The white cathedral or Tuomiokirkko in Finnish.

 You can find the beautiful building printed as a motive on countless postcards and also the inside of the cathedral is worth a visit. Right in front of the Tuomiokirkko lies the popular Senat Square which is surrounded by small shops and cafés and often venue of public gatherings and markets. Close by you can find the popular Kauppatori, a marketplace directly at the harbour which offers regularly creative, fresh and delicious products for all seasons. Especially interesting in the area of the Kauppatori are the ships which can bring you to Stockholm in Sweden, Tallinn in Estonia and Suomenlinna. The latter is a beautiful Finnish island right in front of Helsinki. In former times it was used as a sea fortress. Nowadays the island is a part of  the city and also inhabited by some. Suomenlinna is a green and lovely place with breathtaking views on the sea and loved to be visited by tourists as much as by Finns.

Beside the center also the parks of the Finnish capital are worth mentioning. Most well-known is a park called Kaivopuisto. This park is one of the oldest and most beautiful parks in all over Helsinki and lies directly at Helsinkis' coast. From here you have a perfect view on the sea, ships and small islands. The meadows of the park offer a great opportunity for picnics during summer time. Especially at the 1. of May, the official Finnish Vappu holiday, a visit in Kaivopuisto is the best hint you can get. At this occasion every year half Helsinki seems to gather in this park and celebrates Vappu with a lot of fun, music, beverages and grilled food.


So don't hesitate any longer, but come to visit this, both lively and lovely, city in the far north.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Viva Las Vegas

By Virginia Fidler

I live in Las Vegas.  If New York is the City that Never Sleeps, Las Vegas is the City That Winks.  Sin City doesn't take itself seriously.  It's all laid back.  There is an abundance of gambling, of course, but you can visit Las Vegas, never enter a casino, and still have the time of your life.

Vegas has absolutely no limits on when businesses can operate, so you can take care of business all night long, 365 days a year.  And you don't need to set foot on the Strip.  Public transportation takes you wherever you want.  Take a light sweater with you, because Vegas can hit the nippy 50s during the night.

Buy a car at 2:00 am and bring it to the all-night mechanic for a tune up.  Drop off your dry cleaning at the 24 hour dry cleaning place down the block.  Feel like some shopping?  It'll take awhile for your car to be fixed, so check out the electronics stores that's open.  You'll want some clothes for your trip, so see what the retail boutiques have on sale at 3:30 am.  Needless to say, most markets and drugstores never close.  And if your teeth start to hurt, drop by the never-closed dental clinics.  Dental hygiene doesn't stop at 4:00 am.

Of course, you need to be in shape for the new jeans you just bought, so stop by the numerous all-night fitness places.  The night is almost over, so you'll want to face the day looking fine. Choose one of the many beauty spas that never close and get your hair and nails done.  Before you get breakfast, catch the latest number one flick at a 24 hour cineplex.  And don't forget, if you feel like getting married, this is the place.

No doubt, you're ready for breakfast.  There are literally thousands of places where you can get your eggs, but don't forget that Las Vegas is filled with culinary giants.  It's where the likes of Michael Mina, Emeril Lagasse and Wolfgang Puck have opened shop. Vegas knows culinary bliss.

If you're in Las Vegas for a few days, take a side trip by bus or helicopter to the Grand Canyon.  It's an unbelievable experience.

Come to Las Vegas.  Since the casinos don't make their profits on rooms, luxury rooms are dirt cheap.  The entertainment is first class.  Every type of food can be hand, and the margaritas are 99 cents.  Shop at exclusive designer stores or go for discount outlets.  Where else do you find six (count 'em) Louis Vuitton shops within a few short blocks?
Viva Sin City!  There's no place like it.

Rivne, Ukraine

Picture By: ukrainetrek.com 

by Yulia Vashchuk

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is rich in cultural wealth and natural resources. Rivne is a city in northwest of this beautiful country. It has the status of the regional center, but it still remains as a small quiet town with a sincere, friendly and open people. You can see a lot of them walking in a nice square in the center of a town. If you arrive in Rivne and have nothing to do just go to its center. There you will feel what you are ready to do. Everyone who gets there feel friendly atmosphere and ease in your heart.

