Greece is well known for its more than two thousand islands of which just hundred are inhabited and most of them are situated in the Aegean Sea, with the Aegean Islands being quite peculiar in them as even though most of these islands lay in close proximity to one another, their culture and history is still quite different from one another. No matter that their architecture as well as geophysical features is different, there is one thing all of the Aegean Islands have in common and that is the wonderful blue skies and the Aegean blue waters with plenty of Greek sun as well. You will find many chapels and scenic landscapes as you hop from one Aegean Island to the other and you can expect to find traditional style villages as well as exciting seaside along the way.

In the north of the Aegean Islands you can find the islands of Chios, Ikaria, Fournoi, Psara as well as a few more while in the Dodecanese there are islands known as Astypalea, Karpathos and more. Most of the Aegean Islands are under Greek control though some of them do fall under the control of Turkey and also the Italians.

If you visit the northeastern Aegean Islands you will certainly want to stop off at Chios that along with Lesvos and Chamos form the three major islands in this part of the Aegean Islands. Though Chios is not very well known to tourists, it is nevertheless very beautiful and this splendid wooded island has a culture rich in tradition as well as many sandy beaches, a conference center and also hiking trails that you can use to hike and even visit the unspoiled villages on the island. The weather is mild and this island is also one that has wonderful smells that will please your senses no end.

Another island that you should give your attention to is Lesvos that is very seductive and once you visit here you may forget about going to any other of the Aegean Islands. This is perhaps the most famous of these islands and is the home of the lady named Sappho who is a woman poet and this large and beautiful island is certainly a destination that will surely enchant you. The capital of the island is Mytilene and there is also a Genoese castle here named the Kastro of Mytilene that was built where an earlier Byzantine fortification once stood, and it is a major point of interest for visitors to Lesbos.

Further to the east among the Aegean Islands is another island called Ikaria that is a majestic island that is supposed to be the home of the mystical Ikaros and in this lovely island there is plenty of breathtaking scenic beauty, invigorating mountainous air as well as good hot springs that have great therapeutic value, and the unspoiled seas are only made better by the friendly peoples of this island.

You will be amazed that even in these modern times, the island of Ikarias has maintained its true identity and the ways of its people are unchanged and unspoiled by outside influences.

The first that comes to the mind when you say ‘Darjeeling’ is tea. The Darjeeling tea is world famous (the vanilla jasmine tea) for its aroma and high and unmatched quality. This is what you would first observe in Darjeeling (during the best time for your visit, April-June or October-November) wherever you would look – tea gardens. Where the greenery is not a tea garden, then it would be a Bamboo enclave or Fern jungle.  Darjeeling is also known as ‘The City of the Celestial Thunderbolt”.

Darjeeling is natural beauty at its best. This is why it is one of the most sought after tourist spots both nationally and internationally. Sports enthusiasts would have plenty to do here as this place has a plethora of natural trails that you could trek and mountains that you could climb and enjoy the crisp and fragrant air of high altitude. Do not forget to pay a visit to the famous Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Museum. Here you would be privileged to see the equipment that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzong Norgay used when they climbed the Mt. Everest.

Another way to enjoy the wonderful altitude is with the cable car that runs between Darjeeling and Singla Bazaar. You will be able to see and savor the exquisite beauty of the Himalayas during the few hours hat you would have to travel by the cable car.

Some must-see sights for any tourist are:

1. The Mall – this is where you would find everything that you need to buy as souvenir; this is where you could do most of your shopping. The whole road is lined with cottage entrepreneurs selling different varieties of real and imitation antiques. You would also find an exceptional array of hand-knitted sweaters at reasonable prices. Remember, when you are here to check out the oil painting – some of them are simply stunning.

2. The Tiger Hill – You could see the famous Mt Everest from here, besides enjoying one of the most beautiful sunrise scenes over the mountains. The Tiger Hill is located some 13 kms outside the town, at an altitude of 8482 ft (2590 m).

3. Kanchenjunga View – Nature enthusiasts would have the choice of another exceptional treat by nature – the Kanchenjunga View. From here you can enjoy to your heart’s content the splendor of the Himalayas and the Kanchnjunga Peak which is the third highest peak in the world.

4. Chowrasta – situated at the end of The Mall, this is a continuous hub of activity. You will find here a good display of the eateries and wonderful souvenirs.  Some of the best handicrafts are available here.

