Balkan Tours and Travels

Archive for May, 2009

Have you ever been to China? China is one of the amazing places to visit in the entire Asia. If you are planning for an exotic vacation, make sure that you choose the best China tour package for an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

Although you can travel various places on your own but, if you really want to know about each and every place, getting along a local travel guide is the best way to explore the wonders of the ‘Forbidden city.’ And, this is true because most tours led by travel guides generally assure good accommodation at affordable rates and quality services. Not only do they guide the tourists with historical facts and values of tourist-attraction places, they also make arrangements for commutation and all. In fact, a travel guide delivers you with ample of knowledge about Chinese culture and traditions and makes you completely familiar with the place.

Many China tours and travel agents offer Hong Kong vacations, trip to Beijing -Forbidden City, Yangtze River cruise, Shanghai hotels, Tibet travel, etc. So, all you need to do is simply choose the best one for yourself among them all. Every place has its own charm and beauty. Apart from this, when selecting a travel destination, be clear about the purpose of your vacation. If you want to relax yourself and enjoy the scenic beauty and environment choose a calm and serene place. If you want to party hard and enjoy the sun tan and the golden warm beaches you might have to look out for suitable locations within the country. Whenever you are planning to go on a vacation, it is better to set out your priorities so that you enjoy the most out of it.

Besides, China has a rich variety of flora and fauna, incredible landscapes silhouetted with pristine natural beauty that makes it a top choice among various travelers in the world. The amazing architecture, unique cultures and traditions, delicious food, regional beliefs and heritage are some of the reasons tourists are allured to visit. When you are in China, you are bound to be drifted away in a different world – the tinge of oriental exotica and the flavor of Chinese traditions.

Tour of China is not complete without seeing the huge and amazing landscape that the country has to offer. China is blessed with the sights of nature thus, it has become one of the must visit places in Asia or rather in the world. That’s not all! The climatic conditions of China coupled with its well-developed transportation facilities make it one of the best places in the list of Destination World.

Whenever you take a tour in China make sure you visit each and every place in China- try and know about its civilization, people and culture. Once you do that, you will surely be in love with China and want to visit it again and again.

So, have you decided to plan for a memorable expedition to China?

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A city break is an ideal way to learn something of a different culture in a few days. A city break gives you a chance to absorb a new experience. The Balkan region has a diverse mix of geography, history and culture.

City breaks in the Balkans offer something for everyone no matter what your age, taste, or whether you are part of a group or travelling alone.

Here are 10 cities that reflect the character of the Balkans.

1. Belgrade – Serbia

Belgrade is known for being a vibrant and trendy city and has a reputation for offering a vibrant nightlife the best features of which are the barges spread along the banks of the Sava and Danube Rivers.

Belgrade boasts two opera houses, a number of museums, including the National Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also some stunning architecture

A former river island, Ada Ciganlija, on the Sava river, is Belgrade’s biggest sports and recreational complex. It is the most popular destination for Belgraders and visitors alike during the city’s hot summers.

2. Bucharest – Romania

Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Epoque buildings and a reputation for the high life, which at one time, earned it the nickname of “Little Paris”.

Bucharest has much historical charm – from the streets of the Old City Centre, which are slowly being restored, to the grand architecture of the Royal Palace and the lush green of Cismigiu Park. The city also claims a large number of museums, art galleries, exquisite Orthodox churches and unique architectural sites.

3. Dubrovnik – Croatia

Dubrovnik is one of the world’s finest and best preserved fortified cities and features two kilometres of walls, some 6 metres thick in places lined with turrets and towers, that run around the city. George Bernard Shaw said in 1929: “If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik”.

4. Ljubljana – Slovenia

Ljubljana is a charming city, the numerous parks and a vibrant cultural scene. There are numerous art galleries and museums and a mediaeval castle located at the summit of the hill that dominates the city centre.

Ljubljana Zoo covers has 152 animal species. An antique flea market takes place every Sunday in the old city. Tivoli Park is the largest park in in the city, has 3 main avenues, planted with chestnut-trees.

5. Sarajevo – Bosnia

Sarajevo is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated around the Miljacka river, commonly known as the Sarajevo River. This river is one of the main features of the city. In December 2009, Lonely Planet listed Sarajevo as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2010

A great way to get around this city is on the electric tram system. Sarajevo was the first city in Europe to have a full-time operational electric tram network running through the city.

6. Skopje – Macedonia

Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, and the Memorial House of Mother Teresa commemorates this. There are many old churches and mosques to visit for those who love history and architecture.

Many famous worldwide artists have attended the music festivals over the years. The Skopje Jazz Festival is part of the European Jazz Network. The Blues and Soul Festival in early July is part of the Skopje Cultural Summer Festival and the May Opera Evenings have been one of the most visited events in Skopje.

The City Park is home to the main museum, several monuments, small lakes, cafes and restaurants. The city Zoo and stadium are also here along with several nightclubs.

7. Sofia – Bulgaria

Sofia is nestled in the foothills of Vitosha Mountain, which makes it an ideal location for hiking and skiing. The city of Sofia is a lively, bustling and cosmopolitan city with many nightclubs, live venues and traditional Bulgarian taverns and restaurants. Many famous musicians have played in Sofia.
Sofia houses numerous museums and art galleries, including the National Historical Museum, the Bulgarian Natural History Museum, the Museum of Earth and Men.
The city has many places of special interest, museums and churches, and has a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Boyana Church

8 Split – Croatia

The city is located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and offers great links to surrounding seaside towns and to the numerous Adriatic Islands.

The city centre is taken up by the Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian, which is UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. Athens – Greece

Athens is home to the world famous Acropolis? The Parthenon and the other main buildings on the Acropolis were built by Pericles in the fifth century BC as a monument to the cultural and political achievements of the inhabitants of Athens. You could spend some days exploring this and it is best to start early on the hot summer days.

The Plaka is the oldest section of Athens. It is now a pedestrian area of restaurants, tourist shops, and cafes and is an enjoyable place to relax.

The National Archaeological Museum ranks among the top ten museums in the world.

10. Istanbul – Turkey

Istanbul, the historic city that stands in Europe and Asia and has the status of 2010 European Capital of Culture is an ideal venue for a city break.

In Istanbul’s steep and bustling streets, and visitors can spend hours buying or viewing the wonderful products on offer in the markets, where bargaining is essential. The Grand Bazaar, has over 4,000 craft shops, selling carpets, pottery, jewels, and antiques in its labyrinths.

There are many monuments and historical sites including the Hagia Sophie and one of the greatest examples of Islamic architecture, the “Blue Mosque”

Be sure to take a ferry along the Bosphorus Strait, and enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city especially at sunset.

There are many more places in the Balkans that make it ideal for a short city break.

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