At a first glance the rhythm of life there may seem slow but people live here an active life. They just know how to relax if they want to do that. Young people engaged in a variety of sports. The most common are speedway and football. Basketball, volleyball, rugby, baseball and hockey are also popular. World Women's Checkers Championship  was in Rinve in 2011.
There are a few museums in Rivne. The most interesting and newest is an Amber Museum. Amber is known for its healing features and is produced in Rivne region.
If you like cultural centers you can visit Drama, organ hall, cinemas and art galleries.

Other ways people spend leisure time here are ice skating, rollerblading, skiing and skateboards. A lot of people visit gyms. In summer you can ride a bicycle or have a picnic. There is a beach on a river Ustya. In the end of spring people begin to spend a lot of time there having picnics and getting a suntan. Going out of town for a picnic is also very popular. There are a lot of woods there. If you wish you can pick berries and mushrooms there.
There are a lot of cafes and restaurants in Rivne. So if you feel freezzy walking in Winter you can find some quiet place to drink coffee, hot tea or to eat some tasty Ukrainian or non-Ukrainian meals. If you like fast food there is McDonalds and a lot of cafes serving pizza. You can have a picnic in one of the squares if you wish.
If you wish to have fun you can visit one of the disco clubs or karaoke.
There is a brewery and a bakery in Rivne. So you can try a lot of tasty things from there.
To get to their job people mostly use buses, trolleybuses and cars. But some sporty men use bicycles. It is easy to get to their work for people who live out of town because there are two bus stations and a train station in Rivne. To the closest places buses go every 15 minutes.
Religions of citizens mostly are Orthodox and Catholics. But there are nearly 26 of other confessions.
What to avoid there? Do not share how much money you have with the robbers. ))
Foreigners are frequent guests and always leave the city with lots of positive experiences.

europe

Grecia, Costa Rica

Invitation to my city: Grecia, Costa Rica

Written by Dovile Vaigauskaite


Grecia, though called after European country (in Spanish "Grecia" means Greece), is a typical Costa Rican town. What I like about it is that it is not too big and not too small - it is just perfect. No traffic jams, only few traffic lights, lots of people walking to take care of their errands in hundreds of little shops. You can find almost anything you need here, even a cinema!

Attractions:

Grecia canton has approximately 78 000 inhabitants, although the city itself is much smaller - approximately 15 000 persons call Grecia town their home. Situated on the southwestern slope of famous Poas volcano, and being only 40 minutes ride from San Jose International airport, Grecia is a perfect touristic spot. Most of the visitors are drawn here for its famous metal church - the Cathedral of Our Virgin Mercedes.

After yet another fire had damaged old wooden church back in the 19th century, the locals decided to re-build the church from metal so that no fire could damage it ever again. The metal sheets were shipped all the way from Belgium in 1890 (although some urban legend states that the Belgian metal came to Grecia by mistake: it was meant to be shipped to Greece, and not Costa Rica). The locals take great care of their beloved monument - the church's facade is being painted every few years, although the color always remains the same, deep bordeaux. If you are interested in the history of Grecia canton, visit Regional Museum of Grecia, situated next-door to the church.

Another local attraction is the snake museum  "Snake World" (Mundo de los Serpientes in Spanish), situated in the outskirts of Grecia. It is quite famous among the snake fans, as this place is known for breeding a variety of species, some of which are quite rare. Snake World has around 150 snakes of 50 different species. I am not a big fan of these reptiles, but even I found the tour very interesting and informative (I could not believe how much of misconceptions we have about these animals). Recently, the museum has become a center for rescued wild animals, which means that you may be lucky to see other than snakes animals too.


Costa Rica is a land of nature, abundant in waterfalls. Grecia is proud of one too - Los Chorros waterfall. You will not be ran over by masses of tourists here, as the place is mostly visited by locals. So if you can, head there on a weekday instead of a weekend. Also, bring your lunch: the place has few spots with tables and benches, great for a picnic. Getting to Los Chorros is best by hiring a taxi.