Do no miss a trip on the Toy Train or the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which would show you four mountains peaks besides the breath-taking natural beauty of Darkjeeling – Lhoste, Everest, Kanchenjunga and the Makalu.

The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is one of the most inviting and beautiful cities of Asia. The name of the city is actually Krug Thep in short. The real name of Bangkok is so long that it is entered the Guinness Book of Records as the place with the longest name, i.e. Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit which is translated in English as, The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city of Ayutthaya (Lord Indra), the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.

The meaning of its name would be sufficient to explain to you why the city is such a great tourist attraction. It is beautiful. It is both old and new and one of the most active commercial cities in Asia. You will find the most modern amenities in hospitality combined with the oriental culture and food which leave an indelible impression on your mind.

Travel the city in the famous tuk-tuks as well as the ferry service and enjoy the wide variety of food this city offers and the shopping outlets that has made this city known as shoppers’ paradise. The specialty here is that each street focuses on one thing only and that something is sold all over the street. There is nothing that you would not be able to find in the markets of Bangkok. If you want something, you will definitely find it here.

Known as the ‘City of Angels’ Bangkok is famous for its wonderful night life where you could get any type of entertainment you like. From the notorious Patpong to some excellent live band classy jazz bars, there is not one dull moment in Bangkok at night. Check out the traditional dance performance at Patravadi Theater or enjoy an excellent Thai meal on a traditional rice barge on the Chao River.

Though this city was once famous by the name of ‘The City that Never Sleeps’ new Government rules have the shutters down for all the night clubs and bars by latest 2 am. Yet that gives you enough time to sample the fun that this city can offer its tourists. Given the entertainment and fun and frolic it offers, Bangkok should be renamed as ‘The City Where Fun Never Ends!

The beauty of Australia has long been praised and people from all over the world still flock to relocate here. This continent-country has a myriad of things to offer to both tourists and people who are looking for a permanent home here.

Situated in the State of Victoria, Melbourne is the Capital and second largest city in Australia boasting of a population of three million plus. This city has earned its world acclaim not only for its picturesque beauty but also for its focus on arts and culture. You will find that greenery and gardening is one of the most successful enterprises here due to the very conducive climate.

The best time to visit Melbourne is definitely the summer when this city becomes a hub of entertainment. There is some of the most exciting sports events held at that time such as the Sail Melbourne Regatta, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Grand Slam, Tooheys Blue Melbourne Cup and the Heineken Golf Classic to name a few.  You will also be regaled by live concerts of world-famous singers during the Melbourne International Music Festival.

Another great attraction would be the Melbourne International Comedy Festival which would have you in splits with the best of international talent. This is a time when you could rub shoulders with veterans such as Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Carrey and enjoy their live performances.

For shopping enthusiasts there is a Collins Street which is an exceptional spot for buying men and women’s apparel. Other places that you should visit would be the Bourke Street (for book lovers) and the Flinders Street.

Food is always a great attraction in Melbourne. You could have some exotic Indian food at the Flora Restaurant or Little Bourke on Swanston Street or excellent fast food from Hungry Jack and McDonalds. You should never miss having a meal at the excellent Swanston Walk Café and Gopal Restaurant if you are a gourmet. Williamstone is one of the most famous food destinations in Melbourne where you could get anything you ever wanted to eat. Here, alongwith the excellent food, you would be able to enjoy exquisite Australian wines and a mind-blowing view of the city.

Things to see in Melbourne should definitely include the Melbourne Aquarium with its amazing seal life, the Phillip Islands, the Ganesh Temple (Indian Temple) and the Dunn’s Leather Goods shop where you find a stunning array of miniature things. You would also love to take a cruise on the Yarra River and if you are a nature lover you will have to stop by the Werribbee Park and the Organ Pipes National Park, to see the spectacular rose gardens and natural rock columns respectively. Animal lovers should visit the Healsville Sanctuary for a great with all types of native Australian animals.

Overall, the Garden City, as Melbourne is known world wide, would offer you everything you ever wanted to see and enjoy.

Florida – popularly referred to as ‘the sunshine state’ – is the extreme south-eastern state in the United States. Situated on a large peninsula – Florida is the largest state, east of the Mississippi River, after Georgia, and is ranked 22nd among the 50 US states. With its powdery white sands and bright green waters on its gulf shores on Key West, Pensacola, St. Petersburg, and Tampa – Florida offers an endless variety of things to see and do. 