Grecia is a great place to stay overnight and do some day trips. Sarchi, famous for its woodwork artisans, is only 10 minutes drive away. Make sure to visit the factory of the chariots ("carretas" as they are called in Spanish) and the church in the main square. You can see the Poas volcano, famous for being the most accessible volcano in the world, from Grecia center: it is only 45 minutes drive away. If you do go to see Poas, make sure to stop at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Although the ticket price is a bit much (35 USD), it is totally worth it. The Gardens do not only have 5 most beautiful waterfalls, but also a butterfly observatory, frog pond (most of the frogs that live there you would never see in wilderness), a hummingbird garden, aviary, snakes (yes, more snakes), monkeys' house and even jungle cat exhibit. This is one of my favorite local attraction.

Local food:

Grecia is a great example of typical Costa Rican life. Most residents work in farming sector, growing sugar cane and coffee. Therefore, Grecia is a perfect place to indulge your thirst for coffee. Make sure to grab few bags of local coffee to bring home (any Costa Rican coffee bought in a supermarket is good). If you are interested in how coffee is grown, visit Doka Coffee Plantation: their tours and coffee are famous worldwide. My favorite place to take coffee in Grecia is Las Delicias, a cafe situated on the corner down from the church. Its a great spot for people-watching and for some tasty deserts.

Costa Rican traditional food is quite simple yet tasty. Most typical dish is a so-called "casado" (translated from Spanish, a married man's meal), which comprises rice, beans, salad, fried plantains, meat/poultry/fish of your choise, and fried egg. With one dish like this you will be satisfied for almost a whole day, and you will pay 4-5 USD for it in Grecia. I recommend "El Rancho de Nelson", a family owned restaurant not far from the church, on the same street as the bus station. Make sure to try their milk shakes.



If it happens to be a warm day (Grecia has a very comfortable climate as it is never too hot or too cold), go to ice cream parlor "POPS". I truly believe they have the best ice cream in the world. My personal favorite is coconut and mango.

Every Friday afternoon and Saturday morning there is a local farmers' market (on the road to shopping mall "El Ingenio"). Visiting the market is an experience of its own, where you will definitely see fruits and vegetables you have never seen before.

Local peculiarities:

Although Grecia is a small town, having a map with you is a good idea as it is easy to get lost. Bear in mind, that there are no addresses in Costa Rica. As shocking and scary as it may sound, locals have lived without them for ages, and most foreigners survive too. You find places through geographic indications, e.g. 100 metros south of the church. Having a compass (or a good GPS) will help a lot. And make sure you know which church exactly is meant...

You can reach places by public bus or taxi. Grecia, and the surrounding towns and villages, are very safe and taxi drivers will not try to cheat you on the fare. Still, make sure the taxi meter is on, to avoid any possible misunderstandings.

Costa Ricans are known to be the happiest people in the world. Actually, the thing that attracted me to this country were its people. They will always smile and help you, even if they do not speak English or are busy with something else. Due to their politeness, Ticos (as Costa Ricans are called) will avoid saying "no" or "I don't know" not wanting to disappoint you. However this can cause some inconveniences when you ask for directions, and a good-intending Tico sends you totally the wrong way. It is always a good idea to ask another person the same thing, just to make sure you are headed the right direction.

People will greet you with "pura vida", which literally translates to "life is pure" and is used as "how are you?" in English. However, "pura vida" means much more than this - it is a Costa Rican way of life. Take things easy and enjoy the moment. I hope you enjoy Grecia, my pura vida town.

central America

Pokhara City, Nepal

Pokhara City, Nepal, Asia

by Suman Ojha

Pokhara is the most beautiful city of country Nepal. It is a valley bounded by gorgeous green hills.
Within the valley also, there are little hills which culminate the beauty of the city. Beyond the surrounding hills are the snow-white mountains that can be seen from several parts of the city and more vividly from top of the nearby hills. Pokhara is a little heaven on a small land.