Florida’s attractions promise a holiday that you will never forget. Florida is categorized into five distinct geographical regions: the Eastern Coast of Florida, the Western Coast, Central Florida, the Panhandle and the Southern Tip with the Keys, each with some unique features to draw visitors from all over the nation as well as from many other parts of the world. Among the sought-after destinations in the Eastern Coast of Florida is the stunning Fort Lauderdale and Daytona Beach, which is famed for its white beaches, outdoor recreation, and obviously the Dayton speedway. Renowned for its beautiful sunsets, the Western Coast of Florida includes such great attractions as Sarasota, Tampa, and St. Petersburg.

Central Florida is perhaps the most popular of the state’s destinations, with Disney World Resort, which has been rated number one among the amusement theme parks. Situated south of Orlando, Disney World’s highlights are Universal Studios Escape and Sea World, among many others. Filled with tropical land and swamplands, the Southern Tip of Florida is famed for its vibrant cities such as Miami, which is highly favored by visitors for its teeming nightlife, tropical dining, white sand beaches, and other family attractions. Situated off the southern tip of Florida and just 15 miles south of Miami – the Florida Keys is an archipelago with about 1700 islands, and boast of such attractions as Theater of the Sea, Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum, Key West Aquarium, and Bahia Honda State Park.

A narrow strip of land stretching westward from the top of the peninsula, the Florida Panhandle consists of such hot vacation spots as Destin, Emerald Coast, and Fort Walton Beach areas, along the Gulf of Mexico. Panama City with its 43-km stretch of coastline is also situated here, which is home to an impressive range of tourist attractions such as the Gulf World Marine Park, Zoological and Botanical Park, the Emerald Falls Family Recreation Center. Further, the city highlight includes Spring Break festivities conducted on every March.

Best places to visit in Florida also cover a lot number of historic as well as science museums, art galleries, world-class botanical gardens, national monument, and thriving state parks. Just few among them are Frost Art Museum, Cornell Museum of Art & History, Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science, Boyd Hill Nature Park, DeSoto National Memorial, Eureka Springs Gardens, Alafia River State Park, Anastasia State Park, and Bald Point State Park. Further, the state provides opportunities to enjoy a spectrum of activities from snorkeling and diving to fishing and surfing. Above all, Florida is a top-notch retirement location, welcoming senior citizens from both the nation and the other major parts of the world.

Perth is the capital of Western Australia and it is an exciting city where one can find plenty to see and do. You will find many exciting shopping opportunities where the bustling markets provide diversity and along with the heritage architecture and the pretty parks there are also inviting beaches, fine wineries as also the opportunity to take river cruises that are very relaxing. The climate is temperate and thus makes for an even more enjoyable holiday that will have you coming back for more. You should take the time to leisurely stroll the streets of Perth and take in the wonderful sights. There are many cultural as well as historic buildings to see including the Perth Concert Hall, Perth Town Hall and also St. Mary’s Cathedral, Perth Mint and the Swan Bells Tower.

There are also many shopping malls where you can shop to your heart’s content with the two main shopping malls known as Murray and Hay Street malls and a notable feature of these malls is that no traffic is allowed here and you can enjoy the many specialty stores here as well. You might also want to head to the London Court that is another shopping arcade well worth paying a visit to.

The Western Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of Western Australia are located at the Cultural Centre and Northbridge in Perth and if you wish to enjoy the aboriginal art of Australia, then a visit to The Art Gallery of Western Australia is a must. Tourists are also seen heading to Kings Park that has some breathtaking views of Perth City as also Swan River. And, the Botanic garden here has a wonderful collection of the best and most unique of Western Australia’s flora. If you are a trekker, then you can enjoy the tree top walkway that has a glass as well as steel arched bridge.

Once you visit Perth and get to see the beautiful beaches and enjoy the fantastic weather and are enthused by the friendliness of its inhabitants you will be even more pleased to learn of the outstanding golfing opportunities that the city has to offer. Perth is certainly an ideal destination for the golfer, especially if you want to get something other than the rain and mist of Scotland. You should check out Joonadalup Resort Golf Course, Burswood Park Public Golf Course, and Vines Golf Course.

And, for the water enthusiast Perth is the ideal destination because it has some pristine beaches that stretch for miles on end and is really nothing short of an underwater paradise where there are many whale sharks that are the largest fish in the world, and where divers love the waters that also have many dolphins that swim all the way to the edge of the waters and are certainly very pleasing animals to feed and photograph.