Nature has blessed the city with a number of bounties. It is also called city of Lakes. There are several lakes within the valley among which
Fewa Lake and Begnas lake have been the heart of the city. In addition, there are several adventurous caves like Mahendra Cave, Bats’ Cave and Gupteshower Cave. Devi’s Fall is another interesting and should-be-visited aspect of Pokhara. This is not the end, Seti River which flows through the heart of the city is well known for the George structures it has created through the path. These are only the natural gifts of the city; besides, there are several culturally and religiously valuable assets as well. World Peace Pagoda (at the top of hill surrounding Fewa Lake), Matepani Gumpa and Bindabasini Temple are other important cultural places for tourists.
A lot of opportunities are also available for adventurous people. If one wishes to see the whole valley in a glance, s/he might go to Sarankot Hill. It’s a tall hill on the western side of Pokhara valley from where you can get a telescope to view the every detail of the city. Moreover, you can do Paragliding over the Fewa Lake and in the sky above the city to enjoy the all round beauty. If this doesn’t satisfy you, then experiencing the world's steepest, fastest and tallest Zip Line will be waiting for you to give the ultimate thrill.
If tourists happen to visit around the New Year (January 1), they become lucky to experience Street Festival at the Lake Side (area near Fewa Lake). During this festival, Lake Side glows in light for the whole night. Moreover, during the time of October and November, tourists can see people celebrating Dashain (the greatest festival of Hindus). The festival runs for 10 days and all the people throughout the country celebrate this festival regardless of their religion. People take ‘tika’ on their forehead and blessings from their elders. Relatives living far away meet together on the occasion of Dashain festival and share their happiness and sorrows. Similarly, Holi is another exciting festival that is celebrated here. In this festival, people play by throwing colored powders on each other. It is believed as a celebration of victory of divine over the devil in the ancient past.
Tourists can move from one place to another within the city in public buses. However, if they have enough money, taxis can be easily available to them. In addition, they can hire a cycle for short rides and bike for long distance tours.
Another interesting speciality of Pokhara is Rainfall. It is the city that has the highest rainfall record throughout the country. Monsoon season is the best time to visit Pokhara for rain lovers. However, it can be annoying if the days become cloudy and one doesn’t get chance to get the view of bright mountains. Also, heavy rainfall might be unfavorable if one is planning to do boating. Yet, if you are fond of rafting, this is the best time for you.

These were only a few things about Pokhara city. No absolute beauty can be described in words, since it lies in the eyes of the beholder. So, visit Pokhara city and explore its immense beauty and hidden treasures.

Hurghada, Egypt

Come To Visit Us On Hurghada.

By Jojo Sam

Come to Hurghada! It was a tiny fishing village which is located on the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea. Now it is a beautiful resort beside the Red Sea. Visit the little islands. Enjoy with sunshine and hot weather all times of the year, so when you decide, any time of year is a good time to come here. Swim and dive in the clear water in the summer, Hurghada is hotter than Cairo but the water is cool. Visitors can fly from Cairo or Go by boat from Sinai to the harbour at Sigala. They can also fly directly to Hurghada airport as Hurghada is served by an international airport that has a number of direct connections to most cities in all over the world


Each year thousands of visitors arrive to Hurghada from around the world. Most of holidaymakers and travelers choose to visit Hurghada for the variety of water sports especially snorkeling and SCUBA diving. Visitors to Hurghada will find a lot of reputable dive shops offering amazing day trips, instruction for divers of all levels of experience and all kind of equipment to hire.
Although there are many visitors come to Hurghada for the amazing diving and water sports, there are more come to enjoy the hospitality of the many luxury holiday villages and hotels. El Gouna resort is one of the most famous resorts at Hurgada, Grand Resort Hurghda is also a special place deserves to be visited and a lot of wonderful resorts that are very unique, and they provide the entire home comforts. Here, you may find something a bit different on your holiday. For example, you can enjoy a camel trek in the desert.

You can buy all your living needs from the local market in El Dahar, or you can visit Senzo mol "big famous department store" where you will buy all your needs in the same price they are sold for citizens. Also all transportation tools are available all the time to any place in very cheap prices.
Although all Egyptian people famous for their hospitality, but when you visit Hurghada avoid taking a taxi without make sure of price and driver license. Because of some bad drivers who has bad behavior to ask tourists for more money. Nowadays, even all Egypt has some troubles because of its revolution, Hurghada still a peaceful place, away of all shapes of troubles.
Come to visit us in Hurghada, if you come, promise you will never forget your tour.