You should also pay a visit to Perth Zoo that has more than sixteen hundred species and is just five minutes from the city along the Swan River that in turn enters the Swan Valley where you will find a number of wineries as also art galleries. And, every tourist will also make Rottnest Island an item on their itinerary, which is just across from Perth.

Gran Canaria is the central of the Canary Islands and has many excellent cliffs, sand dunes as also attractive scenery where a visitor can also enjoy taking camel rides, indulge in the water parks as well as enjoy the naturist beaches and more. There is a lot of variety on Gran Canaria Island which means that a visitor would find no occasion to complain or feel disappointed given the wonderful mountains and volcanic craters waiting to be explored. There are also verdant forests with different vegetations as well as sand dunes that are very like those found in the Sahara. All of this makes the Gran Canaria a mini continent in it.

There are also visitors to Gran Canaria that love its vibrant night life where there is much fun to have as well as diversity of opportunities. The nightlife generally begins very late in the night and the bars as well as restaurants are then open well into the wee hours of the morning allowing you to dance and drink away the hours in complete oblivion of time. There is plenty of wild entertainment to enjoy and there are also many fiestas, carnivals as also special events to keep you interested. Also, you will realize how much the Spanish people love to dress up; so, there is a lot to make the night livelier and more enjoyable.

The capital and largest city of the Gran Canaria is Las Palmas which has beaches to enjoy a quiet swim and also many busy shopping centers to indulge in buying various items of interest. Besides, there are also many museums, and plenty of opportunity to surf, relax in the sun and surfing on Las Canteras is especially recommended. In addition, you will be impressed by the fantastic architecture of Vegueta and there are also plenty of atmospheres in the city which you can absorb while taking a casual walk. You can enjoy the Carnivals during the months of February and March and this is a good time to visit here.

The beaches at Las Palmas are many and Las Canteras has the biggest of them and it is the most popular and is also considered as being among the finest of any beaches in Spain. There is also a sheltered three kilometer long cove that is ideal for swimming, sunbathing and also other water sports. There is also the Paseo de Las Canteras that has many shops, bars as also restaurants and the main shopping area of Las Palmas is known as Mesa y Lopez. The largest department store in Spain is the local thirteen storeys high El Corte Ingles which has everything a bargain hunter would wish for.

For the night life, you could visit Plaza de Espana, where you will enjoy partying into the late hours of the night and enjoy the sixties’ music in modern clubs or sample the more traditional Spanish bars as well as restaurants.

There are many holiday makers that are greatly attracted to Mainland, Greece as here you will find many wondrous beaches, coupled with the excellent Mediterranean climate and the many unspoiled villages that beckon increasing numbers of tourists here each year to enjoy the fantastic history and culture of Greece. There are many resorts that offer outstanding scenic beauty coupled with the enchanting beaches and topped off with the wonderful cuisine that are just too attractive to pass over and which offers tourists enough opportunity to unwind and relax in comfort.

Mainland Greece has a lot more greenery and it is also quite mountainous as compared with the islands though it is generally not as well developed. You can reach here by charter as also scheduled flights, especially from the United Kingdom and it is most convenient to fly to Athens, the capital that is very busy city located in the south of Greece where you will find the Parthenon on the Acropolis.

Macedonia is the largest region on mainland Greece and lies in the north with its capital city known as Thessaloniki which is also very vibrant and is a busy Byzantine city located near the coast. Close from Thessaloniki are the beaches of Chalkidiki and the peninsula in the Aegean where you can find the Blue Flag beaches that have outstanding and splendid scenic beauty.

For a truly authentic as well as relaxing holiday on mainland Greece you could visit its central parts where the Pelion peninsula lies. You can also be assured of the commodious and comfortable accommodations in these parts, from where you can make excursions to the sandy beaches or take to the mountains while you may also want to choose to visit the charming villages that dot the landscape, especially near to the mountains. What you will not fail to notice are the exotic beaches and spectacular scenic beauty of the mainland.

When on the mainland in Greece you will be confronted with three different types of climate including the Mediterranean climate that has mild and wet winters along with hot as well as dry summers, an alpine climate found mainly in the west of the mainland, and a temperate climate that you would experience in the Central as well as Eastern Macedonia.

When on the mainland, be prepared for a lot of mountainous terrain as there is as much as eighty percent of the land that is mountainous which also makes Greece among the most mountainous countries of Europe. The highest point in Greece is the Mount Olympus. It is also a famous place for bird watching and there are many tours organized around this activity.

Though most attention revolves around the islands of Greece, the mainland too has much to offer in the form of such rarely visited places such as Epiros that lies to the northwest and where you will be spellbound by the amazing natural beauty that has remained untouched throughout history and which will provide you with a blissful experience that you won’t want to ever miss.

The wonderful island of Malta that is located in the Mediterranean Sea allows you to bask in its sunshine almost all through the year with as many as three hundred days of sun to provide you with much relaxation as well as fun. It is also a wonderful destination for those who are seeking a country with low taxes and which also has properties available at attractive prices.

Malta is an ideal offshore land that is popular among those who want to have lower business as well as personal tax burden, and it also makes an ideal place where to retire. The real estate business in Malta is a thriving one that has active as well as well-priced properties available for anyone interested. This is a good reason why many real estate investors are making good profits from their property deals in Malta.

Malta is a tax haven and if you can achieve residency in the country you would end up paying just fifteen percent income taxes on all remittances made to this island nation. If you purchase property in Malta you are eligible for residency and thus have the opportunity to considerably reduce your tax burden. The emigration laws are more or less the same as those of EU countries, as it is also a part of the European Union and so, anybody that is an EU national would not require a visa or passport as an ID card would be sufficient to enter the country.

So, if you are interested in these advantages you would do well to learn more about Malta which is a tiny though densely populated island nation that has an archipelago of seven islands, and which is a Southern European country that is situated south of Sicily as well as to the east of Tunisia and just north of the country of Libya. Most people speak both Maltese as well as English and the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism.

As would be expected from a Mediterranean country, the climate is also Mediterranean with many mild though rainy winters that see a lot of dry heat in the summer. The country had a very small number of industries till the year 1800 and what industry there was consisted of cotton, tobacco as well as shipyards. With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Malta’s economy got a major boost especially through shipping.

There are supposed to be just a little over four hundred thousand inhabitants on the island including those foreigners that have resided on the island for a minimum of one year and there are almost equal number of males and females. The Maltese language which is native to the island has been derived from Arabic as well as having borrowed from Italian; more particularly from Sicilian.

At the southernmost part of the continent of Africa lies the lovely country of South Africa that borders other countries including Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana as well as Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland. South Africa is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and has a history of having many different peoples settling here over the years, with many Europeans coming to this part of the world because of its strategic value – being central to the Cape Sea Route.

South Africa has seen many Europeans migrate here, especially after the formation by the Dutch East India Company in 1652 of a station that has come to be known to us as Cape Town. South Africa has many other ethnic peoples that include whites, Indians as well as the racially mixed African communities. However, the majority (about ninety percent) of the population is made up of black South Africans that speak nine separate officially recognized languages.

The climate of South Africa is temperate in the main which can be attributed to it being surrounded by the Atlantic as well as Indian Oceans and because it is located in the mild southern hemisphere. Inland, you will find deserts in southern Namib as well as subtropical climates in the east and you can best describe the country as being semi-arid though the climate as well as topography varies considerably throughout the entire country.

South Africa is also reasonably affluent and is classified as a middle-income country that is blessed with abundant resources, a well formed financial, legal as well as communications system that also has plenty of energy and good transportation. Despite all these factors, the country still has large gaps in income and is a dual economy that means it is designated as being a developing country, with the dubious distinction of being a country with one of the highest income inequalities in the world.

If you are planning to visit South Africa, you should be prepared for plenty of entertainment with plenty of sun, sea as well as sardines as epitomized in the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal that is the ultimate beach in South Africa and a must-visit destination of this wonderful country. Here you will find sun all round the year and there is exciting surfing and diving opportunities as well as a sardine spectacle that keeps visitors flocking here year after year.

No visit to South Africa would be complete without a visit to see its world famous wildlife of which five are especially appealing – leopard, lion, elephant, rhino as well as elephants. If you are seeking entertainment in South Africa you won’t be disappointed as you can come to the famous Golden Mile in Durban that has a luster all of its own and you would certainly enjoy the Sunset Coast Casino as well as uShaka Marine World.

You will also find the untouched coastline of the West Coast to be especially appealing and it is one of the few places on our planet where you see waterfalls tumbling into the sea. There is also world class fly fishing available in South Africa and of course, a visit to Florida Road in Durban would provide you even more fun and a taste of the many influences of Durban itself.